JDM Cars – Function Over Fashion
Function over fashion is a widely used phrase in the world of modifying and collecting JDM cars. In this article we provide a insight into what is meant by function over fashion, and our opinion on the matter.
Function over fashion essentially means that a JDM car should be a primarily designed and modified to enhance the performance – with a minimal amount of time and effort devoted to the cars appearance. This train of thought does not meant that all JDM cars should be 100% optimised for performance. This would lead to everyone driving around without passenger seats, dashboards, and spare wheels!
The Function Over Fashion JDM Cars Argument
The function over fashion camp simply think that any modification should have a functional performance enhancing benefit. So if you want to change your fenders, the new ones need to give more down force, want to change your wheels? They better had be lightweight rims. New headlights? Lightweight ones please…. You get the idea.
Some of the zealots of the function over fashion camp are insistent on this and publically slam any JDM cars enthusiast who makes a modification or two that is purely for visual qualities.
MMMM Skyline…..
Which leads us quite nicely onto…
The Fashionistas And Trailer Queens JDM Cars Argument
This side of the debate is pretty straight forward. The people in this camp feel that there is nothing wrong with modifications to enhance the look of the car as long as they are tasteful – if they enhance performance then its a bonus, but its not the main concern.
Many people in this camp simply are not willing to pay huge sums of money for performance when the car is mainly going to be used on the road (And we all obey the speed limits now don’t we…) maybe they are the JDM Cars Young Drivers and don’t have much disposable income…or simply prefer to cruise in style rather than bomb at 100mph down the road!
We personally think there is merit to both sides of the argument. It is perhaps the passion of the function over fashion camp that provides us with the usually high standards of cars that are seen throughout the JDM cars community (especially if you compare the JDM cars community to other car communities).
It gives a huge kick up the backside for people who are thinking about trying to take a rice approach to JDM.
However on the other hand the function over fashion camp can be a VERY vocal group – and for perhaps someone who loves the JDM cars community and the cars, and yet does not have the cash to invest in a 500WHP NA beast it can be very daunting. All to often i see on forums people getting slated over what is obviously their pride and joy, simply because they have put a subtle, JDM yet non functional spoiler on their JDM Cars. “ZOMG ITS NOT A REAL SPOON SPOILER” its a little pathetic when people take it this far in my opinion.
Plus where would be without super hot and sexy trailer queens to drool over!
So there you have it – a little bit on the arguments on both sides of the camp. One thing is for sure – both the function over fashion, and the fashionistas are here to stay in the world of JDM cars – and we think that’s just fine – JDM Cars.