Would You Pay $10K For This JDM Nissan Oddball?

With all kinds of weird and fantastic JDM imports pouring into America, most will be looking to snap up more of the collectible models. Names like Type R, Evolution, and Supra spring to mind. But there is a large crowd that are after the obscure and unknown JDM cars with stupid low mileage and the flawless maintenance indicative of imported cars for sale from Japan.

When it comes to JDM Nissans, the Skyline GT-R is the best known import, and names like Silvia and Stagea will get the nod, but what about the Nissan Gloria? This enigmatic executive sedan was built in all sorts of flavors spanning eleven generations. This tenth-generation Gloria just sold on Cars and Bids, and it's perfectly strange but with all the bulletproof reliability we demand from 1990s JDM cars.

This 1996 Nissan Gloria Gran Turismo sold at auction complete with a US title, with only 43,200 miles (69,600 km) on the clock for only $10,000. It has low street cred, which means it's a regular sedan that will blend in but it will run forever. The tenth-gen Gloria was offered in rear and all-wheel-drive, with six engine options including a turbocharged VQ30DET rated at 270 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, this RWD example is powered by the crappiest of all the engines: a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter V6 engine that delivered 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque but offers all the fuel economy of a small motor.

On the inside, this Japanese executive has cloth upholstery, convincing fake wood trim, power windows, dual front airbags, and automatic climate control. The car had all maintenance work done in the recent past, and the buyer found a cheap and interesting daily runabout that he says: "Gonna be my baby for the next several years." No idea what his plans are but we'd like to see the powerplant get ripped out and swapped with perhaps a twin-turbo V6 out of the new Nissan Z would give it new life if the VG20 ever dies?

How does it stack up against a mid 90's Camry? Sure old Camrys all have insane high mileage but the odd Grannymobile pops up for sale. A 1993 Toyota Camry LE with only 49,800 miles from the original owner went up for auction on Cars and Bids and it hit $7,800! Does it have the edge with a 4-banger 2.2-liter pushing only 130 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque? We'd have to say no, considering it's still a beige Camry and the RHD uniqueness and RWD is just more fun.