10 Used JDM Sports Cars Flying Under The Radar

These are some of the best JDM bargains on the used market right now.

JDM cars hold a special place in the hearts of most gearheads. There aren't many of us who can say, hand on heart, that we haven't spent a few covert hours of the workday browsing the classifieds and online auction sites looking for some of the finest cars that the nation has ever produced.

In recent times, prices for some of the most iconic Japanese cars have risen exponentially, but we're here to tell you that there are still some bargains to be had if you know where to look. Some of the very best JDM cars have flown completely under the radar, and you could even grab yourself a Nissan R34 Skyline for less than $50,000! Don't believe us? Read on and see for yourself.,

Information for this article was researched using online resources such as Classic.com to collect some of the very best JDM cars that seem to have flown under the radar on the used car market.

Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$7,947

2022

$11,000

Jan '23

$15,000

Perhaps the perfect daily driver for the JDM-loving gearhead, the Legacy GT-B is fun, practical, and reliable, and you can grab one for a very reasonable price, too. A limited-production model of the Legacy, the GT-B was equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 227 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, giving it a 0-60 mph time of just 6.5 seconds, impressive for a wagon of its vintage. The GT-B was also fitted with a sport-tuned suspension, all-wheel-drive, and was at its best with its fantastic manual transmission, though the auto wasn't too bad either.

Given its excellent specification, enjoyable performance, and Subaru's rally heritage, it's somewhat surprising to see how far the GT-B has flown under the radar. Prices are just beginning to pick up, but you can still grab one for only $15,000.

Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$10,932

2022

$14,400

2023

$17,612

Developed to meet the homologation requirements to allow Toyota to compete in the World Rally Championship, the Celica GT-Four proved itself to be a true rally car for the road, boasting exceptional performance and handling. Fitted with an advanced rally-spec chassis, sophisticated suspension system, and All-Trac all-wheel-drive, the GT-Four had all the handling chops it needed to wield its 242-hp 2.0-liter inline-four engine. There was plenty more in the way of incredible technology besides this, too.

The 1999 Toyota Celica GT-Four was one of the most advanced cars of its era, and it was only produced in limited numbers. As such, we're amazed that, until recently, prices have stayed very low. Even right now, you can still grab one for under $20,000.

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Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$15,773

2022

$17,584

2023

$19,011

Highly revered and, arguably, part of the best generation of Type R, the 1997 Civic Type R is a fantastic daily driver for gearheads in search of some performance flair in a practical shell, and you can still get one for under $20,000. The ultimate hot hatch, the lightweight '97 Type R was fitted with a wonderful 182-hp naturally aspirated 1.6-liter inline-four engine capable of revving up to 8,400rpm. This power plant, in tandem with its sport-tuned suspension, limited-slip differential, and close-range manual transmission, ensured a thrilling and involved driving experience.

Prices for the 1997 Civic Type R are slowly beginning to rise as the number of good examples lowers, and gearheads inspired by video games such as the Need For Speed franchise snap the best ones up. Fortunately, you can still grab one for a shade under $20,000, and we think you should!

Year

Avg. Used Market Price

January 2022

$24,000

October 2022

$32,571

April 2023

$25,000

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution cars were, perhaps, the most rally-focused road cars to ever come off a production line, and the Evo IV was one of the best Lancers ever. If you're looking for raw power and speed, the Evo IV had it in spades, but don't let its rough exterior fool you, this was one of the most advanced cars of the era. The Evo IV was fitted with Active Yaw Control, an Active Center Differential, a trick suspension, and, of course, a raucous 276-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine.

Prices for the Lancer Evo IV have fluctuated in recent years due to adverse market conditions, and you can still grab one for a good price. While they have begun to recover and move back to previous levels, you can still grab one for around $25,000 and rally legends don't get much bigger than this.

Pricing

Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$20,089

2022

$21,816

2023

$25,400

Or maybe they do! Regardless of whether you think the Lancer or the Impreza deserves supremacy, the 2002 Subaru WRX STi is one of those rare cars that boast an instantly-recognizable profile, and under the skin, it was one of the most advanced of all time. The WRX STi was fitted with a huge quantity of special performance parts, including Brembo brakes, a Driver-Controlled Center Differential, and Subaru's iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. In addition to this, it had a 276-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four, well-known for its strong acceleration throughout the rev range.

