10 Cheap JDM Sports Cars That Are Perfect Tuners

Jan 30, 2024

These iconic JDM sports cars are ideal if you're looking to modify your next car in terms of performance and looks without breaking the bank.

The oil crisis of the 1970s went a long way to killing off the heyday of muscle car culture. It left a void in the world of the American gearhead that smaller and more affordable vehicles from the East would ultimately fill. Japanese manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda had been making inroads into the global market for many years, but when they invested more time and effort into performance vehicles in the 1980s, a whole new market opened up for them. It was, of course, with motorists who had a need for speed. Young drivers who had for so long loved the gas-guzzling American-made muscle cars of the '60s and '70s found a new vehicle for their passions.

As the '80s rolled into the '90s, the JDM models became unstoppable. This was the era of the Supra and the GT Starlet from Toyota. The Honda NSX and Type Rs, the rally inspired Imprezas and Evos, and the Nissan Skylines. Even luxury brands were in on the act with cars like the Lexus IS 300. There were too many iconic Japanese sports cars in the '90s to list here. These were powerful and reliable cars. But there was another factor that spawned an entire sub-culture among car enthusiasts – there was a growing collection of aftermarket parts that could elevate many JDMs from fun sports cars to powerful road monsters.

The JDM tuning culture reached its peak around the time of the early Fast & Furious movies of the 2000s. And although brands like Honda, Mazda, and Toyota are still churning out great sports cars, they lack the legendary charm of their predecessors. The older models are also relatively cheap and because they’ve been around for so long, have endless upgrades available for them. If you’re looking to get into tuning, then JDMs are the type of car you should invest in. And if you’re operating on a budget, don't fear because there are plenty of affordable options out there, according to Classic.com and Edmunds. Here are 10 of the very best. Let's get into this.

Nissan relaunched their infamous Z class in 2003 with the 350Z. Japanese sports car enthusiasts didn't quite know what to make of it initially. It was very different from the style of car they’d become accustomed to, almost resembling an Audi TT. As the years have gone by, this car has won everyone over and now has a dedicated following. It's a wonderful car in terms of handling and reliability, and is quick as standard. A base model 2003 Nissan 350Z packs a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 287 hp and 274 lb-ft of torque.

Remapping the ECU is a good start if you get your hands on one of these speedy Nissans. But typical upgrades like an exhaust system and performance air filter can draw out even more power. You can pick up an exceptional example of a Z33 for as little as $12,500.

The Subaru Impreza has been around since it launched in 1992. As standard, they were never much to write home about. But a year after they hit the market, they also hit the rally circuit, and thus the WRX was born. It was a popular choice for gearheads, but the car really came into its own in 1994 when the STi versions arrived. These Subaru Tecnica International-tuned Imprezas had performance-tuned engines, transmissions, and suspensions.

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A 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi packed 300 hp, so it's a quick car to begin with. There are plenty of tuning options for these models like cold air intake, coilovers, exhaust system, front mount intercooler, and ECU remapping. With all that done, you’ll have a rally-inspired car of epic proportions on your hands. You can pick up a 2004 model for a little over $11,000.

Nissan has intermittently produced the Pulsar since 1978. Mostly it's been a rather bland compact that has gone under several different names around the world. But the GTI-R variant of the Pulsar N14 was a very different animal.

The Pulsar GTI-R was a homologation model that Nissan produced between 1990 and 1994 to qualify it for the Group A WRC. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that churned out 229 hp and could run the quarter mile in 13.5 as standard. Its signature hood vents and rear spoiler made it clearly identifiable amid other Pulsar models and was a popular choice for JDM enthusiasts from day one. There is plenty of upgrade potential with this model, and a clean one from 1994 will set you back in the region of $16,500. The only downside is that they are difficult to find these days.

Being Toyota's luxury line, Lexus was mainly focused on producing reliable luxury vehicles to counter the popularity of European offerings from the likes of BMW. The IS was a relatively affordable addition to the Lexus inventory, but as the years went by, these cars became popular with the modified car community.

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Part of their success was their durability. These cars can take a lot of punishment, which is why they remain a choice with tuners to this day. While there aren't as many aftermarket upgrades available for this car as there are for others on the list, many enthusiasts have performed engine swaps that have boosted the performance considerably. An early model Lexus IS 300 can be got for in the region of $6,000, making it a great choice for tuners operating on a budget.

The Mitsubishi Lancer has been doing the rounds since the early 1970s. In the early '90s, it truly evolved with the release of the Lancer Evolution. Much like its eternal rival, the Subaru Impreza WRX, the Evo's design was very much from the world of rally. There were nine generations of these superb sports sedans before the plug got pulled in 2016.

All versions of the Evo are fast and handle well, but there are plenty of ways to get more output, such as an ECU tune, a high-flow catalytic converter, a turbocharger for certain models, cold air intake, and having a boost controller installed. These days, you can pick up an EVO VIII for as little as $15,000.

Hondas from the 1990s are generally great for tuning. There are plenty of aftermarket goodies available and they are easy to work on. One of the best tuner cars from that era was the Integra Type R.

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This model hit the Japanese domestic market in 1995, two years before the Acura variation appeared in the United States, and came with a 1.8-liter DOHC VTEC engine. The car was stylish and quick at 197 hp.

The Toyota Corolla AE86 is one of the more expensive vehicles on the list. They often sell for over $20,000 despite their age. Toyota only produced the Corolla AE86 for five years, when the final models rolled off the production line in 1987. These cars have become insanely popular within the drifting community over the years.

They are also a favorite of those who like tuning. The AE86 has a global reputation as a car that is easy to tune, and they are just a ton of fun to drive. They’re also a car that clearly holds its value well.

The Skyline GT-R existed in many guises before Nissan pulled the nameplate in the 1970s. When it returned at the close of the 1980s, it had gotten reshaped into a sensational sports car. After five years of powering across the world's roads, Nissan released the R33 model.

The 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine gave it serious power that thrilled JDM fans. There are plenty of ways to get more out of this iconic machine with aftermarket parts. There is always a huge demand out there for Skyline GT-Rs. Some models go for serious money, but you can get a 1995 R33 for around $35,000 without much fear of the value plummeting.

1993 saw the birth of one of the best Japanese sports cars of all time. It was, of course, the A80 Toyota Supra. This twin-turbo monster came with a 3.0-liter 2JZ-GTE engine, which gave it stunning power. For added fun, it was a rear-wheel drive. This car could get from 0-60 mph in approximately 4.5 seconds, which hints at how great it was to drive.

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Production ceased over 20 years ago, but this car is still in demand. Prices on the A80 Supra have been climbing in recent years, but if you’re looking for a special car to tune, this is it.

The Honda Civic is probably the best and easiest Japanese sports car for tuning. There are examples of Civics getting boosted up to well over 1,000 hp! They are such fun cars to drive and are generally bulletproof. One of the best variants is the first-generation Type R.

These cars are starting to become collector's items, and an early model will set you back at least $15,000. You’ll find cheaper EP3s, but the original is a far better car for tuning. There is a vast array of parts and ways to increase the performance and looks of these classics without breaking the bank.

Ian is an Irish based writer who has worked as a features writer and editor in the magazine trade, as a published author and a screenwriter. He ran an automotive firm for over a decade and has a particular love for upgrading Japanese sports cars. He has been supercar and racing fan since childhood, but has a deep love for anything with an engine and wheels.