Japanese and American cars are the majority of automobiles you'll see on American roads, bar a handful of German and Italian brands. So, it's normal to find gearheads arguing which side of the pacific makes better rides. Each side has its strengths. JDM cars are generally safer, better engineered, more reliable, more fuel efficient, cheaper to own, and hold value well over time. American cars come with more engine choices, more space, are more stylish, and offer better overall performance. Still, Japanese automakers build cars across the wide market spectrum and have some cars that can obliterate American competition. Most times, they come with comparatively cheaper price tags.
So, if searching for a safe, reliable, and affordable performance car, you can't ignore the Japanese brands. For all their critics, Japanese automakers have given us some of the most bang-for-the-buck cars in the last three decades. With a budget of less than $30k and as little as $10k, you can buy a reliable Japanese sleeper from the 2000s that will stick in the rearview mirror of a German exotic machine and make its driver a little uncomfortable.
10 Nissan 350Z ($11,800)
Nissan introduced the Z in 1969, promising to deliver simple sports car performance at a lower price. And deliver they did, keeping up with the more expensive Corvettes and Porsches of the period. The 350Z was the fifth generation Z, coming in 2002. Under the hood lay a 3.5-liter V6 punching 287 ponies, which went up to 350hp in the Nismo variant.
In the Nismo Coupe variant, the 350Z can launch to 60mph in 5.2 seconds, proving that Nissan was still capable of producing a dependable German sports car slayer. When new, the car offered one of the best values for money. They are still reliable and highly tunable. Also, going by the Hagerty Valuation Tool, a good condition example goes for as low as $11,800 on the used car market.
9 Toyota MR2 Spyder ($10,700)
Toyota partnered with Lotus in 2004, and they provide engines for the Elise and Evora models. Now they want to build a mid-engined sports car potentially inspired by the Toyota Alessandro Volta concept car and the MR2. The MR2 remains the only Toyota production car with an engine in the midsection. It was produced across three generations from 1984 to 2007, offering sporty and affordable performance.
The MR2 Spider, built between 2000 and 2007, has proven the most reliable model. You can have it for as low as $10k and have a feel before Toyota introduces the new MR2, which compliments a strong and growing lineup of new Gazoo Racing sports cars.
8 Honda S2000 ($26,400)
The Honda S2000 is the costliest car on this list. Still, at $26,400, it is an affordable ride, but it won't stay that way for long. It is a desirable Japanese car whose value keeps shooting up. So, there was never a better time to snap up a beloved JDM enthusiast favorite that perfected the naturally-aspirated sports car recipe.
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Its famous VTEC engine produces the highest specific output of any naturally aspirated production car ever, with 124hp per liter. Two decades later, many still regard the Honda S2000 as one of the best sports cars.
7 Mazda Miata MX-5 (7,800)
Mazda modeled the Miata after the classic roadsters of the 60s and has remained reliable, with simple and affordable maintenance requirements. It enjoys above-average reliability with a Repair Pal reliability score of above .0 out of 5.0 for most models.
The Miata is a highly tunable, lightweight roadster offering magical handling, lively motors, and an incredible six-speed manual gearbox. Model options run to the Miata's first model year in 1989, and those from the early 2000s in good condition can fetch as little as $7,800.
6 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X ($21,000)
The Lancer Evolution is a revered and legendary Japanese nameplate. It dominated World Rally Championship in the mid to late 90s with four consecutive wins. Although the success in the premier competition dried up after the sixth generation, the Evo had won gearheads heats, and Mitsubishi built it until the tenth generation. Earlier generations have held their value well, and surprisingly the Evo X is one of the more attainable rally-bred sports cars.
On average, the Evo X costs about $27,000, but you can find an earlier model from the late 2000s in good condition for about $21k.
5 Subaru WRX ($13,400)
The Impreza WRX is the Evo's mortal enemy, and both cars have phenomenal success in rally racing, leaving fans in disagreement on who's the king. Subaru's WRX nameplate is still going strong, and there are no signs of the Evo making a comeback yet. The Impreza was the last Japanese car to win the WRC driver's championship in 2003 before Toyota brought the Yaris.
Today, the rally-winning WRX from the early 2000s is exceptionally affordable on the used car market. Hagerty values a 2003 example in good condition at $13,400. In return, you get genuinely exciting performance, reliability, and practicality.
4 Toyota Celica GT ($10,000)
There were seven generations of the Celica before Toyota discontinued the popular nameplate in 2006. Some 80s models in mint condition are highly collectible and fetch upwards of $30,000. A super clean 1976 example sold on Bring a Trailer auction for $62,000 last year. Another 1994 Celica ST185 Turbo Group A Rally Car sold for $234,841 at Bonhams auction.
But these are exceptions, and the later generation examples of the multi-WRC champion are still affordable and have an average listing price of about $10k.
3 Mitsubishi Eclipse ($7,200)
Mitsubishi gave the Eclipse nameplate a new leash of life in the form of a compact crossover, the Eclipse Cross, a decade after discontinuing it. Many gearheads will recall the original car's appearance in The Fast and Furious movie in a lime green Blitz body kit where it was immortalized as Brian O'Connor's first race car, dubbed 'the green car.'
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Sloths barely make their way into the fast franchise, so the Eclipse's performance pedigree is guaranteed. Third and fourth-generation models from the 2000s are dirt cheap and can fetch anywhere between $2k and $10k depending on their condition.
2 Lexus SC 430 ($7,600)
They may be all about efficiency, but we've occasionally seen Japanese cars feature thundering V8 engines. The SC 430 sports coupe is a good example of affordable V8 power. Critics claim that its 4.3-liter V8 is smooth and powerful, although sedate. It does offer a good midrange punch and is a good cruiser with a top speed of 149 mph and 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. It might fall short of direct competition, but these aren't bad returns.
But the SC 430 shines for being one of the most reliable cars on the market, and it doesn't break the bank. On Edmunds, you can find clean examples listed for as low as $7,500.
1 Nissan Stagea ($7,305)
There aren't many fast sleeper wagons in the new car market today. But a while ago, they were the rave, and the Nissan Stagea is one of Japan's best-kept performance secrets. Nissan built the Stagea to respond to the Subaru Legacy, and some have labeled it a Skyline with a huge trunk thanks to its ferocious performance.
Under the hood was a Skyline R33 2.5-liter turbocharged I6 engine punching 276hp in the RS Four S trim. It was one of the cars you could see coming, with a sub-six zero to 60mph and 155mph top speed. The Stagea is a reliable, fun, comfy, and affordable ride, and as of 2021, it is eligible for import to the USA.