Japanese sports cars - how do they stand out from the competition?

Japan is one of the world's largest suppliers of new and used cars. Over the years, the company has gained a reputation as a reliable manufacturer, where you can easily find vehicles that offer both high quality and affordable prices. The country is truly rising to the title of leader in car exports, shipping millions of them to other markets. And Japanese manufacturers are at the forefront when it comes to favorite brands of drivers.

Today we will check what makes Japanese sports cars stand out, i.e. E. cream local auto industry.

Want to know why so many people love them? Read the article and you will find out the answer.

Legendary design and automotive classics

In the 80s and 90s, the Japanese built some of the finest sports cars the world has ever seen. Some of them can easily compete with automotive legends like Ferrari or Lamborghini, while others stand out in other ways. Which? Even at competitive prices that go hand in hand with good performance, handling and reliability.

Beautiful appearance is an important feature that puts Japanese cars ahead of others. Examples can be multiplied by tens:

• Mazda RX-7 with a beautiful curved body;
• The Nissan Skyline 2000 GT echoes American muscle cars with its edgy and timeless looks;
• The Acura NSC, one of the most influential cars of the 90s, designed with the help of legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna;
• Toyota Supra is a legendary car that has risen to this level, including thanks to the Fast and the Furious films.

It is interesting that today Japanese manufacturers are bringing back to life the classic and beloved models. Probably partly because the kids who used to worship these cars (as adults) have the money to buy them.

They will do it all the more willingly, because the new versions of the classics look really good. More than one driver or passer-by will turn their heads for them.

Good value for money

A cheap and good car is what many are looking for. While the term “cheap” is often relative in the case of sports cars, Japanese cars still stand out in this area, especially if you compare them to competing brands (like those from Italy).

Is the apparent price difference due to reliability? In no case.

In this regard, Japanese cars are among the best in the world. Drivers don't have many problems with them. Of course, some models may have their own specific drawbacks, but in general we give the Japanese a big plus for reliability.

After all, the belief that buying a Japanese car (old or new) will allow you to forget about visiting a mechanic for a long time did not arise from scratch. Every element of the car, from the engine to the suspension, has been designed and built to last.

The Land Cruiser and Hilux from Toyota's stable are famous for their vehicles that can cover several hundred thousand kilometers without major malfunctions. We admire the reliability of Honda engines. And almost every other sports car in the Land of the Rising Sun has a drive system capable of withstanding enormous loads on major components.

Here the Japanese really deserve praise.

Japanese cars - price samples

Want to know how much Japanese sports cars cost? Let's check!

You can easily find a well-maintained Mk4 Supra for around $ 150k. zlotys. These cars are not only in good technical condition, but also very durable. And, of course, they belong to the group of super-fast sports cars.

While the price seems high to the average person, for that amount you won't find a car that rivals the Supra. Moreover, the engine of this car (2JZ) has already become legendary. Mainly because of the impeccable workmanship, thanks to which it can withstand even the most extreme settings.

Is 150 thousand PLN too much? No problem.

How about the Mazda RX-7, which can be bought for under $ 50k. zlotys? Or Nissan Skyline R34? For this car, which many motorists dream of, you will pay about 80 thousand. zlotys.

If you're looking for a budget option, you can opt for the Miat. It will cost you only 10-20 thousand. zlotys.

Special Community of Japanese Brands

Japanese sports cars have gained recognition from many drivers who are building a strong and loyal community around brands from the land of the rising sun. Fans of these cars boast a rich history of motorsport, street racing and extreme tuning.

Therefore, if you decide to purchase a sports car from Japan, you will be part of this extraordinary group of enthusiasts. You can easily arrange car meetings with them or join online discussions of your favorite brands from these regions.

Advanced customization

Japanese cars and tuning are two sides of the same coin. It is true that among the cars from the Land of the Rising Sun there is a certain mood that makes them come off the assembly line with small, inconspicuous engines. However, add a larger turbocharger to them and change the ECU maps a bit and they will show you the kind of power that will make you look at the meters in disbelief.

A good example here is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo with a 4-cylinder 2-liter engine, which you can easily find in the modified version, where the power unit develops 500 hp.

However, the tuning possibilities for Japanese cars don't end there. A perfect example of the potential of these vehicles is the aforementioned 6th generation Toyota Supra 2-cylinder 4JZ engine. A group of enthusiasts completely overhauled it, resulting in over 2000 horsepower locked under the hood!

You won't find these features in any other sports car. It is for this reason that the Japanese are the undisputed kings of tuning.

Innovative technology

Another feature of Japanese cars is advanced technological solutions. For example, Lexus LS provided drivers with the world's first tactile navigation system.

It's no secret that the Japanese love new technologies - just look at the capital Tokyo, and everything will become clear. Their passion extends to the automotive industry, with many vehicles featuring features that have forever changed the face of modern cars.

Japan is one of the pioneers in this field. In addition, the fact that they are made with high precision and efficiency makes the cars from the Land of the Rising Sun even more valuable. In this regard, other companies should follow the example of the Japanese.

Ease of execution

You are probably wondering: “How is it? You just wrote that Japanese cars are technologically advanced, but suddenly there is a simplicity of execution? “Yes, the Japanese somehow managed to combine them.

And, contrary to appearances, we do not consider simplicity a minus here - quite the contrary.

In most cases, cars from the Land of the Rising Sun avoid expensive equipment and unnecessary goodies. As a result, the driver gets exactly what he needs.

Take the Mazda MX-5, for example. The car is so good in its simplicity that it gives another plus. Mianowice: the operation and maintenance of cars are much cheaper than those of competitors.

Japanese sports cars in pop culture

It cannot be denied that culture has contributed a lot to the popularity of Japanese cars. The idealization of local drift and tuning takes place in computer games, movies and TV shows, which undoubtedly influences the imagination and car imagination of many people.

A perfect example of this state of affairs is "Tokyo Drift", the third part of "Fast and the Furious". The entire movie revolves around the Japanese culture of drifting and tuning. While some will complain about the bad acting and plot, the fact remains that the film sold this lifestyle very well to the public.

We won't be surprised to find that it is one of the top reasons for the love of Japanese sports cars.

Iconic Japanese cars of the 90s (and not only) - examples

Below we have compiled the most popular Japanese car models so that you can better understand the community that loves these cars. After all, some of them remain the dream of many car enthusiasts to this day.

Lexus LC500

The first of the newer models. The Lexus LC500 is synonymous with style, elegance and sophisticated design. It will easily enter the list of the most beautiful cars that the Japanese have produced in their long history. In terms of performance, there is nothing to complain about either, because under the hood of the LC500 is a V8 engine with a capacity of 470 hp.

Toyota has done a great job with this model. So it comes as no surprise that Lexus is one of the most coveted luxury and performance car brands. The LC500 described here belongs to the category of supervisors and can easily compete with some representatives of the largest corporations in the world.

Mazda MH-5 Miata

It debuted in 1990 and can still offer sports car enthusiasts to this day. Miata is the epitome of driving pleasure. Therefore, traveling with this model will undoubtedly be a valuable experience for every car enthusiast.

The latest generations of the Mazda MX-5 have 181 hp engines. and an excellent 6-speed automatic transmission. If we chose the car that best reflects the spirit of Japanese motorization, we would definitely consider the Miata.

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

This car has already become legendary among sports models. The Nissan Skyline GT-R is undoubtedly one of the best cars Japan has produced for us. It has a 6-cylinder engine with 316 hp, thanks to which it accelerates from 100 to 5 km / h in less than XNUMX seconds. What's more, the Skyline GT-R is turbocharged.

Add to that some pretty eye-catching looks and you've got your dream car. It's no surprise that so many people love this model.

Subaru Impreza 22B

Another Japanese car you've probably heard of. The Subaru Impreza gained fame in the 90s thanks in large part to Colin McRae, world winner and British rally champion. And the 22B version is still considered a rally icon thanks to its remarkable workmanship and excellent performance.

The model offers the driver a 4-cylinder engine, which seems quite ordinary until you find its 280 hp. The race accelerates to 100 km / h in about 4,3 seconds, which is a really good result even today.

Despite the fact that at first glance the car looks modest, it has a powerful sporty spirit.

Mitsubishi lancer evolution

The Evolution series proved to be so successful that we already had 10 generations of this model. Mitsubishi does not stop there and continues to improve its golden child, giving us over the years such successful cars as EVO VIII and EVO IX.

If we look at performance, the EVO VI stands out with the most powerful engine (330 hp) and the EVO IX deserves a crown in terms of overall performance. The car is fast, agile in corners and excellent handling.

Acura NSX

Despite the fact that Honda has gained a lot of popularity as a motorcycle manufacturer, it does well in the creation of sports cars. A perfect example is the Acura NSX, a car that is truly masterful. The 2020 version is particularly eye-catching with its breathtaking design.

However, of course, looks aren't everything.

This is also in line with the characteristics of a supercar. Under the hood, you'll find a 573bhp engine supported by a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Thus, Acura is living proof that Japanese sports cars are among the best in the world.

Toyota Supra MK IV

Believe it or not today, Europeans used to associate Toyota with midsize cars to laugh at. However, after a few decades, no one else laughs. The change in attitude towards the Japanese brand has a lot to do with the Supra model.

We have already written about the extreme tuning that the engine of this car can withstand. Is the basic version also worthy of attention?

Certainly. Six cylinders, good acceleration and an attractive sporty design are the hallmarks of this model. In the basic version, the engine power is 326 hp, which corresponds to a maximum speed of 250 km / h.

Although many more powerful cars have appeared on the market over the years, the Toyota Supra is still ranked among the best sports cars in the world.

What is the Japanese car market today?

Despite such a rich history of motorsport and a great enthusiasm for fast cars, more and more young Japanese are changing direction. They are no longer interested in sports cars. They prefer some kind of eco car or maybe an SUV.

Hence the growing popularity of hybrids in the Japanese market. These types of vehicles are of course more environmentally friendly, but not necessarily for the driver who loves the smell of exhaust gases and good performance.

In addition, Japan takes its exhaust emission limits very seriously. This can be seen in his cars, which have become much more environmentally friendly over the years.

However, there is still hope for fans of fast driving of Japanese car brands. In the Land of the Rising Sun, there are still companies that have not abandoned their sports traditions and produce cars that deliver a lot of driving pleasure.

Japanese Sports Cars - Summary

If we answered in one sentence the question “why would anyone buy a Japanese sports car?”, We would say: because it’s a lot of fun. Cars from this country offer you a lot of power, community membership, reliability, lots of cheap parts, and good looks.

What more could you ask for?

Even cheap Japanese sports cars will in many cases give you much more than their European or American counterparts. At the same time, the price / quality ratio is clearly shifting towards the country of cherry blossoms.