Issue #3 · April 2026
The 25 Year Rule
Published April 17, 2026
Japanese Auto News
Mazda has confirmed the long-rumored RX-9 will use a turbocharged rotary engine and debut in Japan first before global markets. Production FD3S values are responding — the rotary revival narrative is fully priced in. If you wanted an FD, the window before speculators fully 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 — and the FOMO buyers are back.
Toyota's Japanese division confirmed a turbocharged 2.4L variant of the GR86 for the 2027 model year, 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 stabilized near ¥149 after last year's weakness. Still favorable for importing — but don't forget to factor 27.5% tariff into your landed cost.
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 the SR20DET is what you want. Values are already moving; landed under $21K is the sweet spot before the floor rises.
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 genuinely rare — most came 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 — the scraper is finding them. 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
Landed cost estimates include shipping (~$1,500), US customs duty (27.5%), broker fees, and port handling. Actual costs vary. Use the calculator for your exact numbers →
25-Year Spotlight: Class of 2001 (cont.)
We've covered the S15, GDB STI, Evo VII, and R34 in previous issues. Here's what else opened up this year that's worth your attention.
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, tidy rear-wheel drive platform. 2001 was the final model year before Toyota killed it. 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-spec right-hand drive. Values have held steady; don't expect a discount.
Toyota MR2 Spyder (ZZW30) (ZZW30)
661kg mid-engine sports car with a 1ZZ-FE and a targa top. The last MR2 ever built. 2001 examples are now legal — lightweight, cheap to run, and one of the purest driving experiences Toyota ever produced. Prices are 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
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