Carless in Japan, Looking for Something I'll Regret

Hey guys, 

I just moved to Japan after 15 years in Korea and, in the process, had to leave my much loved, roll-caged, highly boosted, stiff-riding, four-point harness equipped Genesis Coupe behind. I am now carless but, as with my situation in Korea before, I simply don't need to commute. Everything I need to do is easily within walking distance or I can hop on a cheap, clean, and comfortable commuter train. This means my car can be stupid, uncomfortable, and even somewhat unreliable, though I'd prefer to take it to the track without blowing up too much expensive stuff. So, recommendations, please. 

Stuff I do want:

1. I'd like to exceed a power to weight ratio of one horsepower for every ten pounds. I've never done this before, and yes, I know this is a dumb and arbitrary goal. I'm perfectly happy to build up toward this power weight ratio, though I'd prefer not to spend a ton of money doing so.  

2.  I'd like RWD. I'd consider AWD, but I don't think it's as much fun. 

3. I'd like it to be under 3,000 lbs. The only thing I didn't like about my Genesis - after the mods that is - was the weight. 

4. I have to pass a pretty strict inspection every two years. As such, I'd like something that's either simple to work on so I can pull mods on and off whenever or something where I can hide the mods away where nobody can see them. 

5. Preferably a Japanese vehicle, for ease of parts and service. 

What I'm considering:
1. NC Miata with a 2.5 swap and cams/intake. This seems like a relatively easy way to get that 10:1 power weight ratio, Miatas are cheap but not as cheap as dirt, and they handle, are THE ANSWER, etc. The 2.5 swap would probably be invisible to inspectors.

2. Altezza RS200. This is the 210 hp, four cylinder version. 3sge. The car is listed under 3k lbs, and the 3sge is supposed to be capable of silly power. The chassis is supposed to be good, and I have a soft spot for Toyotas. Would need forced induction for power weight goal. These are dirt cheap in Japan.

3. Toyota MRS. I have driven these and love them. The engine is not so great and the 1ZZ swap would be visible to inspectors. Would need to do a supercharger in all likelihood. Also dirt cheap. 

4. E70 Corolla/KP61. I love E70s, and had one as my first car. These are a little more expensive, but very simple and I love the platform. I would buy a cheap, rwd V6 of around 200 hp, mate it to a front subframe, and roll it under the car after every inspection, keeping a stock subframe/engine/trans in the garage. I'm thinking of a 3.8 Ford or a 3.8 Dodge out of a Jeep Wrangler. The other option is a 3sge. 

5. RX8. These are incredibly cheap. I love the way they look. I hear they are a joy to drive. And I've heard nothing but horrible things about the Renesis both in terms of potential and reliability. 

6. S13-14-15. Easy to make big power. I like the chassis. They are more expensive than anything else I've mentioned, though. 

7. Kind of considering an earlier Mitsu Evolution, but AWD. 

Altezza or S15 should reach your goal the most easily with the least obvious mods, the Altezza will need more money in mods to reach the goal but is cheaper up front and should have lower running costs being a much more common vehicle with cheaper parts.

Isn't high hp heavily taxed in Japan?  If yes, have you factored that into the budget?

How is an Autozam AZ-1 not your default answer?!?!?!?

In reply to John Welsh :

It's mostly based on displacement and weight. Also, nobody needs to know how much HP over stock I'm actually making. ;)

In reply to DasAuto :

I did look into Cappucinnos and S660s. I'm tempted, but they aren't that muc lighter than an MRS or K70 and both are heavier than a KP61. Power gets expensive very quickly with them as well.  

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Do you have any experience with the Altezza/IS Lexus cars? The relatively light weight, 6 speed, revy engine, and styling are all appealing, but I've never driven one.  

In reply to DaewooOfDeath :

My understanding of the BEAMS 3SGE is that it is not capable of silly power like the old 3SGE/GTE.  Something about not having much headroom for more power in any direction.

That was why those engines are/were so cheap to import, anyway.

DaewooOfDeath said:

In reply to DasAuto :

I did look into Cappucinnos and S660s. I'm tempted, but they aren't that muc lighter than an MRS or K70 and both are heavier than a KP61.

I....don't think that's true, FYI.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

I'll look into that. I thought it was mostly just having a higher compression ratio, but maybe there's more. 

In reply to Flynlow :

I stand corrected. I thought Cappucinos were heavier than that. 

In reply to DaewooOfDeath :

Is rust common in Japan?

In reply to DaewooOfDeath :

Dang, dood, it's been a while since I've seen you post. Good to here from you.

Woody (Forum Supportum) said:

In reply to DaewooOfDeath :

Is rust common in Japan?

Depends on where you are in the country - most definitely in the snowy parts, and close to the ocean often isn't that great either. Still better than the same vehicle's condition if it lived in the UK for the same amount of time, which is in turn comparable to slightly better than in the US salt belt.

If you're considering an RX8, what are prices like on FC/FD RX7s? I know the latter have been going up now that they're eligible for import into the US, but they're still cheaper in Japan than they are over here.

Anything sporty that isn't elibigle for export to the US might be cheaper than vehicles that are.

I know that you said that you'd prefer Japanese, but would an Aussie car be an option?

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Agreed Pete.

The biggest issue from my understanding is the ability to support big boost. They lightened up the rotating assembly in the 4th Gen (Both 3SGE and 3STGE) vs. the 3rd Gen (USDM MR2/All-trac) Combine that with a really small combustion chamber to get the high compression ratio and you have motor that is not boost happy. 

All 4th gen 3GSE long blocks are the same but the heads are unique on the BEAMS. 

With all that being said, Look at non import legal cars. You'll get better value across the board especially from a purchase and registration standpoint. 

An S15 is one of the prettiest cars out there....

R30/31 skyline. Get that 80s box goodness all up in you. 

Look. You're in Japan. You need to get something iconic. 
 

skyline. Rx7 or ae86....  

make it happen

 we're pulling for you. 

I'm only a little bit jealous.

As for my personal preference, I'd say the RS200–mainly because I'd love to have an IS300 Sportcross here in the states.

(Is an Altezza Gita out of the question?)

DaewooOfDeath said:

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Do you have any experience with the Altezza/IS Lexus cars? The relatively light weight, 6 speed, revy engine, and styling are all appealing, but I've never driven one.  

Not really, I have a Toyobaru which shares a lot of drivetrain parts but that's it. People who've driven both say the Altezza just feels like a bigger and heavier Toyobaru. I've also heard that the newer 3SGE BEAMS doesn't have as much headroom as the older models but that might not be an issue for the level of power increase you're looking for. You could try swapping in an older 3SGE and hope it isn't noticeable on inspection (do they check serial numbers?) or you could get an aftermarket rotating assembly with lower-compression pistons and use a thicker/doubled head gasket to lower it further if necessary.

Does the fact that the car can be imported to the US make the car more valuable?

If, yes, how long do you plan to keep this car?

If the plan to keep the car is 3 years then I'd recommend a car 22 years old hoping that the car would increase in value when you're done with it.

Some kei car inspiration

In reply to j_tso :

The further I scrolled, the better the story got.

As if I didn't want a kei car enough already.