Japan’s relationship with fast, sleek cars goes back many decades. Even in modern times, the country has produced some of the most famous and desirable automobiles ever made, from the Nissan GT-R to the Honda NSX to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market, but increasingly JDM cars have become popular outside of Japan, making them collectible and coveted by enthusiasts around the world. So if you have some money to burn, here are some of the most expensive JDM cars you can buy today.
Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type R
The Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type R is what many consider to be one of if not the most impressive JDM cars ever made. The combination of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes out 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive means you’ll have fun behind the wheel almost anywhere.
It doesn’t hurt that Imprezas are also considered some of Japan’s best-handling cars! Since they come stock with performance wheels and an aggressive exterior design, it only makes sense that tons of cheap used Imprezas on sale across America right now. If you have $25k to burn, maybe it’s time to pick up your own rare Subaru!
Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec II
If you’re looking for a piece of automotive history, look no further than the Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec II. Unlike most other vehicles on our list, these models are legal to drive in America—and if you can find one in good condition, it could be a worthy investment. For example, an original model, Skyline GT-R Vspec II, recently sold at auction for just under $270,000! That might seem like a lot of money for a 20-year-old vehicle.
But consider that two or three years ago, a similar model would have cost only about $150k. It seems that collector interest is increasing with time, and future investors may find they have more opportunities than they thought.
Lexus LFA
The Lexus LFA is one of those rare Japanese cars that any car enthusiast—be they Japanese or otherwise—will appreciate. Even though it’s part of a major Japanese brand, Toyota’s European F1 racing team oversees its design and engineering.
It’s powered by a high-revving 4.8-liter V10 engine that revs to 9,000 rpm, making it an absolute blast to drive. And while you might expect such a supercar to cost $300,000 or more (like many exotics), somehow, Lexus was able to get all 500 LFAs made for only around $375,000 each!
Toyota Soarer Z400Z Twin Turbo
If you want to show off your love for JDM cars, buying a vehicle straight from Japan is necessary. While there are a few options for importing cars from Japan (online or personal sellers), it’s generally a more expensive option than buying locally.
If you go through with it, though, there are some great cars to get your hands on. The Soarer Z400Z Twin Turbo from Toyota is one of them and will set you back around $48,000 USD. Unlike most jdm imports which make massive power boosts over their counterparts, the Soarer features subtle changes, including an updated suspension system and slight improvements to body stability by dropping the weight down with lighter materials.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR
The Japanese-spec Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR, sold between 2001 and 2002, is a heavily modified version of Mitsubishi’s affordable sport compact that features an all-aluminum 2.0L inline 4 with an upgraded turbo, intercooler, and fuel injection system that enables it to produce over 280 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. It was sold new in Japan for $47,000 USD. Prices today start at around $40,000. An Evo VII GSR can be had for around $30k if you shop carefully – although they’re much harder to find than earlier models.
Mazda RX-7 FD3S Type RS
It may seem hard to believe, but people out there want a sports car more powerful than a Ferrari and aren’t afraid to pay $100,000 for it. For those people, Mazda sells one of its ultimate performance cars—the RX-7 Type RS. Fewer than 100 were ever made, making it an instant collector’s item.
It’s nearly impossible to drive on public roads, yet with just 2,700 original miles on its odometer, you can pick up an FD3S Type RS at eBay Motors right now.
Honda NSX RA1 (JDM Only)
The Japanese version of the NSX is rare because it’s considered a collector’s item. Honda only made 500 units, making it one of Japan’s rarest cars. It boasts a V6 engine that puts out 240 horsepower and can hit speeds up to 170 miles per hour! While importing an NSX isn’t cheap (and often requires some paperwork), you can expect to pay $70,000 or more for one of these gems.
After all, when was the last time you saw one on your local street? If you have one of these babies sitting in your garage and need to sell it, get in touch with us today! We buy Japanese cars from customers across the country.
Nissan Fairlady Z Version S Twin Turbo (JDM Only)
The first thing that makes a JDM car so special is its place of origin. This particular car will set you back about $180,000, and it’s one of only 7 in existence. The Fairlady Z Version S Twin Turbo is a rare sight on Japanese roads, yet there are none here in America.
What’s cool about these cars is that they can go from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and still get up to 24 miles per gallon on average! Talk about efficiency! However, most owners keep their cars parked away in climate-controlled garages and drive them only occasionally for shows or to race with other enthusiasts.
Nissan GT-R R34 Spec-V A-Spec (JDM Only)
The price for Nissan GT-R R34 Spec-V A-Spec (JDM Only) is -400000. Nissan manufactures it. Overall it’s a good car for a person looking for a jdm car. If you want to buy it, save some money too because you can do that. The price for Nissan GT-R R34 Spec-V A-Spec (JDM Only) is -400000.
Nissan manufactures it. Overall it’s a good car for a person looking for a jdm car. If you want to buy it, go ahead and save some money too because you can do that from here. If you have already bought one, write your experience with that specific model of sports cars in the comments below.
Lexus SC300 (JDM Only)
Due to its incredible popularity in Japan and lack of availability overseas, most people consider a Lexus SC300 (JDM Only) one of the most expensive JDM cars you can buy. At $35,000 USD for a stock vehicle, it’s no surprise that prices are well over $100,000 USD for an immaculate version with low mileage.
This model was originally imported only into Japan because it wasn’t sold in any other markets outside of Japan at release. To find one today on eBay or Craigslist, you need to go through a Japanese seller or take a trip over there yourself.
