Decades ago, the dollar's value relative to other currencies allowed anyone to import a car from the 'gray market' for rock-bottom pricing. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 opened an avenue for unregulated automotive imports, and by the late 1980s, the chicken had come home to roost. Consequentially, the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 became law, and the U.S. has since missed out on several gems from foreign markets.
On the one hand, the 25-year import rule halted the dreams of several gearheads. But on the other, the infamous law became a gift that keeps on giving, presenting American car enthusiasts with something to look forward to at the turn of every year. Although a few duds will make it to the shores, the JDM import class of 2022 features an exciting slew of iconic models that would look good in any garage. Here's a list of cool and affordable JDM cars worth tracking down and importing to the States.
10 Honda Civic Type-R (EK9) - $10,000
The Civic was a breakthrough offering for Honda, the automaker's first model to sell in significant numbers outside the Japanese domestic market. However, the Civic's sportiest and undoubtedly most desirable iteration was the Type-R introduced in 1997, a gem that Honda only sold at home. Based on the sixth-generation Civic, the EK9 CTR combined the compact hatchback body style with a high-revving 182hp 1.6-liter B16B inline-four.
Unfortunately, owners have driven the life out of their EK9 CTRs, so most models have clocked over 100K miles, and you could get one for less than $10,000. If you're lucky to find a decent example with around 50K on the odometer, they'll go for about $30,000, while pristine models demand over $80,000.
9 Toyota Century II (G50) - $13,000
Toyota first launched the Century in 1967, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of company founder Sakichi Toyoda. The flagship sedan got lauded by Japanese executives and diplomats as a distinguished automobile. In 1997, Toyota made a full-model change to ensure unparalleled reliability and high-precision quality through state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies.
Besides the upgrades to the styling, luxurious amenities, and interior functionality, the second-generation Century received a bulletproof 5.0-liter 1GZ-FE V-12 engine capable of 275hp. Should you want to snag this excellent piece of high-class Japanese luxury, you can expect to spend as much as $13,000 for a well-maintained example.
8 Nissan Laurel (C35) - $15,000
The Laurel was part of the model lineup that shifted from Prince Motor Company to Nissan when the two companies merged. The eighth and last generation (C35) of the Nissan Laurel debuted in 1997, sold primarily in the JDM since export had ceased in 1989.
The C35 facelift of 1997 came with four engine variants; 2.0-liter RB20DE, 2.5-liter RB25DE, 2.5-liter RB25DET NEO, and 2.8-liter RD28E Diesel, all paired to a four-speed automatic. Considering the timeless RB-series engine is a tuning scene legend, paying $15,000 for a well-kept example is an excellent start to a worthy build project.
7 Toyota Aristo - $16,500
The Aristo was Toyota's entry into the luxury four-door sedan market in the '90s, although North America received the next best thing, the Lexus GS. Surprisingly, this sleeper remains underrated and overlooked by the majority, with only a clever few in the tuning community realizing its potential.
The Aristo's strengths lie in the legendary 1JZ and 2JZ engine choices, not to mention the ability to function as a comfortable daily driver with enough room for family-hauling duties. The Toyota Aristo enjoys lots of aftermarket support, but the rarity of pristine examples sees well-maintained examples demand north of $16,500.
6 Mitsubishi FTO - $20,000
Mitsubishi was a Japanese motor industry heavy hitter in the 1990s, making waves on the streets with fantastic cars like the 3000GT/GTO, Lancer Evolution, and the FTO. Although the FTO is little-known as a JDM icon, it's an underrated gem that won the coveted Japanese Car of the Year award in 1994, the first sports car to claim the crown since the mighty MR2 almost a decade earlier.
Facelifted FTO models debuted in 1997 with a redesigned front bumper arrangement and an aero wing rear spoiler. Depending on the model, the engine choices range from a 123hp 1.8-liter SOHC inline-four to a 178hp 2.0-liter DOHC V-6 and 197hp 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC V-6. Well-maintained Mitsubishi FTO examples with low mileage demand up to $20,000.
5 Toyota Celica SS III - $20,000
Most gearheads dream of owning the legendary Integra Type R, but the majority either overlook or are unaware of its nemesis from the '90s, the Toyota Celica SS III. The Celica SS began as a package, but it later became a Celica variant with three versions (SS I, SS II, and SS III) boasting different power outputs.
The Celica SS III houses a 200hp naturally-aspirated inline-four with VVT-I (Toyota's V-tec equivalent), the fourth generation 'Redtop BEAMS' 3S-GE engine introduced in 1997. Despite offering the same horsepower and better torque than the Integra Type-R, you could snag a decent Toyota Celica SS III for $20,000.
4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV - $25,000
When the Lancer Evolution IV debuted in 1996, Mitsubishi was riding high with Tommi Mäkinen's success in winning the driver's crown in the World Rally Championship with the Evo III. Fitted with a 276hp 4G63 inline-four turbocharged engine for the 1997 season, the Evo IV recorded six wins in 18 races, and Mäkinen won the second consecutive WRC driver's title behind an Evo IV.
Although Evo IV imports started in 2021, the 1997 model holds provenance since it marks the consummation of the compact '5 number' Evo in its history. Interestingly, a well-maintained Lancer Evolution IV with less than 100K on the odometer could go for about $25,000.
3 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Type R) - $30,000
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The WRX Type R STi Version 4 debuted in late 1996, a crucial period as Subaru cemented its name in history through stellar performances within World Rally circles. The Type R marked a significant milestone for Subaru, becoming the first two-door Impreza and later serving as the aesthetic inspiration for the shape of the 22B and the P1.
The GC8D update for Version 4 introduced forged pistons for the first time in the 275hp 2.0-liter EJ20 four-cylinder turbo engine. Today, anyone would be lucky to pay less than $30,000 for a well-kept example of arguably one of the purest WRX STi Type R models.
2 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution - $30,000
For Mitsubishi, the Pajero Evolution's main goal was to meet homologation requirements to enter the rally raids and ultimately dominate the Dakar Rally. The Pajero Evolution won the Dakar in its first time out, a significant contribution to Mitsubishi's Guinness World Record for having the 'Most Dakar Rally Wins by An Automobile Manufacturer.'
The 2,500 homologation models are as rugged as the rally-spec variants, boasting a 276hp 3.5-liter DOHC 6G74 V-6 engine, bespoke multi-link independent long-travel rear suspension, coil wishbones in the front, and a central locking differential. With pristine examples demanding as much as $55,000, models with less than 100K mileage should lie well within the $30k price point.
1 Honda NSX Type S - $40,000
The Honda NSX shocked the world when it debuted in 1990, setting benchmarks through class-leading tech and unmatched performance. In 1997, Honda introduced the NSX Type S, designed slightly sportier with a stiffer suspension than the regular model, though not as stripped-down and hardcore as the Type R.
The NSX Type S houses a 3.2-liter liquid-cooled DOHC VTEC V-6, limited to 276hp, in line with the infamous Gentlemen's agreement. Although most NSX models sell north of $60,000, it's possible to get a lower spec NSX Type S for around $40,000.