About a week ago, Hagerty posted an article titled The Golden Age of Forbidden Fruit Cars from Japan and Europe is Over. In it, author Rob Sass suggests that we’ve reached the point where most of the lust-inducing cars never offered for sale in the United States are finally importable under the 25-year rule. In today’s Market Monday, I’m going to refute that point a bit and share 5 desirable (and affordable) cars that remain just out of reach.

Toward the end of his thoughtful post, Rob concedes that there are a handful of iconic Euro-only cars that are still too new to import, such as the 996-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Renault Clio V6, Alfa Romeo Brera and the TVR Sagaris. I fully agree that those cars are desirable and should start to trickle into the country as the years tick by, but they’re not the only highlights.

For example, a slew of highly collectible cars are currently importable only under “show and display” rules, keeping them from being fully road-legal. Show and display requires paperwork (ew), and is expensive given the restrictive usage rules placed on the vehicle. The Porsche 959, one of the cars previously forbidden from our shores except for show and display, is now a frequent sight at domestic auctions. In the US, we may soon see cars like the Aston Martin DB7 Zagato, Koenigsegg CCR, Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR and Porsche 997 Sport Classic in greater numbers.

Those are worthy investments for the richest collectors, but what about the rest of us?

I believe there are many covetable cars the hoi-polloi would love to bring into the USA over the coming years. Below, I’ve chosen just a handful of vehicles I’ve always wished were sold in the USA and dreamt of importing when eligible. As an added bonus, they’re reasonably affordable.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition, released in 1999, is a rally-inspired special edition designed to honor the four-time World Rally Champion. Known for its enhanced handling, aggressive styling, and iconic red and white “Ralliart” livery, it remains a coveted classic among performance car enthusiasts. Most of these cars are model year 2000 or 2001, meaning it’s not importable until next year. Average prices for these cars hovers around $65,000.

The 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle RSi is a rare, high-performance version of the iconic Beetle, featuring a 3.2L VR6 engine producing 224 hp stuffed into the impossibly tiny engine bay, mated to an all-wheel drive system. With its bold design, widened body, and exclusive interior touches, it stands out as a unique blend of quirky charm and serious performance. This spicy Beetle will run you around $70,000 to acquire in today’s market.

The first-generation Ford Focus RS, launched in 2002, features a 2.0L turbocharged Duratec engine producing 212 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, paired with a limited-slip differential for improved traction. Built in limited numbers, it was designed to showcase Ford’s rally heritage with performance-focused upgrades and distinctive styling. To land one of these in your garage, it’ll run you about $35,000 plus importation costs. The first-gen Focus was popular here, making it all the stranger we never got this sexy beast in the States.

The Alfa Romeo 159 was a compact sedan built on the same platform as the aforementioned Brera. The Sportwagon was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and was styled by the great Giorgetto Giugiaro’s design studio. In typical Italian fashion, its attractive and sporty design limits actual payload and comfort, but it’s one sexy longroof. A low mileage Sportwagon will run you just $8000, which is a lot of style for not a lot of money.

The third-generation Volkswagen Scirocco, produced from 2008 to 2017, is a successor to the sporty version of the Golf. Built on the VW Golf Mk5 platform, it offers a range of turbocharged engines, including a 2.0L TSI producing up to 276 hp in the R variant, and features a low-slung design, sport-tuned suspension, and advanced features like adaptive chassis control. The car was a success in Europe, but apparently wasn’t seen as a potential winner on this side of the pond. The average price of a Scirocco R is around $15,000. With luck, depreciation in the next 8 years will result in a cheap, quick, and practical import. It’s just a darn long time to wait, though, isn’t it?

In no way was this meant to be an exhaustive exploration of collectible cars that we still can’t legally import to the US, but rather a slice of what I find personally interesting. For example, if French cars are your jam, this list could easily have included the Renault Megane, Citroen C6 or Peugeot 308 GTI. Not to mention brands like MG, Rover, Skoda, Seat, Fiat, BMW, Audi and more.

What would you add to the list? Drop a note in the comments to share your picks!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisals, and auction services for buyers and sellers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring an overseas car, give us a call or drop a line!