Yes, we're now driving the humble Toyota Corolla!

The highest selling car in the entire world, and in constant production from the 1960s to today, someone told me once that of your parked all the Corollas ever manufactured in a row, nose to back, you'll circumnavigate the globe. I'm just going to believe that with no fact checking.

This one isn't just any old Corolla however, it's the AE101 GT-Z Levin. This was a Japanese market only sports focused model with a supercharged 1.6 litre 4AGZE engine. A real wolf in sheeps clothing.





Weirdly enough it’s very hard to find a picture of this particular generation of GT-Z in stock form that hasn’t been molested with aftermarket body kits and modifications. It was a real tuner car.

I'm sure this dealer must be excited about our hot little import. It clearly deserves a place on this show room floor with all those Porches and Ferrari's.





: Huh? A Japanese car?


: It would be better to buy a new one.


: It's not a Japanese car.



Uh oh. I think he's disrespecting Japanese cars. Quick, everyone, get ready to grab Hiro and hold him back!


: So, how much is your budget? We only deal in luxury cars. Thank you very much.



Luxury? Why I'll have you know the 1993 model year Corolla has a firm, yet comfortable ride with its Toyota Super Suspension and optional 6 CD stacker audio unit.


: (He’s kind of a nasty guy…)


: Anyway, Show me a Japanese made car.


: Huh? a Japanese car?


: Why come to America and buy a Japanese car?


: You probably won't be riding it.


: Italian cars are actually cheaper.



Uh… More cheaply made, perhaps. I'll bet that Corolla is still going today… That Ferrari is probably rotting in someone’s garage under a tarp, and hasn’t been driven for 15 years because it needed a $10,000 wheel alignment.

: Good! Anyway, it has to be a Japanese car!


: Is it a Japanese car? I do have one.


: Thank you very much.



: Hmm? Was there such a car? Well, show me that.


: Here it is.






WOAH!

Yes! It is in the game! The cover did not lie to us. It's the Honda NSX!

What's this doing here in the backroom, and not in prominent display in the showroom?

If you’re not familiar with the NSX, this car is known as the first Japanese ‘Super Car’.

If you recall the story earlier of Toyota setting up ‘Lexus’ as a premium brand for the western market, Honda did it first, creating Acura and marketing their top end luxury models. However, the ‘Acura’ NSX as it was known in the states, wasn't positioned to take on Mercedes… it was taking on Ferrari.





Introduced in 1990, the NSX was groundbreaking. It was the world’s first mass-produced car with an all-aluminum monocoque chassis (i.e the body and frame are one piece), significantly reducing weight without compromising rigidity. The NSX featured a mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 3.0L V6 engine with Honda's patterned VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system, offering high-revving performance and everyday usability / reliability, matching or exceeding rival supercars who needed exotic v12 engineers to get similar outputs. Supposedly, formula 1 legend, Ayrton Senna was involved in the cars handling and driver focused characteristics.

Oh, and most importantly of all, it has pop up headlights.





: Isn't this a little expensive? A new car in Japan doesn't even cost $60,000.


: Yes, this car is very popular. If you buy a new car, it takes six months to deliver, so there is a premium on it.



Wow, yeah, in this game, the NSX costs 100k. That is crazy expensive.

For the record, the second most expensive car is the Skyline GT-R at 35k.

Apparently they were 60k MSRP at launch… I'm guessing he means the 100k is to skip the queue and get it now, rather than wait 6 months. Typical dealer tactics. He probably has 3 unsold sitting out the back, and cottoned onto the fact that Hiro is an idiot.

Well, we actually can afford this! It's extraordinarily good timing we just earned all that cash policing the Empire State Building. I think this is made to be. It's made to be… I swear to you this was not planned this way - I'm discovering it at the same time as you!


: $100,000... What should I do?



We're given two options. Buy it / Don't buy it.


Hiro understandably has some reservations. Maybe we should select Don’t Buy it for now and think on this for a moment.


: I think there was a store in Houston that sold cheap cars. Would you like to go there?


: Well, excuse me, I'm busy.


: Hmph! What a disgusting store!


Gah, Hiro can't be insulted like that! That's it. We're going to choose Buy It!


: Well then, can I have this too?


: Huh? Are you going to buy it? It's $100,000.



Again we're prompted with two options. Buy it / Don't buy it.

What are you saying, asshole, that we can't afford it? Buy It!


: Can you really buy it?



Yes godammnit! We can. I’ll have you know, we're experts in the technique of Jet Enemas. This commands a pretty good wicket if you know where to get it. Buy it!

: thank you very much


: However, the customer has no more cars.


: It seems you can't have it



What!!!?!


: We will deliver your car to your garage with our service.


Ohhh… Phew. It's referring to the fact we already have three cars in the RV, and there’s no space for the NSX. He’s offering to store one of of our cars on our behalf.


: My garage is in Los Angeles, is that okay?


: Of course. Which car would you like to park in the garage?



Trans continental trips are nothing in this universe. Well, we can park the Corolla since it got its moment in the sun.

We'll take the NSX to go!





Off to the next location! Did someone say something about Live Sex Shows? Ok that's an easy choice - Next up, New Orleans!