to be honest its a combination of things really,
1) the nz new spec is the same as our spec with the following exceptions aerial in drivers wing its passenger in uk spec, electric sunroof was only availabe from 86 on in irish/uk spec, no side indictors in the wings, lock in the petrol cap and clock in kmh
all the main things are the same back lights boot spoiler stickers lights in bumpers and there irish/uk new colours,
At home ireland has the biggest following of these cars in the world outside of japan, just look at the prices they make, nearly everyone that was sold in the uk was imported into ireland, it was only recently with the drifting taking off they got anyway popular in england.
i've had these cars for the last 7 or 8 years ans want one now to keep for good, its a uk/irish spec one i want and as i'm linving in nz at the moment if i could get one here and bring it home with me it would be ideal.
2) the japs may have drift stuff performance parts etc etc but they come in colours that werent availabe in ireland and are not the same spec,
what i want is a nz new or original irish/uk car to keep for good and keep original, i can always buy a jap for diffing and wrecking in anytime.
i know over here the panda drift look is all the go but at home and to me it'll always be the original uk/irish or now nz cars in original colours the rares the colour the better
for example at home if you had a uk 87 burgandy car these were only availbe the last 12months of production came in facelift spec with a tweed interior and dim dip lights in perfrect condition it could be worht 15-17k + euro 30-35k nz dollars + a top spec'd panda immaculate jap import even with some crazy engine conversion or original 4age with top class parts with everthing done would be wiorht 10k euro.
its the original cars in the original colours are what we like, as far as we are concerened there for keeping japs are for hooping and wrecking
if anyone can help me to find one i'd really appreciate it.
check out youtube for irish ae86's and
www.ae86irl.com and
www.irishcoupes.com