Summary

• JDM fashions are extremely sought-after within the U.S., with the Nissan Skyline R34 and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI standing out.
• JDM vehicles just like the Honda S2000 and Subaru Impreza WRX STI have robust efficiency and tuner-friendly reputations.
• Historic fashions just like the Mazda RX-7, and Nissan Silvia Type R are discontinued however stay widespread and beloved by automobile lovers.

In the storied history of JDM vehicles, there have been a couple of that individuals exterior their meant market pine over. These fashions embody sports activities vehicles, off-roaders, and smooth cruisers. While a number of the coveted JDM fashions can be found for buy or export in North America, many are usually not.

This has birthed a thriving neighborhood within the U.S., in addition to many different components of the world, that holds these automobiles in excessive regard, checking days off their calendar till their favourite JDM mannequin turns into out there for buy of their nation. That stated, there are a plethora of iconic automobiles which might be in a position to journey to North America, with extra changing into out there every year, together with the legendary Nissan Skyline R34 and the traditional Honda S2000 AP1.

Many JDM fashions are revered for his or her efficiency and have made a name for themselves in the competitive field. Not to say, many JDM fashions are notoriously tuner-friendly and dependable, making them a sought-after selection for gearheads. Let’s check out a couple of historic fashions that you would be able to legally purchase. While a few of these fashions could attain a excessive price ticket at instances on the traditional automobile market, there are many inexpensive ones in case you look sufficient.

In order to provide the latest and correct info attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with CLASSIC.com, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fastestlaps.com, and Zero60times.com.

10 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

Average Used Price Range: $34,000 – $135,000

The Nissan Skyline GT-R is a high-performance sports activities automobile produced by Nissan on the flip of the century. It is a part of the Skyline GT-R series, recognized for its highly effective engines and superior racing know-how. The R34 mannequin featured a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, all-wheel drive, and a classy suspension system, which allowed it each girthy energy and excellent dealing with.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Nissan, and Fastestlaps.com)

While it gained reputation worldwide resulting from its look in varied movies and video video games, the R34 GT-R can be acknowledged for its exceptional performance on the racetrack, successful a number of championships the world over. Sadly, manufacturing of the Skyline GT-R sequence was discontinued in 2002, making the R34 the final of its form. Today, the R34 GT-R is very wanted by automobile lovers and collectors for its iconic design, spectacular efficiency, and flat-out badassery.

9 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI

Average Used Price Range: $23,000 – $40,000

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, also called the Evo, is a high-performance sports activities sedan produced by the honored Mitsubishi Motors. It was first launched in 1992 with the Evo VI shortly changing into a well-liked selection amongst automobile lovers trying to fine-tune their experience. As of 2024, the VI can be legally imported. The Evo is thought for its highly effective turbocharged engine, superior all-wheel drive system, and aggressive styling, and has, just like the Skyline, discovered its method onto many motorsport circuits.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Mitsubishi, and Fastestlaps.com)

It has an extended historical past of success in motorsports, significantly in rally racing, the place it has achieved quite a few victories. The Evo has undergone several generations of updates and improvements, with every iteration providing extra energy and efficiency. However, in 2015, Mitsubishi introduced that the Lancer Evolution can be discontinued, marking the top of an period for this iconic sports activities automobile. Despite its discontinuation, the Evo continues to have a devoted fan base and stays extremely wanted within the used automobile market.

8 Honda S2000 (AP1)

Average Used Price Range: $15,000 – $27,000

The Honda S2000 is a two-seater sports car that was produced by the praised Japanese automaker, Honda, within the early 2000s. It was initially launched as a celebration of Honda’s fiftieth anniversary and was recognized for its high-revving engine and agile dealing with. The S2000 featured a rear-wheel-drive structure and a convertible gentle prime, giving it a smooth and trendy look.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Honda, and Fastestlaps.com)

It was powered by a 2.0-liter or later a 2.2-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, able to producing as much as 247 horsepower, making it one of many highest-output naturally aspirated engines per liter. The automobile had a six-speed guide transmission and was praised for its exact shifting and responsive steering. Despite its small measurement, the S2000 had a well-designed inside with supportive seats and trendy options. It turned widespread amongst automobile lovers and acquired optimistic critiques for its driving dynamics and efficiency. The manufacturing of the Honda S2000 ended in 2009, however it stays a sought-after mannequin for its distinctive design and driving expertise.

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7 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA

Average Used Price Range: $17,000 – $33,000

The Impreza WRX STI is a mannequin synonymous with rally racing. Known for placing Subaru on the motorsport circuit, the Impreza WRX STI was particularly designed and produced to compete in the World Rally Championships. Sporting an aggressive, sporty look, and an much more aggressive powertrain, the Impreza instantly caught the eyes of the efficiency neighborhood and have become a runaway hit amongst lovers. This led to the assorted iterations seen all through the years, with essentially the most uncommon coming from the primary era.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Subaru, and Fastestlaps.com)

The Impreza WRX STI Type RA was Subaru’s try and dethrone the high-dollar unique competitors. In reality, the RA in its title stands for “Record Attempt”, which is precisely what it fought for on the Nürburgring. The Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA actually achieved this record, although it was short-lived. Regardless, the Impreza WRX STI Type RA stands as a formidable achievement in automotive historical past, and lives on at the moment by way of trendy media and popular culture.

