Toyota Chaser Generations, Specs and US Buying Guide

If you live in the US and want a Toyota Chaser, the car you probably have in mind is a 1992 to 2001 JZX90 or JZX100 Tourer V. That is the rear-wheel-drive four-door with the 2.5-liter 1JZ-GTE turbo six that drift and sedan-tuning fans have chased for decades. Toyota built the Chaser for Japan only. It never sold one here.

Every Toyota Chaser is now old enough for US import under the federal 25-year rule, because the last JZX100s were built in June 2001. You still need to confirm each car's build date on its plate and clear customs with EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7. After that comes the harder part: finding an honest JDM Toyota Chaser that matches its paperwork. JDMBUYSELL's Chaser history lists the X100 as on sale from September 1996, with production ending in June 2001, and today's Chaser listings show the cars currently for sale.

The Chaser began as a comfortable mid-size sedan and grew into a performance car over six generations. That history is why two cars wearing the same JZX100 code can have very different engines. JDMBUYSELL's Chaser page also notes that the JZX100 code covers both the 280 PS turbo Tourer V and the naturally aspirated Tourer S, so the code alone does not show a turbo.

Key Takeaways

• The JZX90 and JZX100 Tourer V share a 280 PS 1JZ-GTE, with twin turbos in the first and a single turbo in the second.
• Federal import rules depend on each car's build date and original setup, and your state adds its own steps.
• Plate checks, rust inspection and engine history protect you more than horsepower claims do.

Which Generations and Trims Should You Know?

You should know six generations, but nearly all US interest lands on the last two: the X90 (1992 to 1996) and the X100 (1996 to 2001). Sister models, grade names like Tourer and Avante, and chassis codes all tell you what a given car is.

Six Generations From 1977 to 2001

Toyota launched the Chaser on June 24, 1977, with 40 variations split between four-door sedans and two-door hardtops. It declared the car for the domestic market only. The six generations run roughly like this:

Generation	Years	Notes
X30/X40	1977 to 1980	Sedan and two-door hardtop
X60	1980 to 1984	Four-door body styles
X70	1984 to 1988	Four-door body styles
X80	1988 to 1992	GT Twin Turbo arrives
X90	1992 to 1996	First Tourer V (twin turbo)
X100	1996 to 2001	Single-turbo Tourer V, VVT-i

The first three generations are rare in US listings. Parts for them are harder to find than for the 1JZ-era cars.

How the Chaser Relates to the Mark II, Cresta and Crown

The Chaser started on the Toyota Mark II (X30) platform. It was sold only at Toyota Auto Store dealerships, where it was their top-level model. The Mark II and Toyota Cresta are its siblings. All three share the same core car, sold through different dealer channels.

Each sibling had its own character:

• Mark II: the mainstream version.
• Cresta: the more luxury-leaning version.
• Chaser: the sportier image.
• Toyota Crown: a class above all three, larger and more formal.

On the X100, the Chaser shares the Mark II's pillared hardtop body. It has shorter overhangs and round four-lamp headlights, so you can spot it at a glance.

Tourer vs. Avante: Sporting and Comfort-Focused Grades

On the X90, Toyota ran Toyota Chaser Tourer and Toyota Chaser Avante as separate lines. Each had its own suspension and steering tuning.

• Tourer, Tourer S, Tourer V: the sporting grades. The Tourer V is the turbo car everyone wants.
• Avante: the comfort grade, often with the 2.0-liter six.
• Avante G (Chaser Avante G): the top luxury grade. On the X100 it used the 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE.

The X100 also had dated special versions, such as Avante Lordly (August 1997), Grand Package (January 1999) and Limited (December 2000). Check a seller's claim against Toyota's equipment list for that edition.

Understanding X90 and X100 Chassis Codes

The chassis code tells you the engine family and sometimes the drivetrain. It does not tell you the grade.

