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Legendary JDM Cars You Should Know

No matter if you are into luxury, exotic, muscle or import vehicles, the Japanese car culture loved around the world can turn anyones head in an instant. These classic and modern JDM vehicles are hugely popular in the tuning, modification, and racing scenes. These cars have cult followings and are icons of street racing, drifting, time attack, and car culture worldwide.

One thing that has been said is that European vehicles are designed to last as long as the maintenance schedules are followed. Japanese vehicles are designed to last with users completely abusing them, which is why we see many imports on the road for decades beyond what is expected, even when racing and drifting them.

1. Nissan GT-R R34

Nickname: “Godzilla”

Why it’s loved: AWD grip, twin-turbo RB26DETT engine, massive tuning potential

Scene: Street racing, time attack, drag, and JDM royalty

Fun fact: Illegal in the U.S. until recently due to import restrictions

(Pictured: a silver and blue Nissan Skyline R34.)

Silver Nissan Skyline R34 with blue racing stripes and a large rear wing

2. Toyota Supra MK4 (A80)

Engine: 2JZ-GTE (famous inline-6 twin turbo)

Why it’s loved: Bulletproof engine, huge power builds (1,000+ hp not uncommon)

Scene: Drag racing, roll racing, dyno queens

Famous for: Fast & Furious legend, Another Paul Walker aka Brian O’Conner vehicle

(Pictured: a black 1993 Toyota Supra MK4 Turbo.)

Black 1993 Toyota Supra MK4 Turbo with a rear spoiler against a mountain backdrop

3. Mazda RX-7

Engine: Twin-turbo rotary (13B-REW)

Why it’s loved: Light, agile, high-revving, gorgeous design

Scene: Drifting, time attack, show builds

Unique factor: The only rotary engine on this list

(Pictured: a 1994 Mazda RX-7 FD in Vintage Red.)

Red 1994 Mazda RX-7 FD with silver wheels, viewed from the front left

4. Nissan Silvia S13 / S14 / S15

Why it’s loved: Rear-wheel drive, balanced chassis, easy to slide

Scene: Drifting, especially grassroots and pro drift events

Engine swaps: Common to drop in SR20DET, RB, or even LS engines

White Nissan Silvia S15 with gold wheels and a rear spoiler inside a garage

5. Honda Civic (EK9, EG6, or newer Type R)

Why it’s loved: Lightweight, cheap to modify, rev-happy VTEC engines

Scene: Street racing, time attack, autocross

Fun fact: Often underestimated, but deadly fast when built right

Yellow Honda Civic EK9 Type R hatchback with black wheels, viewed from the rear

6. Subaru Impreza WRX / STi (GC8, GD, etc.)

Why it’s loved: AWD, turbocharged boxer engine, rally-bred

Scene: Rally, touge, street racing, winter builds

Famous for: WRC heritage and iconic Subaru rumble

Blue Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type R with gold wheels and a hood scoop

7. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Evo 6–9, especially Evo 8/9)

Why it’s loved: Turbo AWD beast, razor-sharp handling, rally-bred

Scene: Street racing, track, hill climbs

Fun fact: Evo 9 has one of the best 4-cylinder engines ever, 4G63T

Red Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with black wheels and a rear wing on a country road

8. Toyota AE86 (Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno)

Why it’s loved: Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, pure driving feel

Scene: Drifting, touge, Initial D fans

Pictured below: Cartoon which made the AE86 famous in the “Initial D” anime.

Initial D illustration of Takumi Fujiwara beside a white and black Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno

9. Honda S2000 (AP1/AP2)

Why it’s loved: High-revving 9,000 rpm engine, precise handling

Scene: Track days, canyon carving, time attack

Fun fact: One of the highest power-per-liter naturally aspirated engines ever (F20C)

(Pictured below from Fast & Furious, where Ricky Yune as Johnny Tran was racing in Race Wars)

Black Honda S2000 with red graphics and a rear wing driving on a runway
Black Honda S2000 with blue wheels, side splitters and a large rear wing

10. Nissan 350Z / 370Z

Why it’s loved: Affordable RWD platform, decent power, easy to mod

Scene: Drifting, track, stance builds

Aftermarket: Tons of support from both JDM and US brands

Black widebody Nissan 350Z parked beside the waterfront at sunset

Whether you are aspiring to own one of these cars, restoring one or have purchased one from another collector. We want to know what your garage setup is! Send us an email, share your story. We are looking for people to interview and share with our community, everything from your garage setup to your vehicle and your journey with your vehicle.

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