Everyone needs to personal a sports activities automotive, however most of the time, that is still a pipedream. With new cars costing an absurd amount of money, and reliability being an typically neglected trait, proudly owning a sports activities automotive tends to value greater than meets the attention. And that is precisely why most individuals have a tendency to hunt a brand new sports activities automotive with a legitimate guarantee. That stated, there’s one other means of getting your arms on an affordable, reliable sports car, that is far more cost-effective.

Japanese auto producers like Toyota, Honda, Lexus, and Nissan make a few of the most reliable cars ever made due to meticulous engineering. Better but, these automotive manufacturers make sports activities vehicles too, that inherit the reliability trait from their extra mainstream siblings. In different phrases, not solely do dependable sports activities vehicles exist, however you possibly can select from a big selection of reasonably priced sports activities vehicles made by Japanese carmakers.

Here are a few of the finest value-for-money used Japanese sports activities vehicles the market has on provide that make greater than 250 horsepower, based mostly on common used costs sourced from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). And earlier than you ask, no, the Mazda MX-5 Miata just isn’t on this listing.

In order to provide the most modern and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied official producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports, RepairPal, and the EPA. These entries are ranked in ascending order based mostly on their common used market worth.

10 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe

Average Used Price: $5,632

Underneath its pores and skin, the Infiniti G35 is merely a Nissan 350Z. The solely distinction is a barely extra upscale inside, a extra sedated design, and a less expensive price ticket. Infiniti affords the G35 both as a sedan or coupe, however for this listing, solely the latter is vital.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Infiniti)

Underneath the hood of the G35 Coupe sits one of many best naturally aspirated engines, the VQ35DE V-6. G35 Coupes fitted with a 6-speed stick shift have 298 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque on faucet, whereas the automated G35 solely will get 280 horsepower, however 10 pound-feet of additional torque.

Pros

• Limited-slip differential
• Near 50/50 weight distribution
• Aftermarket assist

Cons

• Many listings do not have a service historical past
• EPA-rated 17 MPG gasoline consumption score for metropolis driving

9 1992 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (Z32)

Average Used Price: $5,847

The first Nissan Z sports activities automotive, the Fairlady Z, debuted in 1969. More than twenty years later, Nissan unveiled a brand new Z, known as the 300ZX. Although the bottom mannequin 300ZX was an enough efficiency automotive, the 300ZX Twin Turbo took issues up a notch with its twin-turbocharged V-6.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Nissan)

For lower than $6,000, the 300ZX looks as if a terrific used automotive purchase, particularly contemplating its 300-horsepower engine. For essentially the most half, it’s, however there are a handful of issues to look out for like gasoline injectors failing. That stated, the 300ZX can nonetheless accomplish a quarter-mile time of lower than 14 seconds, making the deal even sweeter,

Pros

• Removable T-top roof
• Four-wheel steering
• Adaptive dampers

Cons

• EPA-rated 16 MPG gasoline consumption score for metropolis driving
• Turbochargers are likely to fail previous 100,000 miles

8 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

Average Used Price: $6,460

The fourth-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is arguably probably the most forgotten-about Japanese sports activities vehicles ever made. While many bear in mind the second and third-generation Eclipse due to its silver display screen function within the Fast & Furious saga, its successor by no means acquired the identical fame.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Mitsubishi)

And whereas the bottom mannequin Eclipses had been somewhat underpowered with four-cylinder engines, Mitsubishi gave the Eclipse GT a giant 3.8-liter V-6. Although it elevated the automotive’s curb weight, 265 horsepower was sufficient to rocket the front-wheel-drive sports activities automotive to 60 mph in fewer than 6 seconds. And due to its lack of recognition, Eclipse GTs go for pennies on the dime.

Pros

• Unique Styling
• Last two-door Mitsubishi sports activities automotive

Cons

• 3,479-pound curb weight
• EPA-rated 16 MPG gasoline consumption score for metropolis driving

7 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4

Average Used Price: $7,647

The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is a hidden gem from the 1990s, and was far forward of its time from a efficiency and engineering perspective. Sporting design parts from a traditional Acura NSX supercar, the 3000GT VR-4 was a marvel to take a look at, however due to its twin-turbo V-6 and all-wheel-drive system, it was a correct efficiency automotive too.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Edmunds)

On paper, the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 and Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo share plenty of frequent denominators, comparable to a twin-turbo V-6, a 0 to 60 mph time of round 5 seconds, and a timeless inside. On high of all that, many still consider the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 a bargain sports car.

Pros

• Four-wheel steering
• Variable exhaust
• Active aerodynamics

Cons

• Expensive to take care of
• Transmission points

6 2005 Lexus SC 430

Average Used Price: $11,064

Over the years, solely a handful of V-8 Lexus sports activities vehicles got here to fruition, with the Lexus LC 500 being the latest. But probably the most forgotten-about Lexus sports activities vehicles is the SC 430. The SC 430 is a convertible sports activities automotive with a retractable hardtop roof, a luscious leather-draped inside, and a 3UZ-FE V-8 beneath its hood, making it a great daily driver sports car.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Lexus)

With 300 horsepower on faucet and 325 pound-feet of torque, many anticipated the SC 430 can be a deadly sports activities automotive, however that was removed from the reality. In actuality, the SC 430 reaches 60 mph from a standstill in just below six seconds. While it stays considerably respectable, the Lexus SC 430’s final downfall was its 3,840-pound curb weight.

