Hey guys, I hope your having an amazing day. I'm 18 and ive saved up about 25k. I really wanna JDM car that I can just cruise in and go fast and have a great time in but idk how to entire the market. Could you please give me advice about what I should do with my 25k? I dont have the time right now to really build out a car myself so I was wondering what 25k will get me. Also where should I buy a car from? Sorry if the question is stupid, I just wanna spend my money wisely.
by Always_Arty
7 Comments
Your 18, so Id put it in a high interest account for the next 10 years, and go buy an old Civic or Corolla for about 3-6k.
Financially, you should probably not do this.
But I too was 18 a long time ago and I remember how much having a cool car meant to me (and still does)
For 25k you can get quite a few cool ones. I’d stick to cars that also had American models because while you could probably get an R32/33 GTST, keeping it maintained at 18 is going to be really tough if it’s your only transportation
– Prelude type s
– Integra Sir-G
– Caldina GT (shares some US model Parts)
– Celica
– Subaru WRX STI (v3-v5)
– EVO (I-IV)
There a tons of JDM focused importers all around the country so just do some googling
If you’re feeling brave you can also source one from Japan yourself but that is not the same value proposition it was a few years ago
Good luck!
Put your money in savings, and buy a beater Camry. Go to college or trade school, find a decent job, and figure your life out first.
Okay I’m gonna go middle ground here because there are actually a ton of options with a caveat.
Do not get something fast. You’re young, insurance is going to be ass and let’s be honest, you don’t have a lot of experience. If you wreck it, it’s going to suck more than a USDM car (assuming where you are).
You have $25k saved, spend half of that at most. You are blessed to have that much saved, don’t blow it all on a cool car, trust me. There are a ton of really great JDM cars you can get that are not fast for $12k or less. Crv, RAV4, caldina, lots of different Honda’s etc. You can get yourself something really cool, cheap, reliable, and in great condition.
I suggest spending some time on carfromjapan.com. they have a ton of filters so you can set 2000 as the max year for import reasons, price, engine type, body type etc etc and just see what all interests you. I guarantee you’ll find a bunch of cool cars you’ve never heard of for cheap.
Here’s my 1997 JDM CRV I got with 112k miles for $6500. It’s not fast (obviously) but it’s the perfect daily driver and people give me compliments all the time about it being RHD. Hell I even got top 10 at a car show lol.
https://preview.redd.it/rgqy38k3j8ef1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afac1b6054e29d3bac179e83419c0a29beae27f4
If you don’t have time to build out a car right now, you’re more than likely not going to have time to maintain a 90s car at the 25k price point, but let’s say this isn’t your daily at 25k you can get yourself a GTT or GTST skyline r32/33, Mazda Rx-7 FC, or a FD that has 15k worth of problem, Toyota JZX90/100, Toyota Soarer, set your Facebook marketplace to a port city like Jacksonville Florida or Orlando. And just see what’s out there. With my age though, I would tell you to save up that 25k (big surprise) but work on it and drop it on a 60k Honda NSX.
Honestly, get a job or education and save up. I have an MX5 and it’s a decent car I grabbed for 5k. If you want something fun to drive while saving money, it doesn’t have to be ”fast”, lightweight is equally as fun. Civics, Integras, Miatas, etc. Get a decent paying job and don’t drive recklessly and you will definitely be able to get a more expensive and ”fast” car eventually! Cool doesn’t always have to be expensive! :))
Been in your position. If 25k is your max budget, get a 15k car and keep 10k for repairs, restoration, mods.
Honda civics, crx, integras are a fairly low maintenance japanese car. And you’ve had other suggestions too. Good luck