Tag Archives: QotW
QotW: What type of car has the best community of owners?
There are some cars you love, but can’t stand the people in their orbit. Then there are other cars that seem to attract owners with whom you can forge life-long friendships. We have friends who own all types of cars, … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your craziest story about buying goods from Japan?
Years ago, I had a dream of turning my factory 1997 Lexus SC into a JDM-spec Soarer. The SC and naturally aspirated Supra 5-speeds used Toyota’s W58 transmission, but to get big power to the rear wheels you needed the … Continue reading
QotW: How are high fuel prices affecting your driving?
Fuel prices are at an all-time high, and that takes a toll on those who love cars. Fortunately for many JNCers, old Japanese cars get insanely good mileage. If you have a Datsun B210 or Honda CRX you can still … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the worst car buying experience you’ve ever had?
A few years ago a friend of JNC finally bought his dream car, a machine that he’d been talking about and saving up for for years. It had a Toyota engine, but the rest was a bit more British. After … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your most memorable rainy day car story?
Today is National Wiper Day in Japan, a date to remind drivers to replace their wiper blades in the name of safety. A date with the same month and day numeral was chosen because wipers are replaced in pairs, and … Continue reading
QotW: What should the plot of the Gran Turismo TV show be?
EXT. TRIAL MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT — DAY The world’s best drivers are gathered at the track, prepping their machines for the bout. It’s an eclectic mix of cars: Toyota GT-One, NISMO Skyline GT-R LM GT1, TVR Cerbera LM, Vector M12 GT2, … Continue reading
QotW: What is the ultimate Japanese car?
On May 23, 2002 Honda launched the NSX-R. It was the ultimate manifestation of Japan’s ultimate car at the time. It offered true racing technology in a production road car — carbon fiber body panels, flow-through aero creating negative lift … Continue reading
QotW: Where do you want to travel, and with which car?
Today is Travel Day in Japan. The commemoration was started by the Tabi Pen Club of Japan, founded in 1962 to promote travel (members include inns, restaurants, and travel writers). The date was chosen because on May 16, 1689 the … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the one tool you can’t live without?
Today, May 9, is Tool Day in Japan. It’s a relatively new holiday, founded only in 2021 by KTC, Japan’s number one tool company. The purpose of Tool Day, according to KTC, its to spread knowledge about tools, their correct … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best road trip car for the whole family?
When car enthusiasts talk about the best drivers’ cars, it’s usually selfish. Taking off for a long drive in the Z is fantastic when you’re young and free, but once the kiddos come along you’ll something bigger. By all means, … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite automotive invention?
Today, April 18, is Invention Day in Japan, a remembrance of the day in 1885 when the Japanese patent system was established. The automotive world has often been on the forefront of innovation, whether its advanced stuff like carbon fiber … Continue reading
QotW: How do you listen to audio content in your car?
Today, April 11, is National 8-Track Day. The short-lived audio format (so short-lived we apparently don’t even have a photo of one) was once the latest and greatest way to pump tunes out of your car. Nowadays, with most audio … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite 4×4 vehicle?
Today, April 4, is 4×4 Day in Japan because, you know, 4/4. The “holiday” was started by Mercedes-Benz of Japan as a marketing exercise in 2016 to promote the G-Wagen. Funnily enough, it doesn’t appear to be a thing even … Continue reading
QotW: Can Mitsubishi Motors be saved?
We were dismayed last week to learn of the recent fate of Mitsubishi’s Pajero factory. In a turn that was almost near-perfect in its poetic tragedy, the once hallowed birthplace of the mighty Paris-Dakar champions was sold off to a … Continue reading
QotW: Who’s your favorite race car driver?
Ernest Hemingway once said, “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.” That’s because these were the only ones where one could lose one’s life. Last week we lost one of the … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the dumbest thing a car company has offered?
Last week Acura dropped some details about the reborn Integra. We can debate the merits of the car itself, and we have, but the thing about the launch that left us appalled was the fact that Acura was offering buyers … Continue reading
QotW: What Japanese car would you build a lowrider with?
We’ve always had a fascination for the way Japan blends a deeply studied foreign automotive style with its own. Earlier this year, a Toyota Century limousine lowrider took the Grand Prix in the sedan category at the Tokyo Auto Salon. … Continue reading
QotW: What are your thoughts on itasha?
Over the weekend I took my toddler to a local show to see some cars. Though it wasn’t advertised as an itasha event, fully 85 percent of the cars there had anime characters plastered all over them, even cars like … Continue reading
QotW: How has car ownership affected your love life?
Holidays are times we spend with our loved ones. But that time in the garage, on the road, or at the track can create conflict, because some of us also have spouses or significant others. Or, maybe your better half … Continue reading
QotW: What movie or TV car scenes have angered you most?
As car enthusiasts, we’re familiar with the cycle of excitement and disappointment that accompanies car movies. Typically, you’ll see a trailer that promises incredible stunts and lots of action. Then after you’ve bought your ticket and popcorn, the actual movie … Continue reading
