Nissan Cefiro A31
Import a Nissan Cefiro (A31) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1988–1994
About the A31
ProjectJDM gives the A31 Cefiro’s production as roughly September 1988 to August 1994, and it has been US-eligible since September 2013. It is a rear-drive four-door sedan from Nissan’s RB-engine era.
The turbo Sports Cruising grade is the one enthusiasts look for, often as a drift car. Many cars have had engine swaps, so we confirm the engine and grade from the export certificate before quoting.
The Cefiro went on sale on 1 September 1988 after a teaser campaign. Copywriter Shigesato Itoi coined its slogan, and singer Yosui Inoue starred in the early adverts, which pitched it as a sedan for men in their twenties and thirties. Beyond the rear-drive turbo cars, Nissan sold an Autech Version from January 1990 and the Attesa Cruising, an all-wheel-drive RB20DET car using the GT-R's ATTESA E-TS system.
- Engine
- RB20DET 1,998 cc turbo I6
- Power
- 205 PS
- Torque
- 27 kgm at 3,200 rpm
- Weight
- 1,330 kg (Sports Cruising, manual)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Sold in Japan
- 141,278
Can an A31 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on an A31
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Engine
Confirm the engine is original to the car, or ask for paperwork on any swap.
Turbo
On turbo cars, worth checking for smoke and oil leaks.
Bushings
Worth checking for worn suspension bushings.
Drift abuse
Worth checking the rails, diff and bodywork for drift damage.
Rust
Worth checking the sills, arches and boot floor.
What we check on every A31
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What an A31 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A31 Cefiro (all grades), Japan used-car average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥2.42 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
| A31 Cefiro built May 1992–Jul 1994, Japan used-car average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥2.02 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
A31 buyer questions
Is the A31 Cefiro eligible?
Yes. Production ended in July 1994, and ProjectJDM says US eligibility began in September 2013. Every car has passed the US 25-year rule and Canada's 15-year rule.
Which Cefiro grade is the turbo?
The Cruising and Sports Cruising grades have the 205 PS RB20DET turbo. Cars with the Sports name also have HICAS-II four-wheel steering. A manual was offered on most grades, and the 2.5 L RB25DE arrived in May 1992.
What does an A31 cost in Japan?
Carsensor's average asking price across all A31 grades was about ¥2.42 million in October 2026, and about ¥2.02 million for 1992–94 cars. Turbo manual cars are scarcer than the average suggests. Freight and compliance are extra.
Want an A31?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.