R231 SL400 | 車, 道路, 山, 木, 山道, ドライブ, MERCEDES-BENZ, SL400, R231
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz R231 SL400 Review Part 2｜Experiencing the Essence of the SL and Open-Air C...

In Part 1, we explored the appeal of the R231 SL400’s Active Body Control and its 276-hp engine. In this second part, let’s dive deeper into the car’s core strengths: its handling characteristics, highway performance, and the comfort it offers as a convertible. After covering 1,000 kilometers, what stood out most was how exceptionally refined this car is as a grand touring machine. It transcends being just a means of transportation—driving itself becomes the ultimate...

Reviews & Test Drives, Mercedes-Benz
R231 SL400 | 車, 岩壁, 道路, 駐車場, MERCEDES-BENZ, SL-Class, R231
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz R231 SL400 Review Part 1｜The Magical Ride Created by Active Body Control

It’s been about a month since I purchased the facelifted Mercedes-Benz R231 SL400, and with over 1,000 kilometers on the odometer, I’d like to share a detailed review. Riding in the SL—a luxurious two-seater convertible that Mercedes proudly offers—after a long time, what struck me most was its overwhelming sense of refinement. The reasons behind choosing the SL were covered in my previous post, but what surprised me first after getting behind the wheel was...

Reviews & Test Drives, Mercedes-Benz
R231 SL400 | 車, 駐車場, 駐車場, MERCEDES-BENZ, ALFA ROMEO, SL-CLASS, STELVIO, R231
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Mercedes-Benz

Why I Bought the Mercedes-Benz SL400 (Late R231 Model)

A Dream Car Among the World’s Top Three Sports Cars: The SL This time, I purchased the late-model Mercedes-Benz R231 SL400, and I’d like to share why I chose the SL. In my view, the world’s top three sports cars are the Porsche 911, BMW M3 (M4), and Mercedes-Benz SL. Among these, the SL has always held a special place in my heart as a long-standing dream car. When the R231 was unveiled in 2012,...

Reviews & Test Drives, Mercedes-Benz
E46 BMW M3 | 車, 道路, 山, 木, 山道, 走行中, BMW, M3, E46
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, BMW

BMW M3 E46 Tuning Car Review – The Truth Behind a Custom Machine with CSL-Level Perfection

The Enduring Power of a Legendary Engine Even After 150,000 km This time, I’m excited to bring you a review of a tuning car after a long break. The car I test drove was a BMW M3 E46, and it turned out to be an astonishingly well-crafted custom machine. Previously, in August 2024, I reviewed the M3 CSL, a rare model with only about 150 units imported to Japan. The CSL is a special edition...

Reviews & Test Drives, BMW
991ブラックエディション | 車, 駐車場, ベンチ, 望遠鏡, 駐車場, 屋外, PORSCHE, 911, 991
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Porsche 991.1 Early Black Edition Test Drive Review – How Does the 20-Inch Turbo Wheel Se...

What Is the 991.1 Early Black Edition? The Porsche 911 Carrera 991.1 Early Black Edition was introduced as the final model of the 991.1 generation. Positioned as a special edition ahead of the transition to the 991.2, this model stands as a commemorative milestone marking the end of the generation. Its core specs include a 3.4-liter flat-six engine producing 350 hp and 390 Nm of torque. Buyers could choose between a 7-speed manual or a...

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911
カイエンGTSクーペ | 車, 道路, 木, 空, 街並み, 駐車場, 屋外, 展望台, PORSCHE, Cayenne, E3
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche Cayenne

Cayenne GTS Coupe Test Drive Review: The Allure and Reality of the V8 Engine, Compared wi...

Recently, I’ve been driving the Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe. This is the 9YA (pre-facelift) Cayenne, the last generation before the full digital instrument cluster, featuring an analog tachometer. It sports a Crayon exterior color paired with the GTS Interior Package’s Alcantara and leather sport seats. The sleek coupe body is undeniably sporty and beautiful. However, once behind the wheel, this GTS reveals some unexpected traits. I want to share candid insights about the V8 engine’s...

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche Cayenne
タイカン ターボGT ヴァイザッハパッケージ | 車, 道路, 木, 霧, 山道, 霧の中, 雨, PORSCHE, Taycan
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche Taycan

What Did a Former Japanese Gran Turismo Representative Think of the Taycan Turbo GT Weiss...

My beloved Taycan Turbo GT Weissach Package. What is the true capability of this car? Am I just hyping it up? To answer these questions, I asked Tatsuya Sugawara for his honest impressions. Sugawara is a former Japanese representative in Gran Turismo with extensive real-world racing experience. He placed third in the FIA Gran Turismo Championship 2021 Manufacturer Series (Team Porsche) and won the Porsche Gran Turismo Cup Asia Pacific. So, what did Sugawara think...

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche Taycan
992 Turbo | 車, エンブレム, PORSCHE, 911, 992
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911

Test Drive: Porsche 992 911 Turbo｜The Charm of “Nothing Added, Nothing Taken Away&...

A Luxurious Setup Worth 5 Million Yen in Options The 992 early-model 911 Turbo I test drove was truly loaded with options. With nearly 5 million yen worth of extras, the interior and exterior were elegantly coordinated in Crayon and Slate Grey. Features like the sunroof, sports exhaust, 21-inch 911 Turbo Exclusive Design wheels, Matrix LED black headlights, and Exclusive Design taillights gave it an unmistakably upscale presence. Inside, the 18-way adaptive sports seats with...

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche 911
フェアレディZ NISMO | 車, 道路, ガードレール, 木, 山, 桜, 山道, 屋外, NISSAN, Z, RZ34
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Nissan

Selling My Fairlady Z NISMO: Why I Let It Go After Just 5 Months

From Dreaming of the Z32 to Making the Purchase Unfortunately, I ended up selling my Fairlady Z NISMO after just five months. Delivered in early February 2025, this car was the realization of a long-held dream. That dream dates back to the era of the Z32. As a child, I was captivated by its sleek silhouette and always hoped to own a Fairlady Z someday. By the time the Z33 came out, I was already...

Reviews & Test Drives, Nissan
981ボクスターGTS | 車, 道路, 木, 走行中, 山道, PORSCHE, Boxster, 981
Reviews & Test Drives

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche Boxster

What I Felt Switching from the 718 Spider RS to the 981 Boxster GTS

After completing the 1,500-kilometer break-in period with the 718 Spider RS, I switched back to my beloved 981 Boxster GTS for the first time in a while. The Spider RS’s incredible drivability made me briefly wonder, “Do I even need the 981 anymore?” But after driving both, it became clear they have completely different personalities. Even though they’re both Boxster models, the differences surprised me. It’s like choosing between eating yakiniku with sauce or with...

Reviews & Test Drives, Porsche Boxster