Any gearhead under the illusion that only European classic cars command hefty price tags should think again. These JDM masterpieces are every bit as special, near guaranteeing you a meeting with your mortgage broker in order to buy one.
Naturally, every classic is only worth as much as a smitten collector is willing to pay for it. And here lies the problem; how do you unsee or forget a rare Nissan Skyline? Worse still, you've blagged a test drive to tide you over knowing full well your bank account says no. What of the future classics, ones that are a little on the pricey side now, but are sure to appreciate, a V10-engined Lexus LFA must be a safe bet if you're a homeowner looking to invest.
Before you know it, you're hooked. Japanese carmakers have taken over your life, home and finances, leaving you with the very real prospect of living in your car.
9 Honda NSX Type-R ($190k)
Curiously underrated, the Honda NSX never achieved the success it really deserved. Over a fifteen-year production period, a surprisingly low number of buyers took up the mid-engined NSX. In total, Honda posted sales of 18,600 cars with a few special editions along the way.
The lightened Type-R arrived in 2002 shedding 265 lbs over a stock NSX, helping Honda earn Car And Driver's Best Handling Car title. Unusual for a limited edition aimed at performance gearheads, Honda left the NSX's 3.2-liter engine untouched with 276 hp driving the rear axle. However, a revised final drive improved acceleration at the expense of performance. Lowering the NSX's top speed to 168 mph.
8 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec ($300k)
Already a fearsome road/track sports car, the Nissan GT-R could barely get any better. That didn't stop Nissan from trying on more than one occasion. The route to higher performance wasn't, as you'd expect, with a remapped RB26DETT motor cranking out more power. Aside from larger bespoke BBS alloys atop vented Brembo brakes, the changes were minor.
Despite a low number of changes, the Skyline V-Spec has earned itself a cult following that has ramped up prices well into six-figures. Is it better than a stock GT-R? Only serious gearheads can answer that one. All we know is Nissan's Skyline had come of age and if adding bigger brakes makes it somehow faster, we want one.
7 Toyota 2000GT ($700K+)
Toyota's reputation for small boring hatches, coupes, and family haulers finally came to an end in 1967. In one fell swoop, Toyota had a serious sports car rival capable of taking on all comers. Surprisingly, much of the 2000GT's development originated with Yamaha seeking to build a sports car with an established brand. Nissan, turned down the design leaving the door open for Toyota.
The 2000GT was never intended as a high-volume production car. Numbers totaled 351 cars over a three-year period, with Toyota believed to have made no profit from the Halo model. However, the 2000GT cemented Toyota's image as a serious sports car manufacturer. Naturally, rarity value comes in to the equation. Low mileage cars have been known to fetch high six-figure sums at auction.
6 Yamaha OX99-11 ($1.3 Million)
The OX99-11 is another Yamaha-backed project that failed before it even started. Designed by spin-off subsidiary Ypsilon Technology with UK-based IAD along for the ride, the OX99-11 was intended to build on Yamaha's F1 involvement of the '90s. Sadly, both projects fell by the wayside.
Continuing the F1 theme, the OX99-11 in prototype form used a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V12 engine cranking out 400 hp, leading to a claimed top speed of 217 mph. Unfortunately, a dispute between IAD and Yamaha kicked off the OX99's demise, leaving Ypsilon with six-months to complete the project. Yamaha forced to delay the OX99 until 1994, eventually pulled the plug for financial reasons.
5 Subaru Impreza 22B STi ($300k)
The Subaru Impreza came from nowhere, going on to claim 46 WRC wins between 1995 and 2003. In 1998, to commemorate both the Japanese carmaker's 40th anniversary and a third consecutive manufacturer's title, Subaru commissioned the 22B. The 22B was an instant success selling out all 400 cars in under 48 hours on its home turf, with a further 24 produced for export.
Excluding additional badges and a wide body kit, the 22B looks pretty much like any other first generation Impreza. Subaru did, however, make some important changes. Under the hood, an enlarged 2.2-liter boxer engine complete with an intercooler and turbocharger cranked out 276 hp, powering the Subaru to 60 mph in 4.7-seconds.
4 Mazda Cosmo ($100k)
Not every Japanese sports car is a highly strung four or six-cylinder turbocharged rocket. The Mazda Cosmo took an entirely different route to sports car fame and success. Envisaged as a Halo car for Mazda, the Cosmo pushed the limits of engineering in a small lightweight sports car and then went racing. In its sole competitive outing coming home fifth overall at the 84hr Nürburgring Marathon De La Route.
Halo or Genesis? We'll let you decide. The Cosmo was Mazda's first use of a Wankel engine. Under the hood, a tiny 982 cc rotatory engine putting down 110 hp. Unfortunately for U.S. gearheads, Mazda never officially sold the Cosmo on U.S. soil.
3 TRD 3000GT ($85k)
Tuner's favorite, the Toyota Supra MK.IV, isn't a car you'd expect to pay a six-digit sum for, but it does happen. As recently as 2021, one such case of Supra-Mania reached a record $200,000 for a low-miler 1995 Mk.IV. Too many gasoline fumes? Possibly. Which brings us to the TRD 3000GT. Produced in agonizingly low numbers, the TRD 3000 GT is the rarest Toyota of all. Except it isn't officially a Toyota.
Each of the 35 examples built bears a unique VIN with no mention of the Supra name. Under its racing style wide body, you still get a 2JZ 3.0-liter straight six-turbo cranking out a claimed 318 hp. Now for the tricky part, how much is it worth? One lucky gearhead bagged a high-miler for $85,000 back in 2021.
2 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 ($75k)
Another crazy expensive Toyota that beggars belief. At the lower end of retro mud-plugging go-anywhere madness, you are looking at $75,000 as a starting point. Remembering the FJ40 was Toyota's answer to the Jeep and Land Rover, your five-figure investment doesn't land you much in the way of goodies.
Launched back in the '60s when live beam axles and leaf springs were all the rage, the FJ40 made excellent use of the robust if dated design to conquer every terrain. In either petrol or diesel engines, the Land Cruiser isn't what we'd call sporty. Cruising at 70 mph is pretty much all you get.
1 Mazda 767B ($1.75 Million)
Needing seriously deep pockets, the Mazda 767B might just be the most expensive rotary-engined car ever. Built for the IMSA GT category at Le Mans, just three 767Bs were produced. A racing career best 5th overall at the 1998 Daytona 24-hour event was followed by a handful of race finishes outside the top ten in 1990.
Needless to say, you're going to be limited to track day use with this one. We also suspect the four-rotor 13J Wankel is going to require some serious maintenance in order to deliver the intoxicating mix of noise and power you only get with a rotary engine.