IS THE SILVIA REALLY ALL THAT GREAT?!?! (be prepared for an intense discussion!)

[ESPER]

hello everyone!! i know the silvia is a great car but what i am wondering is, what are pepople's opinions based on this car vs. itself as well as other cars??

for number one, what are the silvia's (mainly s13 and s14) strengths and weaknessess??

what about the silvia vs the other import cars??? Would you choose a silvia over any of these other cars?? why??vs.

rx-7supramr2z32 (z33) LanEvo (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

my thoughts i would like to propose would be as follows:

if you could have any car on that list which one would you choose and why?

Is there one car that is clearly the best??

for instance, after buying lets say, an s14 (in my case) and swapping in an s14 sr20det (i'm planning) couldnt i just buy an rx-7 ?? wouldnt everyone else wnat to own an rx-7 instead??

i can understand someone wanting a miata over all these cars because maybe they want a convertable!! or maybe the lanevo cuz of its passenger room!! or even yet the mr2 because of its midship design, but what "unique" qualities does a silvia have??

the other cars, drag and drift better than a silvia right?? and arent silvias next to none in the world of drag racing??

i am in no way dissing the silvia, ( as i just bought mine a month ago) but in a way as i mentioned earlier, maybe instead of an engine swap i should just trade it and get an rx-7 or mr2??

i would just like to have everyone reflect on the beauty or the silvia. and i hope to hear from other car owners as well, those who own the cars i mentioned above, or those planning on getting one from the mentioned list!!

well, let the discussion get going!!

[blink0r]

There isn't one major "superior" car, however.... the FD rx7 is a BADASS car, and i'd definitely jump at the chance of owning one if i could afford it.

The RX7 has such a huge following because of the rotary engine and it's amazing modding potential. By dropping in a K&N air filter and new, bigger exhaust, i've heard of people claiming 30+ horsepower. And also, how many people can claim they've beaten a mustang with a 1.3 litre? Rx7's can handle F*CKING GREAT too, if you've ever ridden in one you'll know what i mean.

However, out of all the cars you listed, i would take the s15 Silvia Spec-R. Why? Because it's the only one of the cars you listed that isn't for sale in a north american market . It's actually my dream car, and i'll never even get to see one in real life.

Of all the cars you listed, the silvia is a better drift car (stock) than most of them, except maybe the rx7 or the lancer evo. Silvia's are built for drifting, not high end speed.

PS: s13 and s14's are NOT silvias. Silvia refers to the JDM version of our cars, equipped with an sr20det (not a ka24de). When i say silvia, i mean s15 Spec-R.

[ninjak84]

this is such a huge and broad topic, i cant even muster the strength to reply

[blink0r]

Muster something up woman, or is your bra too tight?

[drewstealth]

Well ever car has its weaknesses and strengths. I wouldn't say the s13 or s14 would be the best drag car, nor would it be the best drift car but it is a all around good car. At least when it has the sr20det in it. The ka isn't enough power imo. The rx-7 is probably the best handleing car out of those along with the lancer. But if you ever sat in a rx-7 you will soon learn to realize the car was purely made for performance driving and in no way made to be comfortable. At least if your over 5'9. Also they aren't for sombody that is not ready to make some repairs to the engine. The mr2 is a good all around car to but its not that great if you like to work on your own car. And like I said about the rx-7, it wasn't made with tall people in mind. Never rode in a evo so i couldn't help you out there. The supra TT is great and is one of my favorite cars. But it is extremly pricey. If you have the money i would say go with the supra. Although it doesn't handle as well as the rx-7 or mr2. I just sold my dodge stealth r/t and currently looking for a 95+ 240sx right now. I love the looks of these cars and they arn't that common either. If you do the swap they could perform very well also. Well so i heard since i never drove one.

[SpeedRacer1]

We must remember that the S13's major advantage is the possibility for modest speed and handling for little money. Just like the AE86 (king of the cheap cars). There arent too many cars available that can be drifted and pull off fast 1/4 miles for such a fair price.

