[SpyHunter]

Just wondering. Since it is roadsterjdm, I thought I would ask.

For me, I simply go for what I like. I have a overall design theme in my head, and whatever fits it, and is good quality, works for me. There are definitly some JDM pieces that I love. However, I do not feel the need to have nothing but JDM parts on my car.

So, are you the type that only gets JDM? Or are you more like myself, and simply get the things you like, country of origin aside?

 

[freedomgli]

I like to think that I pick whatever works best regardless of origin but in reality I have an obvious preference for tuner parts from Nihon Koku. My insipiration comes mainly from Road&Ster and HyperRev where RJDM parts are plentiful. Therefore, it is only logical that in my car replicates the stylings of the cars that inspired me. I do find it funny that from the outside it looks like I'm an American tyring to copy what a Japanese person's modern interpretation of what a classic British or Italian roadster might be. But I think the reason for that is my underlying inspiration are the classic roadsters of the 1950's and 1960's. Accordingly, my tuning philosophy is most similar to the majority of Japanese based tuners who were originally inspired by the same vehicles.

When tuning a car I'm trying to create a certain emotion or frame of mind. I think that parts from the vehicle's country of origin almost always look most approprite. For example, Weber carbs look perfect on an Alfa-Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale (and Edelbrock carbs would look equally out of place), and Jaeger or Smiths clocks look perfect in an old Austin-Healey or MG. I think that RS Watanabe wheels look best on a Miata even though I could just as well have gotten Chaparrals for less money. If I had an Austin Mini Cooper S I'd want Minilite wheels but if I had a Triumph TR6 I'd probably want Panasport wheels since that's what the Group44 guys ran on their race cars here in the USA. I guess I'm just a stickler for the details and can appreciate the subtle aesthetic differences. I have Racing Beat and Flyin' Miata parts on my car where all I was concerned about was functionality. But when it comes to items that are routinely seen or felt I like the RJDM items best. So I guess you can say I mix and match to get the desired perfomance while maintaining a classic, simple, elegant roadster style.

 

[boogie van]

I do more of what I like.

For example I have the JDM rear license panel and a front emblem I still need to install, but I dont like the look of side "winkers" so Im not going to take it that far.

Im also considering making my own quilted interior pieces, because I cant see paying hundreds of dollars for it.

I really like the JDM look and style, but I have other things my money needs to go to, so Im willing to cut corners and make compromises.

Having the real deal doesnt matter that much to me, its just an inspiration.

Dont get me wrong though, if I had thousands of dollars burning a hole in my pocket, there are lots of really nice JDM parts I would love to have. :mrgreen:

 

[SoCal_Brian]

Well, since I am half Japanese, I guess you could say I like to embrace my culture a little with some JDM accesories and parts. Even though my entire intake/exhaust system is made right here in Anaheim, CA. Racing Beat :wink:

 

[JDMC]

More of what the consensus is saying.. I buy what I like regardless of from what country it came. It just happens that most of the stuff I like is JDM. With me, the JDM parts I have on my car are more of the interior/exterior parts such as; wheels, mirrors, seats, steering wheel, etc. While my engine/forced induction parts are more readily available USDM parts.

 

[tetsuyagarage]

every aftermarket part on my car is from japan, except for my hard dog roll bar, even though cuscos are really nice they don't look nearly as strong as hd. honestly i don't recall seeing one 'nice'U.S. accessory that i would want to put on my roadster, polished aluminum grills and shark teeth were never one of my favorites #-o i don't know, the american designs always seem so tacky not elegant like something like a pitcrew etc. (i hope i haven't offened anyone w/ shark teeth :| )

 

[Bryan]

I don't see the point in seeking every part to be from Japan, but as has been said, some cool parts can only be found there.

 

[retrorocket]

with very few exceptions it has to be JDM :roll:

I have smiths retro quadrant gauges in my zoom console but only because they match my AWD muruyama gauge faces !!!

IMO thy have the best :

wheels - R S Watanabe F8s
flares - tuckin99
IRTB's - R S Aizawa
seats - Nakamae/zoom
interior - zoom/Nakamae
magazine - road&ster
car - M2 1001
roll bar - M2 1001
hardtop - M2 1028
mirrors - craft square

etc etc etc :wink:

the stuff from Germany, USA and UK just ( on the whole ) just doesn't do it for me , I'm not being a snob or anything ... my old Karmann Ghia Type 34 just HAD to have German parts on it , my old austin healey UK bits

 

[socalbreeze]

I usually go for what I like and depending on the availability of that particular part. My style bar is from Frenzy since I dig the TT style they offer and my exhaust is a RB dual. IMHO, the RB dual is the best looking exhaust I've seen on the NB. Not to knock guys who have TRUST, Buddy Club, or RS*R, I've always liked dual tip or dual exhaust more than single tip.

But I'm also fascinated by the JDM market. I just had to have an "EUNOS" emblem or an APEXi intake.

I also think some domestic parts like the grill and shark teeth are absolutely hedious and I'm also not a fan of voodoo shift knobs.

 

[Mr.Woolery]

I put what works into my car. I don't care one whit about where the parts come from, so long as they're of good quality.

Yeah my car has some JDM cues to it, but there are also a lot of other non-JDM things done to the car.

I guess it's more of a mutt-styled car.

 

[sonique128]

JDM to me queues 'retro race' to me, so retro also includes the old british racer look, Italian retro supercar styling also, and bits of american 50s interiors are nice.

For me, JDM is to have a 'JDM' look, not to have every piece of my miata with all japanese parts. So anything that will get me closer to that retro look is my goal, and leaning JDM is just easier because a lot of parts have more retro stylings (KG works, Zoom Engineering, Panasports, etc).

 

[MiataRoadster]

For me, JDM parts are just part of the mix and win my vote when they meet my esthetic or technical criteria.

Here's a breakdown of the parts I've chosen by quantity/country of origin/brand. As you'll see, I've spread my hard-earned Yankee greenbacks all around the world, though mostly in the good ol' US of A.

;-D

Bill

USA:
ACT: XS pressure plate
ACT: ProLite flywheel
ARP: misc. fasteners
Autometer: gauges
AWR: FRP widebody kit with one-piece front fenders
B&M: oil and water thermostats
Billet City: motor covers for Spal fans
Boston Acoustics: speakers
Brainstorm: front chassis brace
Brainstorm: NACA headlight lids
Brainstorm: rear chassis brace
Clearwater: FRP subwoofer enclosure
Clutchnet: custom 6-puck disc
CP: pistons
Earl's: hose fittings
E-Z On: Stayfast glass window convertible top
Fire and Ice Motorsports: custom instrument bezel (covers over center "dummy lights")
Flyin' Miata: "butterfly" chassis brace
Flyin' Miata: clutch switch override
Flyin' Miata: rear pillowball strut tops
Flyin' Miata: remote oil filter kit
Flyin' Miata: "turbo" dual exhaust
GM: side mirrors from C5 Corvette
Ground Control: coilover kit for KYB AGX
Hard Dog: dual diagonals M2 sport bar with custom 1.75" tubing
JL Audio: subwoofers
K&N: air filter
Longacre: spoiler braces for front splitter
Mazda Competition: diff mounts
Mazda Competition: motor mounts
Mazda Competition: sway bar brackets
Mazda OEM: tie rod ends from 1993 LE (part #8AN2-32-280)
Mazda OEM: used FC TII differential
Mazda OEM: used FC TII transmission
Mazda OEM: used FD Torsen LSD
Mazda OEM: used seats from a 2001 NB
Mazdatrix: short shifter
MOPAR: NACA hood duct from Viper
Moss: convertible top liner
Moss: low-profile headlight kit
MSD: ignition box
Optima: "Yellow Top" battery
Pauter: rods
Pro-Gram: main caps
Racing Beat: end links
Racing Beat: headers
Racing Beat: sway bars
Racing Beat: sway bar brace
Racing Beat: "Type II" FRP nose
Rod Millen: FRP boot cover
Ron Davis: radiator fan shroud
Simpson Design: FRP 3-piece trunk spoiler
Simpson Design: FRP "cowl induction" hood
Simpson Design: FRP flush rear bumper
SRP: 4-piece pedal cover set
Supertech: valvetrain
Wilwood: front brake calipers
Wilwood: brake rotors
Wings West: FRP rocker panels
Xtant: car stereo amplifier

JAPAN:
Alpine: stereo equalizer
Alpine: stereo head unit
Arena Garage: engine lateral torque strut
Beatrush: rear strut tower brace
Cusco: "drifting" parking brake button
Garage Vary: FRP trunk lid
Garage Vary: instrument hood gauge pods
Joy Fast: alternator pulley
Joy Fast: valve cover bolts
Joy Fast: water pump pulley
Jubiride: adjustable camshaft pulleys
KG Works: vintage logo steering wheel horn button
KG Works: visor plug map lights
Kosei: K1-R wheels
KYB: AGX adjustable struts
Nakamae: billet interior door releases
Nakamae: custom blue leather door pulls
OEM: stainless steel "Roadster" door sills
OEM: stainless steel teardrop door speaker grilles
Okuyama/Carbing: triangular front strut tower brace with brake master cylinder brace
Power Enterprise: red Kevlar accessory belts
Tein: front strut pillowball tops
Toda: red Kevlar timing belt

GERMANY:
IL: A/C control panel
IL: A/C control switches
IL: defroster and A/C vent trim pieces
IL: EL gauge faces
IL: halogen trunk lamp
IL: halogen underhood lamp
IL: pneumatic hood props
Mazda OEM: wide "Euro" style rear license plate panel

ITALY:
Momo: shift knob
Momo: steering wheel
PIAA: fog lamps
Spal: radiator fans
Sparco: fuel filler lid

UK:
Lucas: RC injectors
PowerFlex: polyurethane bushings
SFS Performance: silicone coolant hoses
Willans: harnesses

