How Gran Turismo Made This $5,000 Nissan Worth $100,000
In the late 90s, I spent countless hours in the video game Gran Turismo buying and tuning a Nissan Skyline GT-R. It was a digital fantasy. In 2001, a friend in the military imported a real R32 GT-R and sold it to me for around seven thousand dollars. For years, it was just a weird, right-hand-drive car only gamers understood. As that “Gran Turismo Generation” grew up and got money, the car became a legend. That same car I bought for the price of a used Honda is now a six-figure icon.
Why I Paid $20,000 for a 1985 Toyota Corolla
Yes, I paid twenty thousand dollars for a 35-year-old Corolla. But it’s not just any Corolla; it’s an AE86. Thanks to the anime Initial D, this car is an icon of Japanese car culture and the art of “touge” mountain driving. It’s not about horsepower; it’s about its perfect balance, light weight, and a feeling of connection that modern cars lack. I didn’t buy a spec sheet or a 0-60 time. I bought a legend, a driving experience, and a tangible piece of the culture I grew up loving.
The Real Reason the Nissan Skyline GT-R Was Called “Godzilla”
In the early 1990s, the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R entered the Australian Touring Car Championship. It didn’t just compete; it annihilated the local heroes, the V8-powered Holden and Ford race cars. The Australian motoring press, watching this unstoppable, twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive monster destroy their domestic champions, gave it a fitting nickname: “Godzilla,” the monster from Japan that crushed everything in its path. The name was a sign of respect and fear, and it stuck forever.
I Legally Imported My Dream JDM Car. Here’s the Entire, Painful Process
Importing my Nissan Silvia S15 was a dream, but the process was a bureaucratic nightmare. First, I had to find a trustworthy exporter in Japan to bid at auction for me. After winning, I navigated months of shipping and waiting. When it landed, I faced a mountain of paperwork for Customs, the EPA, and the DOT. Finally, after paying port fees and taxes, I had to convince my local DMV to issue a title for a car with a strange VIN. It was a long, expensive, and stressful ordeal, but worth it the first time I drove it.
The 25-Year Rule: How It’s Changing the Car World Forever
The U.S. “25-Year Rule” states that a car not originally sold here becomes legal to import on the 25th anniversary of its manufacture. This rule creates a rolling wave of automotive desire. For years, I watched prices for the R33 Skyline GT-R climb in Japan, waiting for the day it turned 25. The moment it became legal, a flood of them hit the U.S. market, prices stabilized, and suddenly my dream of owning one was achievable. This law dictates the entire market for imported Japanese classics.
Why a Stock Honda NSX is Better Than a Modern Ferrari
I drove my friend’s Honda NSX from 1991. It doesn’t have the raw power of a new Ferrari, but the experience is purer. The low cowl and expansive glass give you perfect visibility. The steering is telepathic. The titanium connecting rods allow the VTEC engine to scream to 8,000 RPM. And after our drive, it started right back up without any drama. It provides 90% of the supercar thrill with 100% of Honda’s legendary reliability. It’s a supercar designed by engineers, not just stylists.
The Truth About Rotary Engines: My Experience Owning a Mazda RX-7
Owning my FD RX-7 was a study in contrasts. The Wankel rotary engine was supernatural—impossibly smooth, with a linear power delivery and a unique, high-RPM buzz that no piston engine can match. That was the magic. The reality was a constant, low-level anxiety about the fragile apex seals, a strict habit of checking the oil at every fill-up, and gas mileage that would make a big-block V8 blush. It was a brilliant, beautiful, and deeply flawed masterpiece that I loved and feared in equal measure.
How to Spot a Fake “Type R” From a Mile Away
A friend was about to buy an “Acura Integra Type R” until I went with him to inspect it. The red badges and wing were there, but I knew the tells. A real ITR has five-lug wheels, not four. I looked in the engine bay; the serial number on the block was for a standard GSR engine, not the hand-ported Type R version. Finally, the VIN confirmed it wasn’t a real R. A faker can buy badges, but they can’t easily replicate the fundamental engineering changes, which is where you always look.