[InstantRice]

the evo isnt the best handling car, dont get me wrong its not sluggish in the least but the rx has it beat . The silvia is just a great car for its extremely good handling, i would say 2nd only to the rx though ive never driven a evo, its cheapness,and its HUGE aftermarket.

[InstantRice]

on a sidenote have you guys seen the u.s. evos? Aside from their somewhat ugly wings they are sick looking.

[Goodbar6]

Well, i curently own a Turbo II RX-7 as my project car, and a gettng rid of it to go back to a 240SX like i had before. The RX-7 has huge power potential, and with the engine being so small, they can push it back behind the front wheels for escelent weight distribution. And from a full 3 inch exhuast, the turbo rotarys can pick up around 50-60 rear wheel horsepower (although you have to get something to control fuel if ya do that).

So why am i going back to the silvia platform you ask?:

In my opinion, the 240SX handles just as well. I have driven both in an autocross, and they both handle really well, but there is just something about the 240SX that makes me more confident (probably because i was really used to it).

The STREETABLE power potential for both cars is very similar. Sure, there are rotarys out there pushing 900 horsepower, but they are dedicated drag cars. For streetable horsepower, i would say that the Rotary gets the lead, but do i really want a 500Horsepower car that doesnt build boost untill 4500 rpms?

Both platforms have alot going for it, but it all comes down to personal preference. And i could go on and on about the differences, but then i would be writing a book!

Tyler

[SpeeDDrifT]

for number one, what are the silvia's (mainly s13 and s14) strengths and weaknessess??

unique looking cars and you get to be a part of this forum! and there way to much typing involved for me to continue.Quote » what about the silvia vs the other import cars??? Would you choose a silvia over any of these other cars?? why??vs. [/quote]

rx-7 ........i love this car, but more expense in every aspect, more expensive to insure, upgrade, repair, and rotary motors have short life spans.supra.......eh same thing expensive....and i don't really like emmr2.......... too damn hard to drift. too small inside and out.z32 (z33) ......expensive once againLanEvo (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.......expensive, harder to drift if sold here it will be super trendy.....

Quote » i can understand someone wanting a miata over all these cars because maybe they want a convertable!! or maybe the lanevo cuz of its passenger room!! or even yet the mr2 because of its midship design, but what "unique" qualities does a silvia have?? [/quote] they aren't miatas, evos, or an MR2(they are fairly rare)....they are sleek, sporty cars.the last of the affordable true japanese sports cars offered in N. America. you can swap in a SR20, do a few upgrades, have a 300hp car and not pay the insurance premium for it. Quote » the other cars, drag and drift better than a silvia right?? and arent silvias next to none in the world of drag racing?? [/quote] drifting a silvia is better.....cheaper to repair. an RX-7 in almost like a mid-ship car....easy to kick out...harder to mantain a drift. as for drag-racing.....???

[SpeeDDrifT]

NOTE: look at the cars you are comparing the silvia/180sx to. your comparing it to cars in a higher class....there is your answer to what makes the silvia/180sx great!

rx-7supramr2z32 (z33) LanEvo (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

ALSO: remember after buying a donor 240sx, SR20 swap, new suspension, brake conversion, new paint, etc. what is your total price? maybe $10,000 .....and you own a near "new" car. any of the above listed cars were upward of $35,000 new...i think. try to find a RX-7(FD), 300Z, Evo, supra, or MR2 with 35,000 miles (estimated mileage for SR20) on it for $10k.......

AND THAT my friend is why our cars are GREAT. and don't forget cheaper insurance, parts, and registration.

