Japan is quite possibly the best of the best when it comes to making raw, functional cars. Over the years, they have produced machines that were so astonishing, they lead to the development of an entire subculture of sporty and functional cars unique to Japan - a.k.a JDMs. And even though we now have much more advanced and technologically-equipped successors, people still go back to the original cars; they were just that good.
But, despite so many of these cars being great, there have been a few duds. We're talking about cars like the Suzuki X-90 or the Honda Insight. Vehicles that nobody really understands why Japan even bothered to roll them out.
So, to make a clear distinction between the best and the worst Japan has to offer to US citizens (and the rest of the world as well), this list will include 5 JDM machines that are absolutely worth your money and 10 not worth getting your credit card out for.
15 Worth It - Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 is an absolute weapon of a car, and the rotary engine is certainly the party piece. It has always made a brilliant sound and is quite reliable too, the only thing that really lets the RX-7 down is its fuel consumption. Other than that, you can’t go wrong. And models from the late ’80s and ’90s were simply stunning.
14 Worth It - Honda S2000
Think of the Honda S2000 as the Mazda MX-5, but much better. The S2000 dropped off the scene in the mid-2000s and for that reason, it has always seemed to hold a bit more of an appeal. It is a lot more desirable and infinitely better looking than the MX-5. If only we could see a second-generation one day.
13 Worth It - Acura Integra Type R
The Integra Type R is very nearly as good as the NSX. It has similar timeless styling that is incredibly simple, sleek, and elegant. Just over 200 hp may not sound a lot, but it was light as well, making it a demon in the corners and still very punch on the straights. One of the best JDM cars ever.
12 Worth It - Honda NSX
I’ve talked about the Honda NSX a lot, so it probably won’t surprise you to see this at the top of this list. The NSX is probably one of Honda’s greatest cars, and one of the best ever to come from Japan. Many mourned it’s passing, but the second generation has more than lived up to its predecessor.
11 Worth It - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV
What makes the Evo IV so great is that is not as pricey as say, the RX-7 or R34 Skyline. But that doesn't mean it's any less of a car. The direct rival to the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the Evo had a brilliant turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and it made a name for itself in world rally, alongside the Impreza. Plus it looked just as good as more expensive JDM sports cars.
10 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Suzuki X90
I don’t really know where to begin with the X90. In fact, I don’t think many people know where to begin with it. It was a small SUV that’s life span lasted just two years from 1995 – 1997, and looking at it, it’s not difficult to see why. It was awkward, unconventional and down on power.
9 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Subaru SVX
Whilst the Subaru SVX is hardly the worst car on this list, it isn’t going to win any awards soon. The styling of the SVX left many people with differing opinions. I personally think it’s kind of cool. But it’s woeful four-speed automatic transmission let it down, despite it having a solid 231-hp engine. The SVX was a case of what could have been.
8 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Honda Odyssey
Unlike some of the cars on this list, the Odyssey is actually still going. And it is a damn sight better than it was earlier in its life. Born out of Japan’s economic crisis of the 1990s, it was useless in the United States and Canada despite being well received in its homeland. It is much better in 2020 however.
7 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Mazda Capella
You really, really want to avoid the Mazda Capella. Also known as the 626 in some markets the Capella was particularly bad during its fifth generation. What let the car down was it’s an automatic transaxle, with bizarre downshifts and upshifts at random times letting down what could have been a very solid machine.
6 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Honda CR-X
The Honda CR-X is a bit of an odd machine. It certainly looks the part but was rather let down in other areas. A boring and underwhelming 130-hp engine did not help. Plus, it wasn’t quite big enough to prove any use to anyone. It was a nice idea, not a bad car per se, just a bit of a puzzle to solve.
5 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Mazda MX-6
It might be a surprise to learn that not all of Mazda's sports cars have been any good. The MX-6 was the sister for the Ford Probe, and it was every bit as disappointing. It could only manage 160 hp from it's most powerful V6 variant, and it never really built up a strong enough reputation to be considered a classic today. Plus, it didn't look all that exciting either.
4 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Honda Insight
Despite the name suggesting otherwise, the Honda Insight was not very insightful. This was Honda’s first attempt at establishing a hybrid car, which they are now doing very well with the 2020 Insight. But the original suffered from rubbish handling and it only managed 96 hp. Over seven years, Honda was only able to sell 17,000 Insights.
3 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Eagle Talon
Definitely not a car you want to be getting your hands on. A partnership between AMC and Mitsubishi the Talon could have been quite good. As the Mitsubishi Eclipse, it had its good points. Not as the Talon though. It was a major flop, selling badly and it’s fundamental flaws were simply never corrected.
2 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Datsun F10
In Japan, the Datsun F10 was known as the Datsun Cherry. A slightly comical name for a comical car. The car was ugly, and that was one reason alone it was so unpopular. It was also vastly underpowered, and the transmission was not up to the job and in the United States, it sold badly. This lead to the Datsun name being retired and replaced with Nissan.
1 Don't Get Your Hopes Up - Toyota Paseo
Now, you wouldn't think a company such as Toyota could make a bad car (let's pretend the Prius is half-decent). But, they have. The Paseo was a sports-styled compact car, but it was not a success. Pase means "a walk or stroll" in Spanish but for its sporty looks, it really did stroll. It drove horribly, was engineered badly and had no power at all. It's a surprise it lasted from 1991-1999