Japanese, Germans, Americans, Or Someone Else? Who Makes The Coolest Cars These Days?

Times are tough if you’re into Japanese cars. The sportiest Honda is a hybrid with 15-inch wheels. The coolest Toyota is a Subaru with 150 pound-feet of torque, while the fastest Toyota is a horse race between a three-row SUV and the Camry. And, despite the efforts of the American car-buying public, Mitsubishi still exists.

Sure, there are some bright spots. The Impreza WRX, for example, is still cool, despite Subaru’s attempts to make it look like a hood-scooped version of every other compact car. And the Nissan GT-R is awesome, even though experts like automotive journalists and Porsche employees will tell you it lacks “soul.” But there was a time not so long ago when there were more than just a handful of cool Japanese cars.

Read Article

GG123 - 3/20/2013 4:54:30 PM

+2 Boost

What do you expect coming from this sorry dickbag. He scours the internet looking for any negative news about about jap cars. If he can't find any he'd make his own opinion passing it off as fact. Even on those positive news, he'd always put a negative slant to it. Pathetic little man.

lexworld - 3/20/2013 6:29:05 PM

+1 Boost

Gee Whiz! Stop the violence!

cidflekken - 3/20/2013 7:39:02 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah, not sure why that title applies to an article specific to Japanese cars. But the contents of the article aren't 009's.

That being said, don't blame the Japanese for "no longer building cool cars". Blame buyers. Here's the reality: performance-oriented cars are not for bean counters. And what is being a carmaker all about? Volume. Why bother devoting the millions of dollars on R&D, marketing and sales of niche cars if they're not going to be the volume sales drivers? There are very few car companies who are willing to hold onto these low-volume niche cars for sake of the brand. One of the only ones that currently comes to mind is Nissan with its 370Z. Even Mazda has not renewed or is nor renewing its RX-8. However, Mazda is holding onto its very low-volume MX-5, but its "cool factor" is debatable.

It's all good that car enthusiasts want "cool cars". But unless you can price it in the six figures, or close to it, ala BMW M or MB AMG cars, then the investment is not worth it.

bfghemicuda - 3/20/2013 9:14:46 PM

+1 Boost

Define "Cool". I would say the average car guy that builds a hot rod or a classic car that he or she customizes the way they like. With that the American cars fit the bill the best.

dlin - 3/20/2013 9:18:24 PM

+1 Boost

Of course the Korean :)

ricks0me - 3/20/2013 11:35:51 PM

+1 Boost

Detroit Iron Rules

lexworld - 3/21/2013 3:46:43 PM

+1 Boost

Seriously speaking and apart from the silliness, I think it's the Euro's, the Japanese folled by the Italians. However, be it known. Lexus is closing in on the competition and I think they will eventually pick a part the competion at the rate they are goin, especially with that new heir and President Akio Toyoda at the helm. Mark my words!

222max - 3/21/2013 5:42:51 PM

+1 Boost

Article is full of lose. Seriously.