11 Japanese Cars Increasingly Popular With Collectors
Japanese cars are often praised for reliability, but some models from past decades are now skyrocketing in value. These 11 vehicles, once overlooked, are quietly turning into collector’s items thanks to rarity, performance, and timeless design. Car enthusiasts and investors alike are starting to take notice.
Toyota 2000GT
Man, the Toyota 2000GT from the late ’60s? It’s like Japan’s first real supercar, tiny roadster with a Yamaha-tuned inline-six, and only about 337 made ever—super rare. You’ve got this sleek fastback look, chain-driven cams for that screamy engine, and it was in You Only Live Twice, so Bond vibes. Prices? Clean ones are pushing $1 million now, easy, and they’re only climbing ’cause purists love the history. Not gonna lie, it’s more Ferrari-rival than Toyota daily, and if you’re hunting one, good luck—side thought, imagine dailying that in traffic?
Nissan Skyline GT-R R32
Okay, the R32 Skyline GT-R, ’89 to ’94, godfather of Godzillas with that RB26 twin-turbo and ATTESA AWD—rally monster that dominated everything. It’s raw, adjustable, and now legal to import here finally. Values shot up to $100k-$200k for stockers, some V-Specs higher, ’cause tuners and Fast & Furious nostalgia. Compared to newer GT-Rs, it’s lighter, purer—honestly, my fave JDM icon, but uh, maintenance on those turbos? Pray.
Mazda RX-7 FD3S
The FD RX-7, ’92-’02, rotary-powered rocket with pop-up lights and that 50/50 balance—13B-REW twin-turbo spins to redline like nothing else. It’s a drift king, handles like glued, and clean low-miles ones are $50k-$100k now, climbing fast as rotaries die out. Random observation: apex seals are the devil, but man, the wail? Worth it. I mean, versus piston cars, it’s alien tech—collectors are hoarding ’em before they’re all smoked.
Toyota Supra A80
Ah, the Mk4 Supra, ’93-’98, 2JZ-GTE legend that makes 1,000hp easy without sneezing—stock’s already quick at 320hp. Long hood, sleek lines, manual six-speed pure. Prices exploded to $120k-$200k for manuals, especially Turbos, thanks to Gran Turismo and tuners. So yeah, it’s basically indestructible, but early ones had head gasket woes—personal take, if you snag a clean one under $150k today, you’re golden long-term.
Subaru Impreza 22B STI
Subaru’s Impreza 22B from ’99, only 424 made, widebody rally homage with WRX STI heart—2.2L boxer turbo, massive wing, blue paint screaming WRC wins. It’s raw, AWD grip monster, now fetching $300k-$500k at auctions. Joke: it’s like a rally car that hates narrow roads. Compared to Evo rivals, it’s boxier but holds value insane uhm, changing mind, maybe too wild for street, but collector dream.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI TME
The Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition, ’99, rally god with active yaw control, lightweight, just 1,558 made 2.0L turbo beast. Gold wheels, Recaro seats, pure homologation special. Prices? $150k-$250k and rising, ’cause rally heritage and rarity. It’s fidgety on street but grips like madness honestly, versus WRXs, this is the special one collectors chase, low-miles ones doubling every few years.
Honda S2000
Honda’s S2000, ’99-’09, redline to 9,000rpm with 2.0L VTEC screamer rear-drive roadster, buttery shifter, topless fun. AP1s around $30k-$50k now, AP2s similar but climbing as manuals dry up. Side thought: it’s like a baby NSX, reliable too. Not gonna lie, versus Miatas it’s torquier, and values spiking ’cause Honda purists want ’em grab one before $60k average.
Mazda Cosmo Sport
The Mazda Cosmo from ’67, first rotary production car elegant rotary coupe, 110hp twin-rotor, gullwing vibes kinda. Ultra-rare, under 1,500 made, now $100k-$200k for survivors. It’s smooth, unique engine note, but thirsty compared to 2000GT, less power but rotary cool factor. So yeah, quietly appreciating as rotaries become myths.
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205, early ’90s WRC hero 3S-GTE turbo, AWD, supercharger later models, rally lights. Values $50k-$100k now, climbing with Group A legend status. Random: it’s like an Evo before Evos. Personal opinion, underrated versus Imprezas, but collectors waking up fast.
Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
The Z32 300ZX TT, late ’80s-’90s, 3.0L VG30DETT twin-turbo, pop-ups, digital dash grand tourer with 300hp stock. Clean ones $25k-$50k, appreciating as JDM imports flood. It’s heavy but smooth uh, versus Supra, less tunable but comfier cruiser. Joke: interior like a spaceship from ’95.
Honda NSX (First Gen)
Last one, Acura/Honda NSX ’90-’05, mid-engine aluminum marvel, VTEC V6 to 3.2L F1-inspired, Senna-tuned. $100k-$200k now, low-miles higher, ’cause it aged like wine versus Ferraris. Reliable daily supercar honestly, best JDM investment here, values steady up.
