Bobcat

Globe: thanks for the mock-up

Manaray: what is the JDM VIP thing?

GS4Will

JDM- japan domestic market(model)

VIP- in japan, car dudes refer to big, luxury rides as VIPs. the world stem from the fact that it used to be only rich businessmen, politicians, or the yakusa(jap mafia guys) can afford this type of rides. because of their gas guzziling and expensive registration fee in japan. cars like the LS400/430, infiniti Q, and the big benz.
i think the gs is on the borderline of vips. everyone's definition can be a little different.

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

Yeah the Aristo in right between the VIP and sport sedans. I used to be a regular reader of BIG SEDAN magazine (Japanese mag with mostly VIP cars). Now they got another mag in Japan called "VIP" and that's strictly VIPs. But I've seen the Aristo featured in many VIP articles and mags.

Most common VIP fixed up: Older model Q45 (Y32), Celsior, Crown.

Manaray

JDM VIP - Well I consider the Aristo (GS) more on the VIP side because if you get a lot of different Japanese Mags (VIP Sedan, Dress Up Car, Auto Fashion, Super Sedan, VIP Car, Option, etc.) and Videos, you'll see the Aristo shows up in the VIP section and never (in recent memory) in the "tuner/sports car" section. That section is more reserved for Silvia's, Skylines, Soarer (SC), WRX's, Evo's, Altezza's (which you never see in VIP mags or sections), Corolla's, Supra's, RX-7's, etc...

Even in it's domestic market, the Aristo is not viewed as a a race or drift car...it's just a "sportier" VIP car than the Celsior (LS).

As far as fixing up VIP cars...I'd love to have a Cedric/Gloria (Y33 or Y34)....

The oldest US Q45 (which is based on the JDM Nissan President) are also popular VIP cars (our pre-1997 models)...along with the LS, GS, Cima (our 1997 and up Q45's), Cedric/Gloria, etc...

Anyways, getting back to the "tuner" thing, if you really want a sports car with white rims and whatnot, why not sell the GS and get a REAL JDM right-hand drive, US Street Legal Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33...or R34 if you can afford it)? A used R33 sells for about the same price as a used GS300/GS400. On that car, you can put on the wild "combat" body kits, white race rims, huge DTM-style tail, etc., etc. and it looks "right" (and in most cases, the body kits are even functional!). That car, STOCK, will soundly whoop a fixed up GS's ***...and if you do a "little modding" like upgrading the turbo, exhaust, ECU, etc...you'll be handing Porsche Turbo owners their own asses.

Manaray

Just in case someone doesn't what a Nissan Skyline is...here's the REAL deal (with REAL/ORIGINAL Yoko AVS Model 5's, not some cheezy knock-offs)

Beautiful, ain't she?

GS4Will

i just read an article from one of US auto mags, there is a GREAT possiblity that the next gen skyline R35 will be destined for our shore in 2003/04.

hopefully i'd hav room both in my wallet and garage for that toy.

BBD

I love the O.Z rims myself ,, good rep and good wheels, I like the one you have posted teh white one ,, am thinking about getting it with Carbon grey for my black GS400,,,

HaydenGS

There is a GS400 here in Vancouver with white wheels

i think they are 17" .... and the pure white GS looks great !

LOTC

hey,bobcat if need better understand on vip here's a link i posted up while ago,many have already seen it, but you were probably not part of clublexus back then.
http://www.velocity.isfaster.com/vip/vip.htm

Yeah i love those Lowenharts!

Welcome back Manaray, long time no see. Love that sick looking Skyline.

Jooleee

i have no money and know nothing about wheels, but i want the lowenhart bs5's...

Manaray

gs4will: Yeah, I've seen the same thing but I've also heard that the R35 GTR will be based on the XVL platform...I'm not too sure if that's a good thing...we'll just have to wait and see...if they do bring it over, I hope they don't detune it (of course, the EPA will force them too...but I'm optimistic...ok, not really).

edogg: Thanks! Glad to be "home". Hey, I'm working on a new source for the body kits...I'll let you know what I find out...