13 Cheap JDM Cars That are A Blast To Drive
Every gearhead looking for the best value for their money knows that the best place to look is in the Japanese Domestic Market. It’s undeniable that JDM cars offer some of the best performance in the automotive industry and are also aesthetically pleasing, despite costing far less than their European equivalents. JDM manufacturers like Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda also happen to be among the most reliable car brands in the world, which means their cars typically have low overall ownership costs.
Updated April 2023: JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars have a reputation for being both affordable and fun to drive. From the legendary Mitsubishi Eclipse GTX to the third-gen Mazda RX-7, there are many JDM cars that offer a thrilling driving experience without breaking the bank. This updated list explores some of the best JDM cars that are both cheap and a blast to drive.
So, who’s looking for an affordable car that’s still a blast to drive? The JDM cars featured here are among the best. They look awesome, perform like the Italian beauties everyone dreams of owning, and are cheap to buy, especially in the used car market.
13 First-Gen Subaru Impreza WRX – $15,600
In the early ’90s, Subaru decided to enter the newly introduced Impreza into the World Rally Championship, changing its fortunes forever. This decision led to the development of the first Impreza WRX models in 1992, and they’ve been a huge part of Subaru’s lineup since.
The Impreza WRX was an instant success as it offered rally-inspired upgrades like turbocharged four-cylinder engines, stiffened suspensions, and all-wheel-drive systems. The Impreza WRX was initially a JDM-only model, but strong global demand fueled by its reputation as one of the best WRC cars forced Subaru to ship it abroad starting with the second-generation model.
12 Honda Beat – $4,900
Kei cars are among the most exciting vehicles money can buy. The Honda Beat was among the most famous and fun-to-drive Kei cars of its time. The Beat is a JDM icon that successfully proves that small cars can be fun and exciting. While it was only available in Japan, the Beat is now a popular import option for enthusiasts in the United States.
Under the hood of the Beat was a tiny 660cc inline-three engine that produced 63 hp. The engine had Honda’s multi-throttle responsive engine control system and a five-speed manual transmission. While it was a little remarkable car with an impressive design, it was also the last car that Soichiro Honda approved before his demise.
11 Honda Prelude Type S – $20,000
In the late ’70s to early ’80s era, there was huge competition between Japanese automakers to dominate the fast-growing affordable sports car market. Not wanting to miss out on the action, Honda rolled up its sleeves and built the Prelude in 1978.
The Prelude was quite a hit, which is why it stayed in production for five generations. However, the Prelude wasn’t as fast as many gearheads would have wanted, which is why Honda built the special Prelude Type S for the Japanese market. Equipped with a 2.2-liter H22A four-cylinder VTEC engine and generating 217 hp, the Prelude Type S was a joy to drive. These cars are pretty rare to find in the US, but one recently sold for just $16,750 at a Bring A Trailer auction.
10 Honda Civic Type R (EK9) – $28,000
The Honda Civic Type R needs no introduction, as it’s one of the best performance cars you can buy at its price. The new Civic Type R generation arrived just a few months ago, and everyone seems to be in love with it. However, the new Civic Type-R can sell for upwards of $50,000 with dealer mark-ups, which is why we recommend getting the first-generation version – the EK9.
The EK9 debuted in the late ’90s and was a huge hit. Honda equipped it with a 1.6-liter four-pot making a modest 182 hp, but since it was a tiny hatchback that didn’t weigh much, it could get to 60 mph in around 6 seconds and topped out at 140 mph. The EK9 is still one of the greatest hot hatches in many gearheads’ books.
9 Suzuki Alto Works – $5,600
Despite slightly resembling the Renault 5, the Suzuki Alto Works was a two-door Kei hatchback with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and 63 hp.
Like most Kei cars, the power plant could easily produce more power with the right tunes. The Alto Works was the fastest version of its lineup and rather fun to drive.
8 Mitsubishi Pajero Mini – $8,000
While the U.S. was experiencing the rise of SUVs in the ’90s, Japan’s mini-SUV market was booming. The mini-SUVs were diminutive off-roaders that never made it to the United States. One of the best examples was the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini.
