Mazda RX-7: The JDM Icon That Defined a Generation

The Mazda RX-7 wasn’t just another sports car it was the JDM legend. That rotary engine scream, the perfectly balanced chassis, the timeless curves… it defined an era of raw, analog driving. Decades later, it’s still the poster car for every gearhead who grew up dreaming in redlines.

Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)

Okay, so the FD, right? The one from the 90s. That pop-up headlight design… it’s just timeless. But the real magic, obviously, is what’s under the hood. The 13B-REW twin-turbo rotary. It’s not a piston engine, it’s this weird, whirry, spinning triangle thing that revs to the moon and sounds like a swarm of angry bees. Not gonna lie, it’s a nightmare to work on and it drinks fuel and oil like they’re going out of style, but when it’s on boost… oh man. It’s just this smooth, linear surge of power. Prices now are crazy. A clean, unmolested one? You’re looking at, uhm, like $40,000 to $60,000 easily. Maybe more. It’s an investment at this point.

Toyota Supra (A80)

The big one. The 2JZ-GTE. It’s basically a brick of iron, you could probably boost it to a thousand horsepower and it’d just ask for more. It’s so over-engineered, it’s ridiculous. The whole “Supra vs. Skyline” And the looks, it’s so… 90s, in the best way. Bulbous but aggressive. Prices are just astronomical now. A manual twin-turbo? Good luck finding one for under $100,000. It’s become a legend, almost untouchable.

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

The Godzilla. This car had so much mystique because we couldn’t have it in the States, you know? That alone made it cooler. The ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and the RB26DETT engine… it’s a technological masterpiece for its time. That blue on the Midnight Purple version? Chef’s kiss. It just looks so serious, like it means business. Now that they’re legal to import, prices are… wow. I’ve seen them go for well over $100,000, sometimes pushing $200k for a V-Spec. It’s a trophy.

Honda NSX

The one that scared Ferrari. Seriously. It was built with Ayrton Senna’s input, how cool is that? It’s a supercar, but with Honda reliability. Well, sort of. Mid engine, V-TEC scream from that C30A V6, and it’s so balanced and easy to drive A good, clean manual NSX today is another one in the $100,000-plus club. It’s just classy.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

The rally car for the road. That big wing, the hood vents, the aggressive stance. It’s the opposite of subtle. The 4G63 engine is another tuner’s dream, you can make stupid power with it. And the all-wheel drive system is just legendary for grip. This is the car you get for a rainy track day, you know? It feels raw and mechanical. Prices for a clean Evo VI, especially the Tommi Mäkinen edition, are getting up there, like $50,000 to $70,000. It’s a rally legend.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GC8)

You can’t talk about the Evo without its arch-nemesis, right? The Subaru. The boxer rumble is just… iconic. It sounds like nothing else. The blue with the gold wheels, it’s just the perfect livery. It was always the slightly more refined, but still totally bonkers, rival to the Evo. The 22B is the holy grail, but even a regular GC8 STI is so special. Prices have shot up, a good one is probably $35,000 to $50,000 now. It’s a piece of rally history.

Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

This car was so ahead of its time. The twin-turbo V6 made great power, and the styling, with those swoopy lines and the cool taillight bar… it looked like a Japanese Ferrari. The interior was packed with tech, maybe too much it’s a nightmare to work on now. The engine bay is just… packed. No space. But when it’s running right, it’s a fantastic grand tourer. You can find them for a bit less than the others, maybe $20,000 to $30,000 for a nice twin-turbo, but they’re getting rarer.

Toyota MR2 (SW20)

The poor man’s Ferrari? Kinda. Mid-engine, lightweight, and that turbo version with the 3S-GTE engine is a rocket. It keeps you on your toes! It’s a driver’s car, for sure. The pop-up headlights, again, just perfect 90s design. Prices are still somewhat reasonable, you can get a good one for, uhm, $15,000 to $25,000? It’s a bargain for the experience.

Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)

I know, I know, it’s not a turbo monster. But it’s a JDM icon in its own right! The pop-up headlights, the perfect 50/50 weight distribution, it’s just pure, simple, lightweight fun. You can still find decent ones for, like, $6,000 to $10,000. It’s the ultimate affordable classic.