Last half of 80's, all the way to the 90's and to the first half of the 00's. That 20 year period is the creme de la creme of the car world. Most, if not, all the best cars ever built were produced then.
Yup! '95 BMW E38 and '94 Viper here. So great, I just miss the OBD2 features of newer cars for fun techy stuff, otherwise much easier to work on and modify without any negative repercussions!
No! The best cars were made in the 1960's, all the emissions junk came during the 70's in the USA and in the UK in the 90's cars became more complex and gained catalysts and emissions requirements. Most 90's and 80's cars will soon be scrapped due to the failing the emissions.
That's what I'm doing with my 180SX. It's got some fairly innocuous mods like different wheels and coilovers (ride height still very sensible), and to be fair they all came with it when I imported it, but otherwise it's completely standard. I've lost count of the number of people who've come to talk about it at car meets, and who then ask when I'm going to be slamming it to the ground, stripping the interior, and turning it into a drift car. When I tell them I'm not going to, they usually just stand there in silence with a slack-jawed expression, as if they can't compute what I've told them. The thought of a Nissan S-body being a usable daily sports car genuinely doesn't occur to them. The thought process is just RWD Nissan = Drift Car.
I don't have a Silvia but I do have a white 1991 Mazda RX7 5 speed vert that I'm trying to restore back to factory original so I can enjoy one of these awesome Japanese pieces of greatness in its prime.
RWD lightweight, 2+2s are just fabulous cars, the only modern equivalent is the 86 and I wish we had more of this. Silvias haven’t aged a day, even that interior is classic
@@Akfiifh1hq9t828q totally agree. I mean it looks so good as a drift car. But its also the reason why they are kind of "rare". I would love the silvia as a regular driver
I have a completely bone stock S15 Spec R, if you ever want to drive it let me know! Loved the video, focusing on this car as a car rather than its drift potential was so refreshing because it's so much better than its reputation!
How lovely to read about a stock S15. I have one my self, SpecR with full areo. I been finding my self doing some mods but the moto is always, able to restore to 100% stock. Thats why i love APEXi parts, because its just +1 ans fits in all the OEM places + nice to be retro and still make some power.
@@JayEmmOnCars nah he kinda agrees tbh! Mine came from Japan as drift cars so kinda in keeping but get what you're saying 100%. Fantastic platforms I'll never sell mine 🙏
I think since 2006 cars have gotten worse. 90s was definitely the best. When cars where over engineered because that was the "right" thing to do. Now they just try to eek as much profit out of them and cut costs and cheapen things. It's not just cars, everything is like it now. Whens the last time anything you bought lasted more than a couple of years?
Those car are from era where.. they rework on the series.... it called s15 for a reason..... while newer car design to argue with customer with sensor and bullshit thing in it... and design not to last too long....
Well said. I'm not interested in buying anything new these days to be honest... everything will be outdated and worth peanuts in a couple of years. Such a shame, all companies want to do these days is sell 'volumes' even if it means diluting their brand.
I noticed that in food chains too, food quality has gone down every year in the name of profit and food chains are wondering why millennials don't eat there.
90's definitely the best decade!! it had it all.... homologation cars, cars without driver assists, cars with newer tech, incredible engines, mad super cars, light weight cars and focused not over the top hot hatches, what an era 👌
Agreed. The 90s to the mid 00s was the best era for performance cars. Before having to be weighed down with 7 airbags, lane departure, backup cameras, park assist and other nanny features. Remember the first viper? A 400 hp beast with no ABS or traction control!! And manual! It didnt even have a roof. Such a car could never be built today. '85 to '05 was the height of near raw, affordable performance cars.
Counterpoint: improved safety in a crash is never a bad thing -- you might be a fine driver, but you're surrounded by idiots on the road who pay more attention to their phone notifications than they do following distance and traffic gaps -- and most of the "nanny" features are just sensors and some wiring which don't add that much weight comparatively. For example, the BRZ/GT86 twins and the Miata have many of those features and they're still lightweight cars. The majority of the weight gain comes from making the cars physically larger (usually for more interior space) and improved features like sounds systems, more sound deadening for a quieter ride, heavier materials to make "nicer" seats, etc. Most of these things are done so that the car can appeal to a broader market since the hardcore enthusiasts are a relatively small slice of the pie. Softened up and "refined" usually means more potential buyers which means a better business case for the accountants to sign off on production. That, and a portion of the weight gain comes from improved structural rigidity of the chassis and subframes, which again is safer, and makes the car handle better and be more responsive and precise, none of which are bad things. Also, that first generation Viper was a pile of crap 😆. There's a reason why they had to make so many changes before the full generation update.
I'M from Adelaide Australia, I have a 1995 Nissan 200SX I'v had it for 27 years,and it is still going strong. Mods are lowerd 25mm, 3ins Exhaust 17x8 3 piece deep dish mags and a larger rear wing. I get a lot of young guys saying you don't see cars like mind in good condition.
Closest thing would the Pontiac Grand Am, where it should've been made an FR (front engine, rear wheel drive) instead of FF (FWD). The American manufacturers seems to be missed a lot of opportunity. 25 years is a lot of time.
totally agree, even if the gtr is the objectively better car, man this just looks better, i dont think there is any gtr looking better than a clean s15, also i would rather have an s15 than a gtr any day of the week, but thats just me yk, also i agree this is probably the best looking japanese car ever
Such underated cars. The 90s was a special time. The nearest we have to these now are gt86. And without the turbo... I think (hope) these will be revered in the future. Price should put off the drift monkeys... I agree with you James, these are far too special to be abused in the way that some used to, and still do. But then would they have that reputation as a result and would they be as rare.... I'm keeping hold of my s- body for now 👍
I've got a BRZ and let me tell you it might be the same ethos to this car but it has nowhere near the feel of a 90s car. I used to have a clio Williams and that was 100x more fun and had proper raw feel compared to my current car. BRZ is like driving a video game compared...
I had a UK ‘97 200SX from new and thrashed it every day to 90,000 miles and it was the best car I ever had. Sideways on demand and totally controllable - a cracking drive if a bit lairy on a wet road. Apart from routine servicing I replaced 1 duff spark plug - not a single thing went wrong.
