5 Japanese Sports Cars Under $20,000 You Can Bid On This Weekend
I have good news for fans of late-1980s and early-1990s Japanese sports cars. That poster model or video game legend you have been dreaming of for decades is surprisingly affordable. Seriously, classic sports cars by Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are sitting on auction sites for under $20,000. Bidding on your dream machine is as easy as bidding on a vintage gaming console on eBay. Check out five models you can bid on this weekend, from generations worth hunting for.
5
1990–1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
HP: 116 Torque: 100 LB-FT
Let’s get this Japanese sports car party started with a first-generation Mazda Miata MX-5. The British roadster-inspired coupe first came to the United States in 1990 and hasn’t left! Americans can’t get enough of the front-engine RWD car with a 50:50 weight distribution. With the 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four engine, you get 116 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque. It weighs in at about 2,100 to 2,300 pounds with a power-to-weight ratio of 18.15 pounds per hp.
The first-generation MX-5 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 8.8 seconds and covers a quarter mile in roughly 16.6 seconds with a trap speed of about 81.9 mph. Also, it has a top speed of 116 mph. This Mazda generation was available with a standard five-speed manual transmission and an available four-speed automatic transmission.
This Mazda delivers nostalgic 1990s styling elements with retractable pop-up headlights with halogen headlamps. The front turn signal headlamps are integrated in the lower front bumper and the Mazda badge is embedded in the front bumper instead of having a traditional center grille badge placement. Also, the hood is aluminum to reduce weight.
The interior is perfect for minimalists with a simple roadster-style layout. The high-back bucket seats feature integrated headrests with plenty of side bolstering and lower leg support. Also, a fourth pedal is on the floor to provide foot bracing while cornering. The analog cluster includes a 140- mph speedometer and an 8,000-rpm tachometer.
You can bid on this 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata this weekend. It’s equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and flexes with only 49,000 miles on the odometer. It’s wearing an attractive shade of Silver Stone Metallic paint that’s complemented by a black convertible soft top. The black interior features cloth upholstery with color-coordinated door panels.
4
1991–1995 Toyota MR2 Turbo
HP: 200 Torque: 200 LB-FT
The second Japanese sports car on this list is the Toyota MR2 Turbo. It’s a spirited mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 3S-GTE inline-four engine. It pumps out 200 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque and weighs in at about 2,703 to 2,888 pounds, for an excellent power-to-weight ratio of 13.7 pounds per hp.
Models can be found with a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. This sports car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.9 seconds and completes a quarter mile in about 14.3 to 14.7 seconds at 95 mph. The US-market model features a top speed of 150 mph, but Japanese-market models are slightly faster with the same engine thanks to a higher-output tune of 220 hp.
The Toyota MR2 has an attractive aerodynamic style that’s inspired by Ferrari, with a short front hood and long rear deck. The pop-up headlights are retractable to create a low-slung nose while lowered. Plus, it was available with a solid roof or removable T-bar glass panels. The T-bar setup became standard in 1993.
You’ll find that the interior is practical and driver-focused. The dash includes analog gauges paired with exclusive factory boost gauges integrated in the center of the instrument cluster. Also, the five-speed manual shifter is positioned on the center console. Some models have a unique lockable storage compartment, and the T-top models have bags for storing the glass roof panels.
A clean 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo five-speed model with 106,000 miles is up for auction this weekend. It looks extremely clean, comes with a CarFax report, and the current seller has a California title in his or her name. It recently benefited from getting a new valve cover gasket, throttle body gasket, spark plugs, and ignition wires.
3
1993–1997 Mazda RX-7
HP: 255 Torque: 217 LB-FT
Next up is Mazda. This rear-wheel-drive sports coupe packs a punch with its 1,302 cc (1.3-liter) twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine that churns out 255 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque. The coupe weighs in at 2,761 to 2,923 pounds with a 10.8 lb to hp power-to-weight ratio.
The Mazda RX-7 was available with an R15MD heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. It can reach 60 in nearly 5.2 seconds and cover a quarter mile in about 13.2 seconds at 102.8 mph. Its electronically limited top speed hovers around 155 miles per hour.
Once again, this Japanese sports car has highly coveted pop-up headlights. Its double-bubble roof shape with two raised sections over the front seats for helmet clearance provides a distinct look. Some performance-oriented models wear a front chin lip spoiler and a rear wing. The interior is minimalistic, with a wraparound dash that puts all the primary controls within the driver’s reach. Chrome-bezeled analog gauges surround a striking central tachometer. There are very small rear seats behind the front bucket seats. However, they’re best suited for extra cargo.
Auction alert: 1994 Mazda RX-7. This black 1994 Mazda RX-7 has the sleek, aggressive look of a compact sports car built to impress. It has 91,900 miles on the odometer and features a four-speed automatic transmission. This car has been with its current owner in Florida since 1997 and has a few Petite Racing modifications to consider.
2
1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
HP: 300 Torque: 283 LB-FT
This Nissan is a pretty exciting front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Japanese sports car to consider. The 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine with dual Garrett water-cooled turbochargers delivers 300 hp and 283 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo weighs about 3,422 to 3,480 pounds with an 11.41 pounds per hp power-to-weight ratio.
It was available with a heavy-duty RS5R30 five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic. The Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds with a 13.4-second quarter-mile time at roughly 108 mph. The coupe has an electronically limited speed of 155 mph.
Sorry, this model doesn’t have pop-up headlights! The fixed, aggressively slanted headlights were later licensed by Lamborghini for the Diablo. The lower apron has horizontal cooling vents, and the rear end has a flush wrap-around aerodynamic spoiler. Also, it has standard removable T-top glass roof panels.
The interior serves as an ergonomic sports car cockpit with analog gauges and integrated control pods. It’s praised for its high visibility, and the control switches are mounted on the sides of the steering wheel, allowing you to adjust settings without taking your hands off the wheel.
Check out this auction listing for a 1996 Nissan 300ZX out of Florida. It wears original white paint and features an automatic transmission. It has 126,251 miles on the odometer, but you wouldn’t be able to guess that based on its looks. The exterior and tan interior are extremely clean.
1
1994–1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Twin-Turbo
320 Torque: 315 LB-FT
Last but certainly not least, I’d like to talk about the 1994–1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Twin-Turbo. This performance coupe features all-wheel drive! The 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine delivers 320 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque. It weighs in at about 3,737 to 3,803 pounds and features an 11.7 pounds per hp power-to-weight ratio.
It was exclusively available with a six-speed Getrag manual transmission. This Japanese sports car reaches 60 mph in around 4.8 seconds with a 13.5-second quarter-mile time at a trap speed of roughly 100.5 miles per hour. Also, the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Twin-Turbo has a governed top speed of 155 mph.
Sadly, it also doesn’t have pop-up headlights. Its wide Coke-bottle stance makes up for it. It was available as a fastback coupe or with a complex power-retractable hardtop roof. Plus, automatically deploying front air dam extensions and rear wings came standard with 1994–1996 models.
The driver-focused interior features an angled center stack with auxiliary analog gauges for turbo boost pressure, oil pressure, and voltage, positioned below the radio and climate controls. Each model has a 2+2 layout with tiny bench-style seats in the rear that are best for extra cargo.
There is an auction listing for a 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 happening this weekend. It’s wearing a shade of Zurich White Pearl paint and features a grey interior with leather upholstery. As expected, it has the exclusive six-speed manual transmission. But best of all, it only lists 46,000 miles on the odometer.
Source: Automobile Catalog, Fastest Laps, Copart, Cars & Bids, Bring A Trailer
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