Random Best Classic Japanese Cars (25 items)

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  (#1) Nissan Skyline GT-R

  • Nissan

  Years: 1969-Present

  Originally designed by Prince Motor Company before merging with Nissan-Datsun in 1969, we didn't get these beautiful cars in the States until 2007. It's about impossible to pick a favorite generation of classic Skylines. The first and second gens have that lovely Pony car inspired design, but the later years feature all-wheel drive and jaw-dropping amounts of power and tech. Whichever Skyline you choose, you're going to drive away happy and be the envy of your fellow gearheads.
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  (#2) Datsun 280Z

  Years: 1969-1973

  The history of the Nissan Z car spans over 50 years and 40 production models. Like the Corolla, they were initially inspired by the American Pony cars of the time, featuring a two-seat, fastback design. Powered by a 2.4 liter straight-six motor, and running on four wheel independent suspension, the “Fairlady,” as it was known in Japan, was first sold in the States in 1969. They have been used for everything from daily drivers to track cars to rally racers ever since.
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  (#3) Honda NSX

  • Honda

  Years: 1990-2005
  
  The NSX is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, with the nimble agility of a panther, and sounds as rich as a symphony. It was created under the mad-scientist like vision of Honda’s co-founder, lead engineer, and “Supreme Advisor,” Soichiro Honda. Honda-san wanted to do the impossible: design a supercar without compromise. $140 million dollars and a decade of R&D later, and the company known for its hatchbacks and scooters shocked the world with this highly exotic, mid-engine, two seater. The NSX was the first production car to feature VTEC. There's hardly a car nowadays that doesn’t feature some version of variable valve timing - you can thank the NSX for that.   
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  (#4) Toyota AE86

  Years: 1984-1987
  
  Whether delivering tofu through the mountains or going for Sunday drives to the beach, the “Hachi-Roku” is a budget drifter’s dream. It was the last Corolla hatchback to feature a front engine, rear wheel drive layout. Powered by the 4AG engines that also made the MR2’s so efficient, the 86 is easy to keep revved up high while sideways -- maximizing grip and fun factor. They are easy to modify, low maintenance, faithful canyon companions and daily drivers. Unfortunately, their high desirability has rocketed up resale prices, and makes it quite a challenge to find stock, unabused models for sale.
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  (#5) Toyota Celica Supra

  Years: 1982-1986

  In 1979, the humble Celica was transformed into a sporty grand tourer by stretching the wheelbase several inches and squeezing in a larger power plant. The first generation was a bit clunky, but 1982 brought improvements in the form of independent rear suspension and a more powerful dual overhead cam straight-six power plants. These cars were built with a track-car level of accessibility, featuring details such as pop-tops on the rear strut towers for adjusting the suspension on the fly.  These beautiful grand tourers are fun, fuel-efficient, and comfortable to drive, begging to be taken on cross country adventures.
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  (#6) Toyota Supra

  • Toyota

  Years: 1996-1998

  The Supra is the car you buy when you want to scare people in style. It grips the road with its lightweight chassis and double wishbone suspension. Their indestructible straight-six motors are torquey enough to produce 1,000 plus horsepower, double digits boost on stock internals, and make professional camera-men scream like little girls. This makes the Supra an idyllic track car and street beast. The fourth generation features irresistible curves and an unforgettable view from the back - that spoiler though!
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  (#7) Nissan 300ZX

  Years: 1983-1989

  This is another generation of the legendary Nissan Z cars. Boasting a whopping 220 to 300 horsepower, the 300ZX is a powerful grand tourer that begs to be driven. Its chassis design also makes great land speed racer projects. It’s been awarded Car and Driver’s "10Best" list for several consecutive years, and Motor Trend dubbed it "Import Car of the Year" in 1990. 
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  (#8) Toyota FJ Landcruiser

  Years: 1960-1980

  The FJ Landcruiser is what happens when the Japanese take existing designs and make them better. Inspired intimately by the American Jeep and British Land Rover, Toyota launched their first compact 4x4 in 1957 and has been perfecting them ever since. The FJ’s are so bullet-proof and reliable, they are used by militaries in foreign countries, and can be seen traversing sand dunes and jungles all over the globe. While all their models are amazing, the FJ40 stands out from the pack with its jaw-dropping, classic design.
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  (#9) Toyota 2000GT