Hey James - get yourself behind the wheel of a near stock Honda DC2 Integra Type-R - 90's Japanese cars at their very very best - intoxicating! Love the S15 Silvia - the only car I ever put sideways through a corner on my first drive - the car sales guy in the passenger seat just smiled and nodded. The DC2 though will get under your skin and move around under brisk cornering like no FWD car has any right to.
I've previously owned a DC5 Type R & a s14 series 2 200sx . I know the DC2 is even harder than a DC5, and the DC5 was so much more uncomfortable than my s14 by a mile (hard ride, too short gear ratios, and daily driven unuseable power band). Kept my 200sx for 5+ years; DC5 for 12 months. Did track days in both. I personally would choose the 200sx anyway.
I was thinking about that this week, 90s cars are the best era. Still get that raw feeling however can still be used on a daily basis. No crazy emissions rules or anything like that
Definitely agree about '90s cars. Passed my test in 1981 and grew up on 70s cars. I feel that by the time the 90s came most manufacturers had solved the issues of rust/reliability/cheapo plastics/crap tyres etc but they had yet to be overwhelmed by the 'health and safety' brigade so they were largely free on the 'nannying' systems of today so essentially we got analogue cars that had better engines, tyres etc than the previous decades!
Back in 2001-2006 ish I had an s13 and 2 s14’s and was obsessed with this car. They were so rare and had a great reputation. Loved the review, I’d love another old 200sx
My big dream is to own one of these in silver. I want to restore it to its stock state, respray and detail so that it looks as though it just rolled out of the factory.
My s15 spec r JDM is incredibly fun. No exterior mods apart from the aero kit & wing, aftermarket Work rims. Very little mods (intake, exhaust, front mount inter cooler, t25 turbo (newer version of the stock t28)) & makes 300whp. It’s been rather reliable (compared to Euros & rotaries) & practical enough to daily. Got beautiful lines & one of the best interiors of 90s JDM car. Simple, rwd, balanced & zippy. Won’t swap it for anything else.
I had own a Nissan 200SX S14a for 7 years In stock form and what an amazing handling car, always able to work with the car and loved taking it to the country roads in Scotland. You are right these cars should be kept to stock form. I was looking for an S15 prior to the S14A and like you stated they are not many OEM'S. Maybe try and showcase the various Silvia's from S12, S13, S14, S14A....and an original S15.
So a lightly modded and breathed on S15 with maybe 250bhp, sounds lovely, must make a great A road swooper, basically a bigger MX5, more practical with a roof, what the GT86 Toyota could have been.
People are too harsh on the GT86. It's actually a bloody good little car, and when you consider that the only other RWD cars in its price bracket is the MX-5, which is not as fast, and the BMW 1 series, which is incredibly dull, it's pretty good that Toyota/Subaru stuck their necks out to make the thing. You couldn't build a car like the S15 today, the emissions regulations just wouldn't allow it.
I've got a BRZ so i feel i can say this about it but i think it's one of the most overrated cars in a long time. Compared to a 90s performance car it feels like driving a video game. Don't get me wrong it's got a great chassis, low cog etc but the feel is buried under many layers and i feel nothing for it. Horrible engine too. Made a big mistake buying it lol
@@patrickbateman7122 March 2005 I was offered a straight swap for my modded Rover 200 Vi (the MG ZR 160 before it was the MG ZR 160) for a good condition low miles S13, I turned it down Big mistake 1 month later MG-Rover went bust slashing my cars value in half, Jan 2006 the VVC variable timing broke on the engine, game over
I mega agree, my dad has a 99 Ford Mondeo, nothing fancy but the reliability of that car is insane has never broken down since he bought it lol 161k miles and counting keep up the good work bruh
I bought my widebody Spec-R simply because it was a stunningly beautiful car with a nice 6 speed, and the list of modifications alone added up to more than the going price of the car. It was only later on that I grew to appreciate the fact that the last owner had painstakingly attempted to build the perfect Japanese sports car capable of drift, time attack, cruising and show. It has been so fun learning all about the JDM scene while having one of the halo cars parked in my garage. I have even had random people off the street knocking on my door offering more than double my buy price in cash. 2 of these offers actually came from rental companies so perhaps a tip there for anyone looking to sell. Not me though. I am keeping mine.
I'm guessing you're not into drifting James? I understand because it risks cars getting crashed but if you start off learning in a safe environment and know how to control a car at its limits, its pretty satisfying.
All the cars from the 90s are the best, look at the hondas and bmws still ruining the game and to this day not much can touch civics and most 90s cars on tracks, nothing better than lightweight cars with the right power Integra type r one of the pinnacle cars of the 90s
agree on the 90's cars beeing the best. a friend of me got an s13. and its absolutely mint and he never is on a racetrack or drifttrack. he uses it as a nice weather weekend fun street car. it is modified tho. but not like crazy irreversable.
I have imported an S13 ( 1994 ) still pretty standard in Red and just 62k on the clock, currently hibernating through the winter but soon be out and about again. Great Car.
Totally agree 90s cars are for the win. I might be slightly biased mind owning 2. But would recommend trying and evo 4-6, depending on when I might consider letting you review my 4 which is mildly modded
Had a 200 S15 back in 2010...had it up to 330bhp and similar lb/ft torque. Was a mighty fast road car. Crazy prices on them now, i bought mine for 9.5k euro back then
I feel like the 90s was the best decade for people who drive for fun. The 80s started it but the 90s had the best drivers cars. The mid 2000s I feel like manufacturers started making all cars for anyone rather than the niche cars like this
I spent a year looking for mine because I was looking for as close to standard as I could, glad I did because I picked mine up with only an exhaust, coilovers, wheels, tints and a change of fans
I agree cars of the 90's are/were the best. My favourite car that i've owned is a s14 series 2 200sx (manual). I have been fortunate enough to have owned a DC5 Integra Type R, NC MX5, Clio Sport 172, and a 6.0L SS Commodore with a Walkinshaw W310 package, as some other cars too. I had the 200sx for 5+ years, drove to work daily with it (in Sydney traffic!) and still loved it.