Code	What it means
SX90 / SX100	1.8-liter four (4S-FE)
GX90 / GX100	2.0-liter six (1G-FE)
GX105	2.0-liter Avante Four, full-time 4WD (from August 1998)
LX90 / LX100	2.4-liter turbo diesel (2L-TE)
JZX90 / JZX100	2.5-liter six, RWD (Tourer S or Tourer V)
JZX91	X90 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE
JZX93	X90 full-time 4WD
JZX101	X100 3.0-liter Avante G (2JZ-GE)

JZX90 vs. JZX100: Engines, Performance and Drift Appeal

Both Tourer V generations make the same rated 280 PS from a 1JZ-GTE. The JZX90 uses twin turbos and the JZX100 uses a single turbo with VVT-i. Naturally aspirated versions share the same chassis codes, so the code alone never proves you have a turbo car.

Tourer V: Twin-Turbo JZX90 vs. Single-Turbo JZX100

The JZX90 Tourer V arrived in October 1992 with a twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE. The Toyota Chaser JZX100 Tourer V followed in September 1996 with a single turbo. It kept the 280 PS rating and listed 377.6 Nm at 2,400 rpm.

	JZX90 Tourer V	JZX100 Tourer V
Engine	1JZ-GTE	1JZ-GTE VVT-i
Turbos	Twin	Single
Rated power	280 PS	280 PS
Gearboxes	5MT / 4AT	5MT / 4AT
Styling	Cleaner, older	Sharper, slimmer lights

The JZX90 appeals to buyers who prefer the analog twin-turbo feel and its quieter styling. The JZX100 delivers torque earlier, which is a big reason it became the drift favorite.

Naturally Aspirated Options: 1JZ-GE and 2JZ-GE

The Tourer S uses the non-turbo 1JZ-GE. It is rated at 180 PS in the X90 and 200 PS in the X100, and from August 1998 it gained a five-speed automatic. The X100 Avante G uses the 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE at 220 PS. That is the same engine family as the Toyota Supra's 2JZ, but without turbos.

These cars are smooth and easier on fuel and maintenance. They cost less, and sellers sometimes list them vaguely next to Tourer Vs.

From the GT Twin Turbo to the Tourer V

The turbo story began with the X80 GT Twin Turbo (Chaser GT Twin Turbo). It used the 2.0-liter 1G-GTE, rated at 210 PS. In August 1990, Toyota made the 2.5-liter 1JZ engines the main engines. That shift set up the Tourer V name in 1992.

Rear-Wheel Drive, Transmissions and Tuning Trade-Offs

The Tourer V is rear-wheel drive. That layout, plus a long-wheelbase sedan body, makes the car predictable when sliding. The JZX100 manual came with a standard limited-slip differential and weighed 1,470 kg.

The automatic weighed 1,480 kg and had an optional LSD. The trade-off: manual cars cost more and are more likely to have been driven hard. Automatics are easier to find. Many owners convert them, which brings its own risks (see the buying checks below).

Is Importing One to the US Legal?

Yes. By November 2026, every Chaser built is past the 25-year federal mark, but you still have to prove each car's age and condition at the border. Federal approval also does not guarantee your state will register it.

The 25-Year NHTSA Rule and Checking the Build Date

A vehicle 25 or more years old by date of manufacture is exempt from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which NHTSA enforces. The rule runs on month and year of manufacture, not model year.

JZX100 production ran from September 1996 to June 2001, so the last cars crossed 25 years in mid-2026. Check the build date on the vehicle plate anyway. Customs officers look at the car, not the ad.

EPA's Separate 21-Year Rule and Original Configuration

The EPA has its own rule. It exempts vehicles at least 21 years old only when they remain in original configuration, meaning not modified from the manufacturer's design.

For engine swaps, the EPA asks whether the engine is the same model and configuration as the original. A JZX100 Tourer V with its original 1JZ-GTE is simple. A Tourer S with a swapped-in 1JZ-GTE, or a car with a 2JZ swap, may not meet that test.

CBP Entry Documents: EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7

You enter the car through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For a qualifying JDM Toyota Chaser, the two key federal forms are:

• EPA Form 3520-1: declares the car's emissions eligibility, here based on age and original configuration.
• DOT Form HS-7: declares safety-standard eligibility, here based on the 25-year exemption.

Also have the Japanese export certificate, the bill of lading and the purchase invoice ready. Make sure the chassis number matches across every document.

Why State Registration and Emissions Rules Still Matter

Clearing customs gets the car into the country. Titling it is your state's job. Some states require a VIN inspection or a safety check. Others, including California, apply stricter emissions rules.

