What are some underrated or relatively lesser-known classic JDM models? (e.g., JZX100 Chaser, Starlet Glanza V)

Haha, you really know your stuff with these two examples! The JZX100 and Glanza V are absolute "those who know, know" legends. Beyond the ever-popular names like the Supra, GT-R, and RX-7, the world of JDM runs incredibly deep, filled with fascinating hidden gems.

So, speaking as a fellow car enthusiast, let me highlight some JDM models that I feel are similarly underrated or less mainstream, yet utterly classic.

1. Nissan Stagea 260RS Autech Version

One-liner: A GT-R cloaked in a wagon's body.

(Mental image of a boxy, aggressive-looking wagon)

This car is the ultimate embodiment of JDM "wolf in sheep's clothing." Imagine you're a settled-down guy, your partner thinks it's time to ditch the loud coupe for a family wagon to haul everyone and the dog on trips. You nod along, "Yeah, yeah, sure," and then secretly buy this Stagea 260RS.

Why? Because this "ultimate grocery-getter," built by Nissan's tuning arm Autech, received a complete transplant of everything from the contemporary Skyline GT-R (R33)!

Engine: The legendary RB26DETT inline-six twin-turbo.
Drivetrain: The exact same ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system as the GT-R.
Transmission: A pure, unadulterated 5-speed manual.

So, this is essentially a GT-R that swallows your family's luggage while looking unassuming. Spot a sportscar getting rowdy on the highway? You can effortlessly put them in their place while listening to your kid's tantrum from the boot. That contrast is its true essence.

2. Mitsubishi Galant / Legnum VR-4 (8th Generation)

One-liner: A rally brute in a tailored suit.

(Mental image of a sharply styled sedan/wagon with a shark-nose front)

When most people think of Mitsubishi performance cars, the Lancer Evolution (EVO) immediately comes to mind. But before the EVO dominated WRC, the Galant VR-4 was Mitsubishi's rally weapon. The 8th-generation Galant VR-4 and its wagon sibling, the Legnum VR-4, represent the pinnacle of civilian-spec style and performance.

Its magic lies in:

A complex, powerful heart: Equipped with a 2.5L V6 twin-turbo engine (6A13TT). Stuffing a V6 + twin-turbo setup into a family sedan back then was sheer madness. Smooth yet brutally effective power delivery.
Full-time 4WD + AYC: Inheriting Mitsubishi's rally DNA, it boasted full-time all-wheel drive, and higher specs featured AYC (Active Yaw Control), giving it incredibly high cornering limits and a feeling of being firmly glued to the road.
Ahead-of-its-time design: Even by today's standards, its aggressive "shark" front end and overall muscular stance look anything but dated.

It's the EVO's successful older cousin who wears a suit but whose powerful physique is still obvious.

3. Toyota Aristo V300 Vertex Edition (JZS161)

One-liner: The Supra's four-door sibling.

(Mental image of a rounded yet imposing luxury sedan)

Overseas, this car is known as the Lexus GS. But in Japan, it bears the much more badass name: Aristo. And the top-tier JZS161 model is essentially a magical device that melds luxurious comfort with brutal speed.

Why call it a four-door Supra?

The same legendary engine: It shared the heart of its contemporary, the A80 MkIV Toyota Supra – the 2JZ-GTE! You know the insane tuning potential of this 3.0L inline-six twin-turbo; 800hp, 1000hp are just the starting point.
Subtle luxury: Externally, it looks like any other nondescript Toyota luxury sedan, with a comfortable interior. But stomp on the gas, and you get Supra-grade acceleration.
RWD thrills: Unlike the previous all-wheel-drive entries, the Aristo is rear-wheel drive. What does that mean? With enough skill, you can drift this stately sedan!

Driving it is like being a well-dressed gentleman with an Arnold Schwarzenegger-esque physique underneath the suit.

4. Suzuki Alto Works

One-liner: The pocket-sized turbo hot hatch.

(Mental image of a tiny, spirited-looking box-on-wheels)

When discussing performance cars, big power and big displacement usually dominate the conversation. But the Japanese took a radically different approach: Kei Cars ( K-Cars). Within the strict regulations limiting engine size (under 660cc) and dimensions, they squeezed out maximum driving fun. The Alto Works is a shining example.

What makes it so much fun?

Featherweight agility: Weighing just over 600kg – lighter than many modern car doors! This means that even with its tiny turbocharged three-cylinder producing just 64hp (the Japanese Kei limit), the power-to-weight ratio is startling.
Go-kart handling: With its short wheelbase and tiny footprint, it drives like a road-legal kart. Razor-sharp steering sends it darting through mountain roads with boundless delight.
Packed with features: Don't let its size fool you – higher specs offered all-wheel drive, and the manual transmission provides crisp shifts and superb driver feedback.

Owning it isn't about drag racing supremacy; it's about the pure, driver-focused joy of carving backroads and experiencing true "man and machine" harmony.

Honourable Mentions

Honda City Turbo II "Bulldog": An 80s creation. A little van-shaped car with a turbo. The magic touch? An optional Motocompo foldable motorbike stored in the boot! That kind of quirky innovation and lifestyle focus was pure JDM gold.
Mitsubishi FTO GP Version R: A front-wheel-drive coupe powered by a high-revving 2.0L V6 with MIVEC (Mitsubishi's variable valve tech). It offered an intoxicating sound, precise handling, and an award-winning 90s design. A seriously underrated driver's car for the FWD faithful.
Autozam AZ-1: A Kei car from Mazda's Autozam brand. It featured a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout... and gullwing doors! Essentially a miniature Ferrari F40 – utterly bonkers and totally captivating.

The JDM universe stretches far beyond these. These cars are just the tip of the iceberg. They share common ground: maybe not the household fame of the megastars, but each achieved near-perfection in a specific niche, embodying the boundless creativity and passion of engineers during a golden age. Hope this list gives you a richer appreciation for JDM!