These Classic Cars Are Officially Legal to Import to the States in 2025

The calendars once again turned over into a new year, giving way to 2025 New Years resolutions, reflections of the prior year, and “new year, new me” affirmations, but what we’re really looking forward to is the release of more unique import cars hitting United States roads.

The United States still holds to its ban on importing cars that were not originally sold here, unless the vehicles are 25 years old or older (to the month), or as a rare exception under the “Show and Display” rule. Here are ten vehicles that car lovers in America have been waiting to get their hands on.

Nissan Stagea 260RS

If the Nissan Skyline GT-R had a “sleeper” relative, the Stagea 260RS, aside from its visibly sporty spoiler mounted above the rear hatch, fits that bill. While we’ve seen earlier versions already reach the US, the face lifted version is now eligible for import.

The Autech-tuned Stagea wagon shares many of its mechanical parts with the R33 Skyline. For example, the special 260RS variant is equipped with the same twin-turbo 2.6-liter inline-six that powers the GT-R, paired with the same five-speed manual transmission that sends 276-horsepower to its shared all-wheel-drive system. The 260RS also sports a performance-tuned suspension, a strengthened body, an undercarriage protector, a front strut brace, a special rear stabilizer, 17-inch BBS forged alloy wheels and Brembo brakes. The driver sits in front of an R33 GTR steering wheel and GTR style gauges.

Holden Ute SS

The Holden Commodore SS Ute hails from Australia and is now legal for import along with the third-generation Holden Commodore sedan. While GM’s Australian Holden brand had been selling Commodore-based Utes for some time, the year 2000 is when the Ute became its own model line.

The Holden SS Ute is based on the rear-wheel drive Commodore platform, also used in America for the 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO. Base models came standard with a V6, but it was also available with a 300 horsepower 5.7-liter LS1 V8. With an available Tremec T56 six-speed manual, a practicle pickup bed, and plenty of spare parts that overlap with the Pontiac GTO, the Ute SS is a prime candidate to take up that precious garage space. Plus, with a little weight in the back bed, we’d expect the V8-powered SS to serve up burnouts smokey enough to make Australians proud. However, if you hold out until 2026, you’ll be able to import the higher-performance HSV Maloo, if you can find one.

Morgan Aero 8

Earlier this year we confirmed that Morgan will sell its new Plus Four roadster in the U.S. The car’s classic British looks shine through with its hand-formed aluminum body over modern mechanicals; however, its power is somewhat limited, offering only a four-cylinder engine.

Cue the legal importation of the Morgan Aero 8: The first series began production in 2000, so the model will trickle into legal importation status throughout the year. With power from a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V-8 paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, it offers 282 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque to move around 2476 pounds of car supported by a bonded aluminum chassis and a fully independent suspension.

Noble M12

In the past, a total of only 220 Nobles were imported to the U.S., the GTO-3R and M400 models. Now we will start to see the early Noble M12s being imported from overseas. The lightweight sports car weighs in at just 2300 pounds, about 200 pounds lighter than a second-generation Toyota MR2, while offering 310 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged version of the Ford 2.5-liter Duratec V6. Its mid-engine chassis offers balance while the highly tunable engine is competitive on the racetrack, making the Noble M12 an ideal sports car for the weekend racer.

Audi RS4 Avant

It’s what all Audi fanatics have been waiting for: the muscle-bound RS4 Avant with 375 horsepower, 114 more horses than what the S4 model offered in the U.S. A worthy successor to the Porsche-tuned RS2 Avant that launched in 1994, the RS4 Avant gets power from a Cosworth-developed 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, which is paired with a six-speed manual that transfers power to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Lotus 340R

The Lotus Exige is another sports car that can be legally imported into the U.S. this year but seeing as how most of you have likely heard of it due to its availability in the North American market, we’ll instead highlight the exceedingly rare Lotus 340R. A few have already made it to the States, supposedly as track-only vehicles.

Essentially a stripped down Exige or Elise Sport 190, the Lotus 340R uses the same 190-horsepower Rover K-Series engine. It weighs just 1,488 pounds, which gives its 177 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque supercar feels. The catch to owning one of Lotus’ most extreme road cars? The company only built 340 examples, making the model a challenge to find.

Opel Speedster

The Opal Speedster was built at the same Hethel factory as the Lotus Elise, though it was never sold in America. The mid-engined, targa-topped, two-seat sports car is the twin of the Vauxhall VX220, and the Daewoo Speedster in some Asian markets. American enthusiasts may recognize it from the video game Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit II.

The Speedster’s aesthetics can be described as slightly toned down when compared to a Lotus Elise, with its angular design, lower sills and a longer wheelbase. It’s a 2.2-liter four-cylinder GM Ecotec engine is mounted transversely just behind the passenger and offers 145 horsepower.

Renault Clio II RS

The Second Generation of Renault Clio, known as the Clio II, was introduced in mid-1998 for the 1999 model year. It was also known as the Clio 172, a name derived from the power output of its 2.0-liter, 16-valve inline-four-cylinder engine, complete with variable valve timing.

Offered as a two or four door hatchback or as a four-door station wagon (estate), almost all of the Clio II variants were equipped with a gas or diesel powered inline-four, however those who are seeking more performance in this hot hatchback may want to wait a couple years longer and import a mid-engined V6 Renault Sport that was released in 2001.

Toyota Origin

Produced to celebrate Toyota’s 100 millionth car the previous year, the Origin was based on the now largely forgotten Toyota Progrès sedan that was sold in Japan starting in 1998. The Origin was built by hand at Kanto Auto Works, the division that builds the Toyota Century. For the exterior it gets suicide doors, heavy helpings of chrome, and an upright C-pillar. It’s powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six paired with a four-speed automatic. Just under 1,100 examples were produced in 2000 and 2001, so if you’re seriously looking for an example to import, you may have to wait a while.

Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen

A Porsche-approved Subaru? Yes, please. The JDM B4 Blitzen began as a collaboration between Subaru and Porsche Design. Subaru utilized its 276 horsepower 2.0-liter boxer motor, adding a four-speed automatic option with steering-wheel shift buttons. Meanwhile, Porsche Design provided the sleek body kit and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Bonus Car: Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II

The R34 Nissan Skyline aged into legal import realms last year, and diehard GT-R fans will be itching to get their hands on the V-Spec II that launched in October 2000.  The Nissan Skyline V-Spec II adds stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes, new upholstery and a carbon hood featuring a modest NACA duct.

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