Arguably the best years for imported cars were in the 90s. I mean, you had the Mazda RX-7, Honda/Acura Integra, Nissan 300ZX, Toyota Supra and even the Nissan Silvia (240SX).
There is no doubt in my mind that these cars are some of the best and will always be some of the best EVER made. All of them have something sexy about them. Take a look.
Mazda Rx-7 :
Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 (also called the Savanna and Efini RX-7) was a sports car that began production in 1978. The original RX-7 competed in the affordable sports car segment with the likes of the Datsun/Nissan 280Z. The styling was inspired by the Lotus Elan 2+2. It featured a unique twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine and a sporty front-midship, rear wheel drive layout, making it well balanced and appropriate for racing. The RX-7 was a direct replacement for the RX-3 (both were sold in Japan as the Savanna) and subsequently replaced all other Mazda rotary cars with the exception of the Cosmo.
The RX-7 was a true sports coupe design, as opposed to a sports car like the Triumph TR6 or a sedan with sporting intentions. The relatively light Wankel engine was situated slightly behind the front axle. It was offered in America as a two-seat coupe, with four seats being optional in Japan, Australia, and other parts of the world.
The RX-7 made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list five times. In total, 811,634 RX-7s were produced.
Honda/Acura Integra :
Base RS and luxury LS Integras carry a 142-horsepower, 1.8-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine. Essentially the same as that installed in previous-generation Integras, it develops two more horsepower. A new and different dual-cam 1.8-liter engine, similar in size but more potent, powers the GS-R. That one employs Honda's VTEC (variable valve-timing) system and makes 170 horsepower. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard on all models. All except the GS-R could have an electronic 4-speed automatic transmission instead. In 1997, Acura introduced a highly modified version of the 1.8-liter from the GS-R for its high-performance "Type-R" model. All-new connecting rods are hand-torqued, ports are hand-polished, while a new forged-steel crankshaft comes with counterweights made with special metallurgy techniques to reduce vibration and bending fatigue. The revised engine includes oval intake springs, dual-exhaust valve springs, thin-stemmed valves and lighter die-cast aluminum pistons with molybdenum-coated skirts. Additional oiling passages and new crowns help boost the compression ratio from 10.0:1 to 10.6:1. In addition, a special camshaft gives higher lift and longer overlap to match a bigger-bore exhaust and freer-breathing exhaust manifold, which features a single wide runner per cylinder rather than smaller twin passages. Finally, the crackle-red finish on the engine's cam cover help set it apart visually from the GS-R's engine.
Toyota Supra :
Two 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engines have been available, each with dual overhead camshafts. A normally aspirated engine went into base Supras, producing 220 horsepower. Turbos employed a twin-turbocharger version, putting out 320 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque. Base Supras had a standard 5-speed manual gearbox; Turbos, a 6-speed. Either might be equipped instead with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan 300ZX :
Of course I'm going to make mine look the best, haha.
Regular 300ZX models had a 222-horsepower, dual-overhead-cam 3.0-liter V6 engine. A twin-turbocharged, twin-intercooled version of the 3.0-liter V6 went into the Turbo, making 300 horsepower with manual shift or 280 with automatic. Either engine could drive a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic unit.
Nissan 240sx/Silvia:
For its first season only, the 240SX was equipped with a 140-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. For 1991, a new 2.4-liter four went under 240SX hoods, with dual overhead camshafts and a 155-horsepower rating. Any model might have either a 5-speed manual gearbox or optional 4-speed automatic transmission.
Just a HUGE info thread. You dont have to post anything if you dont want, but like I said, these are THE imports. If you have another notable "import" that I forgot, please mention it (Japanese Imports only).