I owned a s14a a few years ago and loved it. It was the most fun car I’ve owned. But standard they weren’t great. Only 200bhp so they are slow, soft suspension so they didn’t handle the best and had small 16” wheels with big side wall tyres. But after I changed all that and tuned it up to 280-290 bhp it was brilliant. Sadly I think it’s now a drift car as it’s been sorn for quite a few years after I sold it. Wish I kept it looking at the price they sell for now!!
Mate, I agree with you a 100% about the 90s being the best era for cars. Manufacturers still made cool looking cars and SUVs were not dominating the market. There was also not too much electronics and any silly features on those 90s cars but at the same time you already had some nice creature comfort compared to some cars from the 70s and 80s.
The 90's was an amazing time for the Honda era The EF,EK and of course the EK9 civic bringing out the Type-R version. The 90's erea Kanjo racers in Japan are a great example for this. It was one of the best bang for your buck boyracer hatches money could buy. Now adays the majority have been molested and a clean oem style one will put you back 10k+ minimum... kinda sad looking back at all the crazy cars from the 90's and realizing that nothing now adays will be produced like them.
My Nissan S13 was the best car I’ve owned and my wife regrets to this day the sale of it! It was 1991 and I had it for 7 years , not once repeat not once in the garage for repair! Bought it in Ireland £4,500 sold it for €4000 not bad. Wish I still had it!
Mine has been driven daily for the last 6 years, plus the one I had before for about 4 years, I just can't bring myself to sell her! I swear I'll be an 80 year old lady still driving one 😂
I bought my 2002 S15 200SX in 2004 and still have it today. I have been through about 9 other dailies in the meantime but the Silvia is still with me. I made a stupid video about it on my channel if you want to check it out. Not monetised, just for fun. Great vid mate!
SW20 Mr2 - best car ever. Has to be the SW20 rev 3 na and the T-top. Best in Red. Or laterally Pink. or T-cut and red again briefly. Then Pink again. Luv and Peace.
I reckon, that in a few year's time we will have a renaissance of affordable sports cars like the s15 (electric). Manufacturers will have to make us want to switch to E power with something bonkers because none of us is buying Reno Zoe etc.
Only by the title you got my like, and i havent even watched the video yet. But its the truth, stop smashing this greatest of all cars. My car on bio pic 🙂
I'd buy it for the looks alone. I don't know if I'd really consider that a sports car by modern standards. But then again I've never driven one of the S15 chassis.
Had two cavalier gsi's maroon one and a blue one, B4 GUL and I think G201 TNN not in the Japanese hot car power league but made me smile, miss both those cars like mad. White gsi went for £20.000 on eBay couple of days ago, mint condition, like new, one owner 23000 miles.
Thank you for this video. unfortunately its the same here in the U.S. this cars are great out the box and we also did not get the s15 . i have had 2 s13s a coupe n a hatch, no longer have the coupe, but i drifted the heck out of it in a stretch of over 6 years but i kept and still have my s13 hatch in stock form as a stand by car and its a joy to drive as is. this are the cars that make some of us feel alive, new cars have to much unnecessary techcky stuff really.
I'd like to suggest some of the 90s Maseratis. Yeah I know the Biturbo era cars have a bad reputation but the ones built in the 90s if maintained properly are actually reliable and super fun to drive cars. I'd suggest a Maserati Ghibli for starters (try getting access to a 2.0 instead of a 2.8, they are the best ones imo).
The 90's, what's not like. It felt like things were moving forward, when people actually bought their own cars. It seemed to level out around 2000 when we were all being told diesel was more panda friendly. And so cars became generally terrible and more expensive and more complicated. The 90's was the sweet spot, with cars like the rx7, ls400, Mazda 323f, nsx, r34, 200sx. Integra type r. All petrol, no diesel and no touchscreen. Just good cars.
Such a cool and beautiful car, I also really love the crazy drift spec ones too. If I could afford to I'd have a near stock, clean one, and a crazy looking drift one.
I had a beautiful white Spec-R for over three years from 2011, was very stock apart from some very light 17" sparco wheels and some very hard cusco coil-overs. I even swapped these for some barely used stock suspension. I did find the stock exhaust very quiet and the stock brakes inadequate on track with the ABS doing funny things and kicking in far too much. I then started making a few choice quality power and chassis modifications and it would have remained a very nice (though high mileage) example. I had fitted r33 gtr brembos all round with rear drum brake swap from r33 gtst, new nismo suspension, gruppe-m intake, fujitsubo rm-01 exhaust which was a jap-can but sounded great, still quiet at low revs and not raspy. Unfortunately I span just squeezing the throttle lightly in very heavy rain one morning and went sideways into a lamp post at 30-40mph, hitting just behind the front door hinge. It wasn't pretty especially my leg which is now titanium reinforced. Had a golf tdi auto for a bit then decided the nearest new but more grown up option, with stability electronics, is my current bmw 230i which I managed to get in manual before they discontinued that option. I do find this chassis much more communicative and have much more feel for the chassis than I did with the silvia.
The drift scene has either ruined some lovely cars or pushed once bargain JDM into the unaffordable. Few gems still can be had cheap in the UK but not for long I would imagine.
I want another video where you studied up a bit on Nissan Silvia S15. There so few videos on Silvias in general not going in to a wall. One reason Mr Susuki Under is my raw modell… even if his car is completly rebuilt today.
There is a stock s15 on the road next to me and a integra , evo , Subaru Impreza , 2 s2k, a Mx-5 , a bell air , Porsche 944 , my dad has a r230 sl63 , cl55 which it is my neighbour car , is200 there could be more but that’s all I remember
great vid, still need to get u in my s14 at some point. I'm also against drifting them, my end goal is a road car that's just as happy on the track but it will be standard for a while longer when I get it insured I'll mail u
I would argue that it is not specifically the 90s that was the best decade for the automobile. Early 90s had that 80s smell everyone was trying to get rid of and the mid-late 00s, in an attempt to get rid of the pseudo-futurism, got a bit bland (example, the 2nd gen Focus). I trully believe that the period in between (1994-2004) was truly a great era. Examples: S15 E46 106 Rallye EP3 Type R NB MX5 And I can go on for days... I accept the fact that these are not the BEST cars in the world but they are cars that you can still drive, still afford, still pas MOT with a bit of love. Cars from that era also do not look much outdated when you sit in them. The e46 interior has aged quite nicely and I'll take the Spartan 106's interior over any over-complicated modern hatch.