Prices for the WRX STi have begun a slow ascent over the last few years, but they're still a bargain price considering the quality and iconic status of the car. These days, you're likely to have to pay just over $25,000 to get a good example.

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Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$19,250

2022

$15,250

2023

$26,000

The late-night drifting scene would not be the same without the Silvia, and the K's Aero specification was, perhaps, the best of the lot. Equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine developing up to 220 hp, a lightweight chassis, and a limited-slip differential, the Silvia, with its rear-wheel-drive configuration, was the perfect car for drifting, and the Aero K's additional aero package, including spoilers, side skirts, and rear diffuser, helped to keep it stable on the road.

The 1997 Nissan Silvia K's Aero's price has only just begun to rise on the second-hand market, but they're still good value. Prices have fluctuated in recent years, and last year you could have potentially bought one for around $15,000m but these days, they're about $10,000 more expensive. We still think $26,000 is a good price for such a legendary car.

Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$21,835

2022

$17,517

2023

$25,900

Performance-oriented, but with a little more luxury than some of the other vehicles on this list, the 1996 Toyota Soarer 2.5 GT Twin Turbo is a car that no one talks about and one that currently represents a JDM bargain. As alluded to in its name, the Soarer 2.5 GT Twin Turbo was powered by a 280-hp 2.5-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine providing strong performance and good acceleration. In addition to this, the car was given a fantastic performance-oriented active suspension system and advanced technology such as ABS.

The Soarer 2.5 GT Twin Turbo has been subject to some price fluctuations over the last few years, but the overall trend has been upwards. Thankfully, the fee of around $26,000 is still very reasonable for such a fantastic car, and we think the prices will only continue to go up.

Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$11,986

2022

$25,119

2023

28,000

One of the best driver's cars to ever come out of Japan, the 1999 Honda Integra Type R is a near-perfect sports car bargain on the second-hand market. High-revving and exciting, the 197-hp naturally aspirated 1.8-liter inline-four engine redlines at just under 8,500 RPM, providing a thrilling soundtrack and plenty of speed. In addition, the Integra Type R's close-range manual transmission, limited-slip differential, and sport-tuned suspension helped to ensure an unforgettable driving experience.

A car that oozes '90s JDM cool, prices for the Integra Type R have risen rapidly in the last two years, and it seems the U.S. market has caught on to how good this car is. Nevertheless, we still think that grabbing one of these for less than $30,000 represents a great deal, and prices will only continue to rise from here.

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Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$19,687

2022

$28,562

2023

$39,699

It may not be the highest-performing and most legendary GT-R model, but the 25GT Turbo has plenty of charm of its own and it's currently a fraction of the price. Powered by a 280-hp 2.5-liter inline-six engine, the Skyline 25GT Turbo of around 6.0 seconds and fantastic pull throughout the rev range. Of course, the '98 Skyline 25 GT Turbo benefits from the R34's fantastic chassis and handling characteristics, as well as its iconic styling.

The Skyline 25GT Turbo is an excellent entry-level R34 Skyline, giving consumers a chance to get their own slice of a JDM legend without shelling out too many dollars, however, prices are beginning to rise, so you'll need to get one soon! They're currently around $40,000.

Year

Avg. Used Market Price

2021

$54,428

2022

$57,033

2023

$74,000

The final edition of the legendary third-generation Mazda RX-7, the Spirit R was the most refined of the bunch, created to commemorate the end of the RX-7 production, celebrate the car's legacy, and pay tribute to Mazda's 50th anniversary. The main draw of any RX-7 is its legendary 1.3-liter rotary engine, which produced 276 hp in the Spirit R, and its specially-tuned chassis, improved suspension, and performance-oriented interior made it a fabulous driver's car.

A tuner's dream, The RX-7 Spirit R isn't a cheap vehicle by any means, but considering its quality and iconic status, we think that the current value of around $74,000 represents a good investment for the future. Go on... raid the piggy bank!

Ben Dain-Smith has been obsessed with all things automotive since childhood. While other kids went outside and played sports, he studied car catalogs and learned about the workings of a V8 engine.That insatiable interest has only grown as time has passed, and these days, you'll usually find Ben writing for Hot Cars or tinkering on his beloved Mini R56