Mitsubishi launched it to capitalize on the success of the full-size Pajero, also known as the Montero in the U.S. However, the Pajero Mini was only available in Japan. Like most Kei cars of the time, the Pajero Mini had a tiny 659 cc turbocharged engine, producing 63 hp and 72 lb-ft of torque.
7 Third-Gen Acura Integra Type R – $20,800
The third-generation Acura Integra was available from 1994 to 2001. It was a popular mid-range sports car from the get-go and helped put the Acura name on the map in the US.
After the huge success of the Integra’s first two generations, Acura decided to build a special high-performance version for the Japanese market only – the Type R. The Integra Type R was a thrilling car to drive, thanks to upgrades like a 200-hp tuned engine, a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, an advanced limited-slip differential, and more. Today, an Integra Type R in fair condition sells for around $20,000, according to Hagerty.
6 Suzuki Cappuccino – $8,200
Japan is one of the countries capable of creating pocket-sized vehicles that are fun to drive. While Mazda is famous for creating the legendary Miata, Suzuki had the Cappuccino. It was smaller than the MX-5 Miata, making a humble sports car with huge levels of fun.
The Cappuccino proved that a fun car wasn’t all about big displacement or more horsepower. Instead, it was a small, potent Kei car whose main rival was the Honda Beat. Under its hood was a 657cc engine producing 63 hp.
5 Fourth-Gen Toyota Celica ST160 – $8,791
The fourth-gen Celica is perhaps one that flew under the radar a little, but at $8,791, it’s an absolute steal and a better driver’s car than many competitors. The Celica has some famous rally heritage, something few other cars on this list can claim. This knowledge only assures buyers of the Celica’s well-made chassis and great handling.
The styling also clearly indicates the period this particular model of Toyota comes from, the mid-80s as one of the less obvious, not to mention cheapest, options in this list; the Celica for sure has an element of surprise backing it. The Japan-only ST160 had a 1.8-liter 1S-iLU four-cylinder engine, giving it great performance.
4 Autozam AZ-1 – $28,000
Another wild take on a Kei car in the ’90s came from Autozam, which used to be a Mazda subsidiary. Autozam built the AZ-1 in 1992, which is unlike any other Kei car built before it.
The AZ-1’s main attraction was its design. Despite being a tiny car, the AZ-1 had a sporty design featuring wild gullwing doors. It also had a Suzuki-sourced 656cc three-cylinder engine making 64 hp, enough to make it fun.
3 Toyota Sera – $10,750
Toyota designed the Sera when the Japanese automotive industry was at its peak. It was a supermini coupe that was in production from 1990 to 1995. Unlike its rivals, the Sera had impressive gullwing doors that made it look advanced.
Under its hood was a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 107 hp and 97 lb-ft of torque. During this time, the engine was the biggest Toyota E Series motor that also found its way into the Starlet and Paseo. The Sera sent power to the front wheels using a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.
2 MKIII Toyota Supra GA70 – $10,600
The Supra may be a household name, but few realize it costs less than $15,000 to drive one. Naturally, with the MKIV Supra reaching a truly unprecedented value, most normal Supra fans may have to look elsewhere.
Before the days of Fast & Furious, the MKIII was considered one of the best sports cars of the 1980s. With a good power output, good handling, and an excellent platform for modification, the MKIII may scratch that Supra itch for some while providing a great entry into the world of car modifications.
1 1997 Toyota Century V12 – $25,000
Toyota has a reputation for building the best everyday cars and usually leaves the task of building luxury cars to Lexus. However, there’s a long-running Toyota luxury sedan model that has been giving the Mercedes-Benz S-Class a run for its money for decades – the Century. The Century has been in production since the late ’60s and is still rolling out of Toyota production facilities today. The Century has been Toyota’s flagship model for years, but not many even know it exists, since Toyota doesn’t sell it outside Japan.
The second-generation Toyota Century debuted in 1997, and it became eligible for import into the US a few months ago. The Century is perfect for any gearhead looking for Rolls-Royce-rivaling elegance and luxury, but at a tiny fraction of the price. The icing on the cake is that the second-gen Century has a V12 engine – the only Japanese car to ever use such an engine.
