Over the years, Japan has established a reputation for producing reliable cars. And when we think of the most legendary sports cars to originate from the land of the rising sun, cars from the late 1980s and 1990s are most likely to be the first on our minds. Many JDM legends like the Skyline, NSX, Silvia, RX-7, and the Supra became popular globally during that period. Although many automobile enthusiasts consider the 1990s to be the undisputed golden era of Japanese performance cars, they are missing out on vehicles built in the 2000s when Japanese automakers made significant improvements in the reliability department.
The reliability of Japanese automobiles was boosted in the 2000s by evolved technological advancements at the turn of the century, namely in factory automation, engine design, and technology. Besides that, cars from the 2000s had much-strengthened body chassis, used better and long-lasting materials, and their electrical systems could easily diagnose potential failures. The period between 2000 and 2009 is also noteworthy due to sports cars' increased speed and power. Which gearhead doesn't love that?
While automakers around the globe produced dozens of insane cars during that era, we list the 10 most reliable Japanese performance cars from the 2000s.
9 2009 Nissan 350Z
The 5th-gen Nissan 350Z, produced between 2002 and 2009, was offered in 5 trim packages. In stock form, the 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 287 hp, while the top-of-the-range NISMO variant cranked out 350 hp on the tap. As far as value for money goes, the Z-car was among the best options during the 2000s.
The 350Z proved that the Japanese automaker could produce a reliable sports car with performance that rivaled more prestigious alternatives like BMW and Porsche. The two-seater sports car is a popular modern-day drifter, thanks to the car's tuning potential, reliability, and ever-tempting price tag.
8 Acura RSX
The Integra Type R is highly regarded for its performance and handling – arguably the best front-wheel drive car in history. The fourth-generation model was introduced in 2001 and was a massive improvement over its predecessor. It was lighter and featured a vastly improved interior. The DC5 Type R came with bucket or sport-bucket seats depending on the trim level.
The RSX sold in North America boasted of Honda's iconic 2.0-liter K20 engine producing 220 hp. Even better, the rev-happy VTEC engine propelled the car from 0-60 mph in less than 6.5 seconds – a performance that shamed many rear-wheel-drive cars.
7 Toyota MR2 Spyder
While the first and second-generation MR2s were affordable mid-engine sports cars, none was as reliable as the MR2 Spyder. Produced from 2000 to 2007, the third generation MR2 was priced to rival the popular Mazda Miata and outperform the costly Honda S2000 and BMW Z3-Series.
But unlike its predecessors, the W30 MR2 scraped out the pop-up headlights. And while fans faulted the tiny 1.8-liter 1ZZ-FED inline-four producing just 138 hp, the MR2 Spyder was still spirited, weighing 2195 pounds – the excellent power-to-weight ratio and a mid-engine set-up offered brilliant handling and performance that backed up the car's racy looks.
6 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
Over the years, Nissan built a handful of iconic skylines, but none was as great as the R34. It's considered the epitome of the Skyline generations as it was the ultimate evolution of the R32, nicknamed Godzilla. The R34 boasted advanced tech like the ATTESA all-wheel-drive system and analog driver inputs that offered an engaging driving experience.
Today, the Skyline R34 is the most sought-after GT-R, often elevating its price tag to six figures. While the 2.6-liter RB26DETT inline-six produced 276 hp in standard form, over 600 hp was easily achievable with light tuning. By the time it went out of production in 2002, the R32 was a benchmark in the neoclassical JDM movement.
5 2006 Honda Civic Si
The 2006 Honda Civic Si marked two decades since the 1st-gen Civic Si coupe was launched in the US. The Civic Si wasn't any ordinary coupe; it set a new benchmark squeezing 197 hp from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder – a refinement of Honda's durable all-aluminum K-series engine in the Acura RSX Type-S.
In what Honda refers to as razor-like handling, the Civic Si boasts a firm suspension tuning, stiffer chassis, and bigger footprints. Then there is the limited-slip differential (LSD) that gives the Civic Si a faster cornering ability than a regular front-wheel-drive car.
4 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)
Like its predecessor, the second-generation Miata NB retained the recipe of the cherished Miata, but it didn't feature the pop-up headlights this time. Engineers figured out the quirky headlights were a hindrance to the car's aerodynamics and a safety hazard as well.
These updates dropped the Miata's weight by around 11 pounds. The Miata NB featured performance upgrades and is the only Miata generation with a turbocharged variant – the Mazdaspeed MX-5 producing 178 hp (38 more horses than the standard model). Above all, the 2000s roadster was as reliable as you'd expect from a Mazda car.
3 Honda S2000
The S2000 was designed as a true performance roadster and is still among the best track cars you can buy today – it's affordable, fun to drive, robust and reliable. Better still, aftermarket support is readily available in case you feel like spicing up the performance figures.
Featuring racing-derived technology, the two-seater roadster was a handling masterpiece on twisty tracks, thanks to the optimum 50:50 weight distribution. Under the hood was a high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 247 hp – the highest of any naturally aspirated engine during the time.
2 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII
The Lancer Evo series is the perfect definition of pure bang-for-buck as it boasts supercar-baiting performance at a fraction of the cost compared to, say, a Ferrari or Porsche. The Lancer Evo VIII was introduced in 2003, sporting a 276-hp 2.0-liter engine. In what was supposed to be a one-off model, the sales were so successful in America that by 2005, the Evo was offered in four trims.
The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII was also the first Evo model sold in North America, following the success of the Impreza WRX. The MR FQ-400 is among the most desirable Evos generating 405 hp from the unkillable 2.0-liter 4G63 inline-four powerplant.
1 2007-'09 Nissan GT-R R35
The GT-R made a comeback in 2007 following the end of production of the R32 in 2002. It immediately became a global icon for the brand as it was the first GT-R to land in the American market officially. The R35 dropped the Skyline moniker and added a hand-crafted 480-hp twin-turbocharged VR38DETT V6 engine.
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The result was supercar-rivaling performance rocketing from standstill to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Today, it boasts of a fanatic cult following that rivals that of the iconic Porsche 911. The R35 became a legend overnight for its handling and modern tech and could be an ideal daily drive. And like its predecessors, the R35 proved to be a reliable sports car.