Unmissable JDM all-stars | Six of the Best
Plenty of great cars have come from Japan over the years - the very best are kept for the domestic market...
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII RS, 2001, 10k, £49,990
The cars of the Japanese Domestic Market have a long and rich history in the UK. Back in the 90s, grey imports - there’s a phrase nobody’s used for a while - established themselves over here. A weak yen coincided with the time of incredible cars, meaning the desirability was encouraged by financial viability. Magazines, motorsport and Gran Turismo introduced many to the joys of the JDM, and the enthusiasm was such that official UK imports of cars like Evos and Skylines began around the millennium. The manufacturers were missing out by not catering to demand. The best versions were still limited to Japanese sales, however, and still are to this day (looking at you, Toyota). Both classics and contemporary creations remain highly prized - this Evo VII RS is the perfect example. The stripped-out Evo was deemed too hardcore for us puny Brits, and never officially sold here. Now it looks like the Lancer at its purest, rawest and most exhilarating. With just 10k miles, it’s for sale at £50k.
Subaru Impreza STI Type RA NBR Challenge, 2013, 17k, £44,985
But if you were always more Team Subaru than Mitsubishi, then take a look at this. Following the old adage that the longer a JDM name is, the cooler the car, we give you the Impreza STI tS Type RA NBR Challenge. And even by silly Subaru standards, it’s a very special thing. Celebrating race success at the Nurburgring, the Type RA benefitted from new steering, suspension and brakes to make it even sharper than standard; just 200 cars were made in NBR Challenge spec, bringing the carbon aero bits, Recaro seats and forged BBS wheels. Some car, then, with that legendary EJ20 under the bonnet as well. The ad suggests the NBR is considered to be ‘the greatest incarnation of Impreza ever produced’ - high praise indeed. That’s gotta be worth Golf R money to somebody, hasn’t it? Especially with fewer than 20,000 miles.
Toyota Supra RZ-S, 1996, 102k, £68,000
Perhaps no car has enjoyed quite such a transformation in image over the past 30 years than the A80 Toyota Supra - with games, films and races all playing a part. What was once offered in the UK as a Porsche 928 rival - a long-legged, luxurious GT loaded with kit - became the world’s most famous tuner car. The 2JZ twin-turbo six became as famous as the car itself, forming the base of epic thousand-horsepower builds; Castrol-liveried Supras romped around Japanese touring cars, and it was perfectly cast in Fast & Furious. Perhaps nothing encapsulates the fascination with all things JDM like an imported Supra. Which you’ll now have to pay handsomely for the privilege of owning: this one is almost £70k with more than 100,000 miles. But it’s had a lot spent in recent years, and the Supra obsession shows no signs of going anywhere. Just be prepared to spend a lot more if you owe somebody a 10-second car.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32), 1990, 27k, £59,995
A bit like Impreza and Evo, you can’t mention the Supra without also mentioning the Skyline. But unlike the Toyota, the Nissan’s legacy was secured well within its own lifetime, the original R32 GT-R utterly dominant in Group A motorsport. You don’t get the Godzilla nickname without some truly crushing successes. The RB26 under the bonnet here is just as loved as the 2JZ, and just as tuneable; while stock is what the collectors want these days, it’s always nice to be reminded of exactly what could be achieved. So here’s an R32 originally built by JUN Auto, with further upgrades since import, making almost the power of an Aston Martin Vanquish. More than 800hp for less than £60k is the main appeal here, with a rare colour and miniscule mileage also in its favour. Plus, well, it’s a R32 GT-R on a set of TE37s and with Bride seats - it could hardly look better.
Mazda Eunos Roadster S-Special, 1993, 73k, £11,995
There are affordable JDM heroes out there as well - you just need to know where to look. Imported MX-5s (or Eunos Roadsters, to be accurate) have always appealed, typically offering more equipment for less money than a UKDM equivalent. Diffs, wheels and suspension not usually offered here would be included there, really bringing the best out of the answer to everything. Getting a fresh import these days will have benefits when it comes to rust as well - a lifetime spent in Japan has to be better for metal than here. This S-Special is the perfect example of a JDM-enhanced MX-5, with a viscous LSD, Bilstein dampers and BBS wheels included from factory. That it has been in the UK 20 years, yet still looks this good and has covered just 72,000 miles, points to considerate use. Still cheaper than some UK cars, too…
Honda S660, 2016, 32k, £15,990
Maybe there should be a Type R here: Civic, NSX, Accord and Integra all had red ‘H’ variants not sold here, all adored by fans in the UK who know their DC5 from their CL7. But one look at the adorable S660 is enough to have it included, the perfect reinterpretation of the classic kei car roadster. Would Honda have sold a few here? In the lean mid-'10s, surely: the tiny running costs of a 660cc triple, the engagement of a manual gearbox and the unique design would have charmed a few. Certainly a few have been intrigued over the years, because there are plenty of imports for sale on PH, from less than £15k. It won’t be fast and it won’t be furious, but an S660 is guaranteed fun - and that’s more important. This 2016 car has modest mileage, a Spoon exhaust and upgraded suspension. A pop to the shops will never be the same again.
I like Supras and they have a certain nostalgia but it'll stay as a fond memory for me. Some great cars on todays list though
Also this JDM WRX for about £3000. It had 245 bhp as stock, so usefully more than a UK supplied car.
Skyline for me I think, not bad value for an icon.
Wish I d bought R34s when they were £25k!
That was a plan, once.
But got rather attached to a 4WS Prelude and it didn't happen.
These are all cracking cars and I second the comment regarding modern rubbish.
If the Japanese were impolite enough to drop the mic and walk off stage...
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