  • Toyota

  Years: 1967-1970

  Designed by Yamaha, and built by Toyota, the 2000GT inspired a legendary business partnership. The two companies have built engines and cars together ever since. That shows the power of teamwork! The 2000GT is considered Japan’s first supercar, with such elegant bodylines and sophisticated personality it was featured as a Bond car in the 1967 film You Only Live Twice. How many Japanese cars can say they are cool enough to be Bond cars? Not only are the 2000GT’s gorgeous, they were the first Japanese production cars to feature a limited slip differential and all power assisted brakes. Unfortunately, only 351 were built, so getting ahold of one is almost impossible.
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  (#10) Nissan 240SX Silvia S13

  Years: 1989-1994

  After the Toyota AE86 blew up in popularity, finding one on a budget became more difficult. The Nissan 240SX is another excellent option for those looking to go sideways without breaking the bank. It helps that they have ample aftermarket support, for those looking to modify from stock or having a hard time finding OEM parts. If you can find one of these gems in good condition, grab it before someone else does! 
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  (#11) Toyota MR2

  • Toyota

  Years: 1984-1989

  The "Mister Two" was the first affordable mid-engine platform built for the masses. The moment you feel the legendary 4AG motor purr to life behind you, it’s evident the car was built to have fun. The Toyota A series motor was the first mass-produced engine featuring 4-5 valves per cylinder. These motors average a humble 115hp stock, but the MR2 chassis weighs in at a featherweight 2,300 pounds. Plus, the mid-engine layout gives these cars Spider-Man like grip, clocking in on the skidpad at over 0.80. Considering its groundbreaking design - and those beautiful, Katana inspired body lines - the MR2 is considered one of the best Japanese cars ever made.
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  (#12) Mazda RX7 FC

  Years: 1985-1992

  Rotary power for the win! Rotary engines are remarkable for their nominal numbers of moving parts - a scant three compared to the simplest four-cylinder engine, which has over 40 moving parts. This endows rotary motors with high amounts of torque, along with unique, head turning exhaust notes. With less parts to break, they also tolerate external modifications well, like increased boost on stock internals. The RX7 makes another excellent canyon carver with its front engine, rear wheel drive platform. It’s no wonder this is the best selling rotary production car in history.
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  (#13) Mitsubishi 3000GT

  Years: 1991-1999

  Basically a Dodge Stealth in disguise, the 3000GT was another joint effort between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. Also known as the “GTO” in Japan, they were built with 3.0 V6 engines and all-wheel drive, with the option to bolt on twin turbos. They were also offered with active aeronautics, meaning the spoilers are automatically adjusted (fancy!), along with four-wheel steering and adaptive suspension. This gives them incredible power-to-weight ratios, and makes them excellent driver’s cars.
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  (#14) Fifth Generation Toyota Pickup

  Years: 1989-1997

  The humble Toyota Pick-up, dubbed the Hilux in Japan, is a reliable and dedicated workhorse. They are powered by the legendary 22-RE motor and an uncanny ability to survive conditions that would destroy most other cars. In season 3, Episode 5, “The Indestructible Hilux,” Top Gear tried to kill one of these trucks by pushing it through extreme scenarios, including dropping it from a crane and dumping it into the English Channel. Remarkably, no matter what Jeremy Clarkson and James May tried, the truck started each time without the aid of spare parts. Long live the Hilux!
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  (#15) Honda Integra Type R

  Years: 1995-2001

  In 1995, Honda introduced a stripped-down, heavily modified version of the GS-R. Boasting 195 horsepower from a mere 1.8 liter inline-four and a 10,000 RPM tachometer (partly thanks to that amazing VTEC), this humble Honda has more horsepower per liter than the Ferrari F355. On top of its amazing capabilities, the Integra Type R is also wicked cool, with two-tone stitching and a well-balanced spoiler.
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  (#16) Subaru Impreza

  • Subaru

  Years: 1992-2001

  The Impreza offers another four-cylinder, all-wheel drive rally to street car, but with notably less power than the Lancer. However, their traction is sticky as warm gumballs, and these cars are fun to drive. If the Lancer is a demon, the Impreza is a labrador. That doesn’t mean it won’t turn around and bite you if you’re careless, but it feels more tame and mild-mannered while remaining eager to go play in the mud as well as the tarmac. And no matter what people say, those bubble headlights are awesome!
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  (#17) Datsun 510

