Affordable, fun-tastic JDM cars | Six of the Best

Cost-effective fun is what Japan specialises in - we defy you not to fall in love with this little lot...

By PH Staff / Saturday, 13 September 2025 / Loading comments

Mazda MX-5 BBR, 2012, 27k, PH Auction

No other nation on Earth can claim to monopolise the full bandwidth of automotive fun quite like the UK. We can do you a McLaren 750S, a Defender OCTA, a Bentley Continental GT and a Caterham Seven - each diametrically different from the next - without breaking a sweat. But Japan, with a domestic performance market also built on a thriving enthusiast scene, comes a close second. It will try its hand at practically anything. And when it gets it right, as it did with the MX-5, for example, global success typically ensues. Of course, the little Mazda owes much to England - even more so when the car you’re talking about has been breathed on by BBR. This NC, up for auction next week, has been turbocharged and tweaked in Brackley, and subsequently cared for like a firstborn infant. It really would be almost impossible not to enjoy it. Which is exactly what we’re talking about.

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Lexus RC F, 2015, 58k, £26,990

The stick that’s often used to beat the JDM with is its perceived preoccupation with the four-cylinder engine, a legacy that does encompass many of its most famous exports. But Japan’s prowess as an engine builder extends far beyond the humble four-pot, the 5.0-litre V8 in the Lexus RC F being a wonderful case in point. The manufacturer continued with its high-revving naturally aspirated donkey long after most European OEMs had retired the configuration, and today it offers a terrific (and terrifically affordable) way into atmospheric eight-cylinder ownership. Granted, there are more exciting and better reconciled coupes to drive, but few that offer quite the same beguiling mix of looks, noise, reliability and modernity for well under £30k. This one hasn’t even hit 60k yet and therefore ought to be more than up to the job of putting a smile on your face for the electrified decade to come.

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Toyota GT86 Tuning Developments, 2012, 33k, PH Auctions

Obviously, if you’d prefer to keep the focus on chassis-based excellence, there are plenty of other Toyota-developed alternatives— not least the GT86, which remains a touchstone for anyone even remotely interested in beyond-the-limit, rear-drive handling antics. Discussion of the coupe as a solution to what ails you usually requires mention of its lacklustre performance at low engine speeds; not so here though, thanks to a Tuning Developments turbocharger, which is said to improve torque output by as much as 50 per cent. That ought to deliver the same kind of cheek-squashing fun factor that makes such a difference in a BBR’d MX-5. Which means that whatever price it has attained once the hammer comes down in a couple of weeks, it is likely to be a steal in smile-per-mile terms.

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Nissan 370Z NISMO, 2016, 64k, PH Auction

For something a little burlier than an MX-5 or 86, you could do much worse than a 370Z. Especially the NISMO. Now found on the back of the Ariya EV, not so long ago the Nissan Motorsport badge meant a proper performance derivative. While power was up only modestly over stock for the NISMO, the chassis was lowered, the springs and dampers overhauled, and the brakes treated to some GT-R goodies. It made Nissan’s Zed car even better to drive and, thanks to the trademark red NISMO accents, even more visually arresting as well. But a price that knocked on the door of £40k, while being not much quicker than a 370, suppressed demand. Not that many years later, the NISMO is already a very cool modern classic: manual, rear-drive, naturally aspirated and very handsome. This auction car has a great service history, a recent wheel refurb, and matching Goodyear Eagle F1s around them— nice.

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Mitsubishi Colt Version R Turbo, 2011, 81k, £7,495

We couldn’t do an affordable Japanese heroes rundown without a JDM pocket rocket curio. This mini Mitsubishi was never sold in Britain and, actually, that decision makes complete sense: we were offered the Colt CZT over here, with the same 1.5-litre turbo, and when did you last see one of those? But this is not a CZT; this is a Version R Turbo. Better name, and better car by all accounts, with unique dampers, a stiffened-up chassis courtesy of more spot welds, and a sports exhaust. It couldn’t quite live up to the ‘baby Evo nickname’, even with Recaros borrowed from the saloon. Still, it looks a fun little thing, and has recently come to the UK with a tonne of paperwork and is perfectly preserved. Look at that engine bay - someone has cared for it. Apparently, there’s more power to be easily gained from the 4G15 engine, too - see you at 200hp…

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Honda Civic Type R (FD2), 2010, 40k, £21,990

Nobody transforms humdrum saloons into performance icons quite like the Japanese. Think of how plain the Mitsubishi Lancer and Subaru Impreza were before their makers decided they needed a new rally car. The FD Honda Civic was most definitely another, as ordinary a Honda saloon as you could hope for; it was only sold officially in the UK in very dreary hybrid form. Yet there was a Type R, sold only in Japan, and it was anything but dreary. It was hotter than wasabi, in fact, thanks to 9,000rpm, a super sharp chassis, and a limited-slip diff. The FD2 Type R was a bona fide Honda hero, despite its humble origins, and it’s reflected in the used values: even 18 years after launch, they’re all more than £15k. This one’s dream-grade, with very few miles, very few mods, and flawless Championship White paint. Front-wheel drive never looked so flipping epic.

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