Within the automotive world, there are many cultures and sub-cultures which we as motoring enthusiasts enjoy. Using the classic video game, Need For Speed: Underground 2, we see that the biggest different classes are Muscle, Tuner, and Exotic. While this is an oversimplification of the car world, the Tuner category mostly consists of what we call ‘JDM cars’ – or cars that were exclusively sold in the Japanese Domestic Market.
The JDM scene has many different themes, but they mostly revolve around the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s Japanese sports cars – namely the Toyota Supra Mk4, Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, and Mazda RX-7 FD. These cars are now fetching astronomic prices on used car sites and auctions – prices the average enthusiast cannot afford.
As such, there is a whole horde of other JDM cars on the used market which sell for a fraction of the price of one of the greats. Sometimes, this ‘lesser’ car even has an engine from the popular cars in it. Here are ten of our favorite used JDM cars that no one seems to be buying.
10 1991-1995 Nissan Cedric
Average Used Starting Price: $8,600
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Nissan |
|
Production Years |
1988-1995 |
|
Configuration |
V6 Turbocharged |
|
Displacement |
3.0 Liters |
|
Power |
255 hp |
|
Torque |
236 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Nissan Cedric, Nissan Gloria, Nissan Leopard |
The eighth-generation Nissan Cedric – on sale between 1991 and 1995 – looks like a Nissan designer tried drawing a BMW E34 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz W140 S-Class from memory. It has the front of the Bimmer, but the rear lights are shockingly close to that of the Mercedes. Still, it’s a pretty cool car.
The Cedric comes with a series of V6s and a diesel inline-6, but the most powerful version uses the VG30DET 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 from the Nissan Bluebird. This means it gets 255 hp, all of which is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic. The Cedric may not have the most interesting name, but it is certain to make enthusiasts wonder what it is at car meets.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 10 Sold Since 2015
- Bring A Trailer: 3 Sold Since 2015
9 1979-1981 Toyota Celica Supra
Average Used Starting Price: $12,450
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Toyota |
|
Production Years |
1979-1987 |
|
Configuration |
Inline-6 |
|
Displacement |
2.8 Liters |
|
Power |
143 hp |
|
Torque |
196 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Toyota Celica Supra, Toyota Cressida |
The Toyota Supra is one of the most popular cars on the planet – mostly thanks to its incredible tunability and the fact that it starred in the first Fast & Furious movie. But what many may not know, is that the Supra started life as a Celica, with the Supra name being a trim level.
The first-gen Celica Supra wasn’t powerful at all, with the highest power model only producing 138 hp from a 2.6-liter straight-6. It looked absolutely fantastic though – like Japan’s idea of a Mustang Fastback. The Celica Supra got a second generation which added turbocharging to the JDM version, before becoming the giant that it is today.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 10 Sold Since 2016
- Bring A Trailer: 9 Sold Since 2016
8 1996-2001 Nissan Stagea
Average Used Starting Price: $11,000
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Nissan |
|
Production Years |
1984-2004 |
|
Configuration |
Inline-6 Twin-Turbocharged |
|
Displacement |
2.6 Liters |
|
Power |
276 hp |
|
Torque |
289 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Nissan Stagea, Nissan Skyline, Nissan President |
The Nissan Stagea was a large, practical family wagon that not only had some DNS from the Skyline but also featured the same engines and drivetrains. The most popular Stagea model was the 25RS, which used the 2.5-liter RB25 engine from the Skyline GT-T.
The facelifted ‘Series 2’ model in 1998 introduced the 260RS, which dumped the 2.6-liter RB26DETT from the Skyline GT-R into it. This meant the Stagea had the same power as a proper sports car. Many owners of the Stagea swap the front end – headlights, bumper, and fenders – to look like the R34 GT-R’s, creating one of the coolest-looking wagons on the road.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 4 Sold Since 2022
- Bring A Trailer: 0 Sold
7 1996-2006 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
Average Used Starting Price: $10,350
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Mitsubishi |
|
Production Years |
1996-2002 |
|
Configuration |
V6 Twin-Turbocharged |
|
Displacement |
2.5 Liters |
|
Power |
276 hp |
|
Torque |
280 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4, Mitsubishi 3000GT |
The most well-known Mitsubishi is the Lancer EVO range. But a car many people may not know about is the Galant – a slightly larger sedan that got a twin-turbocharged V6 instead of the Lancer’s turbo-4.
The Galant VR-4 produced 276 hp – as per the gentleman’s agreement – and 270 lb-ft of torque. Power went to all four wheels via a 5-speed manual. The Galant VR-4 was also sold as a wagon, called the Legnum VR-4 – which increased practicality and made the model even cooler than it is already.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 1 Sold Since 2016
- Bring A Trailer: 0 Sold
6 1991-2000 Lexus SC400
Average Used Starting Price: $8,500
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Toyota |
|
Production Years |
1989-2004 |
|
Configuration |
V8 |
|
Displacement |
4.0 Liters |
|
Power |
256 hp |
|
Torque |
260 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Lexus SC400, Toyota Soarer, Lexus LS400 |
The Lexus SC was a fancier and softer version of Toyota’s Soarer coupe – itself based on the same platform used for the Supra Mk4. The Soarer was available with either the 2.5-liter twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE, or the 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8. The Lexus SC only came with the naturally aspirated 2JZ or V8.
