The passing of a new year means many things. For car enthusiasts, that means a new slate of vehicles to import. The US has a ban on importing cars younger than 25 years old that weren’t originally sold here. There are a handful of notable exceptions eligible under the “Show and Display” rule, but those are few and far between.
While we’re arguably past the golden era of JDM cars becoming US eligible—the earliest examples of R34 Skyline GT-R turned 25 this past year—there’s still a number of interesting cars that will soon be importable. A lot from Europe this time around, but with a few JDM icons in there too.
And know that if you want to import a car to America, it has to be 25 years old to the month, not just the year. Happy hunting.
Alfa Romeo 147
Photo by: Alfa Romeo
The Alfa Romeo 147 might’ve been a simple Volkswagen Golf rival, but small hatchbacks have rarely, if ever, been so pretty. While there was a diesel available, we say skip that in favor of one of Alfa’s lovely Twin-Spark gas engines. Or if you wait until 2027, you can import the hotter 147 GTA, which was one of the last homes for Alfa’s beloved “Busso” V-6.
Ok, fine, this might not be the most obvious or most interesting car to import, but they are cheap, and we imagine pretty usable. And if you’re going for unique on a budget, it’s a good solution.
Alpina B10 V8 / D10 BiTurbo
Photo by: Alpina
Now for something completely different. Tuner Alpina launched two versions of the E39 BMW 5 Series in 2000, the B10 V8 and the D10 Biturbo. The former was based on the facelifted 540i and made 347 horsepower from its enlarged 4.6-liter V-8; the latter took the diesel 530d as a basis and offered up 245 hp.
In typical Alpina fashion, this is a connoisseur’s choice compared with an M5 of similar vintage. Most people just see an old BMW, but those in the know will really get it.
Audi RS4 Avant
Photo by: Audi
The B5 Audi RS4 Avant entered production in late 1999, so they’re eligible for import now. This is one of the most desirable cars on this list, with subtle good looks and a powerful twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter Cosworth-developed V-6. With 375 horsepower running through Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel drive system, this is a fast car no matter the weather. And the cherry on top? The only transmission was a six-speed manual.
We got the B5 S4 here in the States, but the RS4 is a different beast entirely. And possibly one of the best-looking Audis ever.
Holden Ute
Photo by: Holden
GM’s Australian Holden brand had been selling Commodore-based Utes for some time, but in 2000, it split the Ute into its own separate model line. It was still based on the rear-wheel drive Commodore platform—which we got in America as the 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO—but it was just called the Ute. Entry-level models came with a V-6, but an LS1 V-8 was available.
With 300 horsepower and a Tremec T56 six-speed manual, a basic V-8 Ute should be plenty enjoyable, but given that its engine is from the LS family, it is endlessly tunable. But you might want to hold out until 2026—then, you’ll be able to import the hotter (though much rarer) HSV Maloo.
Lotus 340R
Photo by: Lotus
If the Exige isn’t rare enough for you, try and find a 340R. Lotus built just 340 of them, and it’s possibly the company’s most extreme road car. The original idea for the Elise was as stripped back a car as possible, with no roof or doors, and while the eventual Elise had some creature comforts, the 340R was as stripped back as they come.
The 340R used the same 190-horsepower Rover K-Series engine as the Exige and Elise Sport 190, but with its unique minimalist bodywork, it weighed just 1,488 pounds. In car terms, that’s basically nothing. A few 340Rs have made their way to the US already, but seemingly as track-only vehicles. In any event, good luck finding one.
Lotus Exige
Photo by: Motorsport Images
While Lotus was building the S2 Elise-based Vauxhall VX220 and Opel Speedster at the turn of the millennium, it wasn’t done with the old S1. The original Exige was a harder-edged version of the Elise, complete with a hardtop that featured a roof scoop to feed its 192-horsepower Rover K-Series engine and a rear wing. It looks stunning, and given it only weighs around 1,700 pounds, it’s a serious performer.
Unfortunately, the S1 Exige is rare—Lotus only built around 600 over a two-year production run. I took a quick scan of the classifieds and found a handful of modified right-hand drive examples for not much more than an S1 Elise costs, but a left-hand drive example in Germany carries an €85,000 (roughly $88,000 USD) asking price.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition
Photo by: Mitsubishi
With production beginning in December 1999, the Lancer Evolution Tommi Makinen Edition is actually eligible for import right now. The TME isn’t just a decal package, either—it has a tweaked suspension, a new turbocharger, and a unique front bumper. The changes were so extensive that fans called this the Evo 6.5.
No one seems to agree on how many TMEs Mitsubishi built, but the number is somewhere in the low four-digit range. So less rare than, say, a 22B, but not common either. They’ll command a premium over just about every other version of the Lancer Evolution, but this arguably was the pinnacle for this rally legend.
Morgan Aero 8
Photo by: Morgan Motor
In the Morgan Motor Company’s 114-year-long history, there was nothing quite like the Aero 8. It was the first Morgan with an aluminum chassis, which contributed to a relatively low curb weight of around 2,500 pounds—impressive considering the 4.4-liter BMW V-8 under the hood.
Morgan imported a handful of left-hand drive Aero 8s into the US in the mid-2000s, but with the dawning of a new year, there are more options for would-be Aero 8 owners here.
Subaru Impreza S201
Everyone wants an Impreza 22B, but the S201 is even more exclusive, with just 300 examples built. This was the first of STI’s “S” cars, heavily modified versions of the Impreza WRX that until the S209 of 2019 were exclusive to the Japanese market. According to STI, the S201 makes just under 300 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbo flat-four and has a height-adjustable suspension and a front limited-slip differential, among other upgrades.
Visually, the S201 is distinguished by a custom aero package that could’ve only come out in the year 2000 and 16-inch RAYS forged wheels. Compared to a 22B, the S201’s looks are, uh, challenging, but that’s not the point. It’s the ultimate version of an icon.
Vauxhall VX220 / Opel Speedster
Photo by: Vauxhall
GM’s former European brands, Opel and Vauxhall, were long known for making dependable if staid cars. For the turn of the new millennium, however, the two wanted to up the excitement and turned to Lotus for help. The Vauxhall VX220 and Opel Speedster were based on the then-upcoming Series 2 Elise, albeit with a slightly longer wheelbase, shorter doorsills, and GM EcoTec engines instead of the Toyota four-cylinders Lotus would use.
The Speedster and VX220 were slightly more civilized than the Elise, though with a curb weight of just around a ton, still pure, lightweight sports cars. It’s definitely an oddball choice compared to Elise, especially given Lotus sold the S2 Elise in America from 2005, but that’s what makes it worthwhile.
