Japan has one of the most exciting car markets in the world and American buyers often look across the Pacific in envy at some of its outrageous creations. One car in particular stood out as a real sleeper, the Toyota Chaser Tourer V, which is a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan with the legendary 1JZ-GE engine within. This was a forbidden fruit for Americans for many years, but it’s now fully legal to bring one into the country, due to the 25-year rule. Here is everything you need to know about the aptly named Chaser.

We took a closer look at the Toyota Chaser, a high-performance sleep car that was popular in Japan but not sold in the US. We took a closer look at its pedigree to find out why it was popular, and what model you should consider if you now want to import one under the 25-year rule. The figures in the table relate to the 1997 Tourer V version.

Why The Chaser Was Never Available

The Toyota Chaser gained almost cult-like status among Japanese car enthusiasts and had an undeniable performance pedigree. It was a vehicle that Toyota built for the home market only, which would usually categorize it as a JDM vehicle. Toyota opted to keep the Chaser at home for a number of reasons. The company would likely have had to carry out extensive modifications and Toyota was not sure if there was enough demand for a car like this at the time. After all, Americans seemed to prefer larger V8s or family-oriented front-wheel-drive sedans.

But more so, Toyota had just launched its luxury offshoot Lexus, and the Chaser could represent internal competition. After all, it’s similar in appearance to the GS300 even though it doesn’t share a platform. The GS300 also had a similar, naturally aspirated engine and Lexus was certainly going for a specific market slice. It’s possible that the Chaser would have clashed with this and created brand confusion.

25 Years Later And The Door Opens

Today, a sufficient amount of time has passed, and the 25-year import rule is in effect. This means that vehicles that manufacturers did not originally sell in the US can now come in through the front door, as soon as they are 25 years old. Crucially, these vehicles will be exempt from crash safety standards and federal emissions rules.

The door is now open for the older JZX90 generation Chaser and, crucially, the JZX100. This latter vehicle went on sale between 1996 and 2001 and is thus fully eligible for import and registration now. Expect to see a lot of interest in the Chaser as well as other iconic JDM vehicles. It looks like many specialist importers are getting busy sourcing and selling road legal examples across the country.

Remember that once the vehicle is in the United States, you need to register it under specific classic, collector, or gray market provisions. You’ll need to check with your local DMV to get specific rules. And don’t forget to talk with your insurance company or specialty provider who understand the JDM and enthusiast vehicle scene.

Meet Toyota’s Ultimate Sleeper Sedan

The Chaser shares a platform with the Toyota Cresta and Mark II as a mid-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan. It was the sportiest of these platform triplets and was certainly a favorite among younger drivers who wanted to mix a bit of luxury with performance. The most popular Chaser was the Tourer V variant, with the 1JZ-GE 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-six engine or 2JZ-GE, with its bigger 3.0-liter motor. The Tourer variants also had a limited slip differential and sport-tuned suspension, while you could pick a manual R154 gearbox if you wished. Put all of these features together, and you’ve got a fabulous sports sedan with some serious street cred. And best of all, the Chaser looks like any other executive saloon from a distance.

The Lovable 1JZ Powerhouse

While there’s a lot to like about many Chaser components, the 1JZ engine is legendary. One variant, the 1JZ-GE, is a 2.5-liter, twin-turbo, inline-six, which is pretty bullet-proof and has great tuning potential. Out of the factory, you’d get 276 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque, but this engine could take that in its stride. Some reckon that you can get more than 600 hp by adding injectors, upgraded turbos, and ECU tuning.

Drifting and Tuning Potential

A refined four-door sedan it may have been, but the Chaser quickly found its place in Japan’s drifting culture. It had the perfect characteristics for this exciting sport with its long wheelbase and rear-wheel drive layout. The responsive inline-six engine is ideal for drivers as they quickly transition from one high-speed slide to another.

For those who want more, there are so many different ways to tune this car, it’s difficult to know where to start. As a base, the Chaser has a very stout chassis and comes with rear multi-link suspension. You can buy and fit wide-body kits and air suspension should you wish, as well as make some big single turbo conversions. On the flip-side, you can have plenty of fun on a daily basis with the car in completely unmodified form. It’s a great daily driver as well as a potent performer.

Considering any Competition

It’s difficult to find any real rivals due to the specific configuration of this car. After all, many sedans in the ‘nineties had front-wheel drive or tamer, naturally aspirated engines. Still, you might have a closer look at the BMW E39 540i. This comes with a six-speed manual option and rear-wheel drive, a 4.4-liter V8 and 286 hp. Then there’s the Nissan LaurelClub S, which was also rear-wheel drive, manual, and came with about 250 hp out of the factory.

A Generational Comparison

You may notice different versions of the Chaser as you search for options and both the JZX90 and JZX100 are available to import, as they are over the 25-year threshold. There’s stronger aftermarket potential with the latter generation, and it features sharper styling, with an updated interior. It is the current import favorite and is likely to command a higher price.

What You’ll Find on Board

While the Chaser is the ultimate sleeper outside with its clean and understated exterior, you’ll find that it has a practical interior. You can choose from plush cloth or leather in this easy five-seater which has a big trunk and a strong-quality build. It comes with digital climate control and an optional factory navigation system, so you can certainly use it to go to work and hit the track on the weekend.

The Chaser is a JDM Gem Worth Owning

The Toyota Chaser may have been a car that Americans were never meant to have, but it’s now firmly within reach. This could be one of the smartest and most rewarding JDM imports you make and remember that this vehicle has almost endless potential for modification. Don’t leave it too long, however, as the word will continue to spread and prices will be likely to climb, as people look closely at Toyota’s most underrated sports sedan.

Sources: Toyota-Global, Bring a Trailer