The Toyota Supra Mk4, the Nissan Skyline GT-R, and the Mazda RX-7. These are the Japanese heavy-hitters many gearheads grew up worshiping, even though some of them were never sold new in the U.S. These cars ended up being such iconic pieces of Japanese engineering that they've become cultural icons that now cost a pretty penny. Mainstream collectors are always waiting for JDM poster cars to hit the 25-year mark so they can be eligible for import, and when they do make it stateside and to auction blocks, some are popular enough to initiate hammer fights that send prices into the stratosphere.But tucked beneath the shadow of today's hyperinflated JDM royalty lies a treasure trove of forgotten performance. These overlooked models may not have the Hollywood fame and cult following of the Skylines and Supras, but they deliver the pure mechanical soul and massive curb appeal JDM collectors crave. From homologation hatchback rockets to butterfly-doored design marvels, these five JDM Classic Cars have the potential to gain value, making them ideal candidates to add to a collection. 1990–1996 Toyota Sera Estimated Value: $10,788 Via: Mecum AuctionsAsk any JDM enthusiast to name a Toyota sports car from the 1990s, and they'll probably name 5 models before they get to the Sera, even though it has direct ties to the venerable McLaren F1. Yes, that British supercar that sells for tens of millions of dollars has direct ties to the little-known Toyota Sera. Well, not significant ties, but you'll understand the connection in a sec.See, when the Sera debuted in the 1990s, it looked like it had been sent to earth from another planet. Produced during Japan's iconic economic "bubble era," it is best known for its futuristic styling, striking butterfly doors, and an expansive all-glass canopy roof. Hinged at the top of the windshield and the base of the A-pillar, those butterfly doors famously served as the design inspiration for Gordon Murray's legendary McLaren F1 supercar.Via: Mecum AuctionsUnderneath the glass cockpit sits a modest 1.5-liter 5E-FHE inline-four engine producing 108 horsepower, mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. While it won't outrun a contemporary Nissan Silvia or Honda CRX Si, its featherweight 2,000-pound curb weight makes it remarkably nimble and fun to drive, especially if you get the rare manual versions. The average price for one is around $10,788, which is shockingly affordable for a vehicle with legitimate supercar design DNA, but current listings in the $20,000 range show the ceiling is getting higher. 1991–1996 Honda Prelude Si VTEC Estimated Value: $18,500 Via Bring a TrailerHonda built the fourth-gen Prelude to dominate the sport-compact market, showcasing its absolute peak engineering. Unlike rival sports cars that chased raw turbo power, Honda focused on high-revving, naturally aspirated perfection and sophisticated chassis dynamics. While Honda sold the fourth-gen Prelude in the U.S., the top-tier Si VTEC trim was only reserved for the Japanese market and offered better engine performance, advanced drivetrain technology, and unique premium styling options.Via Bring a TrailerWhat makes the Si VTEC legendary is the iconic 2.2-liter H22A inline-four engine, pumping out a thrilling 197 horsepower. This power plant was famous for its aggressive VTEC crossover, screaming all the way to a 7,200-RPM redline. The JDM H22A produces more power primarily due to its higher 10.6:1 compression ratio, more aggressive factory ECU tune, and the fact that it came from the factory with a Limited-Slip Differential paired with the five-speed manual transmission.As millennial buyers price out of the Integra Type R and Civic Si markets, the Prelude Si VTEC is poised for substantial financial growth, especially considering how rare it is to find one in the sea of USDM Preludes. Sales comparables are rare, but one did sell for $18,500 in February 2026, which is more than the average price of the fourth-gen Prelude. Low-mileage U.S. fourth-gen Preludes selling for $40,000 also show a growing interest for the Prelude in general. Nissan Silvia S13 Estimated Value: $18,711 Bring A TrailerMembers of the drifting community won't agree that the Nissan Silvia is a 'forgotten' car, as it's one of the greatest drift cars ever. However, as legendary as the Silvia is in the drifting world, it's kind of a niche car that attracts interest from a select group of enthusiasts, which is why it's still underrated. Nissan built seven Silvia generations since its debut in the 1960s, but its final three iterations cemented its legendary status. The S13, S14, and S15, as they're called, were built on Nissan's famous S-Chassis platform and are celebrated as quintessential drift cars due to their lightweight chassis, perfect weight distribution, and highly tunable turbocharged engines.Bring A TrailerThe Silvia isn't as famous as it should be, but even the collectors who know about it typically go for the S15, which is widely considered to be the absolute zenith of the model. This is why we recommend the S13 generation, which arrived in the late '80s just as the global drifting movement exploded. The S13 cemented the Silvia's legacy as a drift car and introduced the iconic SR20DET 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in 1991. The average S13 price sits at around $18,711–far below the S15's average–but several have sold for close to $30,000 in recent years. 1990–1994 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R Estimated Value: $25,455 via Bring A TrailerThe Nissan Pulsar GTI-R was born in the early 1990s out of a singular, aggressive obsession: dominating the World Rally Championship (WRC). Developed to meet Group A homologation rules, Nissan engineered this pocket rocket to go toe-to-toe with rally giants like the Lancia Delta Integrale and represents the absolute peak of 1990s hot hatch engineering. Despite its formidable pedigree, it remains criminally underrated by mainstream North American collectors since it was never sold locally.via Bring A TrailerThe Pulsar GTI-R demands a spot on this list because of its sophisticated, race-proven engineering and insane powertrain packaging. Under the hood sits a bespoke version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter SR20DET four-cylinder engine, breathing through a massive, iconic hood scoop to pump out a fierce 227 horsepower. Power is fed to all four wheels through Nissan's legendary ATTESA all-wheel-drive system, which it shares conceptually with the unstoppable R32 Skyline GT-R. You also get an aggressive exterior with a functional, roof-high rear wing and a heavily vented hood.As a financial asset, the GTI-R is currently sitting in a sweet spot for explosive growth. While clean examples are highly sought after, a stunning example sold for a very reasonable $25,455 on Bring a Trailer in 2024, which shows that this rally legend is still highly accessible compared to its inflated six-figure contemporaries. With rally-bred icons appreciating, the Pulsar GTI-R is increasingly looking like a smart investment. 1967–1972 Mazda Cosmo Estimated Value: $89,243 Bring A TrailerOne of Mazda's biggest contributions to the automotive world is the Wankel Rotary engine. The car most gearheads typically associate with the rotary engine is the RX-7, particularly the gorgeous FD generation, which is a big part of the reason why some iterations are currently valued at over $50,000 and appreciating rapidly. This is why the Mazda Cosmo Series I/II deserves a spot on this list despite being far more expensive than the other cars.Bring A TrailerWhat makes the original Cosmo a mechanical masterpiece is its revolutionary 10A power plant—the world's first production twin-rotor engine. Pushing out up to 128 horsepower in later Series II trims, this high-revving motor screamed all the way to 7,000 RPM and laid the foundation for decades of legendary Japanese rotary performance.From an investment standpoint, the Cosmo has officially transitioned from a hidden gem to a blue-chip classic. The current Classic.com Market Benchmark is $89,243, but recent sales above $100,000 show that the potential for even more growth is there. The best part? Because fewer than 1,200 units were ever built, it offers unparalleled rarity, especially compared to the more popular RX-7 FD, which Mazda built over 80,000 examples of.Sources: Classic.com, Car From Japan, Bring a Trailer