International Car Shipping Blog

Best 90s JDM Cars: 1990s Japanese Icons & Values | 2026

Written by Dmitriy Shibarshin | September 28, 2026 at 4:40 PM

The US got the Supra Turbo, the RX-7 and the NSX. Japan got those plus the Skyline GT-R, the Lancer Evolution, the Impreza 22B, the Integra Type R and a dozen more that never left home. As of September 2026, every one of them built in the 1990s is past the US 25-year rule and legal to import.

Related: the best 90s sports cars by price in 2026.

Here are 20 of the best 90s JDM cars, from 90s Japanese sports cars to rally specials, wagons and vans, with what each sells for in the US today and what it takes to bring one over.

90s JDM Car Values at a Glance (2026)

CarBuiltUS market valueRecent US sale
Nissan Skyline GT-R R321989 to 1994about $56,000$47,000 (Aug 2026)
Nissan Skyline GT-R R331995 to 1998$56,000 to $120,000$62,000, 1995 V-Spec (Aug 2026)
Nissan Skyline GT-R R341999 to 2002about $140,000$350,000, Midnight Purple II (Jul 2026)
Honda NSX-R1992 to 1995about $396,000$381,000, 1995 (Jan 2026)
Subaru Impreza 22B STi1998about $206,000$329,500, 5k miles (Mar 2026)
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI TME1999 to 2000about $57,000$46,000 (Jul 2026)
Toyota Supra RZ1993 to 1998about $48,000
Honda Integra Type R (DC2)1995 to 2001about $23,500$30,000, 1999 (Jul 2026)
Honda Civic Type R (EK9)1997 to 2000about $25,000$25,000, 1998 (Jul 2026)
Toyota Chaser Tourer V (JZX100)1996 to 2001about $20,000$21,500, 1998 (Aug 2026)
Autozam AZ-11992 to 1994about $26,000$63,000, 2k miles (Jun 2026)
Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear1994 to 2007$10,000 to $16,000$16,000, 1997 (Aug 2026)

US market values are CLASSIC.com benchmarks as of September 2026, rounded. Sales are US auction results from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids and Gooding Christie's.

The 280 PS Era

From 1989 to 2004, Japanese carmakers held to an informal agreement to cap advertised output at 280 PS (276 hp). Almost every performance car on this list claims exactly that figure, and many made more. It's why these engines respond so well to tuning, and why the numbers below say less than the cars do.

Nissan Skyline GT-R: R32, R33 and R34

1. Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (1989 to 1994)

The RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-six, ATTESA all-wheel drive and a Group A racing record that earned it the "Godzilla" name from the Australian press. Nissan built 43,937. It's the cheapest way into a GT-R, with a US benchmark near $56,000. A clean car sold for $47,000 on Bring a Trailer in August, while a standout example reached $151,200 at Bonhams in May.

2. Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 (1995 to 1998)

Longer, heavier and for years the overlooked middle child, which is exactly why it's worth a look now. Only 16,668 were built. US prices run from about $56,000 to $120,000. A 1995 V-Spec sold for $62,000 and a 1996 V-Spec for $49,000, both in August and September 2026.

3. Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (1999 to 2002)

The one everyone wants. Nissan built 11,578, and 1999 cars are all eligible now. Later builds become eligible 25 years after their build month. A base car benchmarks around $140,000, a V-Spec II closer to $192,000, and a Midnight Purple II sold for $350,000 on Bring a Trailer in July. Our 1999 JDM imports guide covers the R34 eligibility dates.

90s Japanese Sports Cars with Japan-Only Versions

4. Honda NSX-R (1992 to 1995)

Honda took about 120 kg out of the NSX, stiffened it, fitted Recaro carbon seats and sold it only in Japan. 483 were built. It is the most valuable car on this list, benchmarking near $396,000, and a 1995 sold for $381,000 in January.

5. Toyota Supra RZ (1993 to 1998)

The Japanese twin-turbo Supra with the 2JZ-GTE, 280 PS and a six-speed Getrag. It benchmarks near $48,000 in the US, about half what a US-market Supra Turbo brings. Read our Toyota Supra Mk IV buying guide.

6. Mazda RX-7 Type R and Spirit R (FD3S)

The US lost the FD after 1995. Japan kept building it until 2002 and finished with the Spirit R. Type R cars benchmark near $32,000, and a 1992 sold for $27,250 in Las Vegas. Spirit Rs sit near $59,000. See our Mazda RX-7 FD3S buying guide.

Rally Homologation Cars

7. Subaru Impreza 22B STi (1998)

Built to celebrate three straight WRC manufacturers' titles, with a 2.2-liter flat-four, widened arches and about 400 made for Japan. It's the second most valuable car here. One with 5,000 miles sold for $329,500 at Gooding Christie's in Florida in March, and another brought $205,000 on Bring a Trailer in January.

8. Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GC8, 1994 to 2000)

The everyday version of the same idea. STi cars benchmark near $24,000, far less than the 22B, and a 1996 sold for $26,000 in August.

9. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV to VI (1996 to 2001)

The 4G63 turbo and active yaw control from the Evo IV onward. US benchmarks: Evo IV about $20,000, Evo V about $33,000, Evo VI about $48,000 and the Tommi Makinen Edition about $57,000. Recent sales include an Evo V GSR at $41,500 and an Evo VI GSR at $43,500, both this summer.

10. Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205, 1994 to 1999)

Toyota's last rally Celica, with the 3S-GTE turbo and 255 PS. Standard cars benchmark near $19,000. The WRC edition, with its larger rear wing, is the one to find: a 1994 sold for $37,250 in August.

11. Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution (1997)

A Dakar homologation SUV with a 3.5-liter V6, wide fenders and independent rear suspension. About 2,500 were built. It benchmarks near $36,000, and a 16,000-mile example sold for $49,997 in April.

Honda Type R

12. Honda Integra Type R (DC2, 1995 to 2001)

The B18C revved past 8,000 rpm and made 200 PS from 1.8 liters. JDM cars benchmark near $23,500, and a 1999 sold for $30,000 in July.

13. Honda Civic Type R (EK9, 1997 to 2000)

The first Civic Type R, never sold in the US, with the B16B and 185 PS from 1.6 liters. It benchmarks near $25,000, and two 1998 cars sold for $22,000 and $25,000 this summer.

Turbo Rear-Drive Sedans, Coupes and Wagons

14. Nissan Silvia S14 and S15, and the 180SX

The SR20DET, rear-wheel drive and a light chassis made these the drift cars of the decade, so clean unmodified examples are the challenge. JDM S14 Silvias benchmark near $23,000 and 180SXs near $22,000. The S15 Spec-R, with 250 PS and a six-speed, lists from $24,000 to $65,000. See our Nissan Silvia S15 buying guide.

15. Toyota Chaser Tourer V (JZX100, 1996 to 2001)

A four-door sedan with the 1JZ-GTE turbo inline-six, rear-wheel drive and an available five-speed. It averages about $20,000 in the US, and a 1998 sold for $21,500 in San Rafael, California, in August.

16. Nissan Stagea 260RS Autech (WC34)

Autech fitted the R33 GT-R's RB26 and all-wheel drive into a station wagon. 1,734 were built. It benchmarks near $33,000, and one sold for $30,000 on Bring a Trailer.

17. Toyota MR2 GT (SW20, 1989 to 1999)

Mid-engine and turbocharged, with 225 to 245 PS depending on the year. JDM GT and GT-S cars benchmark near $17,000, and a 1993 GT sold for $20,000 in December.

Kei Sports Cars

18. Honda Beat, Suzuki Cappuccino and Autozam AZ-1

Japan's kei rules capped these at 660cc and 64 PS, so each maker found fun another way. The mid-engine Beat benchmarks near $8,000 and the front-engine Cappuccino near $10,000. The gullwing AZ-1 benchmarks near $26,000, and a 2,000-mile car sold for $63,000 in June. Check your state's rules before buying; our kei car and truck import guide lists them.

4x4s and Vans

19. Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Diesel (1990 to 1997)

The US only got gasoline 80s. Japanese and export-market diesel HDJ80s bring a 4.2-liter turbodiesel and benchmark near $29,000. A 1992 VX sold for $36,750 in May.

20. Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear (1994 to 2007)

A four-wheel-drive diesel van that became a camping favorite. It's one of the cheapest imports on this list, with recent sales from $10,400 to $16,000. Read our Delica Space Gear import guide.

How to Import 1990s Japanese Cars

The 25-year rule

NHTSA lets a vehicle skip US safety standards once it is 25 years old, counted from its date of manufacture, not its model year. As of September 2026, that covers anything built on or before September 2001. EPA has a separate exemption for vehicles at least 21 years old in original, unmodified configuration, so an engine swap can block an import even when the car is old enough.

Duty and fees

Passenger cars pay 2.5% duty on their value. Pickups and cargo vans pay 25% under the chicken tax, and age doesn't change that. Passenger-configured vans like the Delica are usually classified as passenger vehicles, but confirm the classification before you buy. Cars at least 25 years old are exempt from the Section 232 auto tariffs, according to CBP. Add the merchandise processing and harbor maintenance fees, the customs broker, ocean freight and the Japanese export certificate. Our guide to what it costs to import a car from Japan breaks down each line.

California and state registration

Federal eligibility doesn't make a car California-legal. Gasoline cars from 1976 onward may need to go through CARB's direct-import process, and non-compliant diesels like the Land Cruiser 80 and Delica currently can't be converted. Other states vary, especially for kei cars. Check with your DMV before you bid.

Shipping from Japan

Most 90s JDM cars leave from Yokohama, Nagoya or Kobe, either in a container or on a RoRo ship. Our Japan to USA shipping guide compares the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best 90s JDM cars?

The Skyline GT-R (R32, R33 and R34), Supra RZ, NSX-R, RX-7 Spirit R, Impreza 22B, Lancer Evolution VI and Integra Type R lead most lists. For less money, the Chaser Tourer V, Civic Type R, MR2 GT and Honda Beat all sell for under $30,000 in the US.

Are all 90s Japanese cars legal to import into the US?

Under federal rules, yes. As of September 2026, every car built in the 1990s is past the 25-year mark. California and some other states add their own emissions and registration rules.

What is the cheapest 90s JDM car to import?

The Honda Beat, Suzuki Cappuccino and Mitsubishi Delica sell for around $8,000 to $16,000 in the US. Shipping, duty and fees come on top.

Can I import an R34 GT-R now?

Every R34 GT-R built in 1999 is eligible. Cars built in 2000, 2001 and 2002 become eligible 25 years after their build month, so check the build plate before you buy.

More JDM Import Guides

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