Talking about Japanese cars is talking about very good cars: reliability, competitive prices, and great maintenance… right? But are you sure that’s really the case? We all know that Toyota, Honda, Mazda… all of them have earned their reputation through hard work, cars that practically last a lifetime. But every family has its black sheep and its little missteps, and some models simply weren’t up to the standard. So today we’re going to talk about them (so you don’t fall into temptation and end up regretting it).
Beautiful on the outside, a disaster on the inside
The Mazda RX-8 (2004–2008) arrived promising sportiness, design, and a rebellious soul… but the rotary engine never really worked out.
Owners kept complaining: excessive oil consumption, poor power steering, and even engines that simply decided to stop working and die prematurely.
This car ranks 11th out of 19 in reliability according to Mazdaproblems.com, so maybe it’s best to stay far away from it. Disappointing, especially being the heir to the legendary RX-7… and we don’t even want to talk about how much it costs to maintain it. Better keep your distance.
Gorgeous until you drive it
If you grew up in the 90s, you surely remember the Mitsubishi Eclipse, who could forget it? It was the car everyone wanted, especially after seeing it in movies and video games. But real life was very different.
Both the models manufactured between 1999 and 2003 and the 2007 version suffered every possible issue: defective automatic transmissions, poor steering, tires that deformed, and a cheap plastic interior (nothing like what this vehicle cost…).
This car has aged badly, has almost no value now, and honestly, after everything we’ve told you, if you see a used one at a good price, think twice. It would be like going back to your toxic ex…
Terribly disappointing
Honda is always a synonym for quality, but the CRX Del Sol (launched in 1992) is definitely not an example of that. It was presented as the successor to the CR-X, with a youthful vibe and a removable roof… but it ended up being a disaster, disappointing through and through.
It’s a low-quality car, so much so that Honda no longer makes it (or anything similar). So, if you want a Honda, make sure it’s not this one!
The Toyota nobody remembers
Toyota Paseo? Exactly, you don’t remember it either. Don’t worry, no one does (thankfully). It was manufactured between 1991 and 1997. This small coupé tried to mix the low fuel consumption of the Corolla with a sporty touch… but it fell short. And it wasn’t a terrible car, but it didn’t stand out in anything, nothing typical of Toyota. So they quietly retired it, and today it remains like a ghost no one remembers.
Two experiments that went wrong
Suzuki had its good years, but it also made mistakes that are hard to forget, and of course, we’ll tell you which ones.
The Suzuki Samurai, with its Jeep-style look, was popular among young adventurers… until Consumer Reports labeled it unsafe due to its tendency to roll over during sharp maneuvers.
And its “evolution”, the Suzuki X-90, was even worse: low power (barely 90 horsepower), a weird design, and the same stability problems. The result was one of the most criticized cars of the 90s.
What do we learn from all this?
These models are a good lesson: even the Japanese giants aren’t free from making mistakes. Some tried to innovate too quickly, others simply didn’t live up to expectations.
Luckily, they learned. Today, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Mitsubishi once again lead in reliability and quality, and these vehicles are just a small stain on their record. But if you’re looking for a classic or used car, don’t get carried away by nostalgia, better do your research before you buy!