JDM or Not?! [English Version]

J-Tuning · Post by **J-Tuning** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:39 am

Hi guys,

I would like to know where you guys stand on the matter of what is a JDM styling/tuning. To even throw a bit of spice I would like to know if the concept "Rice" is also part of being JDM.

I want to know since this is a very controvercial topic on many forums and the discussions that are comming out of this topic is very interesting.

I read a topic on NASIOC where someone made a comment on someone elses car and saying that is was not JDM enough. The car inquestion was the following:

Then someone refered as the next car as JDM all out:

I am trying to restyle my car into JDM styling but as i read on forums my car wont be JDM enough. Does this mean that JDM is also with a hint of "rice"?

Lets talk about this and keep it clean!!!
P.S.: The reason why this thread is in English is because then we give more people the chance to contribute to our discussions and the forum

Grumpy · Post by **Grumpy** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:23 pm

The first car is the Wangan style. The second one is the commercialized Wangan of today.
That's the same look I have on my car.
Wangan style follows a mono-chromatic look, which was not by choice but became popular in the 1990s.

The name came from the stretches of road around the Wangan bridge in Japan. The whole stretch of road became known as the Wangan. The top tuning shops in Japan like HKS, Top Secret, Signal etc became known on them and some of them still make their living on them.

Anyhow, cars that ran the Wangan were almost race cars, tuned for stability and top speed (200mph+). Their look was somewhat forced because they had to use bodykits and racing wings in order to keep the car planted to the ground during their top speed runs. They also used strait out racing wheels, which at that time came in either black, white and a very few in bronze and silver.

Stickers came later in order to do marketing for their shop and exposure from their sponsors or to advertise their shop's linecard. Along with the sticked also came the outrageous paint colors. That trend also carried through with the street cars all around the world because of internet, tv, dvd, magazine exposure. People simply copied the whole look for one reason, it looked cool and different. ( JDM )

As for being JDM or not, JDM is like icecream flavors. There are some many types of JDM looks, it's not even worth thinking. Do what you please with your car, but always know the history behind everything, so you don't make a clown of yourself.

As for me I follow the classic Wangan style. Mono-chromatic look, no stickers, clean bodykit. It's not everybody's taste...It's not their car either.

Chai · Post by **Chai** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:13 pm

This thread has to be moved to the English only section

J-Tuning · Post by **J-Tuning** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:42 am

So Grumps if i understood you right, you'd say that this S15 is also Wangang Style and it falls under the JDM?

What about the "Rice" terminology? When is your car "rice"?

Chai · Post by **Chai** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:35 am

According to what I've read in a few DSM forums, when they to refer rice is when a car is "ridiculously" hooked up with neon lights, bodykit that don't match with the car, coffee can exhaust, DVD players all over in the car, lambo doors, etc. The way my car was before can be considered as rice and I agree with that too.

Problem is that the most younger crowd is more driven into the F&F look-a-like goodies than the older crowd who's more driven into performance.

My 2 cents

GinoX · Post by **GinoX** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:26 am

JDM = Japanese Domestic Market, cars sold in Japan. Or Japanese cars sold in overseas market with drivetrain and trim levels originally from Japan. For example the RWD Toyota Corolla AE86 and the Nissan Sylvia series. These cars came two distinct front end fascia (bumper, headlights, hoods etc) two distinct body styles (coupe, fast/lift back) 2 or 3 different engines, 4 or 5 sets of different rear end treatment etc.

The cars that were imported in the US (USDM???) fro example were with the hidden headlights and regulation bumpers, everywhere else the dealers had the choice of either styles where in most countries they chose the "exposed" headlights style. Does this make them OSDM overseas domestic market?

Rice = derogatory term coined and popularised by people not owning an Asian car with spats, spoilers and the usual oversized wheels. This term was pasted on lowered, (not originally) stickered and generally decked out economy, family oriented cars not customary known for high performance, like a Hyundai Excel, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic etc. So for example, you have an Eclipse hardtop powered by the base 1.8L engine and automatic, you wouldn't plaster it with stickers of "Spyder" "WRX" "Type-R" "V-Tec", right? And/Or install a "battle ready" body kit, and/or lowering with cut OEM springs, and/or empty the interior save for a lightweight racing seat...? BUT THE SAME goes for the Mustangs, Firebirds..... Neons? For more, go to riceboypage.com.

But as already stated by one of our moderators, it's your car and your money. You wanna do this, go ahead. It'll be considered either foolish or brave but you DO get noticed. Makes you wonder about this song: They see me rollin', they hatin'.....

Grumpy · Post by **Grumpy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:45 am

Wangan is one of the classic JDM styles (there are more style), hence it originated from hardcore street racing in Japan and with Japanese Domestic Market performance cars like Gino mentioned.
So the S15 with racing wheels, functional aerokit and wing is considered a JDM style.