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND:
Link (via Flyin' Miata): programmable ECU
PWR (via Flyin' Miata): "Twincooler" radiator/oil cooler
Shift 4 Brains: cast aluminum parking brake grip

FRANCE:
Tekniq: Snap-Off locking quick release

CHINA (?):
clear Altezza-style tail lamps (painted lenses dark blue body color)

 

[Doppelganger]

Eh, when i first started working on my NA , i wanted to do the "clean" aka JDM look. Then about that same time.. it was going mainstream. Since our cars VIN starts with "J'... that's JDM enough for me

Now im going 'rice'

I think its funny how we view JDM. I think american tuners only focus on those types of looks. As far as i have seen, there is plenty of 'rice' that would fit in with our USDM 'rice'. I think its even funnier that they try to emulate what we have and we want what they have

 

[metalhead]

I could give a rats ass where the parts come from and care not one bit about "JDM" parts over any other. They could be made in Bangaledsh or Canada for all I care.
I like what works and has the overall look I am after.

 

[jesseclee]

For me, I am a Hyper Rev addict. In the mid to late 90's there was a huge explosion of inventiveness, creativity, artistry and occasionally goofiness in the Roadster aftermarket in Japan. There was this amazing variety of goodies made for our cars from these mostly mom-and-pop boutique operations. What we have here in the US is not even remotely comparable. That scene is fading away now. However I would like to build my car as a tribute to that scene.

This is my 3rd Miata. I've done all kinds of mods to these cars. Good, bad and ugly. And the lesson I have learnt is this: cheap parts cheapen the car, and degrades the whole experience of modding the car. For me, I have this hierarchy of preference when it comes to acquiring parts:
1. Factory Mazda parts (JDM or any DM)
2. Mazdaspeed, M2 and Mazda Comp parts
3. top shelf japanese name brand parts (HKS, Tein, Toda, Vary, Zoom, etc)
4. second tier japanese suppliers
5. stateside miata specialist parts

 

[3uno5]

to me jdm is just a glimpse into the minds of more people and their ideas. i think freedomgli made a good quote in my newbie meet and greet post where he says.

Japanese Roadster owners really wish they could be American Miata owners. So they trick their cars out with chrome Eagle 3-spoke wheels and they import Erebuni body kits direct from Brooklyn, NY (word!). Adding an APR wing to the trunk lid gives it some Southern Cali style circa 1997 and the clear "Euro" lights were purchased through a Japanese-speaking broker from eBay.com. It all adds to the mystique and rarity of their ride over there since they have something that few others have. People at the Karuizawa Meet 2006 are going to go nutz over this style. So if you're truly RJDM and want to be snap up to date with the latest Japanese styling trends then you must emulate what they think is hot. And right now this is hot. The circular logic is ironic, no?

makes alot of sense if you think about, we try to be like them but they try to be like us at the same time because it is something different and appeals to enthusiasts and/or the youth of the scene and what is considered hot at the time. just so happens that the japanese know whats hot for the most part in alot of our views hehe 8)

 

[Bryan]

To shorten your post:

"The grass is always greener on the other side"

 

[retrorocket]

To shorten your post:

"The grass is always greener on the other side"

... and more expensive ... and harder to get hold of , but greener all the same :wink:

 

[roadsternut]

Eh, when i first started working on my NA , i wanted to do the "clean" aka JDM look. Then about that same time.. it was going mainstream. Since our cars VIN starts with "J'... that's JDM enough for me

Now im going 'rice'

I think its funny how we view JDM. I think american tuners only focus on those types of looks. As far as i have seen, there is plenty of 'rice' that would fit in with our USDM 'rice'. I think its even funnier that they try to emulate what we have and we want what they have

See http://www.south.ne.jp/~spiosk/parts/roadstar.htm

Japanese site selling "USDM", "AuDM" and "EuDM parts for the JDM

:?

 

[touge miata]

my friend and i share a simple philosophy... if it helps you grip the road or is a simple power mod that isn't a TON of money then we buy it.... no crazy coil overs just springs and shocks, roll bars, tires, light rims, bushings, braces... keeping the car clean and performance oriented. on the other hand i am more of the "but its sooo cool i want it" type... like yesterday while installing steering rack bushing on his Subaru i was looking at his dinky OEM oil cooler. and i said he should get a relocation/cooler kit kinda like most miata tuners get. and how useful that is on a turbo car but not an N/A car like mine.. and then i realized i had a pointless mod... then thought about it some more and realized it prolly helps keep my oil from breaking down AND the car WAS supercharged by the PO but is now no longer installed. he hates gages... i love'em but i don't like USDM autometer stuff... i like Greddy or Omari.. because like some have said i like to keep a JDM theme in the car going with the old English and Italian roadsters from back in the day. so JDM is important to me. but only on the aesthetic or "show" items... hoses, and filters, wire.... things like tat don't need to be from japan. i think you get the point... i like JDM. :twisted: