Buyer's guides

Chassis code by chassis code: what the car actually is, what it should cost in Japan, the faults that cost real money, and whether it can be imported to New Zealand or Australia today.

• BNR32

  Nissan Skyline GT-R

  日産 スカイライン GT-R

  The car that made Group A racing boring and Japan's export trade interesting. ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive, Super HICAS rear steering, and the most tuner-supported engine ever put in a Japanese road car.

  Japan price band: ¥3.5m–¥9m depending on grade, mileage and originality

• BNR34

  Nissan Skyline GT-R R34

  日産 スカイライン GT-R (R34)

  The last RB-powered GT-R and the most expensive JDM car on the planet. Shorter wheelbase, six-speed Getrag gearbox and the multi-function display everyone remembers from the films.

  Japan price band: ¥15m–¥60m+; V-Spec II Nür cars are in a market of their own

• CT9A

  Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII–IX

  三菱 ランサーエボリューション

  Active Yaw Control, a bulletproof iron-block four and rally-derived all-wheel drive. The IX MR with its six-speed and MIVEC head is the pick if you want the last and best version.

  Japan price band: ¥1.8m–¥6m; MR and RS variants command the premium

• GC8

  Subaru Impreza WRX STI

  スバル インプレッサ WRX STI

  The rally homologation car that made Subaru famous. Version numbers matter: later cars get bigger brakes, a stronger gearbox and the driver-controlled centre differential.

  Japan price band: ¥1.2m–¥5m; 22B and Type R coupes are far above that

• FD3S

  Mazda RX-7

  マツダ RX-7

  The best-looking Japanese car of its era and the most demanding to own. Sequential twin turbos, near-perfect balance and a rotary engine that punishes neglect.

  Japan price band: ¥2.5m–¥9m; Spirit R models are the top of the market

• S15

  Nissan Silvia Spec R

  日産 シルビア

  The last Silvia and the cleanest of the family. Spec R gets the turbo, six-speed and helical LSD; Spec S is the naturally aspirated car that gets sold as a Spec R far too often.

  Japan price band: ¥2m–¥6m; unmodified Spec R cars keep climbing

• JZA80

  Toyota Supra RZ

  トヨタ スープラ

  The strongest standard engine of the era wrapped in a grand tourer. RZ is the twin-turbo six-speed; SZ is the naturally aspirated car that looks identical from ten metres.

  Japan price band: ¥6m–¥25m for a genuine RZ six-speed

Reading an auction sheet instead? Our grade and mark decoder explains every number and symbol.