Will It Be Worth Importing a JDM Car in 2026?
- the DREAM
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
A no-nonsense look at costs, currency, resale — and who should (and shouldn’t) import this year.
Canadian JDM buyers are asking a big question right now:
“With prices, insurance, and exchange rates changing… will importing a JDM car still make sense in 2026?”
Short answer? Yes — but not for everyone, and not for every car.
The value equation is shifting as we enter the 2010–2011 eligibility wave. And here’s the part most JDM blogs skip:
There are really two different JDM markets in Canada.
Some cars have enthusiast demand and strong resale.
Others are amazing long-term daily drivers — but you buy them to keep, not to flip.
Understanding which bucket your car belongs in is half the game in 2026.
Let’s walk through the real-world variables that matter.
#1: Exchange Rate Still Decides Your Mood at Auction
Every import lives and dies by the exchange rate. The amount of yen you get per Canadian dollar affects your auction price, fees, and shipping.
Over the past year, CAD/JPY has mostly hovered in the ~¥112–¥114 per CAD range
Forecasts for 2026 don’t agree (because economics loves chaos):
One model suggests a possible ¥116–¥121 range by late 2026 — slightly friendlier for importers
Others predict a weaker CAD later in 2026 — meaning imports get pricier
Takeaway:
A stronger CAD feels great. A stronger yen makes every car feel 10% heavier on your wallet.
You can’t control it — but you can time bids smarter than the person who ignores it.
But here’s the twist: even with a less-favourable exchange rate, Canadian alternatives haven’t magically improved. Rust, mileage, deferred maintenance — those aren’t going away just because the loonie is grumpy.
Which leads us to…
#2: Maintenance vs Rust — The Reason Imports Still Make Sense
A 2011 Prius, Accord, or Delica from Japan usually lived a calmer life than a 2011 commuter from Ontario. Japan’s roadworthiness & inspection system (shaken) encourages preventative maintenance and structural longevity
Meanwhile, Canadian equivalents often bring:
salt corrosion
tired suspension
freeze–thaw abuse baked into the subframe
regret
So even if imports cost more upfront in 2026 than a few years ago, they can still win on long-term reliability and lifespan.
The question isn’t:The question isn’t:
“Are imports still cheap?”
It’s: “Are imports still the smarter long-term buy for certain kinds of vehicles?”
In many cases — hybrids, kei utility, clean enthusiast platforms — yes.
#3: Resale Reality — Two JDM Markets, Two Ownership Strategies
Resale isn’t the same across all imports. Let’s call it what it is. Category 1 — Enthusiast / Niche JDMs (Resale Demand Exists)
People actively search for these cars:
Mitsubishi Delica D:5
Nissan Stagea
Nissan Skyline platforms
Silvia / S-chassis (including S15 as eligibility opens)
These tend to:
hold value
attract buyers even in slow markets
sometimes appreciate as supply tightens
If someone wants a Delica… they want a Delica. Resale is part of the story. Category 2 — Practical Keeper Cars (Great Value — Not Flip Cars)
Fantastic daily drivers — but a different buyer ecosystem:
Toyota Crown Hybrid
Gen-3 Prius (RHD imports)
Honda Odyssey Absolute
kei trucks & kei vans in working-utility spec
They’re:
reliable
efficient
dramatically cleaner than most Canadian equivalents
…but resale behaves differently.
A kei-truck buyer already wants a kei truck. Easy.
A right-hand-drive Prius? Most Prius buyers expect:
left-hand drive
mainstream dealer familiarity
predictable insurance pricing
Which brings us to…
#4: Insurance Reality for an RHD Prius (AKA: The Not-So-Fun Part)
A Canadian-market Prius and an imported RHD Prius do not always live in the same insurance universe. Canadian brokers say this out loud:
Mitch Insurance notes that some RHD vehicles may cost significantly more to insure — sometimes around 50% more, depending on insurer and profile
BrokerLink says RHD vehicles may be rated differently and can cost more than domestic equivalents
MyChoice adds that imports often fall into specialty underwriting
Example profile:
30-year-old Canadian driver, married, one child, clean record, 15-year old Daily-use Prius
A Canadian-market Prius might sit roughly in the $1,200–$2,200/year neighbourhood. A RHD Prius may run meaningfully higher — sometimes approaching that 30–50% bump.
Not catastrophic on a car valued at $10,000 — just a cost you should walk into with eyes open.
Why Some JDMs Dodge That Problem
Some vehicles — kei trucks, Delicas, Skylines, Stageas, hobby cars — may qualify for collector / limited-use / specialty programs, which can stabilize premiums (eligibility varies). A daily-driver Prius is… not collectible. It lives in the normal-use actuarial spreadsheet world.
So:
Enthusiast import? resale demand + sometimes specialty insurance = easier exit story
RHD Prius or commuter hybrid? buy it because it’s rust-free, reliable, and built to outlive your neighbour’s Corolla — not because you plan to flip it
Different tools. Different jobs. Different economics.
#5: Buy Now or Wait? (The 2026 Timing Question)
Waiting helps if you’re hunting a clean keeper-car. Waiting hurts if you’re chasing an enthusiast platform that keeps getting rarer.
If you’re buying for long-term value, patience beats impulse bidding.
If you’re chasing the cheapest price on earth, waiting rarely helps — desirable platforms don’t “crash.” - just look at the prices of R34 Skylines!
So… Will It Be Worth Importing a JDM Car in 2026?
For the right buyer, in the right category?
Yes — absolutely.
But the reason it’s worth it has evolved.
2026 importing isn’t about “cheap Japanese cars.” It’s about:
better-preserved vehicles vs Canadian rust boxes
the new 2010–2011 eligibility wave
platforms that age gracefully and hold value appropriately
buying intentionally instead of chasing novelty
If you’re in the enthusiast bucket → resale is part of your value story. If you’re in the keeper-car bucket → longevity and reliability are the win.
And if you’re not sure which bucket you belong in?
That’s exactly the kind of conversation we help Canadians figure out before they bid.
So which bucket are you in: saver or swagger? Comment below!
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