The Datsun 240Z: Japan’s E-Type Killer
In 1969, the Jaguar E-Type was the template for a beautiful sports car: long hood, short deck, and powerful inline-six engine. It was also expensive and notoriously unreliable. Then came the Datsun 240Z. It offered the same breathtaking style and thrilling performance as the Jaguar but at a fraction of the cost and with Japanese dependability. The 240Z wasn’t just a great car; it was a revolution. It proved to the world that Japan could build a desirable, world-class sports car and democratized the dream for thousands of enthusiasts.
Why I’d Rather Own a Suzuki Cappuccino Than a Corvette
I’ve driven a Corvette, where the fun doesn’t start until you’re breaking the law. Then I drove a Suzuki Cappuccino, a tiny “Kei car” imported from Japan. It’s a street-legal go-kart. Driving it at its absolute limit, with the tiny turbo engine buzzing away, is more exhilarating than driving the Corvette at 30% of its capability. It’s the essence of the “slow car fast” philosophy. It’s pure, unadulterated fun at any speed, and it makes every drive an event.
The Culture of “Kaido Racers” and “Bosozoku” Style
At a car meet in Japan, I saw a car that defied belief: a 1980s Toyota with massive, jutting fender flares, a comically long front spoiler, and exhaust pipes that stretched six feet into the air. This wasn’t for performance; this was “Kaido Racer” style, an offshoot of “Bosozoku” motorcycle gangs. It’s a subculture rooted in rebellion and visual exaggeration, taking inspiration from old Group 5 race cars and turning them into wild, street-going sculptures. It’s automotive art as a form of protest.
I Put a $1,000 Exhaust on my Honda and It Sounds Like a Race Car
My Honda Integra had a fantastic engine, but it was too quiet. I spent one thousand dollars on a high-quality, stainless steel cat-back exhaust system imported from Japan. The change was transformative. The car now idles with a deep, purposeful hum. But the real magic happens when the VTEC system engages at 6,000 RPM. The deep hum erupts into a high-pitched, piercing shriek, exactly like the touring cars I watched in old Best Motoring videos. It’s the sound I always knew the car was meant to make.
The “Tofu Tax”: How Initial D Inflated the Price of the AE86
The term “Tofu Tax” was coined by enthusiasts to describe the premium sellers add to the Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. Before the anime Initial D made it a global icon, the AE86 was an affordable, fun-to-drive Corolla. After the show, demand exploded. Sellers knew that fans dreaming of delivering tofu down a mountain pass would pay almost anything to own the hero car. That extra five to ten thousand dollars on the asking price? That’s the Tofu Tax, and it’s a testament to the power of pop culture.
The Most Reliable Classic Car on Earth is a 1990s Toyota
My dad bought a 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser new. It now has over 350,000 miles on it. In that time, it has never once left him stranded. The engine, transmission, and transfer case are all original. Yes, parts have been replaced, but the core of the vehicle is indestructible. This is a testament to Japan’s “bubble era” of engineering, when companies like Toyota were so flush with cash that they over-engineered their flagship vehicles to a standard of quality and durability that may never be seen again.
The Forgotten JDM Supercars: Mitsubishi 3000GT and Subaru SVX
While the Supra and NSX hog the limelight, two other Japanese brands built incredible halo cars. The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 was a technological powerhouse with twin turbos, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and active aerodynamics. The Subaru SVX was an oddball GT car with a gorgeous, Giugiaro-penned body and a unique flat-six engine. Both were brilliant, complex, and expensive, and have become forgotten gems for collectors who appreciate an underdog.
Why the Toyota Supra A80 is an Engineering Masterpiece
The fourth-generation Supra is a legend for one reason: its 2JZ-GTE engine. From the factory, Toyota engineers built this twin-turbocharged inline-six with a robust cast-iron block and a forged crankshaft, making it ridiculously strong. They essentially sold a street car with a race-ready engine block. This is why tuners can easily extract 700, 800, or even over 1,000 horsepower from the stock internals. It’s one of the most durable and capable production engines ever made.