Pros

• 10-way electronically adjustable heated entrance seats with reminiscence operate
• Mark Levinson audio system
• Stunning leather-based and wooden cabin house

Cons

• Lack of handbook transmission
• Minuscule rear seats
• EPA-rated 16 MPG gasoline consumption score for metropolis driving

5 2008 Nissan 350Z

Average Used Price: $12,094

For years on finish, the Nissan 350Z was often known as the most effective first sports activities automotive for everybody. But resulting from phrase of mouth, and a rise in gross sales to irresponsible drivers, discovering a well-maintained 350Z has develop into more difficult than ever earlier than. Regardless, the Nissan 350Z nonetheless stays the most effective sports activities vehicles for first-time consumers.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Nissan)

KBB reckons you will need to fork over greater than $10,000 to purchase the typical 350Z. Yet, it stays a tempting buy, contemplating the 350Z completed its aim of being an affordable sports car that proves you can have reliability and performance.

Pros

• Plenty of aftermarket upgrades
• Most fashions got here commonplace with Brembo brakes
• Limited-slip differential

Cons

• More costly than its Infiniti G35 twin
• Interior high quality

4 2014 Nissan 370Z

Average Used Price: $17,990

As its identify suggests, the Nissan 370Z is the 350Z’s successor, and its 3.5-liter V-6 was changed with a 3.7-liter V-6 with 332 horsepower. But at its core, the 370Z retains the identical goal its predecessor had; being a rear-wheel-drive, naturally aspirated, handbook sports activities automotive with greater than 300 horsepower at its disposal.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Nissan)

The 370Z acquired a facelift in 2013, which resulted in a barely extra modern-looking design with new entrance and rear bumpers, in addition to some completely different supplies chosen all through the automotive. At its core, the 370Z and 350Z stay largely the identical, till the arrival of the latest Nissan Z.

Pros

• Sport-tuned suspension
• Automatic rev-matching
• Higher high quality inside than 350Z

Cons

• Clutch may have changing
• EPA-rated 18 MPG gasoline consumption score for metropolis driving

3 2017 Infiniti Q60 3.0

Average Used Price: $20,719

When trying on the Infiniti Q60, the primary side that catches your consideration is its idea car-like design. But there’s far more to the Q60 3.0 than makes it outstanding. For instance, beneath the hood sits a VR30DDTT engine, which is from the identical household because the VR35DETT – the engine found in the Nissan GT-R.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Infiniti)

Unfortunately, the Q60 3.0t is not as fast as a GT-R, however somewhat focuses extra on consolation. Therefore, its cabin house is stuffed with leather-based, and a protracted listing of ordinary options, like keyless entry, a panoramic moonroof, a premium sound system, and a rearview digicam.

Pros

• Depreciation from its $46,300 MSRP when new
• Viable rear seats
• Superbly crafted inside

Cons

• 3,934-pound curb weight
• Slower than rivals

2 2015 Lexus RC 350

Average Used Price: $20,814

The Lexus RC is the Japanese carmaker’s reply to the BMW 4 Series. Eventually, the Japanese automaker went so far as to make the V-8-powered Lexis RC F, which takes on the likes of the M4. Just earlier than getting into RC F territory, you discover the Lexus RX 350, a classy rear-wheel-drive sports activities automotive that has the reliability of a Toyota.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Lexus)

Despite the RC 350’s V-6 emitting greater than 300 horsepower, it is solely sufficient to get it to 60 mph from a standstill after almost 6 seconds elapsed. That stated, the Lexus RC compensates via that with a protracted listing of ordinary options, particularly the F Sport mannequin.

Pros

• Well-built inside
• Mark Levinson premium sound system
• F Sport mannequin will get heated and ventilated electronically adjustable seats with a reminiscence operate

Cons

• Lack of security options
• Complicated touchpad

1 2021 Toyota GR Supra 2.0

Average Used Price: $39,309

Many take into account the most recent Toyota GR Supra to be the best sports activities automotive on sale for the time being. Indirectly, this takes plenty of consideration away from the extra budget-conscious 2.0-liter Supra. Despite having a smaller engine, the Supra 2.0 nonetheless achieves enough efficiency figures, and comes with simply sufficient options.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Toyota

Some options like a rearview digicam and cruise management are commonplace, however power-adjustable seats aren’t, and a handful of security options. And though the Supra is only a BMW in disguise, it nonetheless deserves a spot on this listing of used Japanese sports activities vehicles.

Pros

• Cheaper and lighter than 3.0 Supra
• Nearly as fast as the three.0 Supra
• EPA-rated mixed gasoline consumption score of 28 MPG

Cons

• Lack of adaptive dampers and limited-slip differential
• Manual-adjusting seats