90's was deffo the best car era. pulsar gtir (drive one), silvia s14, 240sx, mr2 sw20, celica gt4, r33 gtr/gts, r32 gtr/gts, Nissan 300zx, Toyota supra mk4, starlet glanza, honda s2000 (yep was nineties, just right at the end), e36 m3, e34 m5 (the best imo), e38 7 series (best one imo) ,don't forget the e30 3 series/m3 was alive in the naughty's, Mitsubishi colt v6 mivec, mitsu fto, mitsu gto, honda ek type r, honda vti-s, honda crx, honda integra dc2 (the best one imo), honda nsx, aston db7, lambo diablo, viper gts, Ferrari 355, testarossa and f50, ford escort cossie, jag xj220, Lancia delta integrale evo 2, Mitsubishi evo 6 tommy mack, Subaru Impreza, coupe r, p1 and 22b, lotus elise, mazda rx7, first gen mx5, Mercedes 190 Cosworth 2.5 evo 1 and 2, pug 106 gti, rover tomcat, 800 vitesse, mazda autozam az1, clio Williams, tvr cerbera, Tuscan, oh an how can I forget the lotus carlton, golf mk2 an 3, corrado vr6, audi rs2, volvo 850r and anything with that engine lol. Bugatti eb110, and even then there's more ive missed, from little jap k cars right to supercars. undoubtedly best era of car production jay brother. just forgot.... the 8 series bmw's mmmmmmmmmm
Shame the S15 never came to the states. I've always wanted to imported a spec r. With the prices going up the way they are, that definitely isn't gonna happen lol.
You Americans could have the Pontiac Grand Am as your local S15 alrernative had it was made as a RWD from the start. People buying it would've kept the JDM price as low as possible. 25 years could give alternatives while waiting for the JDM become legal to import.
@@trevor4533 I saw a couple of S15s, some years ago here in Malaysia. Don't know if they're directly from Japan or from Australia. Whereabouts today are unknown. Money hinders most of us to get JDMs imported here as well as spare parts as owners don't want to risk damaging them out of fear that the parts may have stopped production alongside the cars.
I fully agree with you on the 90s being the best decade of cars there ever was!
4 sure
Last half of 80's, all the way to the 90's and to the first half of the 00's. That 20 year period is the creme de la creme of the car world. Most, if not, all the best cars ever built were produced then.
@@viriatvsoflvsitania5422 agreed.The era before emissions control reared its ugly head.
Yup! '95 BMW E38 and '94 Viper here. So great, I just miss the OBD2 features of newer cars for fun techy stuff, otherwise much easier to work on and modify without any negative repercussions!
No! The best cars were made in the 1960's, all the emissions junk came during the 70's in the USA and in the UK in the 90's cars became more complex and gained catalysts and emissions requirements. Most 90's and 80's cars will soon be scrapped due to the failing the emissions.
90s is the best decade for cars, the DSM Eclipse, the supra, the rx-7, the skylines, the S2000, S15, S13, Integra and Civic Type-Rs, the list goes on
I approve of promoting the case for keeping standard spec cars.
SHame this car isn't standard spec though!
John Matthews tough to find a stock one though!
That's what I'm doing with my 180SX. It's got some fairly innocuous mods like different wheels and coilovers (ride height still very sensible), and to be fair they all came with it when I imported it, but otherwise it's completely standard. I've lost count of the number of people who've come to talk about it at car meets, and who then ask when I'm going to be slamming it to the ground, stripping the interior, and turning it into a drift car. When I tell them I'm not going to, they usually just stand there in silence with a slack-jawed expression, as if they can't compute what I've told them. The thought of a Nissan S-body being a usable daily sports car genuinely doesn't occur to them. The thought process is just RWD Nissan = Drift Car.
@@ScarletUK2010 Could always put one back to standard spec!
I don't have a Silvia but I do have a white 1991 Mazda RX7 5 speed vert that I'm trying to restore back to factory original so I can enjoy one of these awesome Japanese pieces of greatness in its prime.
RWD lightweight, 2+2s are just fabulous cars, the only modern equivalent is the 86 and I wish we had more of this. Silvias haven’t aged a day, even that interior is classic
My dad has a 2001 bone stock S15 Spec R, such a fun car to drive
Such a lucky man! REALLY WANT THIS CAR
It’d be a lot cooler if you drifted it
But that's not the idea with it really, he has it as a daily driver and it's a bit too clean to go and drift
@@Akfiifh1hq9t828q totally agree. I mean it looks so good as a drift car. But its also the reason why they are kind of "rare". I would love the silvia as a regular driver
@@Akfiifh1hq9t828q it's stock. He won't be drifting shit unless it's in the wet. I hope it's at least lowered
I have a completely bone stock S15 Spec R, if you ever want to drive it let me know! Loved the video, focusing on this car as a car rather than its drift potential was so refreshing because it's so much better than its reputation!
That would cost $25000 in Australia , modified ones are cheaper
@@coopsnz1 I thought they would be somewhat more common as they were sold there? Well I'll try and keep it clean anyway, I'll do you proud!
How lovely to read about a stock S15. I have one my self, SpecR with full areo. I been finding my self doing some mods but the moto is always, able to restore to 100% stock. Thats why i love APEXi parts, because its just +1 ans fits in all the OEM places + nice to be retro and still make some power.
