If you grew up playing Need For Speed and Grand Turismo video games or watching Fast and Furious films, you probably giggle at the sight of a JDM sports car. Or you are simply a closeted fan. Now that you are older, you can head to an online JDM auction market or local dealership and grab your dream rear-wheel-drive, manual sports car. And, you can make some money while at it because some Japanese cars are appreciating and will soon be worth a fortune, making them great investments.

Today's most expensive classic car auction blocks mostly feature European classics such as Ferraris, Maserattis, Jaguars, and the ilk. You are lucky to find a participant from the far east because when the European basked in the supercar golden age of the 60s, Asian manufacturers focused more on churning affordable and reliable daily drivers. They've remained largely overlooked by the collector's market. But lately, some JDM classics are getting the recognition they deserve as valuable collectors' items. These Japanese cars might seem cheap, but buy them now, and you might sell them for profit in a few years.

10 Honda S2000

Honda S2000 - Front
Via Bring A Trailer

Lately, we have witnessed a welcome revival of iconic nameplates like the Supra and MR2 from Toyota and Nissan's brand-new Fairlady Z. There are rumors of a Honda S2000 comeback, which needs to happen. The old S2000 is a special car and a JDM legend thanks to its high-revving performance and driving thrills.

Honda S2000 2003 Value Featured Image
via Honda

Also, it is a favorite among the tuner community, and its value is rising. Those in good stock condition fetch over $25k, which is close to the MSRP while new. Its value will rise further as it attains classic status.

RELATED: 5 Iconic Japanese Cars You Can Now Import

9 Mazda Cosmo

Mazda Cosmo - Front
Mazda

Mazda agrees that they probably wouldn't be in existence today without the Wankel engine. The highly reputed rotary-powered 1967 Cosmo Sport laid the foundation for the Japanese car brand and guaranteed its lasting place in the automotive world. In 1990, the Eunos Cosmo model became the first production car to feature a sequential twin-turbocharged three-rotor engine. It delivered exceptional dynamic and seamless rotation considered on par with a V12 engine, making it one of the greatest JDM motors ever.

Mazda Cosmo - Rear
Via mazda

The Mazda Cosmo already costs a fortune with examples in good condition well into six figures. But the car gained $10k in average value last year, according to Hagerty, making it a worthy investment.

8 Nisan 300ZX Twin Turbo

1990_nissan_300zx-twin-turbo
via: Nissan Z Forum

The Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo is a humble classic JDM supercar slayer. It is currently relatively affordable, but it might not stay this way or long, according to Hagerty. The previously overlooked classic Zs, including the 280ZX and 300ZX, almost doubled their value in 2021.

White Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo In A Parking Lot
via Nissan

Buying a stock 300ZXZ guarantees a potent and fun classic car loaded with the best of 90s tech. The 1990 Z32 was the first car designed with computer software and also came with four-wheel steering in the turbo trim. It is a good investment since they will not stay cheap for long.

7 Toyota Supra Turbo

Toyota A70 supra Turbo - Frotn
Via Cars & Bids

Only time will tell whether the new Supra will become as popular as the older generations. The OG Supra featured an over-engineered, easily tunable, 2JZ inline-six motor, making it quick and potentially squeezing over 700 ponies safely on stock bock. And it had the looks to match.

1993 Toyota Supra Turbo
Bring a Trailer

Its value has remained steady on the rise since Toyota discontinued the car, and it is now an attractive investment. Turbocharged models are more collectible and gradually approaching the six-figure valuation.

RELATED: 10 Reliable Japanese Performance Cars From The 2000s You Can Actually Afford

6 Mazda RX-7

Mazda RX-7 FD, red, front quarter view on road, headlights up
Via: Mazda

Easily one of the most popular Japanese car imports in the enthusiast scene. Many love the RX-7 for its lighter, smoother, and mechanically simpler rotary engines that made more power per liter than their pistoned rivals. The third generation is the most beloved, and it shows with its rising value.

Mazda RX-7 FD, red, rear quarter view on grass
Via: Mazda

While the series 7 RX7 sold between 1996 and 1998 didn't find its way States-side, it is one of the best Mazda FDs money can buy, with better reliability and more power than its older siblings. They also look great today, and their value rises every day.

5 Subaru SVX

1993 Subaru SVX sports car red
Bring A Trailer

With the SVX, Subaru seemingly threw their design book in the bin and built a different creation. It featured an Italian design by Giorgetto Giugiaro and was Subaru's rare flair for sport. Perhaps the only similarity with its siblings is the boxer engine, and it came with a bigger 3.3-liter six cylinders instead of the common smaller boxer-four.

Blue 1997 Subaru SVX LSi - Front Right Angle
Via BringATrailer

The SVX was weirdly futuristic; maybe that's why it didn't get enough appreciation. Today examples in excellent condition are absolute steals going for less than $10,000. Prices have increased over 20% in the last year, and you can count on them to keep shooting up.

4 Mitsubishi Evo VIII & IX MR

mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX front
via mitsubishi

Few cars have held their value as good as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Almost two decades after the eight-gen Evo came out, prices have remained close to the original MSRP, and as they grow into full classic status, the price is starting to creep up. You will be lucky to find a copy in good condition MR going for less than twenty grand.

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
via Mitsubishi

The MR trim of the Evo VIII and IX seems the best investment in the lineup. According to Hagerty, the Evo VIII MR saw a 20% increase in value over the last year and is now averaging $32,900 for examples in good condition.

RELATED: 10 Classic Japanese Sports Cars We Wouldn't Touch With A 10-Foot Pole

3 Toyota FJ40

Toyota 1980 FJ40 Land Cruiser once owned by Tom Hanks in parking lot
Bonhams

Toyota launched the FJ40 in 1960, with official importation stateside starting in 1963. Over 40 years, it was gradual functional improvements from a bare-bone rock crawler into a modern SUV. What was once a rugged old farm hand is now a regular auction fixture, often in restored and excellent condition.

Land Cruiser FJ40 - Front
Via Connors Motor Cars

Currently, prices seem to have settled, with the 1968 FJ40 in good condition averaging about $30,300 all year. But, some have sold for over $200k, and now might be the time to acquire one before the value starts shooting up again.

2 Honda Integra Type R

1997_acura_integra-type-r front 3/4 view
Via: BringaTrailer

Anyone looking for a 90s Japanese car to import can't ignore the Integra Type R. It was originally introduced for the Japanese domestic market in 1995 as part of the third generation Integra. While its incredible Acura NSX sibling overshadowed it, it was equally spectacular and is one of Honda's best cars ever.

1998 Honda Integra Type R, white, front quarter view
Acura

Its value is steadily on the rise, especially the post-1997 models when it first hit the USA market are highly coveted, with a 1997-model fetching $82,000 in 2019. On average, copies in good condition currently go for $37,600 with a 10% year-on-year increase. It seems the right time to strike before prices are out of reach.

RELATED: Why You Should Get Your Hands On An Integra Type R

1 Nissan 240Z

Datsun 204Z - Front
Via Mecum Auctions

The Nissan 240Z was Nissan's first in the legendary Fairlady Z sports car lineup and is undoubtedly among the most significant sports cars ever built. It remains a compelling, sweetly balanced, fun, and useable modern classic whose value is steadily rising.

Datsun 240Z - Front
Via Mecum Auctions

Today, the car fetches a premium, with some Concours condition examples selling for as much as $350,000. But you can find one in good condition for about as low as $20k. It is worth it, and you might double your investment in a few years.