Nissan Silvia S15
Import a Nissan Silvia (S15) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1999–2002
- Engine
- SR20DET 2.0 L turbo four (Spec R), rear-wheel drive
About the S15
The S15 was the last Silvia, on sale from January 1999 until production ended in August 2002. The Spec-R has the SR20DET turbo four with 250 PS and a six-speed manual, or 225 PS with the automatic; the Spec-S uses the naturally aspirated SR20DE.
It is the best-developed turbo rear-drive Silvia. It became US-legal from 2024 and demand keeps rising: JDMBuySell’s June 2026 demand index ranked it fourth among all JDM models.
After buyers criticised the larger S14, Nissan brought the S15 back to Japan's compact 5-number size class. It did well in competition: in 2001 the Team Daishin Silvia won both the team and driver titles in the JGTC GT300 class, and the NRS team won the All Japan Rally Championship 2WD driver's title in 2001 and 2002. The last limited model, the V Package, arrived in January 2002.
- Engine
- SR20DET 1,998 cc turbo I4
- Power
- 250 PS (Spec-R)
- Torque
- 28 kgm at 4,800 rpm
- Weight
- 1,240 kg (Spec-R)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed manual
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Sold in Japan
- 43,147
Can an S15 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 S15
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Turbo
Check the turbo gaskets for leaks.
Rust and repairs
Look for rust and hidden crash repair in the arches, engine bay and boot.
Brakes
Front calipers can seize on high-mileage cars.
Manifold
Check for cracked manifolds, which are often linked to cheap aftermarket parts.
Build month
For a US import, the build month on the plate decides eligibility.
What we check on every S15
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 S15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| S15, JDMBuySell median of seller-reported sales (49 cars, Feb 2025–Oct 2026) JDMBuySell, Oct 2026 | US$26,136 | JDMBuySell , Oct 2026 |
| S15, range of asking prices in listings West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Sep 2026 | about US$24,000–65,000 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Sep 2026 |
| 1999 S15 Spec-R B-package, 148,289 km, Japan trade-in valuation Ucarpac, May 2026 | ¥3.09 million | Ucarpac , May 2026 |
| S15 Silvia, Japan used-car average asking price, whole generation Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥3.63 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.
S15 buyer questions
Can I bring an S15 into the US?
Production ran from January 1999 to August 2002. As of October 2026, cars built up to October 2001 meet the US 25-year rule, and later cars qualify month by month to August 2027. Canada accepts every build. The plate's build month decides it.
Spec-R or Spec-S?
The Spec-R has the 250 PS SR20DET turbo and a six-speed manual. The Spec-S uses the naturally aspirated SR20DE. Spec-R packages include the V package, b package, L package and Aero, which differ in equipment and new price, ¥2.39–2.61 million before tax.
What does an S15 cost in Japan?
Carsensor's average asking price for the generation was about ¥3.63 million in October 2026, across all grades. Spec-R cars with low mileage ask more. Budget separately for shipping, duty and compliance.
Want an S15?
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.