Feature article

Best JDM cars available in NZ

JDM stands for Japanese domestic market, and is used to describe models designed and marketed primarily in Japan.

By Kyle Cassidy (Editor NZ Autocar magazine)

Last updated: 4 March 2025 | 5 min read

The term JDM stands for Japanese domestic market, and is used by car enthusiasts to describe models that were designed and marketed primarily for sale in Japan. This is opposed to other Japanese models designed for export markets. The term is usually applied to those performance halo models from the late eighties and nineties that were sold in Japan (though limited numbers were also sold in select right-hand drive export markets). Technically you could call the Toyota Probox a JDM model, as it was sold only in Japan, but the term is more synonymous with the performance models. And so with that in mind, what are the best JDM cars available in NZ? This is a contentious topic, but here are five of our favourites.

Nissan Skyline GT-R

The Nissan Skyline GT-R carved its reputation as a legend on the race track. First introduced back in 1969, the Hakosuka dominated Japanese domestic racing for years. But it was the R32 GT-R (1989-1994) that solidified its status as a JDM legend. The R32 was designed to dominate Group A racing, and dominate the Godzilla did. In Japan’s Group A racing series, the R32 won 29 consecutive races, and caused Aussie V8 boofheads to lose it when the GT-R twice won at Bathurst. The GT-R road car, with its RB26DETT 2.6L twin-turbo inline-six engine, ATTESA all-wheel-drive system and Super-HICAS four-wheel steering proved to be a supercar slayer.The R33 (1995-1998) and R34 (1999-2002) models further refined the GT-R formula, with improved aerodynamics and handling. The GT-R is also a tuner's dream, with the RB26 able to output over 1000hp when done right.

Browse Nissan Skyline listings or check out Nissan Dealers in NZ on Trade Me Motors.

Read more about the 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R Nismo.

Subaru STi 22B

The 22B makes the list thanks to its rally heritage, rarity and high-performance engineering. Built in 1998 to celebrate Subaru’s three consecutive World Rally Championship (WRC) titles, along with the firm’s 40th anniversary, the 22B was a road-going version of Subaru’s WRC racer.

The 22B featured a widebody design imitating the WRC rally car, complete with that massive adjustable rear wing while it rolled on gold BBS alloys. Under the alloy bonnet lay a special, hand-honed 2.2-litre version of the flat four EJ with around 225kW (official output stated at 206kW, as per the manufacturer’s gentleman’s agreement) and 363Nm of torque. With a close-ratio five-speed manual, all-wheel drive with an adjustable torque split and a LSD up front, its handling was inspired, helped by special Bilstein dampers.

Limited to 424 units worldwide (400 for Japan, 24 for export), the 22B’s exclusivity has seen its value soar in recent times, with prices in the $500k - $800k bracket.

Browse Subaru Impreza listings or check out Subaru Dealers in NZ on Trade Me Motors.

Read more about the 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 22B.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI TME

The Lancer Evolution was Mitsubishi’s rally weapon during the nineties. And it was used to good effect by one Tommi Mäkinen, who claimed four driver’s championships with the turbocharged 4x4 sedan. To celebrate the achievement, Mitsubishi made a run of Tommi Mäkinen Edition models based on the Evolution VI in 1999. The TME gained a few factory mods including an upgraded turbo to aid the response of the 4G63 four pot as well as a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission to improve acceleration. Along with some suspension tweaks and a quicker steering ratio, it was a more agile Evo.

Visually they gave the TME a new front bumper that improved aerodynamics and cooling, a new set of Enkei alloys and some came with TME Ralliart graphics.

With only 2500 units produced, it remains the most sought-after of the Evo models, with tidy, low mileage, unmodified versions asking up to $100k.

Browse Mitsubishi Lancer listings or check out Mitsubishi Dealers in NZ on Trade Me Motors.

Honda NSX Type R

Honda’s NSX was a genuine challenger to the European sportscar order when it arrived in 1989, a Japanese car that bested Ferrari. Ayrton Senna’s development input also helped. Things only got better with the NSX Type R thanks to its lightweight construction and race-inspired handling. First introduced in 1992, the NSX-R was Honda’s ultimate expression of precision driving and handling, designed for track driving.

Honda managed to make the R 120kg lighter than the regular NSX by removing items like soundproofing, air conditioning and the stereo. The 3.0-litre VTEC-equipped V6 was hand finished to improve its response, while the close-ratio five-speed manual helped keep it spinning. The second-generation NSX-R in 2002 pushed performance further with a more powerful 3.2-litre C32B V6 and additional aerodynamic enhancements.

Browse Honda NSX listings or check out Honda Dealers in NZ on Trade Me Motors.

Read more about the 1995 Honda NSX Type R.

Mazda RX-7 FD

Mazda’s third generation of RX-7, known as the FD by the JDM faithful, was introduced in 1992 and was sold in many markets around the world. So it doesn’t quite fit the strict JDM definition. However, it was discontinued in many of those export markets after a few years. The Series 7 and 8 models, made from 1996 to 2002, were only made in RHD configurations and the Series 8 was only sold in Japan.

With its rotary-powered performance, the FD-generation RX-7 is widely regarded as one of the best-handling Japanese sports cars of its era. The twin-rotor 13B-REW engine, the first-ever mass-produced sequential twin-turbo rotary engine made for a unique power unit. Weight was kept in check to 1250kg while the 50/50 distribution of the rear drive chassis made it an agile handler. The later models were handy production-based racers, its most famous victory Downunder coming at the Bathurst 12 hour.

Browse Mazda RX-7 listings or check out Mazda Dealers in NZ on TradeMe Motors.