R32 Slowzilla: 1991 Nissan Skyline GTS25

For decades the Nissan Skyline was forbidden fruit over here in the USA -- and it wasn't until they replaced the classic inline-6 with a V6 that it was imported into the USA and then it was called an Infinity G35 (and alternatively Nissan GTR in Godzilla spec) and it was really a disappointment. Thankfully you can import older Skylines into the America these days and you can even find cheap examples if you are willing to live with an automatic gearbox and a low spec non-turbo version. Find this 1991 Nissan Skyline GTS25 offered for $11900 in New Hampshire via craigslist. Tip from TeleArrow.

Detective Pikachu: 1987 Nissan Be-1

In the late 1980s Nissan released a series of retro-styled vehicles into the Japanese market built on what is known in common parlance as the Pike platform.  The funky retro-designs were penned by a guy named Naoki Sakai who was noted for bringing retro styling to Olympus brand cameras.  The limited production retro-minis included Be-1, K10-Micra, Pao, Figaro and snail styled S-Cargo.  Regrettably, Nissan did not export any of these little oddballs into the USA, but you can find examples that have migrated here over the years.  Find this 1987 Nissan Be-1 offered for $8500 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Ristretto Shot: 1992 Suzuki Cappuccino Turbo RHD

The Suzuki Cappuccino was introduced for the 1987 model year as an attempt to add some sportiness to the Suzuki lineup in native Japan.  In a photograph it looks like a Mazda MX-5 competitor, but with a total length of only 129 inches and a 1598 lb curb weight, the Cappuccino was closer to a go-kart and it conformed to Japan's Kei (Keijidosha light car) regulations that gave buyers a tax break and easier license/insurance requirements.  The Cino was never sold in North America, but a few made it across the pond and into the wilds of the US car market. Find this 1992 Suzuki Cappuccino Turbo offered for $5495 in Portland, OR via craigslist.

RHD Snail Trail: 1989 Nissan S-Cargo

Another day, another cute snail shaped classic oddball Japanese domestic market (JDM) classic on the pages of Daily Turismo.  Why?  Because it's never too late to trade your terrible late model boring crossover lamemobile into an AWESOME piece of automotive history (read about Nissan's Pike cars here).  Stop driving Ford Escapes, Nissan Rogues, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, and get yourself into something that'll make people smile!  Find this 1989 Nissan S-Cargo offered for $12,000 in Olympia, WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Yellowskate: 1991 Honda Beat

If you've ever said to yourself: Self, what I need is a car that looks like something from a Richard Scarry book, accelerates like a big wheel, handles like a roller skate, and is as safe as a skateboard...well...you are in luck, because we've got a JDM thing for you today. Find this 1991 Honda Beat offered for $5000 in Pensacola, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Narcotizing Waft of Affordability: 1991 Nissan Figaro

"Hey DT, you guys post too many interesting cars offered for low prices"...said nobody ever.  At least, we haven't gotten that complaint yet (we have been accused of posting too many Volvos and, once, of sneaking into someones garage to take pictures of his car for sale...true story).  What is interesting might be a moving target, and the "low price" bogey is an ever evolving landscape of supply-versus-demand...but I think the basic thought behind this website is: you don't need to be a millionaire to drive something that is interesting, fun, and unique.  Like this 1991 Nissan Figaro offered for $6900 in Houston, TX via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

A Mazda By Any Other Name: 1993 Autozam AZ-1 Turbo

It constantly amazes me that people buy brand new cars from auto dealers that litter the planet.  I understand that some people really love the new car smell and want something that won't strand them on the side of the road...but why anyone would buy a new Smart ForTwo for $15k when you can get an Autozam AZ-1 is like paying to eat rat poison when you can get free pumpkin pie. People are weird. Find this 1993 Autozam AZ-1 Turbo offered for $16,500 in Sarasota, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Diesel Camping Saloon: 1992 Toyota Coaster Motorhome

This next car comes as a tip from JB1025 who writes: Pretty Cool motor-home.  Yes, yes, it is -- and I've seen a bunch of cool motor homes in the past few years including that Toyota Townace pop-out, and a Clark Cortez (or two) and that BMW diesel powered Vixen...but this next car is a sweet medium sized right-hand-drive creampuff with a turbodiesel inline-6 out of a Land Crusher.  Find this 1992 Toyota Coaster Motorhome offered for $24,000 near Seattle, WA via craigslist.

