Dominate the Retro Racetrack: Choosing the Best 80s Car for Victory

For petrolheads and racing game enthusiasts, the allure of 80s Cars is undeniable. These iconic vehicles, with their boxy designs and burgeoning performance technology, represent a golden era of automotive innovation. If you’re looking to conquer retro-themed races in your favorite driving simulator, particularly events celebrating the Japanese automotive scene of the 80s, selecting the right car is paramount. While in-game guides might offer basic information, they often lack the crucial insights needed to truly dominate the competition. This guide dives deep into the world of 80s cars to pinpoint the ultimate machine for racing glory and explore a range of formidable contenders.

When it comes to the “Japanese 80’s Festival” race (or similar retro events in racing games), one car consistently rises above the rest: the 1983 Nissan Silvia 240RS (S100). This often-underestimated gem possesses a remarkable power-to-weight ratio that allows it to outshine even legendary vehicles like the 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) in stock form. In fact, with its inherent performance advantage, the Silvia 240RS can effortlessly secure victory and rack up significant A-spec points in each race, depending on the specific AI opponents you encounter.

Alt text: The 1983 Nissan Silvia 240RS, a high-performance 80s car known for its racing prowess, speeding on a track.

The affordability of the 240RS is another significant advantage. Priced around $25,000 in-game currency, it offers exceptional bang for your buck. However, acquiring this winning machine requires patience, as it typically appears in the used car dealership for only two weeks out of a 100-week in-game schedule (weeks 71 and 94). In contrast, the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32), while iconic and readily available (appearing in 70 out of 100 weeks), often falls short of the 240RS’s raw performance in this specific 80s car race context. The GT-R, costing approximately $16,000 (or a pristine, low-mileage version at $38,000 during week 88), remains a strong contender but is often overshadowed by the Silvia’s superior handling and power in this particular event.

To provide a comprehensive overview of your options for 80s car racing, here is an expanded list of vehicles suitable for “Japanese 80’s Festival” style races, generally ranked by their in-game performance and power-to-weight ratio, offering a diverse selection to match your driving style and preferences:

