These Are Some Vintage Japanese Cars Whose Legacy Would Last Forever

These classic Japanese cars can last a lifetime not only because they are durable, but also because they are easy and cheap to fix when something goes wrong. Most of the upcoming cars have loyal fans who are willing to help new owners with maintenance or repair questions. With so much free information and their high reliability, these cars can run for decades, even though they are already classic. Who are these mysterious beauties? Let’s check them out.

• 1970 Datsun 240Z
• 1967 Toyota 2000GT
• 1989 Mazda MX-5 Miata NA
• 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IV
• 1971 Nissan Skyline GTR “Hakosuka”
• 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
• 1991 Honda Civic SiR EG6
• 1990 Toyota Supra MK4
• 1990 Honda NSX 1ST Gen
• Nissan Skyline GT-R R34

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10. 1970 Datsun 240Z

The Datsun 240Z was the car that changed how the world viewed Japanese sports cars. It came out in the late Sixties when Japanese cars were mostly seen as cheap and basic, but it outperformed its rivals in terms of its value and speed. It was much more affordable than all its rivals, moreover, it had a similar amount of power and a beautiful design. Today, they are increasing in value, so they are a good long-term investment and a fun car to drive.

The Datsun 240Z packs a 2.4L inline-6 engine mated with a 4-speed manual transmission that has the capacity to attain 0-60 in 7.8 seconds at a top speed of 109 MPH which is quite good when compared to the competitors. It also offers smooth cruising, however, an annoying vibration sound is present when the engine is at full power.

9. 1967 Toyota 2000GT

The Toyota 2000GT is the oldest car on the list, and it has already survived for almost 55 years, so it should last for another 50 from now. It was Japan’s first real sports car, and it was super rare, with only 251 ever built. The 2000GT revolutionized the automotive world’s view in Japan. As a sleek, high-performance fastback coupe, it demonstrated its automakers could produce sports cars to rival the better marques of Europe.

The 2000GT’s are now in demand and collectors buy them quickly every time one goes in the auction. It packs a 2.0L Inline-6 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission and reaches 0-60 in 8.6 seconds, at a top speed of 135MPH. Their present market value has also gone from $500,000 to close to $1M.

8. 1989 Mazda MX-5 Miata NA

There’s not much to complain about the Miata, as they are cheap to buy, easy to fix, simple to upgrade and definitely fun to drive. The first-gen NA Miata was one of the most popular sports cars of its time and as a result, there are many examples on the used market for very little money.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata NA has 1.6 L Inline-4 Engine that is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, and this setup churns out 129hp and 112 pound-feet of torque, attains the sprint of 0-60 in 8.6 seconds at a top speed of 119 MPH

7. 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IV

In comparison to its previous three generations of the car, the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IV brought about a much significant set of changes. For starters, it was based on a different platform to the previous cars, mirroring the change made in the regular Lancer at the time.

The engine was also turned EVO IV for better balance, and it had some features like the YAW control. It was a 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission that attained 0-60 in 5.7 seconds and had a top speed of 112 MPH. The car was made for rally rules, and as a result, it’s very strong to handle both road and dirt with ease.

6. 1971 Nissan Skyline GTR “Hakosuka”

Unlike its competitors, which are easy and cheap to buy, getting a Hakosuka Skyline is going to be hard and expensive. They don’t go on sale very often, and when they do they usually cost around $100,000. For those who can afford it, that’s a price worth paying for. Their values are going up very fast and they are respected in JDM culture, so most of the remaining ones are well looked after.

The Nissan Skyline GTR Hakosuka comes with a 2.0L Inline-6 engine that is mated with 5-speed manual transmission, it has a 160 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque, with this setup it attains the sprint of 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, at a top speed of 124 MPH.

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5. 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

The Subaru Impreza WRX was made as a rule for entering the World Rally Championship like the Evo Lancer. The first generation WRX STi is maybe the most famous for its rally history, being the car that Colin McRae won the driver’s title in 1995. They are also cheap and easy to find and used, although many will have lived a tough life already. Find one in good condition though and the STi is an affordable rally car that’s daily drivable and will put up even after many years of hard use.

This Japanese lustrous monster is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing an impressive 247 horsepower and generating 228 lb-ft of torque. This car also features a 5-speed manual gearbox and has a top speed of 155 MPH.

4. 1991 Honda Civic SiR EG6

Honda Civics are often the cheap and easy side of JDM ownership, but they shouldn’t be ignored because of that. Models like the SiR are a nice option to the usual Type Rs but still have a good combination of speed, handling, and price. EG6s are a good option right now, as they are old enough to be seen as real classics but their price hasn’t gone up too much yet. Just like Honda’s legacy of making reliable vehicles, the Civic was put up front, so buying one is a way to have fun for many years.

The 1991 Honda Civic SiR EG6 is powered by a 1.6L Inline-4 mated with a 5-speed manual transmission which generates 102 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque, it attains 0-60 in just 7.5 seconds at a top speed of 134 MPH.

3. 1990 Toyota Supra MK4

The Mk4 Toyota Supra has become so popular among tuning fans that it’s hard to remember that this is a great car without any modifications too. Powered by Toyota’s amazing 2JZ engine, the Mk4 is known for being able to take huge amounts of power thanks to the engineering quality of its powertrain.

The Toyota Supra Mk4 is equipped with a 3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 engine that produces 321 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. The engine syncs with a 6-speed manual transmission system. The acceleration is very aggressive and makes the vehicle agile. No wonder why this four-wheeler is called the best in class.

2. 1990 Honda NSX 1ST Gen

Honda showed that a supercar could be easy to live with and reliable as well as fast with the NSX. Other rivals from the era went or flashy looks and dramatic performances, but the NSX was different. It was fast, yes, but not as much as many of its competitors. But the NSX stood out for its usability. It was a car that drivers could use in traffic to go shopping in, but could still race a track. It was never a big hit and took a long time after the original NSX was discontinued for it to get the praise it deserved.

Under the hood of the 1990 Honda NSX 1ST Gen lies a 2.0L V6 engine mated with a 6-speed manual transmission that has the power to churn out 276 horsepower and 252-pound feet of torque and attains 0-60 in just 5.8 seconds at a top speed of 159 MPH. The NSX offers handling that is polished, with nicely calibrated steering, minimum body roll when cornering, and a pleasantly firm brake pedal.

1. Nissan Skyline GT-R R34

A recent classic, the R34 Skyline was the last of its kind for Nissan’s Skyline GTRs. In many ways, it was also the final chapter of the golden era of JDM tuner cars. Made between 1999 and 2002, the R34 GTR was the quickest and most advanced Skyline ever. There are many rare versions and special editions of the R34 GTR, the scarcest of which will cost more to buy than a new R35 GTR. It’s a good investment for those who can afford it, as they are only getting more difficult to find and they are the peak of an era for Nissan.

Nissan recalibrated the turbocharged 2.6L Twin-Turbo Inline-4 engine to deliver 280 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque that reels 0-60 in 4.9 seconds at a top speed of 203 MPH. The machine has sharp steering, deft handling, and a colossal grip.

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