Don't Call Me Mini: 1990 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Star Wagon

The Mitsubishi Delica was a compact Japanese van with unibody construction, a mid-engine RWD or 4WD drivetrain, and a smattering of engine options. These were sold in North America under the creative model names Van and Wagon, and only lasted a few years here (1987-1990)...but if you ask this guy (and you did...right?) I'd say they are as cool as a Volkswagen Vanagon and should be collectible in the future.  Find this 1990 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Star Wagon offered for $13,300 in Truckee, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

JDM Toy: 1992 Toyota Starlet GT Turbo

The Toyota Starlet was a small sub-Corolla/Tercel pint sized jelly bean that was produced starting in 1973 and ending in 1999 when it was replaced by the Vitz. The Starlet was sold new in the USA, but this next one comes as a JDM import (YO!) complete with right hand drive and a clean federalized NC title.  Find this 1992 Toyota Starlet GT Turbo offered for $8500 in Asheville, NC via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

I Don't Wanna Be One: 1989 NIssan Be-1

DT: Well Costello you’ve did it again. You’re always insulting people. I’ve come to the conclusion that you need a new car. What you need is a retro styled Nissan.
KBZ:Nissan?
DT: Yes, for instance, Be-1.
KBZ: Be one what?
DT: Eh, just Be-1.
KBZ: Just be one.
DT: Yes.
KBZ: Are you one?
DT: No.
KBZ: Then why should I be one?
DT: Oh!
KBZ: If it ain’t good enough for you it ain’t good enough for me! What do you wanna do push me into these things by myself?
DT: I’m not pushing you into anything, I’m trying to tell you something that’s good for your commute.
KBZ: Well what is it?
DT: Be-1!
KBZ: But I don’t wanna be one!
DT: I don’t want you to be one!
KBZ: No?
DT: No. When I say be one I don’t mean be one I mean Be-1.
KBZ: Oh when you say be one you don’t mean be one you just mean be one?
DT: That’s right!
KBZ: That’s right? I don’t even know what I’m talking about!
Find this 1989 NIssan Be-1 offered for $11,500 near Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

JDM VIP RHD PDQ: 1988 Toyota Century

If you were a well compensated Japanese executive shopping for a properly boss ride in the late 1980s, you didn't have many domestic cars to pick from.  You could get something imported like a Rolls Royce or a Mercedes S-Class...but many Japanese businessmen preferred to keep it local, perhaps with good reason.  Find this 1988 Toyota Century offered for an undisclosed price in Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from JB1025.

JDM Unicorn: 1989 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin

Somewhere in an alternate dimension, the guys who operated the chopsaws at Karosserie Baur somehow made there way into the ranks of Toyota's engineering department.  Here they applied their unique skills to the Z20 generation Soarer to create something called the Aerocabin....and it appears that one made it to our universe.  Find this 1989 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin offered for $19,995 in Alameda, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

5k: JDM Yo: 1987 Toyota Starlet Turbo S

By 1987, the Toyota Starlet was long gone from the US shores, being replaced with the FX-16 Corolla here in North America, but you could still get a Starlet in the land of the rising sun.  This next car is a 4th generation Starlet that was originally sold in Japan but has made a trip across the ocean and is somewhere between an undocumented migrant and a naturalized citizen.  Find this 1987 Toyota Starlet Turbo S offered for $6,900 in Ansonia, CT via craigslist.  Tip from Jdah.

7k: Something's Screwy: 1986 Mini Supercharged

The Morris Mini is the golden retriever of cars, instantly recognized and adored by the masses for its playful demeanor. Its introduction in 1958 was a precursor to the British invasion. Over the following decades, the unapologetically British runabout has had its identity seeped into the public view like Earl Grey tea on tooth enamel. In America, its diminutive size and largely untreated sheet metal left it vulnerable to to rust and Roadmasters alike, and the ones that haven't been flattened or decayed wind up over-restored to a price tag no Mini should bear. This one is still guilty on several counts of rust (they all are), but should have enough grunt to escape the current breed of American road predators. And it's cheaper than any of those P-cars in the background. Find this supercharged 1986 Mini for sale in Raleigh, NC for $6,500 via craigslist. 

9k: Grey-Market Bluebird: 1988 Nissan Bluebird SSS-R

After delighting back-road thrill-seekers and autocrossers alike, the Datsun Bluebird left the U.S. market, never to be seen again. Back in its home country, it matriculated into the all-wheel-drive rally fighter you see here, until bloat and anonymity set in, and its role in the marketplace was filled by a nameless front-drive appliance. Here at the peak of its career is the SSS-R variant, as legally protected as white-collar crime, thanks to the 25-year law. Find this 1988 Nissan Bluebird SSS-R in Las Vegas, NV for $8,500 via craigslist.

9k: Unleavened Value: 1998 Toyota Levin

The U.S. has enjoyed a handful of Corolla Levins, but this AE111 generation isn't one of them. It's listed here as a FR-S/BRZ predecessor, which is logical if you count the 2002 Chevy Malibu as the heir to the 1965 Malibu SS. In other words, it's not. This Levin comes with a six-speed manual similar to the one in Celica GTSs, and a 20-valve, 160-horsepower "Blacktop" version of the 4AGE - the most potent of them all. Find this 1998 Toyota Levin BZR for sale in Philadelphia, PA for $9,000 via craigslist.

7k: Welcome to America: 1993 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

The homologation-satisfying GTI-R treatment tarted up Nissan's dopey Pulsar with revealing bodywork that left little to the imagination, ATTESA all-wheel drive, and the famous SR20DET. Weighing 2,690 pounds with 83% of the horsepower of an R32 GT-R, it's as fast as it is flashy on the rally circuit. The U.S. never got one, but a few wash up on our shores to fulfill the American dream of hill jumping and mud spraying. Find this 1993 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R in Washington, D.C. for $7,000 via craigslist.