@@IsopropylRecordings stock one in Japan are 2 milion yen
@@OwenCuff Silva weren't sold new in Australia, 200sx was and was detuned because we don't have 100 octane
Nice to see your view on these cool video, definitely a bygone era
Cheers for watching! Pretty sure I see them from a different perspective to John ;)
@@JayEmmOnCars nah he kinda agrees tbh! Mine came from Japan as drift cars so kinda in keeping but get what you're saying 100%. Fantastic platforms I'll never sell mine 🙏
@@monkylondon That's good to know. Nice to know some of them are still being looked after right
I think since 2006 cars have gotten worse. 90s was definitely the best. When cars where over engineered because that was the "right" thing to do. Now they just try to eek as much profit out of them and cut costs and cheapen things. It's not just cars, everything is like it now. Whens the last time anything you bought lasted more than a couple of years?
Those car are from era where.. they rework on the series.... it called s15 for a reason..... while newer car design to argue with customer with sensor and bullshit thing in it... and design not to last too long....
I cant even find a decant pair of shoes nowadays. this is what happens when you outsource to china.
Well said. I'm not interested in buying anything new these days to be honest... everything will be outdated and worth peanuts in a couple of years. Such a shame, all companies want to do these days is sell 'volumes' even if it means diluting their brand.
cars and probably other products are designed to fail. weather it be by part failure, electrical failure, corrosion etc..
I noticed that in food chains too, food quality has gone down every year in the name of profit and food chains are wondering why millennials don't eat there.
90's definitely the best decade!! it had it all.... homologation cars, cars without driver assists, cars with newer tech, incredible engines, mad super cars, light weight cars and focused not over the top hot hatches, what an era 👌
I have a white S15 similar to this one! Bought it in 2005 and have kept it ever since. Wouldn’t let it go for the world.
Agreed. The 90s to the mid 00s was the best era for performance cars. Before having to be weighed down with 7 airbags, lane departure, backup cameras, park assist and other nanny features.
Remember the first viper? A 400 hp beast with no ABS or traction control!! And manual! It didnt even have a roof. Such a car could never be built today. '85 to '05 was the height of near raw, affordable performance cars.
Counterpoint: improved safety in a crash is never a bad thing -- you might be a fine driver, but you're surrounded by idiots on the road who pay more attention to their phone notifications than they do following distance and traffic gaps -- and most of the "nanny" features are just sensors and some wiring which don't add that much weight comparatively. For example, the BRZ/GT86 twins and the Miata have many of those features and they're still lightweight cars.
The majority of the weight gain comes from making the cars physically larger (usually for more interior space) and improved features like sounds systems, more sound deadening for a quieter ride, heavier materials to make "nicer" seats, etc. Most of these things are done so that the car can appeal to a broader market since the hardcore enthusiasts are a relatively small slice of the pie. Softened up and "refined" usually means more potential buyers which means a better business case for the accountants to sign off on production. That, and a portion of the weight gain comes from improved structural rigidity of the chassis and subframes, which again is safer, and makes the car handle better and be more responsive and precise, none of which are bad things.
Also, that first generation Viper was a pile of crap 😆. There's a reason why they had to make so many changes before the full generation update.
I'M from Adelaide Australia, I have a 1995 Nissan 200SX I'v had it for 27 years,and it is still going strong. Mods are lowerd 25mm, 3ins Exhaust 17x8 3 piece deep dish mags and a larger rear wing. I get a lot of young guys saying you don't see cars like mind in good condition.
The perfect era of tech and raw car, just right
Balanced as it should be.
thank you. finally someone who gets it. there is more to these cars than drifting. its the slowest way to go around a corner!
But the most fun way
The most beautiful Japanese car ever IMO and I cry in my sleep everyday that it was never brought to the US.
Closest thing would the Pontiac Grand Am, where it should've been made an FR (front engine, rear wheel drive) instead of FF (FWD). The American manufacturers seems to be missed a lot of opportunity. 25 years is a lot of time.
totally agree, even if the gtr is the objectively better car, man this just looks better, i dont think there is any gtr looking better than a clean s15, also i would rather have an s15 than a gtr any day of the week, but thats just me yk, also i agree this is probably the best looking japanese car ever
Such underated cars. The 90s was a special time. The nearest we have to these now are gt86. And without the turbo... I think (hope) these will be revered in the future. Price should put off the drift monkeys... I agree with you James, these are far too special to be abused in the way that some used to, and still do. But then would they have that reputation as a result and would they be as rare.... I'm keeping hold of my s- body for now 👍
I've got a BRZ and let me tell you it might be the same ethos to this car but it has nowhere near the feel of a 90s car. I used to have a clio Williams and that was 100x more fun and had proper raw feel compared to my current car. BRZ is like driving a video game compared...
I had a UK ‘97 200SX from new and thrashed it every day to 90,000 miles and it was the best car I ever had. Sideways on demand and totally controllable - a cracking drive if a bit lairy on a wet road. Apart from routine servicing I replaced 1 duff spark plug - not a single thing went wrong.
Hey James - get yourself behind the wheel of a near stock Honda DC2 Integra Type-R - 90's Japanese cars at their very very best - intoxicating! Love the S15 Silvia - the only car I ever put sideways through a corner on my first drive - the car sales guy in the passenger seat just smiled and nodded. The DC2 though will get under your skin and move around under brisk cornering like no FWD car has any right to.
Wasn't it the one with the double wishbone suspension up front?
Ive driven a saab with those and the steering is so precise and feedbacky
I've previously owned a DC5 Type R & a s14 series 2 200sx . I know the DC2 is even harder than a DC5, and the DC5 was so much more uncomfortable than my s14 by a mile (hard ride, too short gear ratios, and daily driven unuseable power band). Kept my 200sx for 5+ years; DC5 for 12 months. Did track days in both. I personally would choose the 200sx anyway.
DC2R teggy & EKR Civic are the best FWD na cars you can drive/own!!!
I was thinking about that this week, 90s cars are the best era. Still get that raw feeling however can still be used on a daily basis. No crazy emissions rules or anything like that
There are not many 20+ year old cars that still look contemporary today, but S15 is definitely one of them.
Most "modern" cars are overly angular abominations, and car companies are seemingly competing for the "ugliest grille" award.
