Because I am a millennial with limited time and limited funds and therefore there’s a ceiling on how creative I can afford to get with my vacation destinations, I’m going to Japan next month. As part of this trip, I’m going on a one-day driving tour with Drivers Lounge, a company that takes car enthusiasts on guided tours through rural Japan in a smorgasbord of JDM icons.
For 108,000 yen (about $735 at today’s exchange rates), I’ll be driving up the famous Hakone Turnpike, along the shores of Lake Ashi, and down Tsubaki Line, ending the day with a visit to the iconic Daikoku PA to drop in on a car meet. And full disclosure, I’m not going as a journalist trading seat time for publicity but as a tourist, paying my own way.
But I’ve found myself in a bit of a pickle I hope you all can help me out with. Because I’ll only be going with my partner (who enjoys a cool car but not enough to drop half the price of a small Chanel wallet to drive one for a day), I’m limited to two cars. Which ones should I pick?
In the order they appear on DL’s website, here’s what’s on the menu:
- Nissan GT-R R35 (Front end styling says it’s a “first facelift” car from 2011 to 2016. Mods include HKS coilovers and an HKS exhaust.)
- Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (Tein coilovers, Fujitsubo exhaust, and unavailable until late October, so that’s out.)
- Mazda RX-7 FD3S (The engine is “freshly rebuilt” and uses a GReddy V-mount radiator for better cooling. Mods include AutoExe coilovers and an RE Amemiya exhaust.)
- Toyota GR Supra (Likely a first model year example, given it’s listed with 340 PS and the automatic. This one rides on Blitz coilovers.)
- Honda S660 (A “Spoon Complete Car” built entirely by the tuner running a Hondata ECU. One of three in the entire world, apparently.)
- Toyota GR Yaris (HKS coilovers. 5Zigen exhaust.)
- Suzuki Alto Works (A kei car turned up to 11 by Monster Sport, a tuner founded by legendary Japanese hillclimb racer Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima.)
- Honda Integra Type R DC5 (Ohlins coilovers, GP Sport exhaust, stripped out interior with roll cage.)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI (Blitz coilovers. 5Zigen exhaust.)
Alright, here’s what I’m thinking. We can skip the Supra, Yaris, and R35 because if I want to drive a GR Supra, I can always email Toyota Canada and book a presser. If I want to drive the Yaris, I can email Toyota Canada, book a GR Corolla, and imagine it is smaller. And while it’d be nice to finally have a go in the R35 right as it’s finally going out of production, it isn’t nearly as legendary as some of the other names on here and may also be a bit too much car for tight Hakone backroads.
That Spoon S660 is mighty interesting and mighty enticing, but as someone who already owns an S2000, picking this feels a bit like flying all the way to Japan only to eat Wagyu hamburgers half the time. No, it’s not the same thing, and I’m sure it’s amazing, but it feels very much “we have shades of this at home.” Maybe next year. In a similar vein, I’m sure the DC5 Integra is an absolute riot, but Acura RSXs were a pretty common sight back in the day, so it isn’t inherently as exotic.
I would’ve absolutely gone for the R32 if it were still on the table, but it’s not, so this leaves the RX-7, the Suzuki, and the Evo.
Which ones would you pick?
Top graphic images: Drivers Lounge
Rx7 and the Suzi. Or if just one the suzi…
Evo and the Suzi
M & M for me.
Damn, this is already whittled down to the 3 I’d have gone with, the FD being the mandatory choice. Of the other two I might go Suzuki for weird factor, but Evo is also definitely enticing…
The Suzuki Alto Works – make the second choice when you see the cars in person.
Rx-7 and the Suzuki, definitely
Rotary all day baby
Evo all day long.
Suzuki and the GT-R. If you only get two, make them really different.
Suzuki looks like a crazy little high-strung rocket we will never get because SUVs and bro-dozer trucks, ‘Murica!
And probably Yaris just because I love my GR-C and wish we had the smaller option.
I’d go with your favorite of these 3; the FD (yes it was over here, but there aren’t many left. I literally see more R34’s than FD’s these days), the S660 (because Spoon and as others have said, not as S2k-ish as you might think. Plus lower performance ceiling, so more slow car fast vibes), and Evo VI (peak WRC for me era and only just importable).
