Overview
Driving a JDM is many car person’s dreams. Many of them want to own one and due to the high demand and popularity, the price of JDM is touching the moon.
Buying a car and then modifying it to your like giving it a touch of your personality is like a dream to every gearhead. That modification makes that car closer to the heart. That machine will not be just a machine it will become a part of your family.
So, if you are looking for a project car to work on and make your baby and you are tight on budget. If your budget can’t exceed $10,000 then don’t worry, I got you. Here is the list of some great JDM cars that are the go-to option for an awesome project car.
| Name | Price |
| 10. Subaru Impreza WRX | $9,000 |
| 9. Mazda RX-7 FC | $9,600 |
| 8. Datsun 280Z | $8,700 |
| 7. Toyota MR2 | $8,000 |
| 6. 1989 Mitsubishi Starion | $8,500 |
| 5. 1998-2004 Lexus IS300 | $10,000 |
| 4. Suzuki Cappuccino | $9,000 |
| 3. 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse | $7,700 |
| 2. Nissan 350Z | $8,500 |
| 1. Mazda Miata (NB) | $8,800 |
10. Subaru Impreza WRX – $9000
Starting off the list with the famous Subaru Impreza WRX. You have seen many customized Subaru on the road that will make go crazy and you would have said “I wish I had one of those” well you can get one at just $9000. This Subaru WRX was introduced back in 1992 as the high-performance variant of the Impreza. Subaru included rally-inspired technology and turbocharged four-cylinder engines on the WRX. They stiffened the suspension form before and also changed it to all-wheel drive.
Later on, in 2000 they introduced the second-gen Impreza WRX which was in production till 2007. It had many engine options, a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine with 270 hp was one of them.
9.Mazda RX-7 FC – $9,600
Talking about JDM and Mazda names never comes up that is never going to happen. One of the most popular models of Mazda is RX-7 FD. It has a beautiful design, is fun to drive, and crazy amount of power. It costs $40,000. No, I am not going to talk about that model. That is exceeding your budget by a lot but this model is something to look for. I mean it is just wow.
So, the RX-7 FC costs very less than RX-7 FD and is not as special as its successor. RX-7 FC is still a very beautiful Japanese machine. It is blessed with a turbocharged Wankel rotary engine which produces more than 200 hp.
8. Datsun 280Z – $ 8,700
The Nissan Z model cars are high-performance-based cars and Nissan is manufacturing these since 1969. Nissan’s first Z car is 240Z which is one of the most beautiful Japanese car ever made, its price is currently very high. That’s why we are talking about a car that came after it. The 280Z is still affordable.
240Z and 280Z look alike just the difference is the engine. The 240Z comes with a bigger 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine with a Bosch L-Jetronic Fuel Injection system that produces 170 hp but the thing is 280Z has more power to it even though it costs less nowadays.
7. Toyota MR2 – $8,000
Back in the 80s Toyota made MR2 which was to take over the affordable sports car market. MR2 made its debut in 1984 and it was a huge hit cause of its looks and pricing. It was a mid-engine sports car which is best for handling.
Toyota total made 3 generations of MR2 which was from 1984 to 2007. Just buy from any of the first two gen cause they got better looks. All three gen are affordable BTW.
6. 1989 Mitsubishi Starion – $ 8,500
Starion is a hatchback design sports car. It has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also has a pop-up headlight that you have seen in many videos. That pop-up headlight looks cool not going to lie.
Every sports car you see here is from the 90s or 80s. Every company was making iconic sports cars back then I bet you wished too that you have lived in that iconic era. Mitsubishi was one of them. This Starion earned a lot of fame for its style and pop-up style headlight. Its turbocharged engine produces over 200 hp. Fun to drive obviously.
5. 1998-2004 Lexus IS300 – $10,000
Lexus was made by Toyota for luxury to compete with European cars. IS was one the most popular car to be produced by Lexus. The first model was released in 1998.
The current model of the IS is still expensive but you can get the first-gen model produced in 2000 which is the IS300 model. Its incredible performance comes from the 3.0-liter inline-six producing around 220hp.
4. Suzuki Cappuccino – $9,000
This Suzuki Cappuccino comes In a Kei car segment. Kei cars mean cars for urban areas and cars for space-saving parking spaces. It is one of them.
But don’t judge it by its looks this cute small car has a 657cc turbocharged engine which is enough to make this JDM car super fun.
3. 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse – $7,700
This legendary car is the result of two companies working together Mitsubishi and Chrysler, to compete with cars like the Mazda MX-5. You have seen this car in many movies. It also shared its platform with Eagle Talcon and Plymouth laser.
Whether you like the design of the first-gen or second-gen it is up to you. The second generation has many engine options among which lies the best 2.0 liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder which produces 210 hp which is enough to make you go crazy.
2. Nissan 350Z – $9,500
Yes, everyone’s favorite Nissan 350Z. Nissan had a good start with the 350Z in the 21st century. They launched 350Z in the early 2000s. it had a very beautiful design and eye-catching looks.
But the most favorite thing about this vehicle was its engine which is a 3.5-liter V6 that produced 350 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. It earned great respect and fame cause of its driving feel and how easy it is to modify.
1.Mazda Miata (NB) – $8,800
This Mazda debuted back in 1989. This JDM was very affordable so it made the statement that a sports car doesn’t need to be expensive that’s why people loved it. Mazda RX-7 is a great car but Miata is the greatest Mazda ever produced. That pop-up headlight is just love.
Mazda launched the second-gen Miata back in 1997. It didn’t have the pop-up headlights but still, it was stylish and looked cool. Its four-cylinder engine produced 142 hp. It is so easy to modify, its parts are easily available on the aftermarket.
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