Is turning 25 years old a big deal? Well, it depends on the context.
As a person? Not particularly–unless you really have a passion for renting cars.
As a car not officially sold in the United States? Very much yes, as 25 years is the magic age a car needs to be in order to be imported into the U.S. without having to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Here are the five cars that turn 25 in 2025 that I would import, in no particular order.
1. Vauxhall VX220/Opel Speedster
Photograph Courtesy Vauxhall
A close relative of the first-generation Lotus Elise–also not sold in the U.S.–the VX220 and the Speedster first caught my eye as I watched my older brother play “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit II” on the family PC way back in the early 2000s.
I was later reunited with twin offerings in the mid-2000s when I was in high school courtesy of “Forza Motorsport 3,” which is still one of my all-time favorites in the series–aside from the first “Forza Horizon.” (Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.)
Prices start a little over $20,000, with the more coveted turbo model carrying a price tag in the $30,000-to-$40,000 range.
2. Audi RS 4 Avant
Photograph Courtesy Audi
In case this one isn’t obvious, here’s a simple breakdown as to why it’s on the list: It’s an all-wheel-drive wagon with nearly 400 horsepower on tap and a genuine six-speed manual to boot.
The RS 4 Avant is rarer than some other offerings on this list–only some 6000 examples were made–and prices reflect that: Expect to pay at least $50,000, but don’t be surprised if you see asking prices approaching close to six figures.
3. Noble M12 GTO
Photograph Courtesy Vintage & Prestige Classic Cars
A rawer supercar that flies under the radar? Try the Noble M12 GTO.
If the name Noble doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps its performance will catch your attention: Behind the driver and passenger seats sits a twin-turbocharged version of Ford’s Duratec V6 good for over 300 horsepower.
Couple that with a curb weight of just over 2000 pounds–thanks to a fiberglass composite body fitted over a steel frame–and you have a mid-engine monster capable of hitting 60 mph in just under 4 seconds, a figure that’s still impressive in 2025.
What will one cost you? Prices look to be holding steady between $40,000 and $50,000.
4. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition
Photograph Courtesy Collecting Cars
Consider this one the Evo VI for the more esteemed collector–a Youngtimer blue chip, even.
Named after the Finnish driver who secured four WRC driver’s championships for Mitsubishi, the Tommi Mäkinen Edition featured exclusive touches, including a Momo steering wheel, unique shift knob and Recaro seats embossed with a “T. Mäkinen” logo.
While mechanically similar to the more pedestrian Evo VI, the Tommi Mäkinen sports a quicker-spooling turbocharger, close-ratio five-speed gearbox, lower ride height and quicker steering ratio.
In total, only about 4000 examples were ever made, with recent sales indicating an average value of around $65,000.
5. Morgan Aero 8 Series 1
Photograph Courtesy Melvyn Rutter Ltd
This one is my wildcard entry, because there are so few cars out there quite as unique as a modern Morgan.
Assuming you can look past the cross-eyed design of the front headlights (hey, I plan on driving my car, not looking at it), the first-generation Aero 8 packs some impressive performance, even by today’s standards.
Open the bonnet and you’ll see a 4.4-liter BMW M62 V8 engine that can motivate the Morgan to 60 mph in under 5 seconds.
It’s not all high-speed modern tech, however. If you look hard enough, you’ll still find an ash wood frame, a hallmark of Morgan chassis design dating back a century.
With only around 200 examples of the Series 1 made (though versions of the Aero 8 were produced well into the mid-2000s), finding one for sale may be tricky–but if you do, expect to pay upward of $60,000.
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Comments
The Holden Ute caught my eye. I remember seeing a similar GM car like it with Mexico plates. I'm like I wish we had those here. The Ute seems like the ultimate modern version of the El Camino.
The Holden Ute almost made it here as a Pontiac G8 but it got canceled.
wspohn
UltraDork
2/1/25 12:03 p.m.
The Opel sort of made it here - it was in many ways the predecessor of the GM Kappas (Pontiac Solstice/ Saturn Sky).
In reply to stuart in mn :
I always wondered why GM never brought one over and just called it an El Camino, but it makes sense that something like that would get canceled.
With the popularity of rally and WRC increasing, I bet you'll see values for that Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition to start growing quickly.
In reply to J.A. Ackley :
JDM Youngtimers are starting to transition from fun-to-drive disposable cars"to serious collector's items–partially because so many were used as disposable items. Nostalgia plays a big part, too.
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By Colin Wood
