Classic turbocharged Japanese sports cars are among the most prized possessions in the used market as nostalgia for this era is currently peaking. Yet, sentimental thoughts alone are not the only driving factor; the 90s and early 2000s surely brought forth some of the most significant Japanese performance vehicles ever made. A wide variety of manufacturers, like Subaru and Mitsubishi, were also at the peak of their power, where nowadays they are mostly forgotten in the turbocharged performance market.
Yet, as we all know, this increased fondness for boosted Japanese classics means that seeking out particularly popular models, like the MKIV Toyota Supra Turbo, may cost you an arm and a leg, with an average going price of $96,389 over the last five years, according to Classic.com. Collector prices may hurt your chances at getting behind the wheel of the JDM Holy Trinity, as the cheapest of the bunch, the coveted FD Mazda RX-7, has gone for $42,208 on average within the last five years. In the boosted Japanese classic market, there aren’t many options you would consider “cheap”. Thus, we instead present a list of boosted JDM classics that aren’t always the top pick, but still present great value for your hard-earned dollars.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi. The models below have been ranked based on their chronological order. These price averages are calculated using Classic.com pricing data. Take note, these examples represent the top one percent of the market and may not be relevant to your local market.
Related
The 20 Most Important Classic Japanese Cars
As some of the most significant models of all time, find out how the following classic cars laid the seeds of Japanese car culture around the world.
10
1990 Nissan Skyline GTS-t (R32)
Average Sale Price: $21,221
Japanese Classics
Although an R32 Nissan GT-R may be the conventional pick, you can have a good part of the experience for a lot less money with the GTS-t model. With the GTS-t, you still get the highly tunable second series RB20DET turbo inline-six, and if you can find a Type M model, you get the larger 16-inch wheels and four-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers.
1990 Nissan Skyline GTS-t Performance Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-six
Transmission
5-speed manual
Horsepower
212 hp
Torque
195 lb.ft
Driveline
RWD
0-60 MPH
5.8 sec (est.)
Top Speed
145 mph
Some enthusiasts (those that like to lose traction) prefer the RWD character of the GTS-t compared to the more racing-focused GT-R model. Fewer parts mean fewer things you will eventually need to fix. Since the R32 generation Skyline GTS-t is over 25 years old, you can now find them for import for a lot less than their more notable 4WD RB26DETT counterparts.
9
1990 Toyota Supra Turbo (MA70)
Average Sale Price: $21,221
This may be a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six Supra, but it is not powered by the notable 2JZ-GTE inline-six engine. The 7M inline-six platform that powered the MA70 generation Toyota Supra may not be as legendary as its successor within JDM circles, but all things considered, it is a solid tunable platform.
1990 Toyota Supra Turbo Performance Specifications
Engine
3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six
Transmission
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
Horsepower
232 hp
Torque
254 lb.ft
Driveline
RWD
0-60 MPH
6.3 secs (est.)
Top Speed
152 mph (est.)
The MA70 Supra Turbo’s performance is often underrated, as it was still Toyota’s flagship sports coupe at its debut that came standard with a limited-slip differential, ABS, and TEMS (electronic suspension). It may not be quite as special as the MKIV Supra, but for a lot less money, you can have a performance package with the same heritage.
8
1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (Z32)
Average Sale Price: $29,038
Bring A Trailer
Next up is Nissan’s crazy twin-turbo sports coupe, the Z32 300ZX Twin Turbo. Back in 1990, the Z32 300ZX was one of the most advanced and high-performance sports coupes on the market. Nissan was at its sports car peak in this era, and the 300ZX TT was a real display of its technical prowess.
1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo Performance Specifications
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6
Transmission
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
Horsepower
300 hp
Torque
285 lb.ft
Driveline
RWD
0-60 MPH
6.0 seconds
Top Speed
155 mph
Although these Nissan coupes may not carry the same clout as a Skyline GT-R, their performance capability and smooth styling are undeniable. Upkeep of the complex Super HICAS system and the particular twin-turbo V-6 engine tends to be a large factor in the 300ZX’s lack of popularity. Despite this, the Z32 300ZX has its appeal, and your best bet would be finding a 1990 or 1991 model year, as sales figures from that point waned significantly and have much more limited availability.
Related
10 JDM Legends You Can Import And Daily Drive In 2025
Enthusiasts rejoice! These JDM icons can now be legally imported in the U.S. Just remember that the driver’s seat is on the other side.
7
1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
Average Sale Price: $11,133
Bring-A-Trailer
The four-door Galant VR-4 is the most affordable turbocharged classic on our list. The Galant VR-4 was the direct predecessor to the legendary Lancer Evolution, and its turbocharged inline-four and lightweight, playful chassis mean business. The Galant sedan chassis played a significant role in the development of Mitsubishi’s iconic 4G63 inline-four and the Japanese brand’s historic run of form in the WRC.
1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Performance Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission
5-speed manual
Horsepower
195 hp
Torque
203 lb.ft
Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
6.5 seconds
Top Speed
130 mph
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 doesn’t get as much love as the EVO because, just like the EVO, it was offered with extremely limited availability. There are only 3,000 units available in North America across the 1991 and 1992 model years. Despite this, prices remain low relative to other classic JDM products due to limited knowledge about the platform and lack of overall popularity.
6
1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo (SW20)
Average Sale Price: $23,287
Bring a Trailer
Next up is the only MR2 model to receive a turbocharged engine, the second-generation SW20 MR2 Turbo. The SW20 is often referred to as a “poor man’s Ferrari”, but we think this is more of a compliment than an insult. Think about it this way: nobody has ever called a Mazda MX-5 Miata a poor man’s Ferrari, Lamborghini, or anything else, even by accident (despite the vehicle’s obvious qualities).
1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo Performance Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
5-speed manual
Horsepower
200 hp
Torque
200 lb.ft
Driveline
RWD
0-60 MPH
5.9 seconds
Top Speed
150 mph
The 3S-GTE turbo-four found in the MR2 Turbo is still one of the most enjoyable tuner platforms out there, and, as far as relatively affordable mid-engined turbocharged Japanese sports cars are considered, the SW20 MR2 Turbo is the peak.
5
1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
Average Sale Price: $19,615
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi 3000GT (1991-1999) was a direct competitor to the tech-heavy performance coupes like the Nissan Z32 300ZX. The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 was also available as a Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo (1991-1996), which offered standard features such as electronic suspension, ABS, 4WD, 4-wheel steering, and an LSD.
1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Performance Specifications
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6
Transmission
5-speed manual
Horsepower
300 hp
Torque
308 lb.ft
Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
5.2 seconds
Top Speed
155 mph
As badass as the 3000 GT VR-4 is, its complex tech was also partially part of the reason for its lack of popularity relative to other JDM models. A lot of the features sound cool on paper, but with how much of a headache the twin-turbo V-6 is already, these expensive features only add to annoyance instead of value. Street credibility for a clean 3000GT is at an all-time high, but upkeep is a minor nightmare that may keep you up at night.
Related
Best Sports Cars Mitsubishi Ever Built
From rally-bred heroes to JDM racers, here’s taking a look at some of the most renowned sports cars that Mitsubishi has ever built
4
1992 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (FC)
Average Sale Price: $23,498
Bring a Trailer
While perhaps not as beautiful as its successor, the Mazda FC RX-7 Turbo II also offers turbo rotary power in a sleek chassis. We often forget that Mazda sold over 161,346 second-generation FC RX-7 models, compared to only 13,879 models in the third-generation FD chassis. Series 5 FC RX-7 models (1989-1992) also brought some performance improvements, making them the most desirable of their generation.
1992 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II Performance Specifications
Engine
1.3-liter turbocharged twin-rotor
Transmission
5-speed manual
Horsepower
200 hp
Torque
195 lb.ft
Driveline
RWD
0-60 MPH
6.3 seconds
Top Speed
149 mph
You are much better off trying to find a deal on a turbo FC coupe than trying to bargain over an FD RX-7, considering that a running FC Turbo costs as much as a rolling FD shell. We know that a turbo rotary has a special allure, but we think getting the best deal should still be the primary objective.
3
1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
Average Sale Price: $34,206
Bring A Trailer
Next on our list is an absolute JDM legend, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V (1998-1999). According to Classic.com, the EVO V is the most expensive JDM turbo classic on our list. Despite this, we think the EVO V is worth every penny because this generation is when Mitsubishi was at the absolute peak of its power and was dominating the WRC.
1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V Performance Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
5-speed manual
Horsepower
276 hp
Torque
275 lb.ft
Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
5.0 seconds
Top Speed
142 mph
Although the on-paper performance of the road-going EVO did improve after this point, Mitsubishi’s racing success declined to mediocrity after this generation. Now that these JDM-only models are available for import, if you are paying a premium for any JDM EVO, it might as well be the cream of the crop, the EVO V.
2
2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Average Sale Price: $26,205
Mecum
Just like the EVO 5 was Mitsubishi’s racing peak, the 2004 “Blobeye” Impreza WRX STI was Subaru’s. Since the 2004 edition of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the overall performance of the WRX platform has been stagnant despite many on-paper improvements. The Blobeye was Subaru’s last competitive chassis, and by 2008, Subaru retired from the WRC and hasn’t returned since. If you are going to shell out for an old-school STI, it might as well be the best one you can get for your cash.
2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Performance Specifications
Engine
2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four
Transmission
6-speed manual
Horsepower
300 hp
Torque
300 lb.ft
Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
4.6 seconds
Top Speed
145 mph (limited)
The biggest issue with these Blobeye STIs is their limited availability and the cost of eventually having to rebuild the turbo engine because, one way or another, it will blow up. Despite this, these AWD turbo-four monsters will live on vividly as one of the best performance platforms of all time, and prices are only on their way up as supply goes down.
Related
2024 Subaru BRZ tS Review: Pint-Sized Sports Car Perfection
A relatively affordable, subcompact Japanese sports coupe that’s both a total hoot to drive and easy to live with, what more can you ask for?
1
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
Average Sale Price: $31,411
Mitsubishi
The last boosted JDM classic on our list is the last rally-bred generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the EVO IX.
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Performance Specifications
Engine
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
5-speed manual (6-speed with MR trim)
Horsepower
286 hp
Torque
289 lb.ft
Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
4.5 seconds
Top Speed
155 mph
There were only three Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution models available in the U.S.: the EVO VIII (2003-2005), the EVO IX (2006-2007), and the EVO X (2008-2016). The top trim MR model is the most desirable of the EVO IX generation, mainly due to the upgraded six-speed manual. While the five-speed is considered stronger, the six-speed makes the EVO IX a much better highway cruiser. Whether the cost difference is worth it will depend on your use of the car. Despite this, you can know that the EVO IX is the last of its storied heritage and one of the most rewarding boosted four-door JDM sports sedans.
AloJapan.com