The JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) community is one of the broadest groups in car culture; from high-performance cars that feel most at home on a racetrack to small urban runabouts, there truly is something out there for everyone to enjoy. While we've already covered cheap JDM cars to get you into the scene in the USA, some people don't have the constraints of budget affecting their shopping ability. If you're one of those lucky few, then there are certain JDM cars you have to drive before you die. Even if you don't own them, these popular JDM cars have become icons in their own right and are experiences you should encounter at least once before you shuffle off this mortal coil. Ready to add something to your bucket list? Here is a selection of cars from the JDM world that every car enthusiast should drive at least once in their lifetime. All specs have been sourced directly from the manufacturers. Used prices can vary greatly depending on factors like location, mileage, condition, and more — prices quoted in this list are averages, and may not represent every specific example. Nissan Skyline GT-R 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 Nismo Black Front Angled View One of the best JDM cars, a precursor of the modern Nissan GT-R with plenty of connections to automotive and motorsport history, the iconic Nissan Skyline is one of the first models that spring to mind when JDM cars are mentioned. Generations of Nissan Skyline GT-R date back decades, all iconic in their own rights, but it was the R32 Skyline GT-R that first earned the nickname Godzilla in the world of motorsport after a series of wins at the Bathurst 1000 in Australia, cementing the GT-R's status as an automotive legend and a Japanese car nonpareil. From its tuning-friendly versatility to its appearance in the Fast and Furious movie series that cemented its place in automotive pop culture, the Skyline family has something to offer for all JDM enthusiasts. The iconic R34 Skyline can now be legally imported to the US, but beware of high ownership costs that can put a damper on your JDM-ownership dream. According to Classic.com, buyers can expect to spend around $51,000 for an R32 GT-R in average condition. Mazda RX-7 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD front, three-quarter The Mazda RX-7 is another car that made its way into pop culture after being featured in video games and on the big screen, becoming an instantly recognizable JDM symbol. Much has been written about the rotary engine and its notorious moodiness and high maintenance needs, but for buyers who are not afraid of the upkeep, the RX-7 is a fantastic way to step into the world of JDM cars. The highly sought-after Series 8 RX-7, which produced 280 hp thanks to a few mechanical tweaks but was never introduced to the US market, is newly eligible for import to the States. The FD RX-7 (the car's final generation) belongs at the top of this cool JDM cars list. The FD RX-7 is currently worth an average of $45,000. Toyota MR2 The MR2 propelled the mid-engined sports car into the mainstream and quickly became an icon of car design; one was brought on stage during Australia's performance at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, a synth-pop homage to the 80s. With its reputation for reliability, styling cues taken from European supercars, and thrilling driving experience, it's a piece of automotive history that can't be missed. Rumors abound of its revival, and it's one that we hope comes true. The second-generation MR2, known as the W20 internally and built for the 1990 through 1999 model years, is worth an average of $19,000 today. Honda Prelude Type SH 1997 Honda Prelude Type SH Red Front Angled View Less popular than its more famous siblings like the Honda Civic and Integra Type R, and not well known in the US due to never having reached the American market, the "Type S" JDM variant of the Honda Prelude might be an unusual choice. However, with touches of luxury such as premium seats, a sunroof, a wing, and a 2.2-liter VTEC engine that produced around 220 hp when new, the Prelude Type S offers a great balance of comfort and performance. The model's most popular generation, its fifth iteration sold from 1997 through 2001, is worth an average of $17,500. Suzuki Cappuccino 1991-1998 Suzuk Cappuccino Top Down Red Front Angled View Embodying the concept of "driving fast in a slow car is more fun than driving slowly in a fast car," the Cappuccino (a kei car only sold in the JDM market) is a small car with a big personality: the perfect choice for those new to the JDM world, and tiny mid-engine sports car enthusiasts in general. Smaller and lighter than a Mazda Miata, relatively cheap, and equipped with a 100 hp turbocharged engine that is one of the highest-revving engines ever in a road car, this lightweight runabout is guaranteed to provide plenty of motoring fun without breaking the bank. While the Cappuccino isn't one of the "top JDM cars" in a sporty sense, it's unique and fun enough to mention. These tiny cars are rarer than others on this list, but they're still relatively affordable at an average of under $10k. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII With its rallying heritage and striking looks, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo is ideal for motorsport enthusiasts who want something that will stand out from the crowd; being a high-performance sedan, it's well suited to the JDM fan who wants a car with character and kick without completely sacrificing practicality. The late-90s Evo V, now available to import to the US, is modeled off the World Rally Championship Group A Evo car, and as a result takes styling cues from the rally car it's based on, making it one of the best-looking cars in the Evo family. The last Lancer Evo X is currently worth around $25k these days, with previous Evos going for even more. Toyota Century As far as old JDM cars go, the Century is technically one of the oldest on this list. It originally debuted in 1967 to celebrate the Toyota founder's 100th birthday, then gained enough popularity among the wealthy that the Century continues to impress to this day. The Century is an ultra-luxury sedan meant to rival Rolls-Royce, and it does so with features like thick wool carpet, a front seat pass-through, reclining rear seats with heating and massaging functions. Under the hood of the 1997–2017 Century is a 5.0-liter V12 that makes 276–295 horsepower depending on the market, and 355 lb-ft of torque. You can import one from Japan for around $20k, excluding import and transportation fees. Honda S2000 The Honda S2000 is one of the coolest JDM cars to come out of the early 2000s. Produced for the 2000 through 2009 model years, this roadster was the final rear-wheel-drive Honda. Its second generation, known as the AP2, was powered by a high-revving 2.2-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that made 237 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque in its final model year, which was sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission. What makes this car so fun to drive is its 50/50 weight balance — and there isn't much weight to balance, considering its 2,864-pound curb weight. You can find an AP2 S2000 in good condition in the mid $30k range today, and first-gen models (2000–2003) are a little more affordable on average. Nissan Silvia Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R A higher-powered version of its US-market siblings, the 200SX and 240SX, the Silvia has gained a cult following in the JDM community, especially among drifting enthusiasts; so much so that in 2015, one man ended up facing 20 years in prison due to his beloved car being under the minimum importing age of 25 years. Luckily for US car enthusiasts, there are plenty of options that allow you to own a Silvia without turning to a life of crime: the turbocharged, 247-hp Silvia S15 is going to become eligible for import to the States in 2024, and we can't wait. You can find the Silvia S15 (its final generation sold from 1999 through 2002) for an average of $32k, according to Classic.com. Honda NSX Broad Arrow Auctions. 2003 Honda NSX-R. Type R-24 The NSX-R, a high-performance, Japanese-only version of the Honda NSX (sold in the US market as the Acura NSX) that's 265 pounds lighter after having been stripped of all non-essential components, is considered a masterpiece of Japanese engineering and has earned its rightful place on the JDM enthusiast's bucket list. For hardcore fans who want to take it to the next level, the NSX Type S "Zero" is even faster than the NSX-R, its moniker indicating extreme weight reduction and focus on performance above all else. Both are extremely rare as they were produced in small numbers, so if you manage to end up behind the wheel of one, consider yourself very lucky. The contemporary NSX Type S, while fun, simply can't hold a candle to the original hardcore Honda supercars. Probably one of the most iconic JDM cars (up there with the MkIV Supra and R34 GT-R, in our opinion), the first-gen NSX is worth an average of $129,206, according to Classic.com. Sources: Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Classic.com
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