10 Affordable Japanese Sleepers That Can Take On Sports Cars

Japan has proven numerous times that some of its cars can easily rival some of the greatest western sports cars.

When piston heads think of sports cars, the first brands that come to mind are either European or American. It is fair to say that legends such as the BMW M3 or the Ford Mustang GT have transformed the entire industry. Western car companies, especially European ones, dominated the global car industry when it came to sports cars.

RELATED: 10 Essential European Sports Cars For Enthusiasts On A Budget

It would not be fair to underline the fact that BMW created the Z1 with the sole purpose of rivaling Mazda's Miata. Japan proved numerous times that some of its cars can easily rival some of the greatest Western sports cars. Some of the classic JDM cars that are worth traveling to Japan to drive are insane sports cars. They are true sleeper cars that are affordable and can take on Western sports cars.

Manufacturer

Nissan

Years

1989 - 2002

Configuration

Inline-four

Displacement

2.0 liters (121.9 cu in)

Power

201 - 247 hp

Torque

196 - 207 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1990 - 1995 Nissan Pulsar 1991 - 1998 Nissan 180SX S13 1999 - 2002 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R

It is well-known that passenger vehicles in America are far larger than anywhere else in the world. In recent years, a number of smaller hatchbacks made their introduction to the American market. These tremendous hatchbacks are often the laughingstock of muscle heads. Sorry, Americans are wrong about hot hatchbacks. They are fast and fun to drive.

Nissan released the Pulsar in the late '70s, but it would not be until the late '80s that the Japanese carmaker would introduce a more nervous version of its hatchback. In 1990, the Pulsar GTI-R came stock with a turbocharged 2.0-liter SR20DET inline-four that develops an impressive 230 hp at 6,000 rpm and 203 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Manufacturer

Toyota Motor Corporation

Years

1986 - 1992

Configuration

Inline-six

Displacement

2.0 liters (121.3 cu in)

Power

182 - 207 hp

Torque

173 - 203 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1986 - 1992 Toyota Supra MK3 1986 - 1991 Toyota Soarer

Toyota remodeled its lineup during the '80s and '90s. With Lexus wreaking havoc on the American car industry like a tsunami, Toyota made sure to improve its offerings both at home and abroad. In 1986, the Supra became its own car. The rest of the story is history.

RELATED: The Truth Behind The Tale Of The Flying Toyota Corolla

The third-generation Toyota Supra is now gaining in popularity. After all, it comes with legendary engines such as the 1JZ-GTE and 1G-GTE. The twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter 1G-GTE inline-six is also found on the less-known Toyota Soarer. On the Soarer, the 1G-GTE produces 207 hp at 6,200 rpm and 203 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm. The second-generation Soarer is a great contender to European sports coupes of the same era.

Manufacturer

Mitsubishi Motors

Years

1992 - 2000

Configuration

V6

Displacement

2.0 liters (122.4 cu in)

Power

143 - 197 hp

Torque

132 - 148 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1992 - 1996 Mitsubishi Galant 1994 - 2000 Mitsubishi FTO

There are several reasons why the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 was a 1990s icon. With its very sporty look and 300 hp at the crankshaft, it is quite normal that it attracted every Japanese car fan. Little is known about the Mitsubishi 3000GT's little sister the FTO.

Unlike the monstrous 3000GT, the FTO is smaller in size and power. With that said, the FTO GPX comes with a mighty 2.0-liter V6 that churns out 197 hp at 7,500 rpm and 147 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. The FTO is a great entry-level Japanese sports car that true gearheads will enjoy taking for a spin.

Manufacturer

Mitsubishi Motors

Years

1992 - 1996

Configuration

V6

Displacement

1.6 - 2.5 liters (122.4 - 152.5 cu in)

Power

195 - 276 hp

Torque

203 - 268 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1992 - 1996 Mitsubishi Galant VR4

When it comes to Mitsubishi cars, most gearheads would either bring up the Eclipse or the Lancer Evo. These two cars are fantastic and have shown their huge potential over the years. They are not the only Mitsubishi cars that pack a mean punch and deserve every piston head's attention.

The Mitsubishi Galant is often perceived as a throw-away sedan. Offered with gray cloth seats and plastic panels everywhere, the Galant only becomes interesting when the VR-4 badge is stuck on its rear end. Equipped with a mean twin-turbocharged 2.5-liter V6 that pumps out 276 hp at 5,500 rpm and 268 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels.

Manufacturer

Toyota Motors

Years

1984 - 2007

Configuration

Inline-six

Displacement

2.5 liters (152.1 cu in)

Power

276 hp

Torque

268 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1984 - 2001 Toyota Chaser 1986 - 1993 Toyota Supra 1991 - 2000 Toyota Soarer

Toyota has blessed the car scene with vehicles such as the MR2 TRD2000GT and the Celica GT-Four ST205. These cars are now worth a huge amount of money. What is sadly unfair is the fact that Toyota manufactured a plethora of jaw-dropping sports cars but never exported them to America.

