SCC states in their December mag that the 1g DSM's are now definately old school despite their technological characteristics (i.e. AWD, turbocharged, fuel injected, 200 bhp 4 cylinder, DOHC 16 valve, 4 wheel disc brakes, engine management, yada yada yada). Would you agree?

The differences between import old school, domestic old school, applying the term old school simply based on vehicle age or the temperment of the average enthusiast can lead to entirely different outcomes in definition and SCC may have intended their assertion to be applied to either description. Discuss.

Until they reach 20 years old, they aren't a classic. So in my thinking, not old school.

In a way, I'd have to say they are becoming more old school, but maybe not completely yet. Think about it... how hard is it to find one in really good shape that hasn't been modified and beat to death, or is beginning to rust out. Take into accout also the styling changes in the last 15 years...

I don't know... guess it's more of a personal opinion than anything.

Its not old school unless its from the 70's to mid 80's


My parents use to have a 88 Toyota Camry that was power everything, AC, DOHC, etc and has puch button AWD. I believe it was the early all-trac system Toyota used.

I think it's BECOMING old school. With all the 'new' alternatives, 1G's are becoming old school IMHO. Nothing wrong with that though.

The term though is pretty loosely used but I look at it this way...

New school options would be: WRX, 2G, EVO, etc.

Looking at the AWD turbo options, 1G DSMs are basicly the 'old school' turbo AWD cars. Not that there aren't older examples or anything but they seem to mark the point at which AWD turbos really started getting big. Now the fad has progressed to the newer examples.

I could see how they might start to look old school with all the new hotness coming over from Japan, but I don't think I'd classify them old school yet.

Old school DSM? Yes.
Old school turbo, AWD? Sure.
Old school sport compact? No.

i think its less the cars getting old. and more you old timers that own them gettin up there. LOL! theres your old school.

I would agree as generally the only t/awd 1g's I see (besides when at KOU) are NA shitbox dd's coated in rust, even tho I hate to agree with SCC

And I would put Chrysler 2.2T cars in it as well

Its just "cool" now adays to be "old school" or the "OG" (original gangsta for you geeks). BUT... think about 80's Camaro... The first think I think is white trash, Kid Rock, Kentucky pig f*#kers. Is the 1st Gen DSM the 80's Camaro of the import world? LOL!

80's fbodys are a special case I think

I believe the 1g turbo cars are more like the 5.0. Only faster, to a point. And easier to make go faster, to a point. I personally believe that 1g DSMs are old-school as far as this area is concerned. How many Hachi's do you see croozin Ptown? None. With a blaring lack of mid-late 80s machinery in Central Illinois, I would say that EF Civics (88-91) and 1g DSMs are as old as you will see modified in a performance-oriented way.

i don't think they are old school. they are older cars yes but should not be in a class with other old school cars. when i think of the word old school i think of hypercolor tee shirts and Z cavarichi pants or as far as cars go the DMC not DSM's. 1G's are still being modified and are still very compedative in what they do. i guess when i think old school i think out dated... and the 1G's are still holding their own even with the newer cars in the sport compact market.

by your def then a 69 Camaro is not old school, and neither is a Model T

yeah, I broke the tie. 1st gens ARE old school now. Old school import, but old timey none the less.

Here's why.

1. there's more that have been retired/junked/fubared/etc. than there are driving the streets.

2. they are universally underestimated and have practically limitless potential

3. they've been modified and tweaked to a ridiculous point and upgrade paths are extremely well laid out for pretty much every conceivable use of the car barring spy's basket fukc plan which I still think would be simpler to use a 88-86 pinto, a set of rugged sawhorses, and 20' of fine strand twine.

4. the styling is VERY outdated. considering that the 2g's are getting old looking, 1g's are nasty old. and if you don't think so, I've got one word for you. DASH.

5. If SCC says they're old school, it must be true because they're super-genius car guys and know everything and by simply having an opinion about something, they make it an irrefutable fact.

I think most that have been in the import sport for a while consider the DSM 'Old School' because the DSM has upheld the gauntlet for so long. From what I hear the DSM has been gracing the pages of turbo magazine since the early nineties. No matter how awesome the power for dollar is, people like to differentiate themselves. Moving on to a newer less effective platform can be justified by calling the king of crosstraining a has been.

So do I think they are old school. They are getting there, but you can't argue with their staying power. Old trapazoidal dash or not these things will be around for a long time.

The group of owners will obviously become a much smaller nich of those that truely know how to live the love-hate relationship we call DSM.

The Daytona IROC 2.5 Turbo was a SOHC Mopar engine. The DOHC Turbo in the Daytona RT was a 2.2L, basically a Mopar 2.2 bottom end with a DOHC Lotus cylinder head. No where near as advanced or refined as the 4G63T.

Marty

I'd have to go with old school for this one. I mean it's the First Generation...the first of it's kind....the old lady of the eclipse/laser/talon generation. Age has nothing to do with it. It's a classic in the sense that it's one of the basic imports to his the scenes.

'Old Lady'?!?

...Figures coming from a 2G owner