JDM and what it means.

[240tek]

I know I'm new to this forum, but I am not entirely new to the "street racing" scene (in quotes for a reason). I know that JDM refers to parts/cars sold in the Japanese Domestic Market. However, what intrigues me (and the reason for this thread) is, why do YOU find JDM so alluring? Why are "JDM" parts so sought after? Honestly, not all of them offer better performance, not all of them appeal to everyone's taste more than USDM parts, i.e. exterior styling pieces like grills, lamps, etc. So what is it about JDM parts that makes them so valuable. Are they, collectively, superior to USDM parts? Keep in mind that, ultimately, USDM and JDM parts for any given Japanese Import originate in the same place. Is that we are players in a stereotype? Are we all so caught up in the fad or trend of "street racing"/ modding that we will latch onto anything seen as the ultimate or pinnacle, whether it really is or not? I will admit, the urge to make my 240 look different than the one owned by the college professor living down the street who is still trying to cling to young-adulthood, is very strong. A nice pair of JDM quarter panel windows with 180sx on them will look different, perhaps a kouki rear end. Is it worth the $200 the glass will likely sell for on Ebay, or the 500 plus for a set of brake lights? Do you also realize that in this attempt to be different, you are, infact, just following a trend? Or is there truly something deeper, more concrete, to the reasons you choose JDM over USDM? PEACE. Tek.

[Bunta240]

maybe you truly like the look more

or you want to convert your car to the Japanese version

But for the most part, it is just popular right now.

[Naro182]

the grass is always greener on the other side?

thats why japanese kids wants usdm bumpers...

[NoStickers]

well i like the way the s15 and s13 silvia look and i also like the 180sx tailights, so i want them b/c i like them. i guess b/c i never see them anywhere plays a part.

[Chuck Hanlon]

It's all a matter of personal choice and taste. Some want to be different by looking just like somebody else. This has gone on forever in cars. I had a '63 Ford Galaxie that I HAD to reverse the shackles so the rear end would be up in the air like the "real" hot rods. That was 1968. In the 70's we saw ridiculous flame jobs, and all the time, decals everywhere. So ricers aren't new, just updated. My 240sx has only one decal and it's on my license plate- says 05/04.

[thes14project]

Tek you get mad respect. I'm glad you asked that question because it is on everyone's mind. Unfortunatly a few people's attempt at being unique often turn into what's popular. But like I always say. I hate being ****ing trendy.

[Silent Drifter]

Tek you get mad respect. I'm glad you asked that question because it is on everyone's mind. Unfortunatly a few people's attempt at being unique often turn into what's popular. But like I always say. I hate being ****ing trendy.

Thats so hypicritical considering one having a 240 is following a trend definatly having an SR is trendy. Some people just like the way JDM parts look, I personal like them alot better thats why I want them.

[spec-u-later]

F trendy and all that BS. Hating things trendy seems to be more trendy then liking things trendy. Who cares. Its personal preference.

[GrEy240SX]

Thats so hypicritical considering one having a 240 is following a trend definatly having an SR is trendy. Some people just like the way JDM parts look, I personal like them alot better thats why I want them.

Oooooo good one Silent Drifter!! ^^

[thes14project]

I'm not going to start a fight, but In all honesty, if I had to do it over again, had I not spent a **** load of money already I would never had done the sr swap. minus the "trendy part", it was a pain in the *** all around. I've had my 240 for almost 4 years now. I think I was ahead of the trend. Maybe not. sorry for being such a hypocrite

[Onizuka]

F trendy and all that BS. Hating things trendy seems to be more trendy then liking things trendy. Who cares. Its personal preference.

:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

I got a pair of nifty 3 peice "JDM" wheels, not only do they look better than 95% of domestic wheels they were an assload cheaper. Thats part of the reason. But really, im in this for fun, not to be judged by other people on weather or not my car is acceptible in their eye's. Compliments are nice, but i could really do without hearing things like "sr's are only popular because of the JDM trend" from people, as if there was no other reason for SR's being used by hundreds of people.

[whiterps13]

trendy or not, the 180sx type x taillights are THE best looking part you will ever put on a 240sx hatch. screw trends, screw fads, screw everyone. i build my car for me and could honestly give a **** what anyone thinks. you stoop really low when you put parts on for someone else. thats the reason i will never have the desire to be sponsored.

[Chuck Hanlon]

That's the essence of loving your car. Do what you want, screw what anybody else thinks / says. If they help with your payment, they have something to say. If not, my choice, nobody elses.

[prigo]

Personally, I like my good ole slant nosed popup headlight front end. While the S13 front end would be neet to have on my car, because it's different, I wouldn't do it.

