You can dream about importing a JDM car, but do you know what you want? Here are 2 simple questions which will help you choose!
Everyone dreams of R34s and Supra's peeling out and turning heads at car shows, right? Are you willing to put in the time an effort for that, or do you just want a little white kei truck for your cottage, or a cheap-but-good minivan for the fam?
Do you even know what you want?
Ultimately as a buyer, you have to answer 2 questions before you even start looking. Answering them cut down your search time in half and help you make smart(er) choices. Just fill in the 2 blanks below:
I want a car for ____
I want a car that ____
" I want a car for ______ "
I want SKYLINE! - Sure you do buddy, everyone does.
But why do you want it? Bragging rights? Racing nights? Doing grocery runs? You gonna be driving that on the 401 in the winter?
This first question is about purpose; knowing what you want to do with the vehicle will help you select the appropriate vehicle for the job. You're not going off-roading in a McLaren, and you're not picking up your 5 kids from soccer in a Skyline.
.... although if you went for a Stagea wagon, you could technically be pulling 5-kid deal off with room for the dog and still have an RB 26 DETT under the hood.
Consider the following points
Is this your Summer Drive vehicle or all year?
Is this your work vehicle?
Is this a daily drive?
Is this for your kids/multi-passenger?
Are you going to be doing cargo transport in this?
Is this a highway drive or a city commuter?
Am I using this for camping and off-road?
Is this a fixer-upper project?
Are you gonna keep it pristine or will it be taking abuse?
Is this a tuner car or a drift machine? Do you mind trading paint and losing a front bumper?
Is this going to be something multi-role?
Is this for head-nods and bragging rights?
Is this a show car, and if so, are your aiming for a body kit?
Not an exhaustive list but any means, but once you peg one or two points, your list shrinks.
" I want a car that ______ "
Ok. You know what you want. Good. You may be doing some online research like "best daily JDM drives" or "7 cars with way too much HP".
Good. You know what you want it for.
Now, we talk about features and criteria. This is where you decide your limitation; this is where you choose what you are willing to accept and not willing to accept.
This is more complicated than the last one. Here, you're probably choosing more than one criterion.
AGE:
is maximum 15 years old (the minimum allowed under the law in Canada)...
is between 15-20,...
is 20+ years
MILEAGE:
has under 50,000 km,...
under 100,000 km,...
under 150,000 km…
BUDGET:
will be under $20,000 after import,....
Under $30,000,...
under $50,000,.. What is your budget?
CONDITION:
has no damage,.. has minor scratches,.. has been in previous accidents
has no rust or corrosion,.. has a little rust or corrosion,... Has significant rust and corrosion
has/has not been modified from original condition (like for drifting, or has an added body kit)
RARITY:
has a rebadged or similar North American model - increasing the likelihood of having identical North American parts (like the Lexus IS / Toyota Altezza or the Acura / Honda Integra)
is a unique to Japan JDM model
UTILITY:
has a certain passenger capacity or load bearing capacity for those of you considering this as a work vehicle
is good on gas
is a hybrid (...avoid pure EVs for now...)
I could make this second list longer, but you get the idea. Once you know what you want it for, you'll look at you km's and budget and adjust appropriately. For most of us doing daily-drive those 2 criteria, plus rust/corrosion and accidents will be the most important.
So what does this all mean?
Filling in the ______ really gives you perspective. Let's see what is on the auction block this week to satisfy your needs.
So, you want a cheap-to-mid-priced summer ride drop-top that you'll store in the winter. Look into an S2000, 350z or maybe Toyota MR-S.
Fairlady Z's (aka the 350) can go for as little as $4-6000 CDN and still have under 60,000kms. The MR-S's (aka the Spyder) can be even a little less, albeit with higher kms. Heck, even the S2000's average around $15,000 for those at Auction grade 3.5. And those are stats from this week!
Want a head turner that you can pick up the kids, has over 100,000 kms on and not break the bank? All Skylines come in (surprising) not crazily priced 4-door models.
Here's an ER34 which has clearly seen some track time and mods.
Need more room? Try an Evo 9 wagon or Stagea.
Remember, you want the Autech version of the Stagea if you want the RB 26 engine.
The Evo 9 wagon never made it to North America.
Having more kids, try a Toyota Alphard or Vellfire minivan.
Know affectionately as the JDM party busses, the 2011 Alphard ATH20W comes as a hybrid!
Going off road for camping, aside from the usual reliable Honda/Toyota fare, have you considered a modded Mitsubishi Delica Wagon camper?
Yeah I know it's a van, but they call it a Delica Wagon in Japan. Don't overthink it.
What about low-cost cars for families on a budget?
Want a cheap, reliable vehicle with easy to find parts in Canada? Pick up a Honda/Toyota model with an American version like I did with my wife's Prius. You can even check the American reviews to give you an idea of reliability issues.
Both the JDM and North American 2009 Prius models use the 1.5L 4-cylinder engine (1NZ-FXE) paired with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. This combination of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motor is identical across both regions.
Both versions come with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT), designed to optimize fuel efficiency and smooth power delivery.
Both models use a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack for energy storage, with similar performance and capacity (201.6V).
Both models share the same overall shape and design of the body panels, headlights, and taillights being nearly identical. This also carries over to the size, wheelbase, and overall body structure, with only minor trim and accessory differences.
Here's a wonderfully boring 2009 Prius that sold at auction this week (Oct 22, 2024)
I added the inspection sheet for good measure:
AUCTION GRADE: 4 58,000kms SOLD: 449,000¥ = roughly $4,200 CAD
Add another $7000 to get it from Japan to Toronto and add it some taxes and you're looking at this in your driveway for about $12-13000 give or take. Tell me what $13k will get you here?
Is this what you want?
"So tell me what you want, what you really really want" - Spice Girls
So tell me in the comments section below what your answers to these two fill-in-the-blank questions are and I'll come back with some research and cars for you answers!
~ DREAM
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