'90s Japanese Sports Care That Are Gaining Value Like a Rolling Stone
Japanese sports cars are some of the best on the market because of their incredible engines, exquisite engineering, and high-performance capabilities. The ‘90s were a particularly strong decade, so many older Japanese sports cars are now skyrocketing in value. Keep reading to discover them.
Honda NSX
The Honda NSX first roared onto the roads in 1990, with its twin-turbocharged V6 engine and ability to reach 60mph in just three seconds. It was a game-changer for sports cars, and with original models becoming rarer, they’re now skyrocketing in price up to $1 million!
Mitsubishi 3000GT
1990 was also the year that the phenomenal Mitsubishi 3000GT first entered production. It was agile, noisy, and aerodynamic; everything that a good sports car should be. Its current price influx reflects that, with many 3000GTs fetching up to $70,000 at auction.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 was a very late ‘90s sports car, capping off a very successful decade. It remains an iconic performance car, with exceptional handling and a top speed of 156mph. But if you want to buy one now, you’ll be spending between $100,000 and $1 million!
Toyota MR2 (W20)
Though the Toyota MR2 first came out in the ‘80s, the second-gen W20 model took things to new heights. It offered an aggressive design to rival Ferrari and fun, high-speed handling. The W20 has long been an underrated MR2, but it’s now skyrocketing in price and popularity.
Suzuki Cappuccino
Speaking of underrated Japanese sports cars, the Suzuki Cappuccino has flown under the radar for far too long. It was a stylish roadster kei car, so it was always an affordable option, but now, things are changing. Some Cappuccinos now sell for $30,000, which is a large increase.
Acura Integra Type R
The Acura Integra Type R is a sports car worthy of the name, with one of the noisiest, most engaging engines and phenomenal VTEC technology. Though some Type Rs are still available for more modest prices, well-maintained units can sell for over $200,000 now.
Mazda RX-7 FD
We all know the Mazda RX-7, but the third-gen FD variant really cemented its place among the greatest Japanese sports cars, courtesy of its sequential twin-turbo rotary engine and driver-centric build. But it is now increasing further, with prices ranging from $50,000 to $ 100,000.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a legendary sports car, but did you know that its first six generations were all released in the ‘90s? They’re all great, but the IV is particularly aggressive and has the iconic 4G63 engine, so we can see why it’s now skyrocketing in price.
Honda CR-X Del Sol
This targa-top sports car is another underappreciated Japanese sports car that roared to life in the ‘90s, offering a fun driving experience that also prioritized safety. It was also relatively affordable, but its top price is now over $20,000, and it’s expected to increase further.
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205
If you’ve never heard of the Toyota Celica, you must have been living under a rock! But the GT-Four ST205 variant is an underrated rally-inspired gem that handles and accelerates like a dream. Its value has slowly gone up over the years, and is starting to really peak now.
Nissan Silvia S14
The Nissan Silvia is one of the most enduring sports cars, dating all the way back to 1965. But the sixth-gen S14 ruled the ‘90s, with the trusty SR20DET engine to power it. It fetches a decent price nowadays, and that is only increasing in the current market.
Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo
The Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo is perhaps the rarest sports car on our list because it was only produced for the 1991 model year. It quickly developed a cult following for its excellent performance, and now mainstream collectors are also taking notice, willing to pay more for it.
Mazda Eunos Cosmo
Eunos was Mazda’s short-lived luxury brand, and the Cosmo delivered beyond expectations. It was an opulent sports car with the world’s first-ever three-rotor rotary engine in a production car. It also has a fast-increasing value, which has currently rocketed up to $30,000.
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX has changed a lot over the years, but the ‘92 original remains a classic, with its powerful boxer engine and nimble AWD system. It’s also experiencing a huge boost in value, now rivalling the 2025 WRX at the $25,000+ mark.
Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
The Nissan Pulsar GTI-R has a unique sporty legacy, having first been produced in 1990 to put a World Rally Championship car on the roads. It was a turbocharged dream that people loved, even with its questionable design, and it’s now valued at over $30,000.
Toyota Supra Mk4 (A80)
Even the most casual sports car fan will know the Toyota Supra Mk4, but the A80 often flies under the radar. However, it catapulted to turbocharged fame in the ‘Fast and Furious’ movies, and now has a value of $82,000, with some models selling for over $150,000!
Nissan 180SX
The Nissan 180SX struck the ideal balance for a sports car: a lightweight chassis and a roaring engine that could reach 235mph. It has been a relatively affordable sports car for a long time, but has now tripled in value, thanks to new collector interest.
