Brian serves as the Information Technology Manager for Sports Car Market magazine. As a fourth-generation automotive enthusiast, he has a particular passion for Japanese cars spanning the 1970s to the 2000s and is actively involved in the North American kaido racer community.
2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R M-Spec Nür S/N BNR34403330. 27k miles (44k km). “2.6-liter RB26DETT inline-6, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip rear differential, one of 285 M-Spec Nür examples, Millennium Jade paint, black leather upholstery, ATTESA all-wheel-drive system, Super HICAS rear steering, Brembo disc brakes, 18-inch NISMO LMGT4 wheels, NISMO side skirts, carbon-fiber rear diffuser, NISMO titanium exhaust, NISMO intercooler, NISMO twin-plate clutch, carbon-fiber inlet pipe, carbon-fiber rear-spoiler blade.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $460,000. Bring a Trailer, 1/17/23. While still not available to import into the U.S. under the 25-year rule, limited-edition Nissan Skylines keep breaking auction records. Despite being located in Sydney, […]
2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R M-Spec Nür
S/N BNR34403330. 27k miles (44k km). “2.6-liter RB26DETT inline-6, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip rear differential, one of 285 M-Spec Nür examples, Millennium Jade paint, black leather upholstery, ATTESA all-wheel-drive system, Super HICAS rear steering, Brembo disc brakes, 18-inch NISMO LMGT4 wheels, NISMO side skirts, carbon-fiber rear diffuser, NISMO titanium exhaust, NISMO intercooler, NISMO twin-plate clutch, carbon-fiber inlet pipe, carbon-fiber rear-spoiler blade.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $460,000. Bring a Trailer, 1/17/23.
While still not available to import into the U.S. under the 25-year rule, limited-edition Nissan Skylines keep breaking auction records. Despite being located in Sydney, Australia, this M-spec example didn’t scare away many bidders. The winner has plans to import it to California, likely through Show and Display, as it wouldn’t otherwise become eligible until 2027. Many commenters were shocked at the winning bid, but this is probably only the start. Navigating the different variants of R34 GT-Rs requires a roadmap: The M-Spec trim is based off the V-Spec II, but with an updated suspension setup with stiffer rear sway bar. It also had a leather interior with heated seats. Nissan went even further in 2002 with the Nür (short for Nürburgring) by including the improved RB26DETT engine, based off its N1 racing engine, along with upgraded turbos. Suffice it to say, it was about as extreme a trim as was available in the R34 era. Even better, this example had been breathed on by NISMO, Nissan’s tuning and motorsports subsidiary. Even so, another M-Spec Nür recently sold in Japan for $620k, which makes me think we have yet to see the top of the R34 market here in the U.S. Sellers have realized that these rare trim packages can be sold online to buyers all over the world, and bidders have shown they aren’t scared of spending serious money on a car that might have to remain overseas, at least temporarily.
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
S/N JF1GD76627l525440. 7k miles. “Turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-4, 6-speed manual transaxle, driver-controlled center differential, limited-slip front and rear differentials, Obsidian Black paint, black cloth upholstery with blue inserts, silver-finished 17-inch BBS wheels, mud flaps, hood scoop, HID headlights, roof and trunk spoilers.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $66,150. Bring a Trailer, 1/11/23.
If the Honda Civic is considered the dominant Japanese car of the late 1990s and early 2000s, then the Subaru WRX holds the same position for the late 2000s and early 2010s. Both have seen leaps in value recently, as younger collectors seek out the cars of their youth. Finding unmodified examples of either has grown difficult, as they were also favorites of tuners and customizers. Our subject car has a few aftermarket parts on it, such as the Carbing strut-tower bar and the GrimmSpeed air-oil separator (a smart preventative addition for the STi), but it’s still stock where it counts. The STi wasn’t a limited-production model, so I think it will follow in the same wake as the Civic Si, with a steady march upward as more of the supply of good cars gets snatched up by collectors. Other fairly low-mileage STis from this era, cars with less than 100k on the clock, have already been selling around the $25k–$35k range. This sale, for a car with just 7k miles showing, is not that crazy by comparison. But it does point out that the time to hunt for one of these is now.
1990 Honda CRX SiR
S/N EF81007849. 45k miles (73k kilometers). “1.6-liter VTEC B16 inline-4, 5-speed manual transaxle, Nissan Bayside Blue paint, black upholstery, 15-inch Mugen MR-5 wheels, Mugen Pro.2 bodywork, Feel’s FRP hood, Buddy Club suspension kit, Feel’s braking components, Recaro SR3 seats, Momo steering wheel, Spoon valve cover and spark-plug wires, Feel’s intake system, Mugen shift knob, Fujitsubo FGK exhaust system.” Condition: 1-. SOLD AT $26,250. Bring a Trailer, 12/26/22.
We have seen a few second-generation CRXs approach the $30k price range, but none like this example. For the unaware, this might look like a typical “Fast & Furious”-era car with a body kit. However, this JDM model is loaded with period-correct parts, many of them expensive. This is not just cheap eBay stuff, but high-end kit, such as the Mugen (Honda’s performance line) Pro.2 fiberglass bumpers, spoiler and side skirts, the Feel’s fiberglass hood, and the Spoon (Honda’s racing team) valve cover and spark-plug wires. The wheels are Mugen MR-5s and include all of the hard-to-find lug-nut caps. Ultimately, these details add up for a Honda enthusiast. Similarly built CRX SiRs in Japan run anywhere between $25k–$35k. Importing one would add at least another $3k–$4k if you used an importer. Unfortunately for the seller, bidders didn’t see it this way and someone got a deal on this car. I think we will start to see more of these well-executed and period-correct Honda builds enter the auction world, but not until they start being appreciated with higher prices. ♦