The Art of “Touge” Driving and Its Roots in Japanese Culture
Touge is Japanese for “mountain pass,” but for car enthusiasts, it’s a driving philosophy. I learned this on a winding road outside of Hakone. It’s not about being the fastest in a straight line. It’s about rhythm, precision, and carrying momentum through a series of tight corners. It’s an intimate dance between driver and machine, finding the perfect line and braking point. This art form was born from Japan’s mountainous terrain and became the proving ground for legendary cars and drivers.
My Experience with a Right-Hand-Drive Car in a Left-Hand-Drive World
Daily driving my imported Nissan Silvia is a constant adventure. Simple things become challenges. A drive-thru means I have to order backwards and perform a contortionist act to pay. Toll booths are a lean-across-the-car affair. The scariest part is making a left turn at a busy intersection; my view is completely blocked by the cars in front of me. You get used to it, but it’s a constant reminder that you’re driving something special, a machine from a world where everything is backwards.
The Legend of the Spoon Sports Hondas
In the world of Honda tuning, Spoon Sports is royalty. Their philosophy was never about just adding massive power. It was about balance, weight reduction, and obsessive refinement. I saw one of their iconic blue-and-yellow Civics at a track day. It wasn’t the fastest on the straights, but in the corners, it was a surgical instrument. The driver could place it anywhere with millimeter precision. Spoon proved that a lightweight, perfectly balanced, naturally aspirated Honda could be a giant killer.
Why the Mazda Miata is the Only Sports Car You’ll Ever Need
A friend let me drive his 1990 Mazda Miata after I’d been driving powerful, heavy cars. It was a revelation. It had only 116 horsepower, but it felt alive. The steering was direct, the shifter snicked into place with perfect precision, and the chassis communicated everything the road was doing. It delivered all the essential joys of a pure sports car—top-down fun, telepathic handling, and reliability—without the cost, complexity, or fear of an exotic. It’s the most fun-per-dollar you can have on four wheels.
The Genius of VTEC, Explained Simply
My friend’s Honda Civic Si felt like two cars in one. Driving around town, it was a perfectly normal, efficient four-cylinder. Then he told me to get on the highway and floor it. At 5,600 RPM, it was like a switch was flipped. The engine note changed from a hum to a scream, and the car surged forward with a newfound urgency. That’s VTEC. It’s a system that uses two different cam profiles—one for efficiency, one for performance—giving you the best of both worlds in a single, brilliant engine.
How to Read a Japanese Auction Sheet to Avoid Buying a Wreck
Before I wired money for my imported car, I insisted on seeing the auction sheet. It was a cryptic grid of Japanese characters and diagrams. My exporter translated it for me. The overall “4” grade meant it was in good condition. The letter “B” for the interior meant it was clean. Most importantly, the diagram of the car showed only minor “A1” (tiny scratch) marks, and no “R” grade, which would have meant it had been in a crash and repaired. Decoding this sheet is the only way to truly know what you’re buying.
The Coolest JDM “Kei” Cars You Can Import for Peanuts
My neighbor wanted a fun weekend car but only had a ten-thousand-dollar budget. I told him to look at Kei cars. He ended up importing a 1992 Suzuki Cappuccino, a tiny, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive convertible. It’s a miniature sports car that revs to 9,000 RPM and weighs less than a feather. For the price of a boring used sedan, he got a street-legal go-kart that is more fun to drive than almost anything and gets more attention than a Lamborghini.
The Story of the First Japanese Car to Win Le Mans
In 1991, Mazda did the impossible. They entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans with their 787B prototype, powered by a unique four-rotor Wankel engine. While the powerful Mercedes and Jaguar teams faltered, the ultra-reliable Mazda kept going. But the real story was the sound. The 787B didn’t roar; it shrieked. It was a piercing, high-RPM scream that became a legend. It remains the only victory by a car without a piston engine, a testament to Mazda’s engineering audacity.
Why the Acura Integra Type R is a Front-Wheel-Drive Porsche
The Integra Type R was a car built with a singular focus: handling perfection. Honda’s engineers were obsessed. They seam-welded the chassis for extra rigidity, removed sound deadening to save weight, and added a sophisticated helical limited-slip differential to allow the front wheels to pull the car out of corners with unbelievable grip. The hand-ported engine was just the icing on the cake. It’s a car that proves front-wheel-drive can be just as precise and rewarding as the best from Germany.