6 Mazda RX-7 (FD)

Average Used Price Range: $32,000 – $50,000

The Mazda RX-7 was a sports activities automobile produced by Mazda for almost two and a half a long time. It featured a singular rotary engine and a smooth design, each contributing factors to its performance and legacy. The first era RX-7, often known as the SA22C, was a hit and helped set up Mazda’s status for sports activities vehicles. The second era, FC3S, launched in 1985, featured improved efficiency and styling. The third era, FD3S, launched in 1991, turned essentially the most iconic and profitable mannequin, recognized for its twin-turbocharged rotary engine and timeless design.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Mazda, and Fastestlaps.com)

The RX-7 gained reputation in racing and was profitable in varied motorsport competitions in addition to in trendy popular culture because of Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift. It acquired reward for its dealing with and efficiency, making it a favourite amongst automobile lovers. However, resulting from stricter emission rules and declining gross sales, manufacturing of the RX-7 ceased in 2002. Despite its discontinuation, the Mazda RX-7 stays a extremely regarded sports activities automobile recognized for its distinctive powertrain and its contribution to Mazda’s sports activities automobile legacy.

5 Nissan Silvia Spec R Auto (S15)

Average Used Price Range: $25,000 – $40,000

The Nissan Silvia is a sports activities automobile produced by the legendary Japanese automaker Nissan from 1964 to 2002. It was initially launched as a compact automobile however developed right into a performance-oriented car over time and has simply recently become available for import. The Silvia gained reputation for its smooth design, rear-wheel drive, and highly effective engines, and have become a platform for motorsport lovers and was significantly profitable in drifting competitions.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Nissan, and Fastestlaps.com)

The Nissan Silvia went by way of seven generations, every providing improved efficiency and know-how. However, resulting from altering market calls for and stricter emissions rules, Nissan discontinued the Silvia in 2002. Despite its discontinuation, the Silvia remains a popular choice amongst automobile lovers and has a devoted fan base worldwide.

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4 Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST165)

Average Used Price Range: $16,000 – $27,000

The Toyota Celica GT-Four was a high-performance sports car produced by Toyota from 1986 to 1999. It was based mostly on the common Celica however featured superior know-how and enhancements for improved efficiency and dealing with. The GT-Four was recognized for its highly effective turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive system, and rally-inspired design.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota, and Fastestlaps.com)

It achieved success in the World Rally Championship, successful a number of championships and gaining a status for its reliability and efficiency. The GT-Four went by way of a number of generations, with every mannequin receiving upgrades and enhancements. However, it was finally discontinued in 1999 resulting from altering market calls for and Toyota’s shift in the direction of different fashions. Nonetheless, the Celica GT-Four stays a extremely sought-after automobile amongst lovers and collectors.

3 Nissan Fairlady Z (240Z)

Average Used Price Range: $23,000 – $30,000

The Nissan Fairlady Z, also called the Datsun 240Z, is a sports activities automobile produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan. It is a part of Nissan’s Z-car line, whose wealthy historical past dates back to 1969 with the introduction of the Datsun 240Z. The Fairlady Z is a two-door coupe or convertible that gives a strong efficiency and smooth design and is provided with a V6 engine. The Fairlady additionally gives varied trims and choices to go well with completely different preferences, making it extra versatile available in the market.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Nissan, and Fastestlaps.com)

The Fairlady Z has gained reputation amongst automobile lovers for its spectacular dealing with, acceleration, and general driving expertise, and has undergone a number of updates and redesigns over time to enhance its efficiency and sustain with trendy requirements. Despite that, it has change into an iconic sports activities automobile and continues to be a favourite selection for these in search of an exhilarating and trendy driving expertise, and has gained appreciable popular culture attraction in latest a long time. The Fairlady nameplate remains to be related in at the moment’s motorsport scene, with each the classic 240Z and the brand new Fairlady Z making waves in a number of disciplines.

2 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series

Average Used Price Range: $25,000 – $50,000

The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series (J70) is a line of off-road automobiles produced by Toyota since 1984. It is thought for its sturdiness and reliability, making it widespread for varied functions, together with army and industrial use. The 70 Series is available in completely different physique kinds, reminiscent of a pickup truck, SUV, and wagon, and is provided with highly effective engines and superior options to deal with powerful terrain.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota Global and, Carguides.au)

The car has gained a status for its robustness and talent to resist excessive situations with out complaining, which is why it is hottest in rural areas. Still, the Land Cruiser 70 Series has undergone a number of updates and enhancements over time whereas sustaining its ruggedness and iconic design, and continues to be a sought-after choice for these in search of a succesful and reliable off-road car, with Toyota reintroducing it to the fashionable age as we communicate.

1 Honorable Mention: Subaru Legacy GT-B

Average Used Price Range: $11,000 – $20,000

The Legacy GT-B is a mid-size automobile produced by the long-lasting Subaru. It was first launched in 1989 as a compact automobile, and over time, it has developed into a bigger, extra spacious car. The Legacy is thought for its all-wheel drive system, which supplies glorious traction and dealing with in varied climate situations. It is available in each sedan and wagon physique kinds, providing practicality and flexibility. The Subaru Legacy could be seen selling for under $13,000 at public sale.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Subaru, Fastestlaps.com, and Zero60times.com)

The Legacy has undergone a number of generations and facelifts, with every iteration bringing new options and enhancements, and has gained a status for reliability, security, and sturdiness alongside the best way. The newest fashions supply trendy facilities, superior security applied sciences, and environment friendly engines, making the Legacy widespread amongst drivers who get pleasure from its snug experience, spacious inside, and succesful efficiency. It continues to be a strong competitor within the mid-size automobile phase.