Definitely agree about '90s cars. Passed my test in 1981 and grew up on 70s cars. I feel that by the time the 90s came most manufacturers had solved the issues of rust/reliability/cheapo plastics/crap tyres etc but they had yet to be overwhelmed by the 'health and safety' brigade so they were largely free on the 'nannying' systems of today so essentially we got analogue cars that had better engines, tyres etc than the previous decades!
Back in 2001-2006 ish I had an s13 and 2 s14’s and was obsessed with this car. They were so rare and had a great reputation.
Loved the review, I’d love another old 200sx
My S14a is nicely run in at 60K, im getting pops and bangs coming off the top of the rev range in 2nd 😁 great cars S13 S14 S15
My big dream is to own one of these in silver. I want to restore it to its stock state, respray and detail so that it looks as though it just rolled out of the factory.
My s15 spec r JDM is incredibly fun. No exterior mods apart from the aero kit & wing, aftermarket Work rims. Very little mods (intake, exhaust, front mount inter cooler, t25 turbo (newer version of the stock t28)) & makes 300whp. It’s been rather reliable (compared to Euros & rotaries) & practical enough to daily. Got beautiful lines & one of the best interiors of 90s JDM car. Simple, rwd, balanced & zippy. Won’t swap it for anything else.
I had own a Nissan 200SX S14a for 7 years In stock form and what an amazing handling car, always able to work with the car and loved taking it to the country roads in Scotland. You are right these cars should be kept to stock form. I was looking for an S15 prior to the S14A and like you stated they are not many OEM'S.
Maybe try and showcase the various Silvia's from S12, S13, S14, S14A....and an original S15.
The Japanese will never stop drifting these
Neither will I 😊
So a lightly modded and breathed on S15 with maybe 250bhp, sounds lovely, must make a great A road swooper, basically a bigger MX5, more practical with a roof, what the GT86 Toyota could have been.
People are too harsh on the GT86. It's actually a bloody good little car, and when you consider that the only other RWD cars in its price bracket is the MX-5, which is not as fast, and the BMW 1 series, which is incredibly dull, it's pretty good that Toyota/Subaru stuck their necks out to make the thing. You couldn't build a car like the S15 today, the emissions regulations just wouldn't allow it.
front mount intercooler, computer injectors, fuel pump and a bar o boost and you have 149mph
I've got a BRZ so i feel i can say this about it but i think it's one of the most overrated cars in a long time. Compared to a 90s performance car it feels like driving a video game. Don't get me wrong it's got a great chassis, low cog etc but the feel is buried under many layers and i feel nothing for it. Horrible engine too. Made a big mistake buying it lol
@@patrickbateman7122 March 2005 I was offered a straight swap for my modded Rover 200 Vi (the MG ZR 160 before it was the MG ZR 160) for a good condition low miles S13, I turned it down
Big mistake
1 month later MG-Rover went bust slashing my cars value in half, Jan 2006 the VVC variable timing broke on the engine, game over
@@cirian75 feel for you mate..i can't wait to get rid of my BRZ. Going to try and get a 1M..
I mega agree, my dad has a 99 Ford Mondeo, nothing fancy but the reliability of that car is insane has never broken down since he bought it lol 161k miles and counting keep up the good work bruh
I will never stop drifting these !! You stop calling them missiles!😂
*Shakey fist* damn you Ivell! :)
Adam is right. I've never seen an S15 be used as a drift slag. A proper drift car or a competition car yes. Drift slag no.
I bought my widebody Spec-R simply because it was a stunningly beautiful car with a nice 6 speed, and the list of modifications alone added up to more than the going price of the car.
It was only later on that I grew to appreciate the fact that the last owner had painstakingly attempted to build the perfect Japanese sports car capable of drift, time attack, cruising and show. It has been so fun learning all about the JDM scene while having one of the halo cars parked in my garage. I have even had random people off the street knocking on my door offering more than double my buy price in cash. 2 of these offers actually came from rental companies so perhaps a tip there for anyone looking to sell. Not me though. I am keeping mine.
I'm guessing you're not into drifting James? I understand because it risks cars getting crashed but if you start off learning in a safe environment and know how to control a car at its limits, its pretty satisfying.
I've got nothing against drifting, until it starts turning great cars into an endangered species
So you have a problem with people in a competitive sport using the best tools available to them to compete in?
All the cars from the 90s are the best, look at the hondas and bmws still ruining the game and to this day not much can touch civics and most 90s cars on tracks, nothing better than lightweight cars with the right power
Integra type r one of the pinnacle cars of the 90s
civics are mad slow my dude lol they aight but new civics are faster
@@mracidman2536 😂😂😂 you have no idea do you🤣 kswaps or even turbod hondas will ruin most cars, get to know facts bro
Ryan Caunce 😂😂 ok well when that happens let me know it’s ok my dude you’re heated
@@mracidman2536 nah bro your just mechanically useless
Ryan Caunce dome 3 engine swaps fixed a rotary and built a drift car but you stay heated 🤷🏻♂️ I can’t relate
agree on the 90's cars beeing the best. a friend of me got an s13. and its absolutely mint and he never is on a racetrack or drifttrack. he uses it as a nice weather weekend fun street car. it is modified tho. but not like crazy irreversable.
Sounds just like my S13.
I have imported an S13 ( 1994 ) still pretty standard in Red and just 62k on the clock, currently hibernating through the winter but soon be out and about again. Great Car.
I absolutely love my S15. I’ll drive it until I die
Totally agree 90s cars are for the win. I might be slightly biased mind owning 2. But would recommend trying and evo 4-6, depending on when I might consider letting you review my 4 which is mildly modded
Had a 200 S15 back in 2010...had it up to 330bhp and similar lb/ft torque. Was a mighty fast road car. Crazy prices on them now, i bought mine for 9.5k euro back then
I feel like the 90s was the best decade for people who drive for fun. The 80s started it but the 90s had the best drivers cars. The mid 2000s I feel like manufacturers started making all cars for anyone rather than the niche cars like this
I spent a year looking for mine because I was looking for as close to standard as I could, glad I did because I picked mine up with only an exhaust, coilovers, wheels, tints and a change of fans
I agree cars of the 90's are/were the best. My favourite car that i've owned is a s14 series 2 200sx (manual). I have been fortunate enough to have owned a DC5 Integra Type R, NC MX5, Clio Sport 172, and a 6.0L SS Commodore with a Walkinshaw W310 package, as some other cars too. I had the 200sx for 5+ years, drove to work daily with it (in Sydney traffic!) and still loved it.
