JDM cars have forged their own way on the global scene. Some of these “Beasts from the East” truly became iconic, such as the Toyota Supra Turbo and the Nissan Skyline R33 GTR. But for every globally recognized Japanese domestic market vehicle, there are dozens more that offer similar if not the same specs. The Japanese industry is simply a different breed.
Apart from the obvious picks, most JDM cars can be found at reasonable prices. Although most of these Japanese sports cars are getting more and more expensive as time passes, they still remain relatively affordable given the sheer breadth of features on offer. Here are eight such affordable options from the JDM scene that are absolute beasts under the hood.
Looking at data from Hagerty Valuation Tool, Classic.com, and CarEdge, we've compiled this list of cheap JDM cars with seriously powerful engines.
8 Toyota MR2 GT-S
Average Used Price: $8,600 - $17,300
The MR2 GT-S features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s equipped with Toyota’s trademark “twin entry turbo” technology. Not only does this tech reduce lag on low revs, but it also helps the car zoom from zero to 60 mph in about 6 seconds.
Fortunately, unlike many of its counterparts, the Toyota MR2 GT-S has remained relatively affordable over the years. As per the Hagerty Valuation Tool, you can get an MR2 from this generation in good condition for an average price of $17,300. It’s a great option for budget JDM shoppers looking for some fun.
Performance
0 to 60 MPH | 5.5 seconds |
Top Speed | 152 mph |
Curb Weight | 2778 lbs |
Horsepower | 241 hp |
Torque | 224 lb-ft |
Layout | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
7 Toyota Celica GT-Four
Average Used Price: $16,500 - $33,500
The Toyota Celica GT-4 is one JDM every gearhead needs to buy. This World Rally Championship vehicle has been the best-kept secret from the Japanese domestic market. It never got the attention like most of its rally rivals, but that’s what makes it even better.
The Celica GT-4 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder which gives it a power output of 252 hp. Thanks to this, it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, although some have reported this figure can go even lower under the right conditions. As per Classic.com, the average used price for a Toyota Celica GT-4 starts from just $16,000.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 6.3 seconds |
Top Speed | 152 mph |
Curb Weight | 3,064 lbs |
Horsepower | 252 hp |
Torque | 224 lb-ft |
Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
6 Honda S2000 AP1
Average Used Price: $16,300 - $23,800
The Honda S2000 AP1 is one of the most successful JDM cars ever on the global scene. The car has seen a steady rise in popularity due to which it has been getting increasingly costly over the years. For now, you can still get your hands on this one for an average used price starting from $16,300 according to the Hagerty Valuation Tool.
This tiny JDM roadster has a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder VTEC engine that has a diabolical 9,000-rpm redline. With a power output of 240 horses, it has a top speed of nearly 150 mph!
Performance
0 to 60 MPH | 5.8 seconds |
Top Speed | 149 mph |
Curb Weight | 2910 lbs |
Horsepower | 240 hp |
Torque | 155 lb-ft |
Layout | Front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive |
5 Subaru Impreza STI Type RA
Average Used Price: $12,800 - $26,000
The Subaru Impreza has been one of the most successful JDM cars ever. Its third generation comes with a special edition Type RA package that’s equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer power plant that spews out 280 hp. The STI Type RA can catapult from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds as a result, which makes it difficult to top considering the price range it comes with.
This cousin of the renowned Subaru Impreza WRX STi has an average used price starting from just $12,800 according to Classic.com. That’s not bad for a JDM loaded with rally-bred tech.
Performance
0 to 60 MPH | 4.4 seconds |
Top Speed | 149 mph |
Curb Weight | 2734 lbs |
Horsepower | 280 hp |
Torque | 260 lb-ft |
Layout | Front-engine, all-wheel drive |
4 Mitsubishi GTO Twin-Turbo
Average Used Price: $9,200 - $22,000
With most of its JDM counterparts from the ‘90s fetching outrageous sums of money, the Mitsubishi GTO has mostly remained under the radar. It is the JDM version of the 3000GT, and both of these cars from the Japanese manufacturer have incredibly powerful mills at their heart.
The Mitsubishi GTO’s most powerful iteration is the twin-turbo, which features a 3.0-liter V6 producing 276 hp. This vicious unit helps drive the car up to a top speed of 155 mph, which is surprisingly impressive. As per the Hagerty Valuation Tool, you can get this one for an average used price starting from just $9,200.
Performance
0 to 60 MPH | 5.8 seconds |
Top Speed | 155 mph |
Curb Weight | 3638 lbs |
Horsepower | 276 hp |
Torque | 315 lb-ft |
Layout | Front-engine, all-wheel drive |
3 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
Average Used Price: $14,000—$21,000
The Lancer Evo III is from Mitsubishi’s lineup of high-performance sports sedans known for their rally-inspired specs. This JDM is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 known as the 4G63T, and this engine is both turbocharged and intercooled. That’s probably why the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III hardly breaks a sweat when moving from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed of nearly 150 mph.
What’s even better is the fact that the average used price for this JDM gem starts from $14,000 only, according to Classic.com. If you’re looking for a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution but find them too expensive, this generation, in particular, is highly recommended since its engine will give you the same amount of power at an affordable range.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 4.8 seconds |
Top Speed | 149 mph |
Curb Weight | 2,778 lbs |
Horsepower | 270 hp |
Torque | 228 lb-ft |
Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
2 Nissan 300ZX SWB
Average Used Price: $9,000–$24,200
The Nissan 300ZX is a fiery candidate which rockets from 0 to 60 in just 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 150+ mph. This is all courtesy of its 3.0-liter engine that packs 300 horsepower under the hood. This JDM's twin-turbo V6 engine has insane performance specs, and this seems to suggest that the Nissan 300ZX is worth every penny.
You won’t have to spend too much on this JDM though, as the Hagerty Valuation Tool suggests that you can get one of these for an average used price starting from $9,000 only. This kind of bargain from the JDM scene is too difficult to ignore.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 5 seconds |
Top Speed | 153 mph |
Curb Weight | 3,320 lbs |
Horsepower | 300 hp |
Torque | 283 lb-ft |
Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
1 Nissan Silvia S14
Average Used Price: $6,700—$17,000
The Silvia S14 (known as the 240SX in the North American market) is a JDM icon. This is all thanks to the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that churns out the power of 197 horses. Despite a long lineage of fast cars from Nissan's Japanese wing, the Silvia S14 remains one of the most impressive to date.
The S14's sibling for the American market is nowhere near as powerful as the JDM variant. Thanks to the turbocharged engine, the Japanese model is much more powerful than the American version. As per Classic.com, you can find a Nissan Silvia S14 for an average used price of $17,000, but some models have sold for as low as $6,700. This makes it one of the most affordable JDM cars with an insanely powerful turbocharged engine.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 6.9 seconds |
Top Speed | 155 mph |
Curb Weight | 2,877 lbs |
Horsepower | 197 hp |
Torque | 195 lb-ft |
Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |