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Buyer's Guide
Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Import Guide (2026)
How to legally import a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R to the USA in 2026. 25-year rule eligibility, shipping, compliance, pricing, and what to look for when buying.
Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R: The Complete Buyer's Guide
The R32 GT-R is fully US-legal. Specs, common problems, fair market pricing in 2026, and what separates Nismo and V-Spec cars from the rest.
Mazda RX-7 FD3S Buying Guide
FD3S RX-7 buying guide: 13B-REW rotary basics, common failure points, pricing by year, and why the apex seal myth still costs buyers money.
Honda S2000: The Complete Buyer's Guide
AP1 vs AP2 S2000 differences, known issues (rear subframe, oil consumption), transmission rebuild cost, and current market values for 2026.
Honda Civic Type R EK9: The JDM-Only Hot Hatch
EK9 Type R buyer's guide. B16B engine quirks, LSD spec, how to spot a retagged car, and what a clean EK9 costs in 2026.
Toyota AE86 Buyer's Guide (2026)
Hachi-Roku buyer's guide. Coupe vs Levin vs Trueno, 4A-GE variants, rust hotspots, current pricing, and what Initial D hype did to the market.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX: The Complete Guide
Evo IX buyer's guide. MR vs non-MR, MIVEC 4G63 basics, common turbo and transmission issues, current pricing, and the rallying heritage that made it iconic.
Toyota Supra MK4 Buying Guide
A80 Supra MK4 buyer's guide. NA vs TT, targa vs hardtop, 2JZ-GTE reliability, current market pricing, and why a clean unmolested car is the hardest to find.
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Reissue (2026)
Toyota brought back the 70-series Land Cruiser for 2024-26 Japan-market sales. What the reissue means for US importers, 25-year-rule status, and how to buy.
Import/Legal
How to Import a JDM Car to the USA
Step-by-step import process for a JDM car to the USA. 25-year rule, auction purchase, shipping, NHTSA clearance, EPA, customs, title, and state registration.
2001 JDM Imports: Now Legal in 2026
What 2001 JDM cars are now 25 years old and legal to import to the USA in 2026. Complete list with pricing, shipping costs, and how to source from Japan.
JDM Cars Turning 25 & Import-Eligible in 2026
Every JDM car turning 25 years old in 2026 and newly eligible under the federal 25-year import rule. Monthly eligibility windows and how to plan ahead.
2026 JDM Imports: Evo VII, Integra DC5, and the 25-Year Rule
The Evo VII, Integra DC5 Type R, and other 2001-era JDM legends are import-eligible in 2026. What you need to know before buying.
NHTSA Import Requirements: The Complete Guide
NHTSA HS-7 form, 25-year rule, show-or-display exemptions, and what documentation you need to clear a JDM car through US customs without issue.
JDM Import State Registration Guide
Which US states are easiest to register imported JDM cars in (Montana, South Dakota, Vermont) and which states actively block gray-market imports.
Titling and Registering an Imported JDM Car
Start-to-finish walkthrough of titling an imported JDM car. Bill of sale translation, export certificate, customs form, state DMV process, plates.
The True Cost of Importing a JDM Car
Real 2026 costs to import a JDM car: auction fees, FOB price, shipping, port fees, customs duty, EPA/NHTSA, compliance, state registration. Full breakdown.
Kei Truck Import Guide (2026)
Hijet, Carry, Acty — kei truck import rules for 2026. State-by-state registration status, offroad-only restrictions, and which trucks are worth the import.
Japan Car Auction Guide for US Buyers
How USS, JU, and HAA auctions work. Understanding auction grade sheets (4, 4.5, R), placing bids through an exporter, and avoiding common rookie mistakes.
JDM Importer Directory (USA)
Reputable JDM car importers in the USA, state-by-state. How to vet an importer, red flags to watch for, and questions to ask before putting down a deposit.
JDM Parts Sourcing Guide
How to source genuine JDM parts from Japan. Amayama, Nengun, Yahoo Auctions Japan, group buys, and why the US aftermarket catalog is often the wrong move.
Engine/Tech
2JZ-GTE vs RB26DETT: The Real Comparison
2JZ vs RB26 breakdown across stock output, reliability, tuning ceiling, parts availability, and community support. The answer depends on what you're building.
RB26DETT Engine Guide
RB26DETT deep dive. Architecture, common failure points (head gasket, oil starvation), build costs at 500/700/1000+ hp, and parts availability in 2026.
SR20DET Build Parts Guide
SR20DET build parts: turbo, ECU, fuel system, cams, rods, pistons. What you actually need at 400 hp, 500 hp, and 600+ hp, and where to source reliably.
Best JDM Engines to Swap in 2026
Ranked guide to the best JDM engine swaps in 2026. 2JZ-GTE, RB26, SR20DET, 4G63, K20A, B18C — pros, cons, donor car pricing, and install complexity.
Mishimoto vs OEM Cooling for JDM Builds
Aftermarket vs OEM radiators and cooling for JDM builds. When Mishimoto makes sense, when OEM is the right call, and what the pros are running.
Touge Suspension Setup Guide
What a touge-focused suspension actually needs. Spring rate, damper valving, camber, alignment numbers, and the difference between a time-attack and a street-touge setup.
Culture
Initial D & Touge Culture: The Real History
Where touge racing came from in Japan, how Initial D mainstreamed it globally, and what the culture looks like in 2026 — in Japan and in the diaspora.
JDM vs USDM: The Real Differences
Beyond the badges: how JDM and USDM versions of the same car differ in specs, compliance equipment, lighting, electronics, and resale value.
Best JDM Cars Under $15K (2026)
Realistic 2026 picks for JDM cars under $15K. What you get at that budget, what to avoid, and where the still-affordable enthusiast market lives.
Best JDM Drift Cars for Beginners (2026)
Beginner-friendly JDM drift car picks for 2026. S13, AE86, FC RX-7, SC300 — what to buy, how much to spend, and the parts you need before the first event.