TORQUE GT ● BLOG
Its no secret that Japanese performance cars have attracted a huge amount of interest from collectors and investors. This has fuelled a market that has witnessed values double, treble and on occasions even quadruple! Having supplied a vast number of cars direct from Japan over the past 20 years we share our best performing Japanese investment cars...
1 Toyota Celica GT-Four
In contrast to many of the other cars featured in this list the Celica GT-Four has only just started receiving the attention it deserves. This is party due to buyers being priced out of cars such as the Evolution Tommi Makinen and Impreza STI Type R but much can be attributed to how relatively cheap they were only 18 months ago. Facelift models with the projector headlights steal the most attention...
2012 guide price: ¥200,000 - ¥300,000
2019 guide price: ¥1.5 mill - ¥2.5 mill
2 Nissan Skyline R34 GTT
Rumour has it Torque GT were the first to bring an R34 GTT to the UK nearly 2 decades ago. The sheer number of GTTs available back then is undeniable and we obviously filled our boots! Fast forward to present day and GTTs have become very thin on the ground in Japan especially in good condition. The fact R34 GTRs are now out of reach for most buyers has also contributed to pushing values up in Japan. Perhaps unsurprisingly manual GTTs in Bayside Blue are the most sought after...
2012 guide price: ¥800,000 - ¥1 mill
2019 guide price: ¥2 mill - ¥2.5 mill
3 Subaru Impreza STI Type R
The 2 door Impreza has been adored amongst Scooby fans since its release but its only until recently that we've witnessed a dramatic increase in values. This is likely down to how scarce these are now becoming in Japan... a simple equation of demand outstripping supply. All 2 door models are appreciating but it has to be said that the version 6 V-ltd is out-performing its siblings...
2012 guide price: ¥600,000 - ¥800,000
2019 guide price: ¥2 mill - ¥2.5 mill
4 Honda Integra Type R (DC2)
If you're in the market for an iconic FWD car with immense character it's hard to think of much better than a DC2 Honda Integra Type R. With the reputation of being one of the best, if not THE best FWD handling road cars of all time values have rocketed over the past few years. The best performer would have to be a Type Rx in Pheonix yellow!
2012 guide price: ¥400,000 - ¥600,000
2019 guide price: ¥2 mill - ¥2.5 mill
5 Honda Civic Type R (EK9)
The original Civic Type R... Lightweight, raw and 8000+rpm. It’s a cracker to drive with it’s front helical limited-slip differential and close ratio gearbox. Back in it’s day the B16B engine boasted one of the highest power output per litre for a naturally-aspirated engine. Much like the DC2 ITR its built a cult status which has driven values up considerably. Again a Type Rx in Pheonix yellow causes the biggest stir!
2012 guide price: ¥400,000 - ¥600,000
2019 guide price: ¥2.5 mill - ¥3 mill
6 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR
When the R32 GTR neared elegibility for the US market it set a precedent for what would likely happen to R33 GTR values. Plenty talked about it, some acted but many more missed out. It may make you miserable but its worth noting that you could have paid up to 4 times less for an R33 GTR just 5 years ago. Do we see prices dropping anytime soon? Most likely not... with 4 years of R33 GTR production series 3 V-specs are the most desirable (excluding the N1, LM and 400R) and values will undoubtedly reflect this as the US market draws nearer.
2012 guide price: ¥800,000 - ¥1 mill
2019 guide price: ¥3 mill - ¥4 mill
7 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR
Was the R32 GTR the cause of the JDM car boom? We believe it played a huge part. With such an iconic car comes desirability and it was this desirability that fueled values to double in little more than 12 months prior to them being available to the US market. From base model GTRs to NISMO editions and everything in between we witnessed something that we hadn't seen in nearly 20 years in the business. Suddenly heads were turned and speculators were getting involved in not only R32 GTRs but pretty much every significant car within the Japanese Golden Era. The rest as they say is history!
2012 guide price: ¥400,000 - ¥800,000
2019 guide price: ¥3.5 mill - ¥4 mill
8 Mitsubishi Evolution Tommi Makinen Edition
The Mitsubishi Evolution Tommi Makinen has quite possibly been one of the best performing car investments within the past 10 years. A mix of motorsport credentials and an unmistakeable appearance has been a major catalyst and we're backing it to continue to appreciate as it nears elegibility for the US market. Passion Red has undoubtedly drawn the lion share of interest with sales prices consistently north of 4 mill JPY in Japan.