The SC400 arrived two years after the Lexus LS400 made its debut, using the same V8 engine. The motor made 260 hp and 260 lb-ft, sending power to the rear wheels via either a 4-speed or 5-speed automatic – depending on the model year. The Lexus SC400 is a comfortable and reliable cruiser, with some serious tuning potential.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 64 Sold Since 2016
- Bring A Trailer: 0 Sold
5 1980-1990 Isuzu Piazza
Average Used Starting Price:
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Isuzu |
|
Production Years |
1984-1990 |
|
Configuration |
Inline-4 Turbocharged |
|
Displacement |
2.0 Liters |
|
Power |
180 hp |
|
Torque |
185 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Isuzu Piazza |
In 1980, Isuzu of all automakers debuted a Giugiaro-designed sports car that wasn’t all that bad. It even got a turbocharged engine in 1984, producing an impressive 180 hp. All the power was sent to the rear wheels via either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.
The Piazza looks pretty good, with its un-impressed-looking face and classic 1980s boxy shape. The Piazza’s handling was heavily criticized by the media thanks to its live-axle rear end, but then Lotus stepped in and fixed it a bit, resulting in a much better car to drive.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 12 Sold Since 2018
- Bring A Trailer: 1 Sold Since 2018
4 1990-1996 Mazda Eunos Cosmo
Average Used Starting Price: $10,450
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Mazda |
|
Production Years |
1990-2002 |
|
Configuration |
2-Rotor, 3-Rotor |
|
Displacement |
1.3-2.0 Liters |
|
Power |
230-280 hp |
|
Torque |
250-300 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Mazda Eunos Cosmo, Mazda RX-7 |
Like many automakers around the globe, Mazda tried their hand at creating a luxury brand – a Lexus to their Toyota. This luxury brand was called Eunos and various models got the Eunos upgrades – the fanciest of which was the Cosmo, the company’s grand tourer.
The Eunos Cosmo kept to the tradition of rotary power, offering either the 2-rotor 13B-RE or the 3-rotor 20B-REW. The triple rotor motor produced 276 hp thanks to the twin sequential turbos. The Eunos Cosmo is an awesome JDM car that is not only fun to drive but is also quite rare due to its lesser popularity.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 4 Sold Since 2014
- Bring A Trailer: 1 Sold Since 2020
3 2002-2012 Daihatusu Copen
Average Used Starting Price: $5,500
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Daihatsu |
|
Production Years |
2002-2012 |
|
Configuration |
Inline-4 Turbocharged |
|
Displacement |
0.66 Liters |
|
Power |
63 hp |
|
Torque |
81 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Daihatsu Copen, Daihatsu Alto |
The Daihatsu Copen is a Kei sports car, meaning it adheres to the strict Keijidosha laws for Japan’s small city cars. The JDM Copen featured a tiny 0.66-liter turbocharged inline-4, producing just 63 hp. International markets got a 1.3-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 producing 89 hp.
The Copen is a brilliant little car, easily parked in even the most difficult of places and extremely light on fuel. The car was featured on Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson – with all his height – got into it to see how much he didn’t fit. Today, the first-gen Copen is a popular Kei car around the world, with a vast aftermarket tuning community.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 2 Sold Since 2019
- Bring A Trailer: 0 Sold
2 1989-1995 Honda Inspire
Average Used Starting Price: $6,000
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Honda |
|
Production Years |
1989-1998 |
|
Configuration |
Inline-5 |
|
Displacement |
2.5 Liters |
|
Power |
188 hp |
|
Torque |
175 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Honda Inspire |
The Honda Inspire is the slightly larger JDM sedan based on the Accord platform – which is now the same car, just with a different name. The first-generation Inspire was interesting as it is one of the few Japanese cars to ever get a 5-cylinder engine. It rivaled the Toyota Cresta and Nissan Laurel in its design and brief.
The Inspire featured a 2.5-liter inline-5 producing 190 hp and powered the front wheels only via either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. The 5-cylinder continued into the next generation but was quickly replaced with a V6. Still, it is not every day you see a Japanese 5-cylinder vehicle.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 1 Sold Since 2022
- Bring A Trailer: 0 Sold
1 2015 & 2019 Toyota Mark X GRMN
Average Used Starting Price:
Engine Specs
|
Manufacturer |
Toyota |
|
Production Years |
2005-2017 |
|
Configuration |
V6 |
|
Displacement |
3.5 Liters |
|
Power |
316 hp |
|
Torque |
280 lb-ft |
|
Fuel |
Gasoline |
|
Noteworthy Applications |
Toyota Mark X, Toyota Camry TRD, Toyota Tacoma |
The Toyota Mark X is the mid-size sedan within the Japanese line-up, taking the spot of the Camry. The biggest difference between the two is that the Mark X is rear-wheel-drive, rather than the traditional front-drive. The second-generation Mark X introduced some much-needed sportiness into the range, featuring different trims associated with Vertiga, GR, and the full-on GRMN (Gazoo Racing Meisters of the Nürburgring).
The Mark X GRMN is one of the rarest models, and it is by far the most exciting. The car usually comes with an automatic, but the GRMN gets a manual transmission, a slightly higher power 3.5-liter V6, a limited-slip diff, a heavily sporty body kit, and a host of chassis and suspension upgrades. The Mark X GRMN is what the Camry TRD should be, but hopefully, the rumored GR Camry will be as cool as this.
Used Market History:
- Classic.com: 0 Sold
- Bring A Trailer: 0 Sold
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