I agree. I have a ‘98 996 C2 and a ‘90 E34 M5. Very different cars but both brilliant.
I love these! All the Silvia’s looks so good but the s15 is especially handsome. I’ve always craved one and now even more so
I have a complete stock 1999 S14 on 54k miles. And I plan to keep it that way.
YES!!!
I owned a s14a a few years ago and loved it. It was the most fun car I’ve owned. But standard they weren’t great. Only 200bhp so they are slow, soft suspension so they didn’t handle the best and had small 16” wheels with big side wall tyres. But after I changed all that and tuned it up to 280-290 bhp it was brilliant. Sadly I think it’s now a drift car as it’s been sorn for quite a few years after I sold it. Wish I kept it looking at the price they sell for now!!
Love them, the horror rust stories on the forums make me wary though.
Mate, I agree with you a 100% about the 90s being the best era for cars. Manufacturers still made cool looking cars and SUVs were not dominating the market. There was also not too much electronics and any silly features on those 90s cars but at the same time you already had some nice creature comfort compared to some cars from the 70s and 80s.
The 90's was an amazing time for the Honda era The EF,EK and of course the EK9 civic bringing out the Type-R version. The 90's erea Kanjo racers in Japan are a great example for this. It was one of the best bang for your buck boyracer hatches money could buy. Now adays the majority have been molested and a clean oem style one will put you back 10k+ minimum... kinda sad looking back at all the crazy cars from the 90's and realizing that nothing now adays will be produced like them.
One of my all time favourite cars up there with the corrado
My Nissan S13 was the best car I’ve owned and my wife regrets to this day the sale of it! It was 1991 and I had it for 7 years , not once repeat not once in the garage for repair! Bought it in Ireland £4,500 sold it for €4000 not bad. Wish I still had it!
Mine has been driven daily for the last 6 years, plus the one I had before for about 4 years, I just can't bring myself to sell her! I swear I'll be an 80 year old lady still driving one 😂
Great video sir! yes i wholeheartedly agree some of the best cars to ever be came out of the 1990's. Case in point. Nissan 300zx
I know of 6 that have been smashed beyond repair this year sadly
Welcome to granturismo 4 world
I bought my 2002 S15 200SX in 2004 and still have it today. I have been through about 9 other dailies in the meantime but the Silvia is still with me. I made a stupid video about it on my channel if you want to check it out. Not monetised, just for fun. Great vid mate!
Your video was funny, except the s14a didnt look THAT bad :-0
Right now is the best time for cars. Hellcats, Shelby Gt 500, Ferrari, Raptor, Corvette ZR1, Lamborghini etc, Great time to be a car lover.
I love the S15 it's one of my favorite Nissans never made.
fourth gen ws6 trans am sweet 1990s ride
I've been saving for two years for one of these, I'm still as far away as i was when i started because they keep increasing in price.
Such a great honest review, would love a S15
SW20 Mr2 - best car ever. Has to be the SW20 rev 3 na and the T-top.
Best in Red. Or laterally Pink. or T-cut and red again briefly. Then Pink again.
Luv and Peace.
loved it! as a relatively stock s15 owner this was great to watch, interesting comments about the steering!
I reckon, that in a few year's time we will have a renaissance of affordable sports cars like the s15 (electric).
Manufacturers will have to make us want to switch to E power with something bonkers because none of us is buying Reno Zoe etc.
It is a good car to drift you just have to keep them properly maintained and clean
Nice video , keep pushing and building we look forward to more content
Super clean , and looks to drive amazing
Only by the title you got my like, and i havent even watched the video yet. But its the truth, stop smashing this greatest of all cars. My car on bio pic 🙂
You are the Master of variety keep up the good work thanks
I hate drifting and love the s15
The 90s were definitely the best totally agree with you renualt 5 gt turbo, escort RS turbos to name a few
I'd buy it for the looks alone. I don't know if I'd really consider that a sports car by modern standards. But then again I've never driven one of the S15 chassis.
S15 spec R, evolution 6.5 and a r34 gtr I'll be done with my life...
I love my s15 Silvia, she is my baby, no mods.
Had two cavalier gsi's maroon one and a blue one, B4 GUL and I think G201 TNN not in the Japanese hot car power league but made me smile, miss both those cars like mad. White gsi went for £20.000 on eBay couple of days ago, mint condition, like new, one owner 23000 miles.
S15 with the Vertex or URAS kit is the best look for me
Better get one now befor they skyrocket in price
Thank you for this video. unfortunately its the same here in the U.S. this cars are great out the box and we also did not get the s15 . i have had 2 s13s a coupe n a hatch, no longer have the coupe, but i drifted the heck out of it in a stretch of over 6 years but i kept and still have my s13 hatch in stock form as a stand by car and its a joy to drive as is. this are the cars that make some of us feel alive, new cars have to much unnecessary techcky stuff really.
I'd like to suggest some of the 90s Maseratis. Yeah I know the Biturbo era cars have a bad reputation but the ones built in the 90s if maintained properly are actually reliable and super fun to drive cars. I'd suggest a Maserati Ghibli for starters (try getting access to a 2.0 instead of a 2.8, they are the best ones imo).
The 90's, what's not like. It felt like things were moving forward, when people actually bought their own cars. It seemed to level out around 2000 when we were all being told diesel was more panda friendly. And so cars became generally terrible and more expensive and more complicated. The 90's was the sweet spot, with cars like the rx7, ls400, Mazda 323f, nsx, r34, 200sx. Integra type r. All petrol, no diesel and no touchscreen. Just good cars.
Such a cool and beautiful car, I also really love the crazy drift spec ones too. If I could afford to I'd have a near stock, clean one, and a crazy looking drift one.
