If the Scion FR-S were a person, it would be somebody like Justin Bieber, always pretending to be more muscular than it actually is. That goes double if the wimpy 200 horsepower engine is connected to an automatic. Mister Bieber, you may have fooled us with Photoshop before, but you're not a real man yet.
By contrast, the Nissan GT-R is… well, it's not a person but a prehistoric monster that absorbs radiation and shoots flames. The R32 version might not have the same Ferrari-trampling skills as the R35, but several decades of being called an icon brings curb appeal to the mix.
Today, we are showing you a short but amusing video by Jalopnik editor Doub DeMuro, who compares his right-hand drive import with a red Scion FR-S that's fresh off the dealer's lot. Looking at their interiors, you get a sense of how much fabrication has progressed in the past 25 years. The Scion is miles more comfortable and modern but is it as nice to drive?
No, of course not. Metaphorically speaking, Doug says the 2-liter boxer moves the Scion at pedestrian speeds. Mind you, this is coming from a guy who took a yellow Hummer to a track day event and ruined everybody's fun.
Sure, the R32 has about 80 extra horsepower from its 2.6-liter twin-turbo inline-6 engine. But it's also got a sense of occasion.
Despite this, it's the Scion that's declared the winner of the race. Why? Because it's got the steering wheel on the left side of the car and can be financed. The GT-R comes with 25 years of hard life and fixing it is like trying to find parts for a Doucemberg.
Still, in another 25 years, at this rate the Scion FR-S will probably be as powerful as the R32. But by that time, GT-Rs will all be running on electricity.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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