• 1983 Nissan Silvia 240RS (S100) – The undisputed king of the 80s car race, offering exceptional performance right out of the dealership.
• 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) – An iconic powerhouse, still a formidable competitor and readily available, blending all-wheel-drive grip with potent turbo power.
• 1989 Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) – Sleek and powerful, the 300ZX brings a touch of GT sophistication to the 80s car racing scene, offering a balance of speed and style.
• 1989 Nissan Skyline GTS-t Type M (R32) – A more accessible Skyline variant, the GTS-t Type M provides a taste of R32 performance with rear-wheel-drive dynamics.
• 1983 Nissan Skyline Hard Top 2000 Turbo RS (R30) – The “Iron Mask” Skyline, a visually striking and potent 80s car, delivering turbocharged thrills in a classic package.
• 1983 Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX (Z31) – The predecessor to the Z32, the Z31 Fairlady Z offers pop-up headlight charm and respectable performance for 80s car events.
• 1989 Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 DOHC Turbo VR-4 – Mitsubishi’s all-wheel-drive entrant, the Galant VR-4 packs a turbocharged punch and rally-bred handling for diverse track conditions.
• 1984 Nissan Skyline Hard Top 2000 RS-X Turbo C (R30) – Another R30 Skyline variant, the RS-X Turbo C refines the “Iron Mask” formula with enhanced features and performance.
• 1987 Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31) – The “Seven” Skyline, the GTS-R is a homologation special, blending rarity with performance enhancements for discerning 80s car enthusiasts.
• 1988 Nissan Silvia K’s (S13) – The S13 Silvia K’s offers balanced handling and turbocharged power, a popular choice for drifting and racing in the 80s car category.
• 1988 Toyota Supra 3.0GT Turbo A – Toyota’s flagship sports car of the era, the Supra Turbo A delivers refined power and grand touring capabilities to the 80s car grid.
• 1985 Mazda RX-7 GT-Limited (FC, J) – The rotary-powered RX-7 GT-Limited offers unique engine characteristics and nimble handling, a distinctive choice for 80s car racing.
• 1983 Honda City Turbo II – A quirky and fun-to-drive hatchback, the City Turbo II showcases Honda’s innovative approach to forced induction in the 80s.
• 1983 Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1800GSR IC Turbo – A rally-inspired sedan, the Lancer EX Turbo provides turbocharged performance and a practical four-door layout for 80s car events.
• 1983 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex (AE86) – The legendary “Hachi-Roku,” the AE86 Trueno GT-Apex is renowned for its lightweight chassis and drift-friendly handling, a beloved 80s car icon.
• 1986 Toyota Celica 2000GT-R (ST162) – The front-wheel-drive Celica 2000GT-R offers a different driving experience within the 80s car lineup, blending sporty styling with capable performance.
• 1981 Toyota Celica XX 2800GT – A more mature Celica variant, the XX 2800GT provides a grand tourer feel with inline-six power for 80s car enthusiasts seeking a refined drive.
• 1983 Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86) – The Corolla Levin GT-Apex shares the AE86 chassis with the Trueno, offering the same iconic handling in a slightly different aesthetic package.
• 1986 Toyota Celica 2000GT-FOUR (ST165) – Toyota’s all-wheel-drive Celica GT-FOUR adds rally-inspired grip to the 80s car mix, excelling in challenging weather conditions.
• 1983 Honda Ballade Sports CR-X 1.5i – A lightweight and nimble front-wheel-drive coupe, the CR-X 1.5i embodies Honda’s efficient and fun-to-drive philosophy of the 80s.
• 1986 Toyota MR2 1600 G-Limited Super Charger – A mid-engine marvel, the MR2 Super Charger delivers unique handling dynamics and supercharged power in a compact 80s car package.
• 1989 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA) – The genesis of the modern roadster, the MX-5 Miata (NA) offers pure driving pleasure and balanced handling in a lightweight 80s car form.
• 1988 Nissan Silvia Q’s (S13) – A less powerful but still enjoyable Silvia variant, the Q’s offers the S13 chassis’s renowned handling characteristics in an 80s car context.
• 1983 Honda Civic 1500 3door 25i – A practical and fuel-efficient hatchback, the Civic 1500 3door 25i showcases Honda’s compact car expertise in the 80s.
• 1986 Toyota MR2 1600 G – The naturally aspirated MR2 1600 G provides a purer, more analog driving experience compared to its supercharged sibling in the 80s car lineup.
• 1981 Isuzu Piazza XE – A stylish and lesser-known gem, the Isuzu Piazza XE offers unique Italian-inspired design and rear-wheel-drive fun in the 80s car category.
• 1988 Nissan EXA Canopy L.A.Version Type S (N13) – An unusual and quirky coupe, the EXA Canopy L.A. Version Type S adds variety to the 80s car selection with its distinctive styling.
• 1989 Toyota Carina ED 2.0 X 4WS – A Japan-market sedan with four-wheel steering, the Carina ED 2.0 X 4WS offers technological novelty and comfortable cruising in an 80s car package.
• 1989 Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ – A microcar with surprising turbocharged pep, the Minica Dangan ZZ showcases the extremes of 80s Japanese automotive engineering.
• 1988 Honda Accord Coupe – A comfortable and stylish coupe, the Accord Coupe represents the more mature side of 80s car design, offering a refined driving experience.
• 1987 Nissan Be-1 – Retro-styled and charming, the Nissan Be-1 stands out with its unique design and city-friendly dimensions in the 80s car landscape.
• 1989 Nissan PAO – Another retro-inspired Nissan, the PAO offers quirky styling and a canvas-top roof, embodying the fun and unconventional spirit of 80s cars.
• 1985 Honda Today G – A kei-class hatchback, the Honda Today G represents the entry-level segment of 80s Japanese cars, offering affordability and urban maneuverability.

Alt text: The iconic 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32), a popular 80s car known for its performance and cultural impact, on a racetrack.

In conclusion, while the 1983 Nissan Silvia 240RS stands as the ultimate weapon for dominating 80s car races, the diverse range of vehicles from Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu offers plenty of exciting choices. Experiment with these 80s cars, fine-tune your setups, and get ready to experience the thrill of retro racing glory! Each car on this list provides a unique taste of the 80s automotive era, ensuring that your journey through the “Japanese 80’s Festival” and similar events is filled with nostalgic fun and high-octane competition.