However, I bet the 180sx kouki type x aero package would look fisking sweet on my coupe

[dubstyles240]

honestly man, I just dont see how anyone could deny the beauty of the s15 front end, and the 180sx tail lights. it just seems like one of those things thats automatically sexy, like brooke burke.

[240SXedUp]

I dont care about trends. The fact that you are saying you hate trends is also trendy. Its circular reasoning. By hating trends you are starting a trend that hates JDM. When a USDM trend emerges then you will be hating USDM. I dont hate trends. Trends drive our economy and it pushes business to make better products. I like JDM because my car is Japanese and it is feeling homesick.

[BomexS13]

honestly man, I just dont see how anyone could deny the beauty of the s15 front end, and the 180sx tail lights. it just seems like one of those things thats automatically sexy, like brooke burke.

see sig;)

[240tek]

I agree with a lot of the comments made. Thanks for the respect s14, but I'm beginning to think that, perhaps, this forum is a bad place to ask this question. We all love our cars here, I doubt many of us make decisions regarding our cars based on what we think will be cool to other people, or what will impress people the most. This question is for all the people who don't have an answer. It is to make them think, just a bit. I am glad, actually, that everyone here said it depends on preference. I agree. Why and what parts you use depend on the car lover, not the people who will be looking. Maybe only the people on NICO who are confident in their reasons chose to post, either way: none of us are the stereotypical "ricer." We are not sheep. Don't get me wrong though, I don't despise trends. I despise anonimity, enormity, and un-identity. I don't respect people who follow trends because they cannot or do not have the originality and/or confidence in their own taste to do what they think is best/coolest. I cannot respect someone because they assume an identity, rather than create their own. I cannot respect someone that goes to the nearest Auto-Salon and buys a box of "Instant Rice." I'm not trying to make some huge sweeping statement about "ricers." Nothing is wrong with the "rice" trend, or the VW trend, or the M3 trend, or the classic Mustang trend. What is wrong is people that get into it because they want to be cool, to be liked, to get girls, or simply because they do not have an identity that was not pre-manufactured by TV, magazines, or movies. Ok, I said my $.02. Just for the record: I would give my first born child for an s15. PEACE. Tek.

[MainEvent212]

yeah i'm gonna agree with BomexS13...check his thread

and i like JDM parts cuz they're japanese w/ cool names...who F-in cares..i like VOLK rims cuz they're lighter then most rims aroudn and the look sick and have good sizes

for the same reason i like HKS turbo kits...cuz they build them for my SR20 motor...which is also JDM...why SR20? cuz it's factory turboed and i like it...it's a good motor, i woulda got it even if it was offered in the USA...i woudla rather had it that way personally

[Onizuka]

I agree with a lot of the comments made. Thanks for the respect s14, but I'm beginning to think that, perhaps, this forum is a bad place to ask this question. We all love our cars here, I doubt many of us make decisions regarding our cars based on what we think will be cool to other people, or what will impress people the most. This question is for all the people who don't have an answer. It is to make them think, just a bit. I am glad, actually, that everyone here said it depends on preference. I agree. Why and what parts you use depend on the car lover, not the people who will be looking. Maybe only the people on NICO who are confident in their reasons chose to post, either way: none of us are the stereotypical "ricer." We are not sheep. Don't get me wrong though, I don't despise trends. I despise anonimity, enormity, and un-identity. I don't respect people who follow trends because they cannot or do not have the originality and/or confidence in their own taste to do what they think is best/coolest. I cannot respect someone because they assume an identity, rather than create their own. I cannot respect someone that goes to the nearest Auto-Salon and buys a box of "Instant Rice." I'm not trying to make some huge sweeping statement about "ricers." Nothing is wrong with the "rice" trend, or the VW trend, or the M3 trend, or the classic Mustang trend. What is wrong is people that get into it because they want to be cool, to be liked, to get girls, or simply because they do not have an identity that was not pre-manufactured by TV, magazines, or movies. Ok, I said my $.02. Just for the record: I would give my first born child for an s15. PEACE. Tek.

1 problem 240tek, nothing is origional. If you can think of it, it has most likely been done by someone already who had the money to do it. I'll admit i will steal ideas from other rides, I take all those ideas from various cars, add a couple of my own and have a finished product I truely enjoy.

