If there is one car badge synonymous with success, it is that of Ferrari. The Italian supercar manufacturer has built up a reputation as a premier supplier of exotic cars to the rich, famous, and very lucky. Its products ooze class, style, and sophistication while delivering mind-numbing levels of performance. For a lot of gearheads, Ferrari ownership is either the end game for hard graft or simply a pipe dream.
There are plenty of cheap Ferraris on the open market, but even these come with huge running costs. But all is not lost for those gearheads who dream of Ferrari thrills on a tight budget. There is plenty of competition out there, with nearly every nation bringing forth some form of Ferrari beating adversary to the table. But, to really tickle the rarity taste buds, a gearhead should focus on the exclusive Japanese Domestic Market for something equally special.
Proudly able to stand toe-to-toe with any prancing horse, here are 10 cheap JDMcars that we would love in our garage over a Ferrari.
10 We Would Take A Subaru WRX STI S208 Over A Ferrari (Circa $43,000)
The Subaru WRX STI S208 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine that makes 325 hp and 319 lb-ft of torque. All that power enables it to hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. It’s not Ferrari fast when the roads are dry, but when they’re wet, the Subaru S208 is virtually unbeatable.
Underpinned with rally-bred technology and its sure-footed all-wheel drive system, the Subaru S208 just grips and goes, chewing through tarmac, whatever the weather conditions. It’s also a very practical sedan, able to swallow four adults and their luggage with ease.
9 We Would Take A Mitsubishi FTO GP-R Over A Ferrari (Circa $7,000)
Take the badges off the Mitsubishi FTO and you could be forgiven for mistaking it for a Ferrari. Its muscular, aerodynamic styling and sleek sporty appearance look distinctly Italian. Even the evocative V6 engine under the hood is reminiscent of Ferraris’s past offerings.
Yet the FTO is distinctively Japanese, and it’s all the better for it. Crammed full of technology, the FTO GP-R made 197 hp from a naturally aspirated engine. On the move, the FTO is said to be fantastic to drive, highly responsive, and with handling that shames expensive exotica.
8 We Would Take A Nissan Stagea Autech 260RS Over A Ferrari (Circa $31,000)
It may look like a frumpy sports wagon with tacky styling, but the Stagea Autech 260RS is not to be trifled with. Essentially a Skyline R33 GT-R in disguise, it will obliterate sports cars. It offers all the on-road performance of the legendary GT-R, yet with far more practicality.
Official outputs peg the Autech 260RS at 276 hp, but this was actually believed to be closer to 320 hp. Off the line, the Stagea would blitz to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. With the same electronic AWD system as the GT-R, the Autech could carve corners at impressive speeds.
7 We Would Take A Mazda MX-5 GT RS Over A Ferrari (Circa $38,000)
An updated version of the fantastic Mazda MX-5, the GT RS brings track-focused prowess to the party. Loaded with tasty bits like a Bilstein suspension, Recaro bucket seats, and forged BBS alloys, the Mazda MX-5 GT RS is ready to impress gearheads straight out of the box.
Under the hood lies an eager-to-rev 2.0-liter 4-pot engine pumping out 182 hp, enabling the MX-5 GT RS to hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Great fun to pilot across twisting roads, the little Mazda continues to impress by delivering thrills way beyond what is usually expected.
6 We Would Take A Nissan 300ZX SWB Over A Ferrari (Circa $21,000)
The Nissan 300ZX twin-turbo blasted onto the scene in the nineties and instantly earned a cult following. With its blend of performance and 2+2 practicality impressing buyers. The Japanese Domestic Market however got two versions of the car, one offered with fewer seats.
Known as the short wheelbase version or 300ZX SWB, the stubbier car was almost identical. It offered the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo fed V6 making 300 hp, and was good for hitting 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Just as capable as the four-seater, the two-seater looked a little sportier.
5 We Would Take A Honda FD2 Civic Mugen RR Over A Ferrari (Circa $55,000)
The problem with Ferrari ownership is that the majority of them alienate family and friends. Not from a status point of view, but from a taking them along for a ride aspect. Which is why the Civic Mugen RR makes so much sense. It is rare, seriously fast, and has four doors.
Suitably improved by tuning maestros Mugen, the Honda Civic RR boasts a 237-hp 2.0-liter engine and the ability to scrabble to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. More impressive is the way it simply blasts past muscle cars on canyon roads and racetracks like they are standing still.
4 We Would Take A Nissan Pulsar GTI-R Over A Ferrari (Circa $24,000)
Yes, the Nissan Pulsar GTI-R is an ugly car with a ridiculous bonnet vent, but the sublime way it covers ground at an alarming pace makes up for the lack of exterior beauty. It has a 2.0-liter turbocharged 227-hp engine connected to a four-wheel drive system providing agility in any weather condition.
From a standstill, this ugly ducking will rip to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, making the Pulsar GTI-R a potent hot hatch. The cheap interior, low equipment list, and low rent exterior garnish all show that Nissan spent the budget where it counts. The GTI-R is a real weapon.
3 We Would Take A Toyota Century V12 Over A Ferrari (Circa $18,000)
A big brash Japanese executive limousine, with a creamy V12 engine under the hood. The Toyota Century is as plush and luxurious as you can get on the JDM scene. It’s also a rather exclusive vehicle, being Toyota’s only V12-powered car.
While the Toyota Century may not have an Italian supercar level of performance, it has just about any Ferrari beat for exclusivity. Outside of Japan, they are so elusive, most gearheads may never clap eyes on one. Which makes the Toyota Century a guaranteed head-turner.
2 We Would Take A Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR Over A Ferrari (Circa $28,000)
Boasting a wild array of vents, ducts, and spoilers, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR doesn’t know the meaning of the word subtle. A ballistically fast sports sedan, the Evolution VI GSR is a motorsport-bred monster, just at home on a rally stage as it is on a racetrack.
Under its hood a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 276 hp, allowing the Evo VI GSR to rocket to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Along with the four-wheel-drive system, a clever assortment of grip-enhancing tech ensures that there is traction never mind the weather or terrain.
1 We Would Take A Subaru Forester STI Over A Ferrari (Circa $15,000)
Looking like the grocery-getter from hell, a Subaru Forester STI is quite possibly the only car a gearhead could ever need to own. Massively practical, four-wheel drive, and exploding with power, the Forester STI can turn its hand to just about any task or chore.
Blessed with 260 hp generated by a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine, the Forester STI can hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. An enormously competent handling sports wagon, the Forester STI blends daily driver usability with grin-inducing speed, making it something of a hero.
Sources: Parkers, JDM Buy Sell
