"The fact that they’re still buying them is hard to believe..."

SAN PEDRO—Japan is scratching its head as American car enthusiasts continue to buy up aging Japanese vehicles. Seen as below part performance cars and forgotten relics of the '80s, '90s, and '00s, these cars have found new life and value in the U.S. market, where they’re celebrated for their appearance in old PlayStation games and the fast and the furious.

“We’re honestly surprised,” said Takashi Sato, a spokesperson for the Japan Automobile Export Association. “Most of these cars are beat to s**t. They were abused and used beyond their purpose here. Now, they’re somehow won't stop being sent across the ocean.”

The demand for these old Japanese cars has skyrocketed over the past decade, with enthusiasts drawn to models like the Honda Civic, Toyota AE86, Nissan Skyline, and the Toyota Supra. For many Americans, these cars represent a unique era in automotive history—one that prioritized light, agile designs and a bare-bones approach to that’s low on power and scarce in today’s market.

"I’ve wanted an Trueno since I was 14," said Tony Ramirez, a 27-year-old from California who recently imported one. “It might be 35 years old, rusted in places, and need constant TLC, but there’s just something about the way it drives. I’d rather work on this than buy something new.”

While Japan has plenty of used car inventory, the interest from the U.S. has led to rising prices and dwindling availability. Older Japanese drivers are puzzled by the trend, given that these cars are often seen as outdated at home.

“We send our worst cars,” noted Yuki Matsumoto, a retired mechanic. “The fact that they’re still buying them is hard to believe. But if Americans want them, why won't we send them?”

As Japan’s old "s***boxes" gain new status in the States, enthusiasts remain undeterred, eager to waste hard earned money on a slow piece of automotive history—breakdowns and all.