[240tek]

What you are saying is what I meant by originality. I understand that anything that one can think has already been thought of, or is, in the very least, influenced by something else. I don't expect people to be inhumanly original. You and I may have our own, original, ideas that are inspired by something we saw elsewhere. What I cannot respect is the person that lacks confidence in these same ideas, or doesn't even have the originality to modify something they saw to fit their personality. These people, to me, seem only to want to imitate what they think people will see as "cool." As you said, you will see things you like and modify them with your own ideas, flavor, style, etc, to reach a final product that is uniquely yours. Given the limitations of the average mind, this to me is originality. The person I'm referring to is the guy who sits with his buddies and watches Initial D then decides to replicate it. He goes out gets a 240, kouki type x kit, sleepy eyes, an HKS turbo kit, and drives around the local hang out to show off. Whatever combination of parts he uses, he's not necessarily doing it for the love of driving or modding. I love driving. I drove the hell out of my 92 accord 4dr. It's not a "rice-rocket" nor does it look like the stereotypical rocket. But I put agx's and pro-kits in it just the same. I didn't do it to show off, I did it so I could enjoy driving more. It just bugs me that there are so many things in life that are taken seriously, modding, autocrossing, breakdancing, emceeing, anything really. But these areas of interest, previously exclusive to people who love the niche, get flooded by people who could care less what it "really" about, just how popular it is and how popular it can make them. PEACE. Tek.

[Onizuka]

I see where your coming from

I dont hate these people, i find them to be funny. Some people want a sound system to have the best sound quality, other just want everyone within a 100 foot radius to know they listen to rap with really big subwoofers.

[EazyBreazy]

to me and alot of people the jdm parts have that passion for speed, grace and beauty that embodies all of what some people try to accomplish with their cars. ie from what ive seen most of the jdm front facias direct more air to where it is needed. the radiator and intercooler. pure function with a good form following. in addition alot of the japanese aftermarket manufacturers have been producing products for these cars alot longer than us companies so it would seem safe to say they have alot of research data compiled and are producing what could be considered by most "a better product." i for one wont do anything to my car i dont like. i will be my own sponsor if everything works out so outside input will be like a fart in the wind. itll just blow by and stink for a little while.

[240tek]

Haha. Plus, if you think about it: All that sound you and I are hearing when that car is half a block away is wasted sound, and wasted money. They can obviously hear, very clearly, the sound inside the car. What do you need the other 6million watts for?... That and spinner wheels make me laugh. What makes me laugh MORE are the people that want to be cool, so they go get spinner hubcaps since they can't afford the chromes. Aw man. Some people. Vinyl Racing stripes on a stock accord with "altezza" tail lights? Come on. I even saw a guy with an aluminum spoiler that, instead of thin metal fins on the end, had the ends from some huge plastic looking whale fin. As much as I hate to, I have to give him props for being original, but the guy's taste is horrible. PEACE. Tek.

[PacManVR4]

I enjoy the way i build cars. I like to be diffrent and use rare parts, Plus I just dont find some US products to look very good. I like the JDM style but I dont think of it as that I think of it as being clean and building a non steario type import. I build my cars to fit my tastes but at same time to be noticed, But the car making me happy comes first. People dont like my sense of style when I describe somthing to them but when they see it in person there swinging from my nuts about it. The bad thing is I bought a 240 after the hype started so I get crap about jumping on a band wagon. Its bad when I explain to people that I have always wanted one and I finalley just bought one since I needed a change from AWD mitsus. I build my car for me and i am influenced by Option Vids and young Version mags but i am by no means a copy cat following a trend. if I was I would have a SR and a Silvia front.....(Flame suit on)

[Onizuka]

i am by no means a copy cat following a trend. if I was I would have a SR and a Silvia front.....(Flame suit on)

huh, imagin that, i guess im a ricer... At least my car isnt ugly and wont spill its guts under boost (double layered flamesuit on)

2 can play that game

EDIT: for all those that cant take a joke, IM JUST KIDDING

[PacManVR4]

I have a CA, built for boost. I love all nissan motors though. I can also say that I love my pignose coupe. I probley would have a SR but I like iron block T belt motors. I love all nissan motors. Ka also. I realley wanted a Aero front but every time I would see a coupe it would have the conversion....

[annunziato39]

Everyone who is not doing something to their car that would be considered JDM, just because they don't want to be part of the JDM crowd, is dumb. They are just following the crowd, just a different one. If someone wants to but an s15 front end on their 240 hatch, with a kouki tail light conversion, then why not. i personally think it looks great. If someone wants to keep the pig snout with the foam wing, then why not. Who cares what anyone else thinks, or what the current trend is. If you think something looks good and you got the time and money to do it, i say do it. Put a linkin towncar front end on with altezza taillights with sticks going from end to end, and if you like it, fine. *uck everyone else.

[NoStickers]

actually i just think anything fast and handles well is cool, if it looked like the train truck in jeepers creepers but ran 10's and handled well id love it

[downshift]

this has to be one of the most satisfying threads that i have read in a long time. nice one tek