  • Datsun

  Years: 1967-1973

  The 510 is a lovechild of Kazumi Yotsumoto, one of the founders of Nissan-Datsun. Affectionately known as "Mr. K," Yotsumoto-san was inspired by experiences racing Datsun 210s through the insane 10,100 mile Australian Mobilgas Rally. He was also inspired by German car manufacturers, especially the rugged, nimble, and fun BMW Neue Klasse 1600. From this amalgamation came the Datsun 510, called the “Bluebird” in Japan - a reliable “driver’s car” that has seen many a rally finish since its inception.
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  (#18) Honda CRX

  Years: 1984-1991

  The CRX is the kind of car you notice in high school, and yet it stays cool throughout the decades. Small enough to fit in a tall person's pocket, with a surprising amount of legroom inside, these hatchbacks combine the versatility of a Civic with the size and fuel consumption of a go-kart. Throw on some Spoon and Mugen aftermarket parts, and you’ve got yourself a fun and stylish pocket-rocket on four wheels. Unfortunately, these cool hatches were only manufactured for seven years before being succeeded by the Del Sol.
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  (#19) First Generation Toyota 4Runner

  Years: 1984-1989

  The first gen 4Runners are like Transformers - more than meets the eye! Thanks to a removable hardtop, they have the ability to morph from trucks into SUV’s. Their versatility and reliability makes them excellent work trucks, surf trucks, rock crawlers, and cross-country vehicles. They are also incredibly useful for moving large, awkward pieces of furniture. It’s too bad the later generations lost this feature, becoming plain ole SUV’s just like everyone else. All manufactures should continue offering trucks with removable tops.
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  (#20) Mazda MX-5 Miata

  Years: 1989-1996

  These fun, sporty cars are known for their near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution and driveability. You could turn these cars on a dime with a cup of green tea in one hand and not spill a drop. The first generation was dubbed Automobile Magazine's 1990 Automobile of the Year and made Car and Driver's "10Best" list multiple years in a row. They are perfect for hitting the canyons, or turning into “Monster Miatas” (the nickname given when people shove V8’s into these tiny cars).
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  (#21) Eagle Talon TSI

  Years: 1995-1998

  These “Franken-cars” were engineered by Mitsubishi, designed by Chrysler, and manufactured in a plant jointly owned by both companies in the US. They are featherweights at 2,700 pounds, powered by 210 horsepower turbocharged motors, and feature rally worthy suspension including all-wheel drive and massive stock sway bars. They make excellent budget-friendly off-road project cars, especially for rally racing.
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  (#22) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

  • Mitsubishi

  Years: 1992-1995

  Lancers had already been tearing up Japanese tarmac since 1992 by the time they were brought to the States by popular demand in 2003. Hop into one of these cars, and you'll be immediately impressed by how the torque from the four-cylinder motor pushes you back into your seat. It’s nigh impossible to find out actual stats on these power plants because Mitsubishi purposely downgrades their factory outputs, but they pull around 300 horsepower out of those inline fours. They must have wizards using dark magic to accomplish it, along with forced induction. All their production years are amazing, but the first two generations stand out with their classic Japanese design.
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  (#23) First Generation Toyota Corolla

  Years: 1966-1970

  With their Pony car inspired styling, these cars are the epitome of cool. The Sprinter models came complete with drool-worthy details like fender-mounted mirrors and billet grilles, making these early Corollas look more like mini-Ford Mustangs than economy cars. Yet for all their resemblance of classic Americana, they manage to retain their own sense of identity, along with that legendary Toyota efficiency and reliability.
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  (#24) Toyota Cressida

  • Toyota

  Years: 1976-1992

  All that makes the Cressida awesome can be summated by the nickname it earned from Road & Track Magazine -- a “Supra-powered proto-Lexus.” These luxury sedans are perfect for those seeking comfort, power, and reliability. The name “Cressida” was inspired by a woman featured in Greek mythology about the Trojan War, probably because of the way these cars capture driver’s hearts and wind up in their homes.
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  (#25) Datsun 1200 Sunny Truck

  Years: 1971-1988

  Based upon the chassis of a two-door sedan with the same name, the Sunny is another excellent city work truck. Far less common than the Toyota Pick-up, Sunny Trucks have the classic style and cool, careless composure of a laid back Rockabilly about to spark up a smoke. Just look at those fender-mounted mirrors! Unfortunately, these JDM classics were never sold in the continental US, which means you’ll have to import one and manage a Left Hand Drive car on Right Hand Drive roads if you decide to bring one home (not a feat for the faint of heart).

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