I had a beautiful white Spec-R for over three years from 2011, was very stock apart from some very light 17" sparco wheels and some very hard cusco coil-overs. I even swapped these for some barely used stock suspension. I did find the stock exhaust very quiet and the stock brakes inadequate on track with the ABS doing funny things and kicking in far too much. I then started making a few choice quality power and chassis modifications and it would have remained a very nice (though high mileage) example. I had fitted r33 gtr brembos all round with rear drum brake swap from r33 gtst, new nismo suspension, gruppe-m intake, fujitsubo rm-01 exhaust which was a jap-can but sounded great, still quiet at low revs and not raspy.
Unfortunately I span just squeezing the throttle lightly in very heavy rain one morning and went sideways into a lamp post at 30-40mph, hitting just behind the front door hinge. It wasn't pretty especially my leg which is now titanium reinforced.
Had a golf tdi auto for a bit then decided the nearest new but more grown up option, with stability electronics, is my current bmw 230i which I managed to get in manual before they discontinued that option. I do find this chassis much more communicative and have much more feel for the chassis than I did with the silvia.
So in short I was trying to keep it 'non-drift' but the car had other ideas...
The DRIFT Tax Man has not found the Infinity (Skyline) G35 Coupe yet!
The drift scene has either ruined some lovely cars or pushed once bargain JDM into the unaffordable. Few gems still can be had cheap in the UK but not for long I would imagine.
I want another video where you studied up a bit on Nissan Silvia S15. There so few videos on Silvias in general not going in to a wall. One reason Mr Susuki Under is my raw modell… even if his car is completly rebuilt today.
Do whatever you want with your car
There is a stock s15 on the road next to me and a integra , evo , Subaru Impreza , 2 s2k, a Mx-5 , a bell air , Porsche 944 , my dad has a r230 sl63 , cl55 which it is my neighbour car , is200 there could be more but that’s all I remember
Yeah 90s car like integra r, gtr, s2000, etc are just great
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution TM Edition, Imprezza 22B, the Ford Cosworths!
Would love to see a review of a toyota glanza!
Lozzel not sure he would enjoy the torque steer haha
great vid, still need to get u in my s14 at some point. I'm also against drifting them, my end goal is a road car that's just as happy on the track but it will be standard for a while longer
when I get it insured I'll mail u
I look forward to it
@@JayEmmOnCars I'm interested to find out of the 15 is much of an upgrade
Top man and top review!!
I would argue that it is not specifically the 90s that was the best decade for the automobile. Early 90s had that 80s smell everyone was trying to get rid of and the mid-late 00s, in an attempt to get rid of the pseudo-futurism, got a bit bland (example, the 2nd gen Focus). I trully believe that the period in between (1994-2004) was truly a great era. Examples:
S15
E46
106 Rallye
EP3 Type R
NB MX5
And I can go on for days... I accept the fact that these are not the BEST cars in the world but they are cars that you can still drive, still afford, still pas MOT with a bit of love. Cars from that era also do not look much outdated when you sit in them. The e46 interior has aged quite nicely and I'll take the Spartan 106's interior over any over-complicated modern hatch.
90's was deffo the best car era. pulsar gtir (drive one), silvia s14, 240sx, mr2 sw20, celica gt4, r33 gtr/gts, r32 gtr/gts, Nissan 300zx, Toyota supra mk4, starlet glanza, honda s2000 (yep was nineties, just right at the end), e36 m3, e34 m5 (the best imo), e38 7 series (best one imo) ,don't forget the e30 3 series/m3 was alive in the naughty's, Mitsubishi colt v6 mivec, mitsu fto, mitsu gto, honda ek type r, honda vti-s, honda crx, honda integra dc2 (the best one imo), honda nsx, aston db7, lambo diablo, viper gts, Ferrari 355, testarossa and f50, ford escort cossie, jag xj220, Lancia delta integrale evo 2, Mitsubishi evo 6 tommy mack, Subaru Impreza, coupe r, p1 and 22b, lotus elise, mazda rx7, first gen mx5, Mercedes 190 Cosworth 2.5 evo 1 and 2, pug 106 gti, rover tomcat, 800 vitesse, mazda autozam az1, clio Williams, tvr cerbera, Tuscan, oh an how can I forget the lotus carlton, golf mk2 an 3, corrado vr6, audi rs2, volvo 850r and anything with that engine lol. Bugatti eb110, and even then there's more ive missed, from little jap k cars right to supercars. undoubtedly best era of car production jay brother. just forgot.... the 8 series bmw's mmmmmmmmmm
That's a pretty comprehensive argument
@@JayEmmOnCars lol. 90's was the best, p.s if you get chance try a pulsar gtir, had a 450 bhp one years ago... makes a British b road look str8 lol
Shame the S15 never came to the states. I've always wanted to imported a spec r. With the prices going up the way they are, that definitely isn't gonna happen lol.
You Americans could have the Pontiac Grand Am as your local S15 alrernative had it was made as a RWD from the start. People buying it would've kept the JDM price as low as possible. 25 years could give alternatives while waiting for the JDM become legal to import.
@@Joshua_N-A hahaha yeah that would have been interesting.
@@trevor4533 I saw a couple of S15s, some years ago here in Malaysia. Don't know if they're directly from Japan or from Australia. Whereabouts today are unknown. Money hinders most of us to get JDMs imported here as well as spare parts as owners don't want to risk damaging them out of fear that the parts may have stopped production alongside the cars.
Let people do whatever they want. It's their cars afterall
I get it it sucks that everyone drifts 240s but that's not stopping I would they are perfect for it
Really like these cars.
Just wished people didn't keep fitting those horrible rear valances on them. Think it really cheapens the look of the back.
dream car
Spec r was 2,500,000 yen / r34 gtr 5,500,000 yen brand new 1999 , more than double the price
90s i agree 100%
What a beautiful car
Its called 240sx in the U.S. and 200sx is the small compact 4 door and coupe.
bought my S15 for 40k will never sell it even when the prices sky rocket in 2024!