I still think that when people say JDM, they refer to the Wangan-like styling, either 100% or mixed with the owner's own taste.

Like Chai's description, Rice is any non-performance car made to look like a racecar exteriorwise. These types of cars aren't modified for speed either. Most only have an air filter and exhaust with small diameter piping which makes the usual annoying wetfart sound.

J-Tuning · Post by **J-Tuning** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:04 am

Before we go even further in "its my car and my money", i would like to state that its NOT about that. This thread is to outline the JDM concept and even arguments about what is considered "Rice".

Up to know we are have a good development of the thread and I know there are more people on the forum that can contribute to this thread.

we have been discussing the styling of the cars what about the interior and engine parts that are used. Do these also fall under JDM or Rice?

GinoX · Post by **GinoX** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:56 am

No problemo Jet, but it is our flame suit. You know how volatile these debates MAY become. Sort of a disclaimer.... :peace:

Jetpilot wrote:in "its my car and my money", i would like to state that its NOT about that. ?

Oh, one more thing. JDM-ness has also become more mainstream by way of the X-box mania, the Japanese DVDs mainly Best Motoring and more recently the Time-Attack series in which huffed on and tuned vehicles from "garages" are pitted one against the other at a road race circuit on a timed one lap, balls out driving session. So that's also a Japanese thing..... JDM!

About the excess in ice (in car entertainment) and also lambo doors etc... it is my understanding that this is typically an American thing. Not necessarily a Japanese fad but when applying those to an already gaudy Japanese show vehicle then... blah, opinions may vary on this one.

Zero · Post by **Zero** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:24 pm

I like both cars to be honest...Eventhough I would mix and match a little...

I would put the gold wheels on the first scoobie...hell..maybe even take the 2nd scoobie as is, just without vinyl....

People will always criticize...guess it's just human nature or maybe out of petty jealousy...don't know.....but you will never ever be able to please everyone.....especially with something that is not theirs.....

Everyone has their own preference and taste...so my advise to anyone is, just make it your own, like it, enjoy it and have fun with it....cause when it's all said and done at the end of the day...it will be your car, your money and patience.....

GinoX · Post by **GinoX** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:02 pm

Okay... now this, is the red SN95 Mustang that is parked near the DHL building here in town also Rice?

You know, because it has an overtly busy bodykit, the required fart canons and a very visible wing............

cobrazilla · Post by **cobrazilla** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:56 pm

GinoX wrote:Okay... now this, is the red SN95 Mustang that is parked near the DHL building here in town also Rice?

You know, because it has an overtly busy bodykit, the required fart canons and a very visible wing............

That mustang is definately riced out, I personally do not like cars that have too many flares, wings and all that stuff on it, no matter what brand it is. Most cars are tastefully done just by adding some respectable fitting rims and a slight lowering. Everything else is for people that are in need of attention.

Oh yeah those cars that have too much bling to them, overly chromed out.....damn those hurt my eyes too :)

J-Tuning · Post by **J-Tuning** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:28 am

To continue with this JDM debate I want to go to wheels. It was told to me that If you are tuning your car as a JDM street car you will have to put wheels with either 5 spokes or 7 spokes. This refers to: "5 rings of musashi of 7 gods of good fortune"

Does any of you ever heard of this?

GinoX · Post by **GinoX** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:41 am

I, for one, have never heard that mentioned in none of my DVD and video collection. But Asian ppl and the Japanese in particular are traditionally very symoblical. So that being said, it doesn't surprise me about the wheels....

kidsensation · Post by **kidsensation** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:08 am

as far as i can see, all of you have posted different opinions on the subject and you all are right...concepts of JDM way back in the day simply meant the cars were the ones sold in Japan(tech/body specs) and did not meet the requirments for sale in certain markets(hence: General Market specs, USDM, etc) what makes it appealing to us is that "we" like their models as they come tricked out to the hilt(from the factory), whereas we get watered down and less stylisticly realized versions. but get this: even the japanese get parts from other markets for their cars(i.e. tail lights from a USDM car). So indeed styling a car stems from one's individual taste & prefrence(and wallet) and should be done to please oneself.. hey you even see some locals here imitate the US import drag scene(plain steel rims on the front of a front wheeldriver with massive blingblings in the rear. And don't forget that the import dragscene was started by a few guys with cars built in their backyards, now it's evolved into something WAY much bigger than i care for..(and don't get me started how i used to argue tech with the asses from Palo Marga back in the day)i still believe in:i build it with my bare hands, i drive it almost every day and hell yes! i race it)and now there are more categories..the JGTC(the japanese gt championship) and the "Drift" look(to me these are extensions of the afore mentioned "styles")....as far as i am concerned just tell them that your ride is from MTDM!!!!(My Taste Domestic Market) :winner: