Stay ahead of the JDM market
Importing a JDM car takes months. The research phase takes even longer. Our weekly newsletter keeps you sharp — whether you're actively importing or just watching the market.
Auction Finds
Curated JDM vehicles from Japanese auctions with estimated landed costs — first look before they hit the open market.
Regulation Updates
When import laws, duty rates, or the 25-year list changes, you'll hear about it first.
Market Pricing
Monthly JDM price trend reports — which models are rising, which are softening, and why.
Deep Dive Guides
Exclusive long-form guides on specific models, import processes, and real importer stories.
Issue #3 · April 2026
S15 Values, Purple Chasers & the Tariff One-Year Mark
Weekly JDM auction picks, news, and market intel.
Published
April 17, 2026
Japanese Auto News
Mazda has confirmed the RX-9 will use a turbocharged rotary engine and debut in Japan first. Production FD3S values are responding — the rotary revival narrative is fully priced in. If you wanted an FD, the window before speculators arrive is closing.
Nissan confirmed the R36 GT-R successor is in active development, targeting a reveal before 2030. The announcement moved R34 and R35 values overnight. If you've been sitting on an R34 import, the floor just got higher.
Toyota's Japanese division confirmed a turbocharged 2.4L variant of the GR86 for 2027, sold exclusively in JDM spec. The naturally-aspirated platform stays for global markets. Expect early examples at auction by late 2027.
Yen Snapshot
¥1 JPY =
$0.0067
USD · as of Apr 15, 2026
Yen has been weak vs. USD — favorable conditions for importing. Factor in ~2–3% on wire transfer conversion.
One Year of 27.5% — Where the Market Stands
— Trade UpdateThe 27.5% Tariff Is One Year Old — Here's What Actually Happened
April 3 marked one year since the 25% auto tariff stacked on top of the existing 2.5% duty, bringing the total to 27.5% on every imported passenger car. The feared demand collapse didn't materialize — JDM import volume held steady. What did happen: landed cost budgets shifted upward by roughly $5,000–$8,000 on mid-range imports, buyers started negotiating harder at auction, and the ¥149 rate partially offset the hit. The market adapted. Use our cost calculator to model your exact landed number — the tariff line is built in.
Featured From the Feed
2001 Nissan Silvia S15
S15 · Grey · 136,000 km · 2.0L Turbo (SR20DET) · Grade 3.5
The S15 just crossed the 25-year threshold. Grey, 136k km, grade 3.5, priced honestly. Spec-R with SR20DET is what you want. Values are already moving; landed under $21K is the sweet spot.
Auction
¥1,980,000
USD Est.
$13,464
Landed
$20,264
1996 Toyota Chaser JZX100
JZX100 · Factory Purple · 167,000 km · 2.5L Turbo (1JZ-GTE) · Grade 3.5
Factory purple on a JZX100 is rare — most left the factory in white, silver, or black. AT keeps the price accessible. At $15,858 landed you get the 1JZ-GTE in one of the most sought-after color options.
Auction
¥1,332,000
USD Est.
$9,058
Landed
$15,858
2000 Nissan Silvia S15
S15 · Grey · 112,000 km · 2.0L Turbo (SR20DET) · Grade 3.5
112k km on a grade 3.5 S15 at $17,680 landed — this is the entry point for the S15 market. 2000 manufacture date means it cleared the threshold earlier in the year. Solid buy before summer pricing.
Auction
¥1,600,000
USD Est.
$10,880
Landed
$17,680
1999 Nissan Stagea
WC34 · Yellow · 206,000 km · 2.5L Turbo (RB25DET)
Yellow Stagea WC34 with the RB25DET. 206k km keeps the price honest. The WC34 is the practical JDM daily — AWD, wagon body, Skyline drivetrain. Yellow is a conversation starter. Good project budget.
Auction
¥2,000,000
USD Est.