Right-hand drive is legal to own. Call your DMV before you buy and ask exactly what they need for an imported 25-year-old car.

What Should You Check Before Buying?

Before you buy, confirm the car's identity, structure and engine, in that order. A clean-looking Tourer V with a mismatched plate or a hidden rust repair is a bad deal at any price.

What Drives Asking Prices and Total Landed Costs?

Price follows grade, transmission and condition. A manual Tourer V costs the most, then automatic Tourer Vs, then Tourer S and Avante cars. Originality and mileage move the number too.

As a rough 2026 example, one estimate puts a JZX100 at about $33,570 all-in. That figure assumes a $26,000 purchase plus about $7,570 for shipping, a 2.5% duty, compliance and registration. Your total will differ with the car, the port, your state's taxes and inland delivery.

Verify the Chassis Plate, Factory Grade and Import Records

Read the full chassis code on the frame or VIN plate and match it to the export certificate. JZX100 covers both Tourer V and Tourer S, so also check:

• The engine code on the block (1JZ-GTE for a Tourer V).
• The grade on the export papers or auction sheet.
• Tourer V equipment such as HID headlights and the rear spoiler.
• The build month, for both eligibility and records.

Inspect for Rust, Crash Repairs and Drift Damage

Coming from Japan does not mean a car avoided road salt. Look at the rocker panels, wheel arches, floor pans, the trunk floor and around the rear subframe.

Drift cars show telltale signs: crimped or straightened frame rails, mismatched panel gaps, welded differentials, scraped bumpers and worn rear bushings. Fresh undercoating can hide repairs, so tap it and look closely.

Check Engine Health, Cooling, Turbos and Maintenance History

On a 1JZ-GTE, ask when the timing belt and water pump were last done. Look for blue smoke on startup and listen for turbo whine or shaft play.

Check the radiator and coolant hoses, because cooling neglect kills these engines. A compression or leak-down test is worth paying for. Service receipts, even in Japanese, carry real value.

Assess Manual Conversions, Engine Swaps and Other Modifications

Many automatic Tourer Vs get converted to a manual. A good conversion includes the correct pedal box, clutch master and an engine computer suited to the manual. Ask who did it, and get photos.

Engine swaps raise the EPA question covered above. Heavy aftermarket tuning (big turbos, standalone engine computers, cut wiring) means more work for you. Stock or lightly modified cars are the safer first import.

Choose a Verified, Legal Car Before Chasing Power

Start with paperwork and structure, then think about power. Every Toyota Chaser now clears the 25-year rule, but your specific car still needs a matching build date, its original engine configuration for the EPA, and a state that will title it.

If you want the classic drift sedan, a Toyota Chaser JZX100 Tourer V with its factory 1JZ-GTE is the easiest legal starting point. Pick the JZX90 if you prefer twin turbos and older styling.

Before you send money, do three things:

1. Confirm the chassis plate, build month and engine code.
2. Get a rust and accident inspection with clear photos of the underside.
3. Call your DMV with the car's details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Toyota Chasers legal to import into the US now?

Yes. As of November 2026, every Toyota Chaser is past 25 years, because production ended in June 2001. Each car still has to meet EPA original-configuration rules and pass your state's registration process.

How much does a Toyota Chaser JZX100 cost in the US?

One 2026 estimate puts a JZX100 at about $33,570 all-in, based on a $26,000 car. Manual Tourer Vs sit at the top of the market. Tourer S and Avante models cost less.

Does every JZX100 have a turbocharged engine?

No. The Tourer S shares the JZX100 code with the Tourer V but uses the non-turbo 1JZ-GE. Check the engine code on the block and the grade on the papers.

Is a Toyota Chaser the same as a Camry?

No. The Chaser is a rear-wheel-drive sibling of the Mark II and Cresta, while the Camry is a front-wheel-drive car from a different family. The closest US relative was the Cressida, the export version of the Mark II.

Are all Toyota Chasers rear-wheel drive?

Most are rear-wheel drive, including every Tourer V. The X90 JZX93 and the X100 Avante Four (GX105) used full-time four-wheel drive.

Was the Toyota Chaser ever available as a coupe?

Yes, but only the first generation (1977 to 1980), which offered a two-door hardtop alongside the sedan. Every later Chaser was a four-door.