If you don’t know what JDM cars mean, we will help you understand what the term refers to. Not only that, but we have also got an elaborate list stating the top 5 JDM cars of all time. Let’s get started.
What are JDM cars?
JDM cars refers to cars that were originally sold in the Japanese market. Hence, the term JDM which stands for Japanese Domestic Market.
Perhaps, now the term JDM refers to any high-performance Japanese cars. Some of the well known automobile companies like Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda and Mazda come under the category of JDM cars. Performance cars like the Nissan GTR, and Toyota Supra were Japan’s answer to Europe’s leading automotive brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Best JDM cars of all time
Japanese cars are recognized for their build quality, technology and overall reliability. Let us take a look at some of the top JDM cars in the world:
- Nissan Skyline GTR R34
- Toyota Supra 1993
- Honda Civic Type R
- Mazda RX7 Spirit R
- Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart 2007
Nissan Skyline GTR R34
One of the most sought after performance cars in the world, the Skyline GTR R34 was launched in the year 1998. The GTR R34 features a 2.3 Liter twin-turbo RB26DETT I6 engine that produces 276 horsepower. It is connected to a six-speed Getrag 233 manual transmission. The Supra has a top speed of 156 mph (251 km/h) and can launch from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds..
At the time, the car brought in a new design with better aerodynamics and a shorter wheelbase. Due to its raw performance and handling, the car earned its nickname ‘The Godzilla.’ Today the Nissan Skyline GTR R34 is a rare car and fetches a great value in the pre-owned exotic car market. The estimated value of the car today is somewhere around $200,000.
Toyota Supra 1993
Introduced in the year 1993, the Supra is one of the most popular JDM cars around the world. Ask any true car enthusiast, and they will mention the Supra as one of the favorite performance cars of all time. The fourth generation supra has a twin-turbocharged 2JZ-GE engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It produces 326 hp and can take the car to a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h). The Supra can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Toyota Supra (MK4) is recognized for its linear power delivery and performance. For a car of its era, the refinement that Toyota had achieved was commendable, hence making it one of the most desirable JDM cars. The gen-four Supra is sold anywhere between $70,000 to $100,000 in the pre-owned car market.
Honda Civic Type R
The first Honda Civic Type R was launched in 1997, and since then has gained significant popularity for its top-end performance and handling. It features a potent 2.0 Liter VTEC turbo engine that produces 182 horsepower. The Civic Type R has a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h) and can go from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. It is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission that delivers snappy gearshifts.
What makes the first-gen Civic Type R special is its structural upgrade with improved stiffness and weight reduction. Apart from that, the tuned engine delivers better throttle response which enables the car to seamlessly reach higher speeds. The Civic Type R 1997 has a current market value of $25,000 and above.
Mazda RX7 Spirit R
Considered one among the finest JDM cars ever built, the RX7 Spirit R has been a tough competitor to the likes of Nissan Skyline and Toyota Supra. Introduced in 1998, the series 8 RX7 features a rear-wheel drive powertrain with a front-engine setup. The car has a twin-turbo 13B REW Wankel engine that produces 290 horsepower. It has a top speed of 159 mph (256 km/h) with a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.
The Spirit R signifies the race-bucket seats made by Recaro that were fitted into the RX7. Mazda RX7 has retractable headlights, a fixed rear-wing, and 17-inch wheels. This exotic JDM car has a current pre-owned market value of $57,000.
Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart 2007
Another well known JDM car is the 7th-gen Mitsubishi Lancer. When you compare the Lancer Ralliart to the models mentioned above, the Mitsubishi is not as powerful or performance oriented as the Skyline or the RX7. But what makes the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart a popular JDM car, is the ease of customization. This particular stock Lancer features a line-4 engine that produces 162 hp. It has a top speed of 219 km/h and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 8.0 seconds.
Another factor that makes the Lancer different from other JDM cars is its practicality. The car has four doors and is a 5-seater with a luggage capacity of 390 liters.
JDM performance cars
What makes JDM cars desirable is the ability to tune these cars easily. Motorheads buy Japanese spec cars like Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda, and enhance their performance. Common mods that are added to these cars are a widebody kit, turbochargers, low-ride suspension, front splitters, custom exhaust, racing seats and steering wheel. The popularity of JDM cars has traveled across the world which has led to the rise in their value.
