In the last 20 years or so, there has been a huge explosion of interest in cheap Japanese performance cars. This was mainly due to the absolutely wild "race cars for the street" produced by manufacturers to homologate various forms of racing. This spawned beasts like the Nissan Skyline GT-R and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution which could be picked up quite cheaply second hand as Japanese imports but, as stocks have started running out due to the immense popularity of these beasts, prices have risen dramatically.
However, there are a few cars that aren't as popular as the GT-Rs or Evos that are worth looking into as some good, cheap projects to build or even use as just road cars, so I have compiled a list of what I think are the best choices.
#10 Nissan Silvia (S14)
The S14 Silvia is not as popular as the earlier S13 and later S15 models due to it weighing approximately 127 KGs more than the S13 and being slower than the S15. The S14 is however a great choice for a project due to it having an excellent chassis and a bullet proof, 169 BHP SR20DE or 220 BHP SR20DET four cylinder motor which can take the abuse of the racing environment. Prices are around $5,000 upwards depending on condition which is not too cheap but is cheap compared to S15 models which are about $10,000 upwards.
#9 Nissan Skyline GTE (R32)
The lesser loved model of the R32 Skyline, the GTE is the most basic straight six Skyline that was on offer and features an underpowered SOHC, 2.0 litre straight six called the RB20e that had 130 BHP. These Skylines are a great bargain considering the prices of other R32 models such as the GT-R reaching $30,000 + and can be picked up for around $2,000. Whats really great is that you can easily drop in other RB engines such as the GTS25T's RB25DET engine or GT-R's RB26DETT or even an RB30 out of a VL Holden Commodore.
#8 Nissan Pulsar GTi (N14)
Although the Pulsar GTi-R isn't cheap (pictured), the Nissan Pulsar GTi is. The GTi features a 1.8 litre, DOHC SR18DE straight four which is good for 125 BHP. The Pulsar GTi is a relatively easy way to get into motorsport as you don't really have to do too much to them to race them. In fact, they are great just bone stock! They are pretty easy to pick up and a tidy one is around $2 - 3,000 with rougher examples only costing around $1,000 or less. Truly a great bargain.
#7 Mitsubishi 3000GT/GTO
The Mitsubishi 3000GT/GTO should have been one of the most popular JDM supercars around. Unfortunately due to the many high tech features such as active aerodynamics on some models, it was too heavy to keep up with its competitors such as the Toyota Supra and Nissan Skyline GT-R so was not as popular among Japanese car enthusiasts. However, if you strip out some weight, the Mitsi would actually go quite well with either the 3.0 litre, quad cam v6 with 200 BHP or the higher spec 3.0 litre, quad cam, twin turbo v6 developing 320 BHP. This is the same power as both the Supra and GT-R and the twin turbo model also featured four wheel drive, so for about $6,000, you could possibly keep up with GT-Rs, Evos or Supras. Possibly....
#6 Nissan Cefiro (A31)
Basically a rebodied R32 Skyline, the Nissan Cefiro is a popular choice for entry level drifting that also has some of the same RB engines as the R32 (RB25DE, RB20e, RB20DE, RB20DET). Luckily, The Cefiros haven't rapidly appreciated like other rear wheel drive Nissans such as the Silvia and Skyline and so is a much more available vehicle. Cefiros can also handle some pretty wild upgrades due to a lot of parts sharing with other Nissans so engine conversions are pretty common such as RB30/26DET hybrids. You can pick up a Cefiro for around $2,000 depending on condition.
#5 Mitsubishi FTO
The Mitsubishi FTO is a classic case of a lesser model being forgotten in favour of it's bigger brother - the Lancer Evolution. The FTO featured either a 123 BHP, 1.8 litre, DOHC straight four, a 170 BHP, 2.0 litre, quad cam v6 or a MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control System) 200 BHP 2.0 litre, quad cam v6. The FTO is actually quite a very good car with a sleek coupe design, great handling and smooth power and torque figures. The FTO has been used as a beginners track day car with good success and is a great car for getting into motorsport due to the great value for money. You can pick one up for around $3,000 which is great value considering what you get for your money.
#4 Honda Integra (DB6 - DC4)
The Honda Integra is a perfect starter car for entry level racing. The car can be had with many different straight four engines but the ones to go with are the B18C powered Type R, GSR or Vti-R with the Type R producing 195 BHP and the GSR and Vti-R producing 170 BHP. Although the Type R is not too cheap to buy with prices up around $10,000, a GSR or Vti-R can be had for around $4,000 or less with more basic models even selling for $1,000 or less. There is quite a large tuning scene for Honda Integras so you should be able to find aftermarket accessories and tuning parts quite cheaply to build quite a decent, reliable track car.
#3 Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE92)
Although most people flock to the AE85/AE86 coupes and hatchbacks for their cult status and rear wheel drive "driftability", they have left behind a far more refined version of the famous Trueno. The AE92 may have been front wheel drive but it featured a more refined chassis and greater tractability than the earlier Trueno with an updated interior that had more supportive seats and even an electronic dashboard on some models. There was even a limited edition model called the GT-Z that had a supercharged version of the AE86s 128 BHP, 1.6 litre, twin cam 4AGE straight four. This special engine was called the 4AGZE and it produced 165 BHP - 37 BHP more than the AE86s engine. These days, an AE92 Trueno will set you back around $3,000 for a decent car but rougher models may be less. If you were to buy a GT-Z, be prepared to spend $5,000 upwards for a good condition model.
#2 Toyota Corolla FX GT (AE82/AE90)
The Corolla FX GT is another case of the upmarket model getting all the attention. The Corolla FX GT was released alongside the legendary AE86 Sprinter Trueno and Levin as a sportier version of the AE82 Corolla hatchback. The FX GT features the same 4AGE engine as the Trueno/Levin but it is mounted transversely in front wheel drive layout as opposed to longitudinally mounted and rear wheel drive in the Trueno/Levin. Power was also decreased in the FX GT to 115 BHP as opposed to 128 BHP in the Trueno/Levin. Although the FX GT has gained a cult following now, it was always overshadowed by the AE86 due to the AE86s prominent role in the Initial D cartoon series and rear wheel drive. Due to this, you can pick an FX GT up for around $2,000 for a decent driving vehicle. Later AE90 FX GTs command a bit more and so are around $3,000 for a decent one.
#1 Toyota Levin/Trueno (AE101/AE111)
Now, you may think that we at Home Built NZ are biased towards Toyotas as the last two cars were also Toyotas but the simple fact is, there is nothing better to buy in their price range! The AE101 and AE111 Levin/Truenos are the last of the 4AGE powered Levin/Truenos and feature numerous improvements over the earlier models. These include new suspension called "Super Strut Suspension" which was a multilink setup, a 20 valve version of the 4AGE that had five valves per cylinder instead of the original four valve per cylinder and revised interior and exterior styling. Power was increased to 165 BHP and an optional supercharged 4AGZE was available on the AE101. Thankfully, there is still quite a lot of these cars around so prices are still low. Currently, it will cost you around $3,000 for a decent example with lower spec models fitted with the "economy" engines (4AFE) going for about $1,500.
So that was a list of some pretty decent rides to buy on a budget. It is a shame that most of these cars aren't as well known as the other high end Japanese performance cars of the 80s and 90s but that also means that they are cheap and easily attainable today for people who are looking for some cheap fun or a cheap project to complete over the holiday period.
Do you have another suggestion for a cheap Japanese performance car? If so, please drop a comment below.
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