I Want My AE86 Toyota! Not A Subaru?

Really! its not that much to ask?

Ever since i heard the announcement that Toyota was joining Subaru (Toyota own a large percentage of Subaru) to make a new version of the Toyota AE86, I was stoked.
I've already decided to buy it. Despite the fact it hasn’t even been made yet.....! That and it doesn’t come out in 2011. Despite those minor setbacks, I’m still going to buy it god dam it.

If you don’t already know, an AE86 was a small 2 door sports coupe made by Toyota produced from 1983 to 1987. It managed to get a cult status in the Motorsport of drifting (Illegal Mountain Pass Drifting). This was due to it Rear wheel drive layout and it reliable 4A-GE engine. For more information, hit the link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AE86

The decision to make a New AE86 has been greeted with much fanfare
I recently discovered my decision of buying the "New" AE86 has been slightly altered. It seems it has been decided for me that i will now be buying a RWD Subaru instead of the Toyota. Wait a minute! what the.....?

It seems Toyota and Subaru (in all their wisdom) have come to the decision only Japan will be receiving the Toyota version of the car, with the rest of the world having to accept only been given the Subaru. NOOOOOOOO!

This method of making cars only for Japan isn't new. This is basically where the JDM (Japanese Domestic Model) scene comes from. A lot of the time Japan will make the same car but to different specifications for overseas markets. These cars would usually have less horsepower and option extras than the JDM model. this makes the JDM version more sought after car.

Ah but you see I have a plan to get my hands on the REAL "New" Toyota AE86, Not the poser Subaru.

It simple really. I’m just going to import one over here to New Zealand!

Luck for us kiwis, the majority of our car laws are in line with those in Japan. Leaving very little red tape involved with importing a car to NZ. This is opposed to say a country like America where all their cars have their steering wheels are on the wrong side! (they same the same about us)

This way of importing a car from Japan is called "the grey market" where we technically shouldn't have these vehicles in the country. This is due to the manufacturers not offering the car to overseas markets. A great example of this would be the JDM 2008 Nissan GTR being imported to New Zealand when it's yet to be sold at Nissan dealerships in 2009

Anyhow back to my point. (Yes! i have one) If you REALLY want a car but think there’s not a chance you ever be able to get it. just remember there’s always a way

The "Wow" Facter

Some Cars have the "Wow" factor, and some don't. It's as simple as that.....

But the thing is the "Wow" factor can have different meanings.

The worst of which would be "Wow look at that Shity Honda". Through to the much better of the "Wows" being "Wow, that’s one F%#ken awesome Skyline"

Some cars just have something about them which cause you to take a minute to stare in amazement.

I say this because the "Wow" factor almost caused me to crash

Driving home from work the other day a car distance caught my attention. This was no ordinary car. This was the Audi R8.

Of course I’ve Never seen an Audi R8 in the Flesh (Well, Carbon Fibre). But here it was! My 2nd most Loved Car (Nissan GTR being 1st), driving down Thomas Road in little old Hamilton, New Zealand.

I was gobsmaked to say the least. And in this brief moment of laps in concentration (4 Seconds) I nearly drove straight into the back of the car i was following. Yikes!

But what made me stare mindlessly at this car opposed to any other car? Yea, the "Wow" Factor was there. But what gives it that "Wow" in the first place.

It could be one of many thing, the dramatic out there style. The amazing performance figures. or just the mere price tag and rarity of the car. And even if though all these things come into play, some people won’t even give the car a second glance.

Obviously these people aren’t car enthusiast and cannot appreciate the car for what it is. Some would just consider it to be some car for a guy having a mid-life crisis.

Then there are those people like me, who know what the Audi R8 really is. An amazing piece of machinery.

This is what the car was made for. To "Wow" you. Audi themselfs know this! and go on to say....

"The R8 was built to take your breath away. Audi’s leading designers have pushed the boundaries of racing technology, futuristic construction and luxury refinement to deliver a genuine masterpiece"

"Wow”. You either got it or you don't

Me And My Car. A Love/Hate Relationship

I love my car, I really do. But it keeps on kicking the shit out of me and taking all my money, But no matter what, i keep on coming back for more. I am of course talking about my pride and joy, my 1996 Toyota Levin AE111.

I picked up this gem of jap automotive design and engineering about six months ago from a car dealership for what i now realise was a slightly overpriced amount. This was one of many mistakes i have made with my car so far. but having said that, I don’t regret anything.

Many Things have gone wrong. So far I’ve had broken a clutch. Doors have not unlocked. Electric windows have jammed. And of course my current ongoing problem, the suspension! (Don’t ask, it will be fixed soon)

Heck! Only a few days after originally writing this, I managed to back my car into my fathers Mazda Famaila. Nicely denting both cars and caused me to go into a swearing fit (One in every Ten words, a personal best) for an hour.

My car also acts a bottomless hole to throw money into. Theres insurance payments, repairs, and warrants and registrations to be renewed. Not to mention the ever rising price of fuel.

The strange thing is most people would HATE there car by now. But the thing is, i have only become more attached to it.

All these things give my car A personality A "Ghost in the shell" if you will. I Even find myself Calling my car (a mere piece of metal) her or girl, and on the odd occasion bitch, if I’m angry enough.

I guess a car to some people is a way to express yourself. I find my car to be a extension of my personality and in turn, have become attached to it.

So I guess, in a way, I define my car and my car defines me