The Most Over-Engineered Japanese Sedan: The Lexus LS400
When Toyota launched the Lexus brand in 1989, it declared war on Mercedes-Benz. Their weapon was the LS400, a car developed with a budget of over one billion dollars. The legend of their chief engineer stacking champagne glasses on the hood of a running car to demonstrate the V8’s smoothness is true. Every switch, every material, every mechanical component was engineered to a standard of obsessive perfection. It was a statement that Japan could not just compete with the Germans, but surpass them.
How to Maintain a Vintage Japanese Car When Parts are in Japan
Owning my imported Toyota Chaser means I’ve become an expert in international shipping. When a small sensor failed, my local parts store just laughed. So, my process began. I found the Japanese part number through an online forum. I used a proxy bidding service to buy it from Yahoo! Japan Auctions. Then, I waited three weeks for a small box to travel 6,000 miles. It’s a lesson in patience and planning, as you can’t just run down to the store for parts.
The “Midnight Club” and the Real Story of Japanese Highway Racing
The “Mid Night Club” was not just a group of street racers; it was a highly exclusive society with a strict code of ethics. They raced on Tokyo’s Bayshore Route, known as the “Wangan,” in the middle of the night. To be a member, your car had to be capable of exceeding 160 mph, but membership was about more than just speed. It was about honor, secrecy, and a shared obsession with pushing automotive engineering to its absolute limits on the ultimate proving ground.
Why I Sold My Modern Car for a 30-Year-Old Honda
My new car had a touchscreen, lane assist, and all the latest tech. It was also completely soulless. So I sold it and bought a 1991 Honda Civic Si. It has no power steering, manual windows, and a simple radio. But it’s a joy to drive. I can feel the road through the steering wheel. The double-wishbone suspension makes it feel nimble and light. It’s a simple, honest machine that provides a level of engagement and fun that was completely absent from my modern, disconnected appliance.
The “Bubble Era” Cars: Japan’s Economic Boom on Wheels
The late 80s and early 90s were Japan’s “Bubble Era,” a period of immense economic prosperity. This financial boom enabled car companies to greenlight incredible, no-expense-spared projects. The result was a golden age of Japanese cars: the technologically advanced Nissan 300ZX, the bulletproof Toyota Supra, the world-beating Nissan Skyline GT-R, and the supercar-slaying Honda NSX. These cars were born from a unique moment of economic optimism and engineering ambition that we may never see again.
The Toyota 2000GT: The Most Beautiful (and Expensive) Japanese Car
Before the 2000GT, Japanese cars were seen as cheap and utilitarian. This car changed everything. With a design so beautiful it was chosen as James Bond’s ride in You Only Live Twice, and a sophisticated twin-cam inline-six engine developed with Yamaha, it was Japan’s answer to the Jaguar E-Type. Only 351 were ever built. The 2000GT was a statement that Japan could produce rolling art. Today, it is a blue-chip collectible, with examples selling for over one million dollars.
The Subtle Differences Between JDM, USDM, and EUDM Models
My friends and I parked our three Honda Civics next to each other. Mine, a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) import, had sleek one-piece headlights and a more powerful B16B engine. My friend’s USDM (US) model had bigger bumpers and amber corner lights. The third, a EUDM (European) car, had different trim options and rear fog lights. To the average person, they are all just Civics. To an enthusiast, these tiny, market-specific variations are a fascinating obsession.
The Wankel Rotary Engine: How it Works and Why It Fails
Instead of pistons going up and down, a Wankel engine uses a spinning, triangular rotor inside an oval housing. This design allows it to be incredibly compact, smooth, and high-revving. That’s the magic. The fatal flaw lies in the seals at the tips of the spinning rotor. These apex seals wear down over time from heat and pressure, causing a loss of compression. This is why rotary engines have a reputation for needing expensive rebuilds far more frequently than their piston-powered counterparts.