Getting a legendary JDM car imported from Japan might become a headache. However, the 1997 Toyota Chaser Tourer V is worth the headache. With a twin-turbocharged 2.5 liters inline six rated at 280 hp at 6,200 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 rpm, the Chaser Tourer V is far from being sluggish. The Japanese sports sedan shares the same 1JZ-GTE engine with the Supra A70.

Manufacturer

Nissan Motors

Years

1989 - 2002

Configuration

Inline-six

Displacement

2.6 liters (156.7 cu in)

Power

276 - 316 hp

Torque

260 - 289 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1997 - 2001 Nissan Stagea 260RS Autech 1998 - 2001 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR

Nissan manufactured a variety of great sports and acquired some of the brand's most iconic nameplates when Datsun merged with Nissan. From the Skyline to the Fairlady, Nissan is not a stranger to highly modular and track-ready sports cars.

RELATED: 10 JDM Sleeper Cars With Muscle Car Spirit

Back in the late '90s, Japanese specialty shop Autech offered a nervous version of the Nissan Stagea. The 260RS is essentially a station wagon version of Nissan's Skyline GTR of the same era. Both cars share the same twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter inline-six that makes a conservative 276 hp at 6,800 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.

Manufacturer

Honda

Years

1993 - 2002

Configuration

Inline-four

Displacement

2.2 - 2.3 liters (131.6 - 137.9 cu in)

Power

158 - 217 hp

Torque

152 - 164 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1997 - 2001 Honda Prelude Type R 1999 - 2001 Honda Accord Euro R

To most gearheads, Honda cars are just cheap Japanese beaters fitted with lawnmower engines. While it is true to some extent, Honda offered a variety of vehicles that would have mid-range Western sports cars sweating. The emblematic NSX is one of them but is not the only sporty Honda car ever made.

Offered for the Japanese and European markets, the Honda Accord Euro R is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Underneath the hood sits a 2.2-liter inline-four banger that makes 217 hp at 7,200 rpm and 163 lb-ft at 6,700 rpm.

Manufacturer

Toyota Motors

Years

1997 - 2005

Configuration

Inline-four

Displacement

2.0 liters (121.9 cu in)

Power

209 hp

Torque

162 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

1998 - 2005 Toyota Altezza

The early 2000s were prime for Japanese cars. With video games such as Need For Speed: Underground 2 and movies like The Fast And The Furious, the Japanese were portrayed as the ultimate machines to turn into beasts from the seventh layer of hell. One of the most popular sedans around that time was the Toyota Altezza.

It is often believed that the Lexus IS200 and the Toyota Altezza are essentially the same car. Well, they have a lot in common, Toyota never offered the 2.0-liter 3S-GE inline-four engine on the IS200. The 3S-GE, rated at 207 hp at 7,600 rpm and 159 lb-ft of torque at 7,600 rpm, is exclusive to the Altezza RS200 Z Edition.

Manufacturer

Mazda

Years

2005 - 2012

Configuration

Inline-four

Displacement

2.3 liters (138 cu in)

Power

263 hp

Torque

280 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

2005 - 2007 Mazda6 MPS 2006 - 2012 Mazda MazdaSpeed3

Mazda is often overlooked when it comes to sports cars. Besides the emblematic RX7, most Mazda cars tend to fly under the radar. Over the last two decades, the only Mazda cars that every gearhead anxiously anticipated was a huge let-down.

RELATED: 10 Reliable Sports Car Alternatives To A Mazda Miata

Unlike the disappointing RX8, the Mazda 6 MPS is a true sports sedan. On top of having external features that clearly indicate that the Mazda 6 MPS packs a mean punch, it is a sedan that also be used as a daily driver. The MPS comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four that produces 256 hp at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The power is sent to all four wheels thanks to a six-speed manual transmission.

Manufacturer

Mazda

Years

2005 - 2012

Configuration

Inline-four

Displacement

2.3 liters (138 cu in)

Power

263 hp

Torque

280 lb-ft

Fuel

Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications

2005 - 2007 Mazda6 MPS 2006 - 2012 Mazda MazdaSpeed3

There are several facts every Mazda enthusiast should know. First, the Mazda RX7 and Miata are not the only Mazda cars worth looking into. Second, Mazda manufactured a number of sleepers that everybody used to laugh at. Third, a company that produces something as remarkable as the RX7 or the Miata has enough know-how to build terrific sports cars.

The second-generation MazdaSpeed 3 is a beast. Fitted with a turbocharged 2.3 liters inline-four, the same engine found on the Mazda 6 MPS, the MazdaSpeed 3 goes from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The 2.3 liters makes 263 hp at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm.

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Max Veron is an avid fan of anything equipped with a powerful engine. Spending time between Southeast Asia, Europe and the US, Max is travel bug with a great taste for cars.