Why 1992? Because ‘92 was the year one of my favorite cars of the Nineties, the Lexus SC, went on sale in the U.S. Also, by 1992 all three of the Japanese luxury brands (Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus) were up and fully operational, and giving U.S. and German premium carmakers fits.

The cars on this list range in price from $26,500 to $66,600. For a little perspective, The cheapest Mercedes-Benz, the 4-cylinder manual-transmission 190E, started at $28,950, while the most-expensive Cadillac, the Fleetwood Sixty Special, listed for $40,460.

If you spent time with any of these rides, tell us about it.



1985 190E vs. 2015 CLA: How Lexus Leavened the Price of Base Benzes

Acura NSX Automatic: $66,600

Acura NSX Base Price: $62,600

Most-Expensive Option: No factory options offered

Infiniti Q45 with Full Active Suspension: $47,385

Infiniti Q45 Base Price: $42,385

Most-Expensive Option: Super HICAS 4-wheel steering system ($2800)



Lexus LS 400: $42,550

Lexus LS 400 Base Price: $42,550

Most-Expensive Option: Traction control with heated front seats ($1700)

Lexus SC 400: $37,850

Lexus SC 300 Base Price: $31,450

Most-Expensive Option: Traction control with heated front seats ($1600)



Nissan 300ZX Turbo Automatic: $35,805

Nissan 300ZX Base Price: $28,475

Most-Expensive Option: Leather seating ($1300)

Of Rice Burners and “Jap Crap”: An Open Letter to Idiots

Acura Legend LS Sedan Automatic: $35,175

Acura Legend Base Price: $31,225

Most-Expensive Option: No factory options offered

Infiniti M30 Convertible: $33,385

Infiniti M30 Base Price: $25,385

Most-Expensive Option: No factory options offered

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4: $33,168

Mitsubishi 3000GT Base Price: $20,417

Most-Expensive Option: Leather seating ($1120)



Toyota Supra Turbo with Sport Roof Automatic: $30,920

Mitsubishi GT3000 Base Price: $25,630

Most-Expensive Option: Leather seating ($1100)

Lexus ES 300 Automatic: $26,500

Lexus ES 300 Base Price: $25,600

Most-Expensive Option: Leather seating ($1200)

Looking for Love: 5 Premium Japanese Cars That Didn’t Get Enough Respect

Follow Tom on Twitter