How to Find a Clean, Unmodified Nissan 240SX (An Impossible Task)
Finding an unmolested Nissan 240SX is the car enthusiast’s equivalent of finding a unicorn. Because of its perfect balance and rear-wheel-drive layout, it became the go-to car for the drifting community. As a result, 99% of them have been slammed, swapped, crashed, and modified to within an inch of their lives. A clean, bone-stock 240SX is so rare that collectors will pay a massive “survivor tax” just to own a piece of JDM history that hasn’t been abused.
The Underappreciated Genius of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
The Lancer Evo was always the unsung hero of the JDM world. While Supras and Skylines were built for highway speed, the Evo was a rally-bred weapon designed to dominate twisty roads. Its genius was its active yaw control (AYC) and advanced all-wheel-drive system. It used computers and sensors to actively shuffle power between the wheels, allowing the car to pivot and claw its way through corners in a way that seemed to defy physics. It was a technological marvel disguised as a four-door sedan.
The Nostalgia of 90s Japanese Car Interiors
Sitting in my friend’s 1995 Supra is a specific kind of time travel. The cockpit-style dashboard wraps around the driver. The seats are supportive grey cloth with a wild, confetti-like pattern. All the gauges glow with a warm, soft orange light. The plastics are hard but perfectly fitted. It’s a simple, purposeful, and driver-focused environment that is completely different from the screen-dominated, minimalist interiors of today. It’s a comforting aesthetic that instantly takes you back to the golden era of JDM.
I Swapped a 2JZ Engine into the “Wrong” Car
Everyone puts the Toyota Supra’s legendary 2JZ-GTE engine into other Japanese cars. I wanted to do something different. I found a clean but tired 1988 BMW M3 and decided to give it a Japanese heart. The project was a year-long nightmare of custom engine mounts, wiring harnesses, and driveshafts. The BMW purists were horrified. But the result is my perfect car: one of the best-handling chassis ever made, powered by a famously reliable and endlessly tunable Japanese inline-six. It’s the best of both worlds.
The Culture Shock of Attending the Tokyo Auto Salon
My first trip to the Tokyo Auto Salon broke my brain. It’s not just a car show; it’s a full-on sensory assault. I saw everything from meticulously restored classics to outrageously styled vans and VIP sedans with impossible camber. The sheer diversity and creativity are on another level. The passion is palpable, with legendary tuners standing next to their creations, ready to talk. It’s an overwhelming, inspiring, and unforgettable immersion into the absolute heart of Japanese car culture.
Why the Honda S2000’s F20C is the Greatest 4-Cylinder Engine Ever
The engine in the original Honda S2000 is a work of art. From just 2.0 liters, with no turbo or supercharger, Honda engineers extracted 240 horsepower. But the real magic was its 9,000 RPM redline. Driving it was an event. You’d wind it out, and just when you thought it was time to shift, the VTEC would kick in, and it would scream for another 2,000 RPM. It held the record for the highest horsepower-per-liter of any naturally aspirated engine for years. It was a race engine for the street.
The Top 5 JDM Cars That Are Legal to Import This Year
With 2024 here, the legendary class of 1999 is finally legal under the 25-year rule. The undisputed king is the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, the hero of video games. Close behind is its rival, the Lancer Evolution VI. For Honda fans, the final classic-era Civic Type R (EK9) is a must-have. And the highly anticipated Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R, with its perfect chassis and SR20DET engine, is now attainable. Finally, the V12-powered Toyota Century provides a unique, luxurious option.
How to Pass a State Inspection with an Imported Car
My friend’s imported Skyline failed its first state inspection spectacularly. The inspector was baffled by the right-hand drive layout, the 11-digit VIN, and the lack of DOT markings on the headlights. To pass, my friend had to get creative. He found an inspector who was familiar with imported cars and was willing to work with him. He also had to temporarily install U.S.-spec side marker lights. It was a frustrating process that required research, patience, and finding the right, understanding official.
The Best “Starter” JDM Classic for a Beginner
A friend wanted the JDM experience without the import headaches. I told him to forget the Skylines and look at cars that were sold in the U.S. I recommended a Mazda Miata. It has the perfect Japanese sports car DNA: lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and incredibly reliable. Another great choice is a Datsun 280Z. Both cars have massive aftermarket support, readily available parts, and huge enthusiast communities. They are the perfect, low-risk entry point into the world of Japanese classics.