2012 guide price: ¥800,000 - ¥1.2 mill
2019 guide price: ¥3.5 mill - ¥5 mill
9 Toyota Supra
One of the most iconic cars to come out of Japan since the 1990's the mark 4 Toyota Supra has a massive Worldwide following. Current values reflect this with turbo models having appreciated considerably in the past 3 years. Its also worth noting that NA models (Particularly the 6spd SZ-R) have also risen sharply. A late model VVTi with the 6spd manual gearbox is undeniably the most sought after though.
2012 guide price: ¥1.2 mill - ¥1.5 mill
2019 guide price: ¥4 mill - ¥5 mill
10 Mazda RX7 Spirit R
The Mazda RX7 has always split opinion. Although the gorgeous looks are undeniable, reliability has been a concern for a number of buyers. Unfortunately, the internet has a lot to answer for with a significant amount of bad press coming from individuals passing opinion on a car they've never driven let alone owned. This meant for some time that FD3S RX7s could be picked up for literally peanuts. Times have changed and we've seen values quadruple in a little less than 5 years. The flagship Spirit R is the most desirable of all with just 1504 made and values now regularly exceeding ¥4 mill in Japan.
2012 guide price: ¥2 mill - ¥2.5 mill
2019 guide price: ¥4 mill - ¥6 mill
11 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR
For those who have been living underneath a rock for the past 10 years may have missed R34 GTR values trebling and in some cases quadrupling. At times it was hard to keep up with examples changing hands for £1000s more than they had the month previously. Appreciation has slowed but it certainly hasn't halted. The biggest surprise is perhaps how far they're still away from being available to the US market. Will they push on again when they're a couple of years out? It remains to be seen but there are plenty who are backing it. Bayside blue is the obvious choice but carries a premium.
2012 guide price: ¥2 mill - ¥3 mill
2019 guide price: ¥6.5 mill - ¥8 mill
12 Subaru Impreza 22B
Theres no school like the old school and in the Impreza world the 22B is the headmaster... For scooby fans the 22B is god. Now over 20 years of age this blue and gold legend has seriously appreciated in value. If you're looking to invest in cars, purchasing a homologation special is a pretty safe bet and the 22B is proof. Only 5 years ago these were changing hands for less than half of what they're demanding today. What's more they're only a few years off US elegibility which will further their appeal to investors.
2012 guide price: ¥4 mill - ¥5 mill
2019 guide price: ¥12 mill - ¥15 mill
13 Nissan Skyline V-Spec II Nür
Nissan built just over 1000 Nürs, just under 30 per cent of which were more road-biased M-Spec cars, and the other 70 per cent were stiffer V-spec II cars. All Nürs got Nissan's legendary N1 version of the RB26 straight six originally designed for competition use. That meant a thick-wall block and special N1 pistons, rods, crank and turbos. The list goes on. Apart from the Z-tune the Nür is confidently the king of the R34 GTRs. Collectors have taken note and its now almost impossible to find a decent one for less than ¥12 mill with top examples fetching well in excess of ¥15 mill.
2012 guide price: ¥5 mill - ¥6 mill
2019 guide price: ¥15 mill+
14 Nissan Skyline NISMO 400R
For us, the Nismo 400R, as released in 1997, is the very best iteration of the R33 Skyline GT-R. Out of the box there’s very little to find fault with, and really it demonstrates how an infusion of select enhancements can transform the R33 into something truly special. With a mere 44 units ever produced they are exceptionally rare and hugely desirable the world over. To value is a difficult task as so few have come to market. However we do remember seeing one nearly 10 years ago that sold for around ¥8 mill JPY. That same car today would likely be offered for figures closer to ¥20 mill JPY.
2012 guide price: ¥8 mill - ¥9 mill
2019 guide price: ¥20 mill
15 Honda NSX-R (NA1)
There's few cars as beautiful as the NA1 Honda NSX-R. The desirability of this Japanese icon has placed it at the top of many car collectors lists and in our opinion it more than deserves the attention it receives. The moment you drop into those kevlar Recaro seats and take in one of the most elegant yet purposeful interiors, you know you're sitting in something very special.
2012 guide price: ¥8 mill - ¥10 mill
2019 guide price: ¥20 mill
16 Honda NSX-R (NA2)
For many the NA2 NSX-R is the pinnacle. Bringing together years of experience and development to produce a car that was close to engineering perfection. Light years ahead of its time the NA2 will surely sit in the hall of fame as one of the world's greatest performance cars. Even 10 years ago they weren't cheap but those who were in a position to purchase one will surely be kicking themselves now as values exceed 3 times that amount. How many investments can you say that about?
2012 guide price: ¥10 mill - ¥12 mill
2019 guide price: ¥30 mill+
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