[I H8 UR DSM]

hello everyone!! i know the silvia is a great car but what i am wondering is, what are pepople's opinions based on this car vs. itself as well as other cars??

for number one, what are the silvia's (mainly s13 and s14) strengths and weaknessess??

what about the silvia vs the other import cars??? Would you choose a silvia over any of these other cars?? why??vs.

rx-7supramr2z32 (z33) LanEvo (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

i would take any of those cars over a silvia

[Turboinit]

the cars your comparing the Silvia to are in a much higher class to begin with the FD Rx-7 is in my opinion one of the greatest cars ever produced its 1.3l rotary engine ive seen bein built up in the 400-500hp range you cant even compare it to the Silvia. No Doubt though the silvia is still a great car the sr20det has alot of potential and is a very potent engine and the S13,S14,S15's have awesome weight distribution and after some suspension mods can run with the best of them and its alot cheaper to own one than a rx-7

[180crafter]

Rx7's like to go boom,Supra, not my cup of tea...Mr2... OK, but not as much tuning options as a SR,Z32 is a fu<king cow. A good SR can run circles around a Z32,EVO.... oooohhhhhhh, berry nice....me like.... but, there is still the problem of owning one in the US. THe 240 can easily be transformed in to a silvia, just by switching the motor, cant do the same with the us spec lancer and the real lancer. All the other cars on the list will cost you more than a 240sx with a swap and mods.

[bntranced]

All of the cars listed are in a way super cars. They have a large following of owners and fans. Sure their fast and may handle better but they do not posses the same ora. The 240 is a forgotten car. That is what makes it so great. Some ricer could roll up next to a 240 and be totally confused on the stance of the car. Few know the true possibilities. I also wonder if the Supra board or Mr2 board is posting messages about whether their car is equal to a silvia. Really who cares if your not the top dog, as long as your having fun. Its more fun to go fast in a slow car than fast in a fast car.

[jemil118]

You're not exactly comparing apple to oranges here. It's not like you can build one of those cars cheaply. Hmmm let's see...

300zx....nice, but expensive to upgrade, could stand to go to Jenny Craig(believe me, I own one)

Supras...mmmm me like twin turbos...twice the hp, of course twice the money to pay for those nice insurance premiums

MR2....the mister two is nice and light, quick off the line(but have you driven one, I mean when you shift it feels like you're sweeping a broom(long throw, even with a short throw shifter)

RX-7....drip,drip,drip....sllluuurrp...sorry about the drool. My personal dream car, even though you better beleive I'm going to sh*t my pants when that motor cracks in halfI had a friend that had one, engine block cracked after 35k miles

EVO...personally, I like them, but you are going to pay 40 grand to have one imported, if I was going to spend that much money on an import you might as well save a little more and buy a Skyline(hey a car you can actually put GTR emblems on)

With the 240s you can do an engine swap (A couple Nissan SR20's motor will pull a premium one week before Race Wars, Huh?) Relatively inexpensive to pull some really decent time slips... That is why Fairlady is heading out the door and Sylvia is being invited in...

Ohh check out http://www.zhistory.com to check the... ummm... history of the Z :spam

That would be http://www.zhome.com

[UnderPressure]

dude, ive seen an s15 silvia. i saw it @ nopi nats. i hav pics if you want them. in fact. i tried to post them here, but they're too big. It was the NX car. Bad as hell. . .

[ESPER]

I am glad there are so many opinions here!! thanks guys forreplying, really opened my eyes there!!i generally agree with you guys on everything you've said!! i do agree that the FD's, are a "bit superior" for the simple facts they handle well due to light engine and 50/50 weight distribution and are supposedly "are the only pure japanese sports car" (according to grand tourismo hehe) and are the "best cornering cars from japn" (Initial D the anmie hehe) But yes it all does boil down to personal taste and most of all driver's skill. here's an insightful reply from an email i recieved on the post:

d say in terms of racing power for road racing. The 240/silvia holds it own against similar cars like the ones you mentioned. But dont forget, the driver holds a big role in the cars performance. If you watch the Japanese touring cup races, youll see toyota MRS (mr2 spyder), S15 silvias, Supras, NSX's and Skylines all racing in the same class since the rules say they are limited to 300 hp in the GT300 class and 500 hp in the GT500 class. yet the little MRS is able to catch up to a AWD skyline and the S15 silvia is able to annhilate the NSX. I suppose im ranting now, but from a racing standpoint (autoX and road racing, not 1/4mi stuff) it really comes down to the driver. At auto X ive beaten TT Rx7s and WRX's with my old SOHC motor. Im horribly underpowered, and im unsure as to the experience lever of these people, but they should easily beat me. Umm sooooo, I say all S13,14 and 15s rule.

