Japanese Cars and Their American Counterparts- A guide for JDM enthusiasts

There is an obvious large divide between American and Japanese car enthusiasts. The age old rivalry is fun and all, but it turns out that we all like certain cars for very similar reasons and purposes. Here is a quick list of Japanese cars that have quite a bit in common with certain American models.

The Mustang GT and Nissan 370 Z

If you want a fairly “balanced” modern performance coupe, American car guys will usually suggest a Camaro, Challenger, or Mustang. Because I’m slightly biased, I’ve chosen the Mustang here. For around 30 grand you get a ~430 hp v8, and today the handling of the mustang has been significantly improved. This car can be modified like crazy, with hundreds of options for every inch of the car.

By nature, the 370 z is far more of a handling based car, but the motors still have potential to make plenty of power. The one pictured has twin turbos! It costs nearly as much as a mustang, and for a new Japanese coupe that isn’t a GTR or frs, it’s a very appealing balanced option.

The Corvette Z06 and MK 4 Supra

What do these cars have in common? Well, they provide great performance for the price, and embarrass almost every super car. Like supras, corvettes have plenty of potential in the aftermarket to make big power. The body profiles of the cars are quite similar as well. Beyond that, the LS and 2Jz motors are probably the most famous motors in the car world, used in a plethora of motor swaps.

What you JDM fans need to get is that corvettes can also be had for good prices, and built into crazy high horsepower monsters like the good ‘ol Supra.

The Foxbody Mustang and Nissan 240

When it comes to cheap project car builds, JDM and US car fans each have a go to option. Both cars can be made into pretty stout drift cars, but they are also quite versatile. The foxbody pictured, owned by Matt Farrah, is meant for canyon carving and great handling. Adam LZ built his 240 for drifting, but then there’s also David Patterson who built his to be a “regular” fun car. Long story short, these cars are both the typical project car.

I hope you all found this interesting!