$13,600
Landed
$20,400
1995 Toyota Supra MkIV
JZA80 · Red · 133,000 km · 3.0L Twin Turbo (2JZ-GTE) · Grade 4
Red JZA80 at grade 4. 133k km, 2JZ-GTE. Grade 4 on a Supra means minor cosmetic issues — not a structural concern. $44K landed is the current floor for a running, driving twin-turbo example. Prices are only going one direction.
Auction
¥5,500,000
USD Est.
$37,400
Landed
$44,200
1996 Toyota Chaser JZX100
JZX100 · Factory Green · 137,000 km · 2.5L Turbo (1JZ-GTE) · Grade 3.5
Factory green JZX100 — another rare color on this platform. Grade 3.5, 137k km, 1JZ-GTE. Two factory-unusual-color Chasers in the feed this week is not a coincidence. This one commands a slight premium over white.
Auction
¥2,620,000
USD Est.
$17,816
Landed
$24,616
1997 Toyota Chaser JZX100
JZX100 · White · 157,000 km · 2.5L Turbo (1JZ-GTE) · Grade 3.5
Clean white JZX100, grade 3.5, 157k km. The straightforward buy on this platform — no exotic color premium, honest mileage, well within the 1JZ-GTE's comfortable range. $23K landed for a worry-free example.
Auction
¥2,472,000
USD Est.
$16,810
Landed
$23,610
2000 Toyota Chaser JZX100
JZX100 · White · 140,000 km · 2.5L Turbo (1JZ-GTE) · Grade 3.5
Best value JZX100 in this issue — $19K landed for a 2000-build grade 3.5 with 140k km. 2000 manufacture date means it's fully eligible. If the purple and green Chasers are out of budget, this is the entry.
Auction
¥1,800,000
USD Est.
$12,240
Landed
$19,040
25-Year Spotlight: Class of 2001
Vehicles manufactured in 2001 are now legally importable to the US under the 25-year exemption. Here's what just opened up.
Toyota Altezza RS200 (SXE10)
The JDM Altezza with the 3S-GE BEAMS — not the IS200 you got in the US. 210hp naturally aspirated, 7,600 RPM redline, rear-wheel drive. 2001 was the final model year. Undervalued, under-discussed, and handling that'll embarrass newer iron.
Honda S2000 AP1 (AP1)
2001 AP1 S2000s are crossing the threshold. F20C, 9,000 RPM, 240hp — still the highest specific output naturally-aspirated engine Honda ever built in a production car. JDM right-hand drive. Values have held steady; don't expect a discount.
Toyota MR2 Spyder (ZZW30) (ZZW30)
661kg mid-engine sports car with a targa top. The last MR2 ever built. 2001 examples are now legal — lightweight, cheap to run, one of the purest driving experiences Toyota ever made. Prices still low. They won't stay that way.
Quick Tip: Use the Auction Sheet Translator Before You Bid
Every auction vehicle comes with a condition sheet — a Japanese diagram marking every scratch, dent, and repair. Most buyers either ignore it or rely on their exporter's summary. Don't. We built a free tool that reads the sheet for you.
- → Upload a photo or PDF of any auction sheet
- → AI reads the damage codes, grade, mileage, and inspector notes
- → Get a full English breakdown in seconds — before you commit a deposit
- → Know what "U" and "B2" actually mean before you wire money to Japan
Stay in the JDM Loop
Weekly JDM auction finds, import news, and market intel — straight to your inbox. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Issue Archive
Issue #3 · April 17, 2026
S15 Values, Purple Chasers & the Tariff One-Year Mark
S15 Silvia, JZX100 purple, Altezza RS200, S2000 AP1, MR2 Spyder
Issue #2 · April 2, 2026
The S15 Era Begins
Supra MkIV, NSX, JZX100, S15 eligibility, Fairlady Z refresh
Issue #1 · March 25, 2026
The 25 Year Rule — Inaugural Edition
NSX NA1, JZX100 Chaser, Class of 2001 spotlight, Yen snapshot