The 25-year import rule makes math easy in the year 2025. You just subtract 25 and end up with 2000 model year vehicles! There are a few vehicles we are looking forward to bringing to the US come January.
Toyota Celsior or Lexus LS430
The Lexus LS430 wasn’t introduced in the US market until 2001. Luckily for Japan the Celsior was released in the 2000 model year. This means we can get GEN1 UCF30 LS430’s. Why is this important? The Lexus LS430 value has soared to astronomical numbers the past few years. It’s not uncommon to see a 2004-2006 LS430 for $25000. The 2001-2003 LS430 was a little less desirable, but it’s the same car internally. We have seen and still see early pre-facelift Lexus LS430’s for sale in excess of $10,000. Oh yeah, Celsior’s had a cloth option in Japan. That will solve the cracking and torn leather problem we have in the USA. We think low mileage (50,000 miles) Celsiors can disrupt these absurd LS430 prices in the USA and bring new value to buyers here.
2000 Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ101, 1HDFTE diesel
While the 1998-2002 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470 were technically the same as the 100 series, the 2000 Land Cruiser Diesel is one year newer than the 1998-1999 generation and the HDJ101 ran from 1998-2007. The more diesel Land Cruisers the better.
2000 Toyota Supra JZA80 Twin Turbo
It’s going to be weird saying you own a 2000, 2001, or 2002 Toyota Supra. The MKIV Supra was only available from 1993 to 1999 in the US. The Supra was produced through 2002 in Japan which will give us more options and cars to pick from going forward. The JDM Supra was available with a variety of trim levels. The SZ is the non-turbo 2JZ-GE non-VVTi. This trim came with an automatic or the W58 manual transmission. The SZ-R was the performance package that typically had the Torsen LSD along with the V161 6-speed manual transmission. The RZ was the twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE trim with came auto or manual. Early RZ manual transmissions had a larger rear differential switching to the smaller version around 1996. VVTi motors came shortly after this. The RZ-S sport model came with smal brakes, 16″ wheels and some limited luxury features. The GZ was the luxury twin turbo model which always had an automatic transmission, leather, and all the nice interior bits. This was discontinued in 1996.
2000-2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6 CP9A
Another year available for the EVO 6 should bring prices down in the US. Only 2 more years until the CT9A EVO 7 can be imported. We are looking forward to this one, but not before bringing an EVO 6 or two here. The Tommi Mäkinen edition EVO 6 was considered the best EVO ever made. Do you think we can find one to import at a reasonable cost?
What other JDM cars are you looking forward to in 2025?
Let us know what cars you are interested in seeing for the 2000 model year and beyond
