- 1. 1989-1998 Nissan 240SX
- 2. 2018-2023 Lexus LC 500
- 3. 1990-1997 Mazda MX-5
- 4. 2011-2013 Lexus LF-A
- 5. 1999-2002 Nissan GT-R (R34)
- 6. 1994-1998 Toyota Supra
- 7. 1990-2005 Acura NSX
- The best Japanese cars ever produced
The Japanese automakers have produced some of the best sports cars that money can buy over the past few decades. Fortunately, many of them have made it stateside, and we have gotten to enjoy them. Here are seven of the best examples.
1. 1989-1998 Nissan 240SX
1998 Nissan 240SX | Getty Images
Ask any import car enthusiast about the Nissan 240SX; they will likely tell you it’s a drifting starter car. As Road and Track points out, the 240SX wasn’t very popular when it was new. However, it has gained a cult following over time thanks to the drift scene. It also helps that it’s a RWD car that’s easy to modify.
2. 2018-2023 Lexus LC 500
2022 Lexus LC 500 | Lexus
There’s no denying that the Lexus LC 500 is a work of art. Its beautiful exterior and interior design matches well with its 5.0-liter V8 engine. And while it’s not exactly an all-out race car, the LC 500 works extremely well as a luxury sports car cruiser.
3. 1990-1997 Mazda MX-5
1990 Mazda Miata | Getty Images
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, and reliable. What more could you ask for from a Japanese sports car? It’s no wonder that the Miata’s formula has withstood the test of time. So much so, that whenever someone is looking for a fun and cheap sports car, the answer is always “Miata.”
4. 2011-2013 Lexus LF-A
Lexus LF-A | Getty Images
The Lexus LF-A is largely heralded as one of the best-sounding sports cars of all time. That makes sense, considering it’s powered by a 4.8-liter Yamaha-tuned V10 engine. It’s just too bad that you have to shell out around $400,000 (maybe more) to experience the F1-sounding car for yourself. But it could be worth it.
5. 1999-2002 Nissan GT-R (R34)
Nissan GT-R | Getty Images
A list of Japanese sports cars wouldn’t be right without including Godzilla – also known as the Nissan GT-R. But we’re not talking about just any GT-R; we’re focusing on the R34 generation. It’s special because it was created at a time when Nissan incorporated advanced tech features with an analog driving experience – the best of both worlds. We can’t wait until these cars can be legally imported into the U.S.
6. 1994-1998 Toyota Supra
Toyota Supra | Getty Images
Although we have a soft spot for the new Toyota Supra, it can never compare to the fourth-generation model. The 94-98 Supra was made popular by the Fast and Furious franchise. But its legendary status has continued thanks to its good looks and highly tunable 2JZ engine. If you ever need a 10-second car, the fourth-gen Supra is the way to go. Just be prepared to spend a pretty penny on it.
7. 1990-2005 Acura NSX
Acura NSX | Getty Images
Related
The first-generation Acura NSX is practically a time capsule. Although it is old, the original NSX’s timeless design and amazing engineering make it one of the best Japanese sports cars to buy. However, prices for clean examples have increased in recent years, so you better have deep pockets.
The best Japanese cars ever produced
As you can imagine, plenty of other Japanese sports cars have been produced over the years that belong on this list. However, these seven are the most popular and the most prevalent in our minds. We hope that these automakers continue to produce more exciting models in the future.
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