Matt T90 fastback (waiting for SR to come in)

but yes the rotory motor blows, so it is quite expensive to maintain, but is an exceptional ar to own w/money.I love the way it looks though!!

the mr2 is also great due to its midship design, but the main reason i wanted a 240sx is i want that "true FR driving experience" but the mr2 is wonderful for handling as well as midship enignes keep greater weight on the rear wheels to prevent slipping and genereate a good center of gravity.

now i don't know too much about the supra or z32. what i can say about the z32 is that, but dont quote me on this one, it doesnt really drift well....... i believe this because dont all the TT models have electronic super hicas?? and doesnt that defeat the purpose of drifting? but its a great powerful sleek car but i woneder what the japanese overseas think since i hear it isnt too popular with the tuners!!

about the lanevo VII, it has been confirmed that it is on its way here (prolly gonna be dubbed the evo VIII w/ minor tweaks, such as less HP for emissions, looks, etc.) and i will shortyl start ANOTHER "intense" or at lest interesting disccusion soon! hehe so stay tuned!!

as for the supra all i know is that it's espensive and in my 1993 motor trend it won against the FD, the z32, the VR-4 and the NSX. interesting huh? my only point here is if you were to race one, and you had a reasonably powered sr20det, it would be all about skill to win.

On a final note, i repsect ALL cars becuase they represent an individuality among drivers and serve different purposes. many supras compete in butt kicking drags but i prefer skillful drifting.

and against FC's or FD's and any other "more exotic cars" it would be a dream to race on downhill mountain passess as that RELIES purely on skill and handling and LESS on car + power.

thanks to everyon participationg in this discussion!!

*pant* *wheeze* hehe

[blink0r]

I know of a guy on the rx7 forum (stickgoat might too) who has a 700rwhp+ turboII FC which is his daily driver. Imagine that.... 534.46 horsepower per litre.

[blink0r]

Oh Crap, i forgot this....

If you take an s13's used resale price.... what do they generally sell for? $2,000-$5,000us? (im not sure)... Anyways, look at what else you could buy for the same amount?

Dodge neon? SucksChev Cavalier? SucksPontiac Sunfire? SucksFord Probe? (Sorry stickgoat) Pretty much sucks.

All in all, the 240 is one of the best 3 cars for the price you pay. Other 2 include the FC rx7, and the mk II mr2's. (i think they're mkii - late 80s)

[JadeFalcon]

Around here I've seen realtively clean 300Z's for under and around 10,000. . . but then I've seen nicer, newer 240's for $6,000-8,000. . . . hrm. . .

[Daunttless]

93 FD's go for about 13k now : )

[InstantRice]

someone talked about owning an evo in the u.s. they are in the u.s. http://www.lancerforums.com

[nametakennow]

None of the above. Sure, I'd take them, probably over a Silvia (cept for the MR2, I think) but I'll wait for a GT-R!

[jemil118]

As for the Super HICAS on the Z, it is only available on the twin turbo,and most Z owners disable it because it gets squirrelly on you at high speeds. For the real enthusiasts, the buy the rear axle off of a NA because of the lack of the HICAS and the gears are shorter. Oh, and if you were to find a "clean" tt for under 10 grand you're doing good. If my car were a tt instead of an NA I would be asking 16 grand for it instead of 13 grand. (94 Nissan 300zx 2+2---72k miles)

[NiSilS14]

i kinda liked Evos but not this one. the front is all weird

[nothingwrong]

Silvias kick a$$ for several reasons:

the price is sweet, they are reliable cars, huge aftermarket, they are unique and its pretty rare to see one on the street with mods(S13 especially), with some money they can race with the big boys, hell signal's S15 puts out 600 hp and you know youve got balls if you have a sticker of calvin pissin on a GT-R.