90's Japanese sports cars and aging

[Jeremy C]

I was just reading Jalopnik's ode to the mkIV Supra, when I got to this point:

This new Supra had flowing, elegant lines, a long hood, and its signature huge wing. I think that in terms of design, the Nissan 300ZX and Mazda RX-7 have aged better, but the Supra is unmistakably pretty.

I have to agree that the FD has aged remarkably well, but the 300ZX? I'm starting to think I must be one of the only people out there that think it looked aged the moment it was released. It really doesn't have any design qualities that stand out to me. Now the 1st gen 3S is starting to look aged with the pop ups, but comparing the four more common Japanese sports cars of the era (Supra, 300ZX, 3000GT, RX-7), I would put the Z as dead last in styling appeal and it's appeal 20 years later. The face lift on the 3S made a huge difference in longevity from my perspective, and would put it right behind the FD in aging gracefully. I always thought the Supra was OK looking, but didn't care of the long nose and slab sides. The widebody TRD 3000GT (great name choice too!) went a long way to making the Supra look better, but I don't consider that option since it was a rather rare car and demanded a stupid amount of money.

So strictly on looks alone, how would you rate the cars of the 90's today?

EDIT: I suppose we can add other cars to the mix like the NSX (will never look old to me) or the Skyline (R33 > *), but I was thinking primarily the four that we see most often talked about as competition to the 3000GT on our shores.

[CoreyB]

3000GT>Supra>FD>RX7>300ZX

[JasonY]

This is the best looking car from the 90's imo...I also agree the 300 is dead last in appeal. The 2.5 gen VR4 is probably my favorite currently of the 3/S flavors..

Actually have a pic of the FD with a nice 98:


Jason

[CoreyB]

My bad, RX7 and FD are the same car lol. But 3S IMO wins for looks. The FD is kinda a stretch out Miata to me, even though I believe it precedes the Miata.

[JasonY]

3/S is too numb for me to enjoy driving anymore. Took the 98 down the street the other day since Todd complained it was making an odd noise around 55mph. Of course it was silent when i drove it. Not my car so didnt go very far. But the steering feels as boosted as my trucks is compared to my FD. The FD doesnt even have that great of steering compared to an older M3. But the car is so alive vs a 3/S which is why i enjoy it so much more since i enjoy the drive. Supra is predictably boring and well engineered. Like all toyotas of that era.(and Toyota in general). The 300zx while visually unappealing does have the appeal of being made with higher quality materials than a 3/S is. So they are aging better in that respect.

Jason

[Ange]

NSX was probably the most ahead of it's time(aside from being n/a lol)

3000gt 1st gen do look very 90's but they look good and I like the 90's so I don't mind.

Supra never looked that good to me, neither did RX-7 or 3000ZX.

[NOMIEZVR4]

Yep...gotta agree with you Jason..my brother has a FD and in terms of driving excitement and being a drivers car, nothing out of the 4 come close to the FD. The seats, cockpit, dash, all are focused on the driver. Its a wonderful car. But speaking in regards to exterior styling, stock body, my choice is VR-4/FD/Supra/300ZX.

Its hard to beat a slammed 99 VR-4 in terms of looks (except if you have an NSX...

[NOMIEZVR4]

when I get a chance ill post a pic of the FD and my vr4...He's got 2..one with Petitt flares and another with a stock body...

Only pic I have at the moment...

[mehrshadvr4]

I think 300zx can look pretty modern with a little bit of work. 3000gt on the other hand need a major makeover to make that rear modern.

[NOMIEZVR4]

I think 300zx can look pretty modern with a little bit of work. 3000gt on the other hand need a major makeover to make that rear modern.

What? The rear of a 3k looks awesome...especially with a 99 wing...slammed of course..