*The Suzuki would just miss the list mainly because something had to. I’d actually put it neck and neck with the S660 in case it is just a too little too S2k for your taste. I don’t think there’s a “wrong” combination of these 4…
I would 100% grab the Suzuki and then debate with myself a lot between the RX-7 and the EVO VI.
On the one hand, the FD is a dream for me, and I’d be ecstatic to drive one, but on the other, I’ve never laid eyes on an Evo VI, and that’s peak JDM performance, an economy car turned up to 11 with the aid of racing technology.
For a track day, I’d have to take the EVO, but I imagine it would feel a little like a lion in a shoebox at road speeds. For a trip on public roads, the RX-7 seems more like a complete package, as a more up-market GT car with no shared parts or engineering compromises for a “base” model.
The Alto and RX-7 are at opposite ends of the market, one is a hot version of a tiny economy hatch, while the other is a no-compromise, bubble-era upmarket GT. The EVO is in between, a VERY hot, racing-based version of a mid-size (relative to its location) sedan.
the best answer is “plan your own driving adventure and rent something from omoshiro rentacar for way cheaper”
I got a GR Yaris with HKS coilovers on Pilot Sport 4S for like $180 for 24 whole hours and drove it up Tsukuba Fruits Line and Beef Line to Honda Collection Hall and back, and then drove around the C1 and then hung out with nice folks at Tatsumi No.1 PA until 4 am. also having driven the GR Yaris and Corolla, don’t pooh-pooh the Yaris, it’s a real hoot since it’s smaller and lighter with the same power, and also being narrower makes it easier to drive around without worrying about denting it
you can get an R34 25GT for a whole day with ETC card for like $120!! they have other GT-R models but i think the 25GT is the sweet spot because you can at least use the whole thing easily on Japanese roads. you can also get an S660 Modulo X for about $110, or a Renault Twingo or Suzuki Alto Works for like $80! they even have a Drift King collaboration Swift Sport ZC33 for like $100! save yourself a lot of cash and do a self-guided 24 hour tour, you’ll get a lot more seat time and get to do Nighttime Bullshit too
S660 is very different than a s2000, with a tune it can have double the hp of stock. Alto works is the other correct answer. On the other days you are there rent a cheap kei car and go exploring. I recommend heading out to Gunma and drive up to Ikaho (original setting for Initial D). There’s a pretty awesome car/toy museum on the way. Alternatively drive through Tokyo on the roads underneath the highways or in the tunnels (later in the evening or weekend morning is ideal!)
RX-7 and S660. But that lil Suzuki looks like it can ride on rails.
RX-7 and Altoworks for me but damn I literally don’t think you can go wrong.
RX-7 and S660! I desperately want both of those!
Japan has some serious speed limits.
So all that performance potential is pretty much wasted on public roads.
I’d take the S660, and drop the roof to enjoy the amazing scenery.
Cause it’s close as you’re gonna get to Aki’s drophead Toyota 2000GT.
The RX7 and Evo are more “exotic” than an Integra Type R? Okay…
If I had my druthers I’d take the Suzuki and the Integra. Maybe the R35. Defintely the Suzuki though.
Personally – RX7 and Integra Type R.
EVO ran a close 3rd, so that and the RX7 would be my rec for you.
I would consider the comments that slower cars may give a more engaging drive at which point if it’s more about enjoying the route than saying “I drove an RX7” or whatever I would go for the S660 Spoon and the Alto. Either way it sounds like you’ll have a great trip!
What no Chang-li?
Some people pointed out that you won’t be able to max out. What are the specs of the trip? Driving sports cars at the speed limit or do you get some fun time? My vote is depending on the answer.
Sukuki Alto Works. A go cart tuned to the max. That little thing is probably amazing. The rest while very nice cars are as you said available here for company cars (driving free for reviews)
Evo and RX-7, since I didn’t see an NSX.
RX-7 if you want the best lightweight 90s JDM experience outside of an NSX.
Otherwise the Suzuki or S660.