Honda NSX Type R
If there was ever a sports car that provided an unmatchable, mind-blowing performance, it’s the Honda NSX Type R. It put performance over comfort, but sports car fanatics loved that. A ‘95 model sold for $632,000 in 2023, so you know it’s still hot property!
Toyota Soarer (Z30)
The Toyota Soarer ruled the roads for over two decades, but the ‘90s Z30 model was particularly impressive. It used advanced JDM technology for the time, seamlessly blending luxury and power. Nowadays, its value is slowly but consistently increasing due to its desirability.
Lexus SC400
The Lexus SC400 was a very progressive sports car for its time, with a smooth engine, strong build, and sumptuous leather interior. It has been moderately valuable for a long time, but its price has increased a lot in the past few years, and it continues to do so.
Mazda Autozam AZ-1
We’d love to see more tiny Mazda Autozam AZ-1s on the road, but with their price going up more every day, it’s looking less likely. They’ve skyrocketed to $30,000, and are set to increase further, which is no doubt due to their unique, retro looks and performance.
Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
Before there was the R34 GT-R, the ‘90s had the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R. It was a racecar designed for the roads, with complex technology and an incredible AWD system. We’re surprised it hasn’t skyrocketed before, with decent models now priced between $50,000 and $90,000.
Honda Prelude (BA8)
Despite being named ‘Prelude’, the fourth-gen BA8 actually came out at the end of the ‘90s. It was a reliable sports car with impeccable Japanese engineering and incredible torque, and its value is now rising to reflect that historical craftsmanship.
Toyota Aristo V300
The Toyota Aristo V300 was a rather muscular '90s sports car with a legendary 2JZ-GTE engine and a comfortable interior. Their price has gradually increased over the years and now sits at around $25,000, which is far more than in the past.
Subaru Impreza 22B STI
We're not surprised that the Subaru Impreza 22B STI's value has increased, given its status as a special-edition sports car built in honor of Subaru's 40th birthday. It was pure rally power that looked spectacular. But to buy one now will cost you between $200,000 and $300,000!
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the most sought-after ‘90s Japanese sports cars today, with its loud, responsive engine and lightweight handling. It was always a relatively affordable option, but its price is ever-increasing, especially with the new trim options.
Isuzu Piazza (JT22)
The second-gen Isuzu Piazza turned heads in the early ‘90s with its unique retro styling, but it's more of an obscure gem nowadays. However, collectors love rare sports cars, so the Piazza JT22 has skyrocketed in value in recent years.
Mitsubishi FTO
Though many Japanese cars tried something new, the Mitsubishi FTO was a sports car in all the right ways. It had a mainstream V6 engine, a sporty coupe build, and innovative tech. But it never fully went international until recently, and now the FTO is skyrocketing in price.
Subaru SVX
Subaru launched the SVX in 1991 as a luxury sports GT car to rival the likes of BMW. Its aggressive speed and build were almost as cool as its “window in a window” design feature. Its recent spike in value reflects its capabilities, so future success is practically guaranteed.
Toyota MkIV Supra Turbo
The Toyota MkIV Supra Turbo is a global legend in the sports car industry. Many have hailed its powerful twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine as the “best engine ever made”, and its sleek design is also universally adored. That’s why we’re not surprised it’s now valued at over $80,000.
Honda S2000
Released in 1999, the Honda S2000 only just made our list, but it’s more than deserving of its place. This beautiful open-top, well-engineered sports car is now worth $30,000-$40,000, but with collector interest rising, its value can only rise further, too.
Mazda MX-3
The Mazda MX-3 was a constant strong presence throughout the ‘90s, and even the creation of more advanced sports cars couldn’t erase it. It has a high-rev engine, excellent rear suspension, and a simple but eye-catching design. Nowadays, you can expect to pay over $20,000 for one.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
The Mitsubishi Eclipse has evolved over the years, but its legacy started all the way back in 1990 as a compact sports car. In today’s market, the Eclipse remains a well-liked vehicle and is currently worth up to $30,000. Its sleek build and powerful engine make it a timeless option.
Honda Beat
Japanese kei cars will always be valuable, and the two-seater, roadster Honda Beat is one of the most enduring. This speedy little car has come a long way, from being a cheap option to reaching five figures and continuing to appreciate.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution II
Finally, we had to mention the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution II because it was only ever exclusive to Japan, which has massively increased its value over time. Nowadays, people will pay $22,000 or more for a second-gen Evolution, and it’s still a rally-bred dream.
