Americans looking for a deal on a Japanese car should keep a close eye on the market this summer. Several popular models are expected to see significant price drops, mainly due to inventory surpluses, model phase-outs, and shifting consumer preferences.
According to Lauren Fix, automotive expert at Car Coach Reports, the summer of 2025 will be a prime time for buyers to negotiate aggressively and shop around for the best deals.
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Best-Selling Cars report that the Japanese car market contracted 7.5% in 2024, with Toyota and Nissan facing tariffs and a shift toward hybrids over electric vehicles (EVs). Dealers will be motivated to clear out older inventory, especially in June and July, so buyers should be ready to take advantage of these rare opportunities.
Here are five Japanese cars that are likely to have massive price drops in the coming months.
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Nissan Z
The Nissan Z has long been a favorite among sports car fans, but the 2024 and 2025 models are facing new challenges. According to Car and Driver, the Z’s retro styling and 400-horsepower engine make it a fun ride, yet it is still based on older 370Z underpinnings. The excitement that drove early markups has faded, and Nissan’s Z sports car is already seeing some of the biggest discounts in years.
With up to $4,000 off the 2024 model, the CarBuzz report shows this puts the price for a base Z close to $40,000, undercutting rivals like the Toyota Supra by a wide margin. Lauren Fix noted that the Z’s popularity has led to market saturation, and dealers are eager to move current stock. She explained that competition from the Toyota Supra and upcoming electric sports cars is also pushing dealers to discount Z models even further.
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Toyota bZ4X
Toyota’s first electric SUV, the bZ4X, has struggled to compete with rivals like Tesla and Ford, leading to a major price cut for 2025. Car and Driver reported that the 2025 bZ4X XLE now starts at $38,465, a $6,000 drop compared to the previous year.
Kelley Blue Book added that slow sales and excess inventory have pushed Toyota to offer shocking lease deals and free charging to entice buyers. Fix said that with Americans still preferring hybrids over full EVs, dealers are expected to keep offering discounts to move the bZ4X off lots this summer.
Subaru Legacy
Subaru is ending production of the Legacy sedan in spring 2025, after 36 years on the market, due to Americans shifting away from sedans toward SUVs and crossovers. Prices for the 2025 Legacy start at $24,895 and have held steady, but sales have dropped by 13% year-over-year, making it one of Subaru’s slowest sellers.
According to Carscoops, dealers are expected to offer aggressive deals to move the last of the inventory, especially as the final models arrive this summer. Fix said that discontinued models like the Legacy often see the steepest price drops as dealers make room for more popular SUVs.
Honda Passport
The Honda Passport is facing a major redesign for 2026, and the 2025 models are already being offered with deep discounts. CarsDirect found $3,400 in hidden savings on the 2025 Passport, thanks to dealer cash incentives and the need to clear out old stock. According to Cars.com, the 2025 Passport starts at $43,795, but buyers have a strong negotiating position as the new model arrives and the current version looks outdated.
Fix explained that Americans who do not want to pay more for the redesigned 2026 Passport can find excellent deals on the outgoing model this summer.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is being phased out, and that means big savings for Americans willing to buy before it disappears. According to RealCarTips, discounts of 5% to 6% off MSRP are already common, with the 2025 Altima SV FWD averaging $26,877 against a sticker price of $28,570.
CarEdge’s Zach Shefska told GOBankingRates that discontinued models almost always see deep summer discounts as dealers clear the last units. Lauren Fix also pointed out that new competitors and changing tastes are making the Altima an even better deal for shoppers this summer.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Japanese Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in the Summer of 2025
