What Japanese cars should not be bought: famous brands on the list

Japanese cars have become synonymous with high quality. Over the decades, they have gained a well-deserved reputation for reliability and affordability. For example, according to Car & Driver, the Toyota RAV4 was the fourth best-selling car of 2023, behind only the Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado, and Dodge Ram.

However, not every Japanese car demonstrates an ideal price-quality ratio. Even auto giants Honda and Toyota have had to face setbacks throughout history. Experts have released a rating of Japanese cars that are best avoided.

Mazda RX-8

The first generation of the Mazda RX-8 was produced from 2004 to 2008. The car had a 4-cylinder engine that did not win any races with a power of 212 hp. But speed is not the main disadvantage. The Mazda RX-8 ranks only 11th in terms of reliability out of 19 Mazda models evaluated by MadzaProblems.com. Drivers complained of significant malfunctions, including power steering jerks and excessive oil consumption.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse would be a great small sports car if not for its high fuel consumption. Experts say it is currently possible to buy a car for as little as $3,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. But models made in 1999-2003 and 2007 should be avoided. Drivers complained about the rapid wear of wheels and tires. The interior looks quite cheap, and the parts are not reliable. And worst of all, drivers reported frequent problems with the automatic transmission and power drive.

Honda CRX Del Sol

Today, Honda is consistently included in the ratings of the most reliable cars, and the Honda Civic and Honda Accord sedans are among the best sellers according to Car & Driver. However, the Honda CRX Del Sol, launched in 1992, was a disappointment. The front brake rotors tended to warp. Moreover, drivers complained of roof leaks and excessive noise while driving. Fortunately, Honda no longer produces cars equivalent to the Del Sol.

Toyota Paseo

Few people expected to see Toyota in the ranking of the worst cars. This brand has traditionally been at the top of the reliability and value for money ratings. The Toyota Paseo was produced from 1991 to 1997, but for some reason it did not gain popularity among buyers. This small car simply did not attract attention. Experts emphasize that the Paseo did not suffer from mechanical problems. Toyota stopped its production only because of low sales. Thus, it is not worth choosing a Paseo as a used car now either. So few of them were produced that it will be very difficult to find spare parts.

Suzuki Samurai and Suzuki X-90

In the turbulent 90s, Suzuki released the Suzuki Samurai SUV with square lines reminiscent of the Jeep Wrangler. However, this model could not take over the glory of Jeep. Test drives showed that the car was prone to overturning during sharp maneuvers. The successor to the Suzuki X-90 had a similar problem, but, unlike the Samurai, it boasted only 90 horsepower. Suzuki Samurai and Suzuki X-90 went into oblivion together as one of the worst Japanese cars in history.

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