Why the Datsun 510 is a Giant-Killing Legend
In the early 1970s, the Datsun 510 was just a cheap, boxy economy sedan. But under the skin, it had a secret weapon: four-wheel independent suspension, just like a contemporary BMW 2002. Racing teams like Peter Brock’s BRE discovered that with a few modifications, this “poor man’s BMW” could dominate cars costing twice as much. The 510 became a legend because it embodied the ultimate underdog story, proving that clever engineering is more important than a high price tag.
The Future of JDM Collecting: What’s the Next Skyline?
With Skylines and Supras reaching six-figure territory, smart collectors are looking for the next wave. I believe the undervalued gems are the technologically complex cars from the “Bubble Era.” The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, with its all-wheel drive and active aero, is a prime candidate. Another is the Subaru SVX, with its quirky Giugiaro styling and flat-six engine. These cars were incredibly ambitious for their time and possess the unique combination of 90s nostalgia and genuine innovation that will make them the sought-after classics of tomorrow.
My “Hero Car” from Best Motoring, and What It’s Like in Real Life
I grew up watching the Japanese car show Best Motoring, where the “Drift King” Keiichi Tsuchiya would masterfully slide a Honda NSX-R around the track. For me, it was a mythical hero car. Years later, I finally got to ride in one. The reality was even better than the videos. The raw, unfiltered sound of the VTEC engine right behind my head, the instantaneous steering response, and the sheer sense of balance were incredible. It was a rare case where meeting my hero didn’t lead to disappointment.
The Honda City Turbo II with Motocompo: The Coolest Combination Ever
The Honda City Turbo II is a brilliant and bizarre piece of Japanese problem-solving. It was a feisty little hatchback with an aggressive widebody kit. But the coolest feature was an optional extra: the Motocompo. This was a tiny, 50cc scooter that folded up into a neat rectangle designed to fit perfectly in the City’s trunk. The idea was you could drive to the edge of a congested city, park, and then unfold your scooter for the last leg of your journey. It is the most charmingly innovative idea in automotive history.
The Enduring Legacy of the Nissan Z-Car
Since the original 240Z debuted in 1969, the “Z” has been a cultural touchstone. It was the car that proved to the world that Japan could build a beautiful, powerful, and reliable sports car that was attainable for the average person. Through every generation, from the 300ZX of the 90s to the brand-new Z of today, it has carried that same torch. The Z represents more than just a model line; it’s one of the most important and enduring dynasties in sports car history.
The Sound of an Individual Throttle Body Honda Engine
My friend modified his Civic Type R with individual throttle bodies (ITBs), replacing the single factory intake. The acoustic result was staggering. A normal engine has a collective intake roar, but with ITBs, you hear the distinct, sharp “brap” of each individual cylinder sucking in air. As he revved the engine towards its 9,000 RPM redline, the sound morphed into a ferocious, high-pitched induction rasp, like a 1990s Super Touring race car. It’s the most aggressive and addictive sound a four-cylinder can make.
Why Japanese Build Quality from the 90s Puts Modern Cars to Shame
I sat in my friend’s 200,000-mile 1995 Lexus and was amazed. The doors closed with a solid, satisfying thunk. The leather seats showed minimal wear. Every button and switch still felt perfectly damped and new. Then I sat in a brand-new car, and its interior already had a few plastic creaks. During Japan’s “bubble economy,” cars like this were built to an almost cost-no-object standard. The level of over-engineering and material quality from that era often feels superior to the cost-conscious designs of today.
My JDM Dream Garage for Under $75,000
Building a versatile JDM fleet for seventy-five thousand dollars would be a blast. First, a 1990s Mitsubishi Delica L400 space van for around fifteen thousand dollars for adventures. Second, a Suzuki Cappuccino for ten thousand dollars for top-down, go-kart fun. Third, a clean Toyota Celsior (the JDM Lexus LS400) for fifteen thousand dollars for ultimate reliability and comfort. This leaves a healthy thirty-five thousand dollars for the centerpiece: a legally imported, rally-bred Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V or VI. This garage covers fun, utility, and performance.