Japanese carmakers have built plenty of severely underrated cars over the years, but some lend themselves better to modifications and upgrades than others.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 10 Japanese cars that deserve more attention, and can be turned into tire-slaying headturners if you’re willing to throw some money at them.
Honda Del Sol
The Del Sol is a sporty targa-top convertible based on the Civic platform, meaning there’s a vast selection of aftermarket parts to choose from, whether you want body kits, bolt-on engine parts, or off-the-shelf turbo kits.
It offers a lightweight chassis, and when fitted with upgraded suspension components, it’ll turn into an apex-hugging cornering machine. Engine options ranged from a lowly 1.5-liter Honda D-series to a 1.6-liter D-series with 125 hp and the top-spec 160-hp 1.6-liter B-series version.
Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki’s Swift Sport model is a compact hatchback that’s celebrated for its nimble handling and responsive engine, giving it a solid foundation for performance upgrades. It’s also one of the most underrated hatchbacks on the market, and that’s weird, because anyone who’s ever driven one will tell you they’re absolutely hysterical on twisty narrow roads.
The first two Swift Sport generations were powered by a 1.6-liter VVT-i engine generating 125–135 hp, and the third-gen has a 1.4-liter turbocharged unit with 140 horses. There’s a decent amount of aftermarket parts available, and in Asian countries, owners have built some spectacular Swift Sports.
MazdaSpeed3 / MazdaSpeed Axela
The MazdaSpeed3 is a turbocharged variant of the Mazda3, sold as the Axela in Japan. It combines plenty of practicality with high performance, making it an excellent platform for tuning and enhancements. I wouldn’t call it cheap, but considering what you get for your money, it’s well worth the price. Who can say no to a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine and a manual 6-speed transmission?
Edmunds compared the Mazdaspeed3 to the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX, two of the most iconic heavyweights in the JDM performance car game. In fact, they even ranked the MazdaSpeed3 higher than the Subaru in their sports compact test.
Toyota MR2 Spyder
If you’re on a budget and want a mid-engined sports car, the Toyota MR2 Spyder is an excellent option! Nestled behind the driver, you’ll find a 1.8-liter mill churning out close to 140 hp. This same engine has been used in a range of Toyotas, and even the 2nd-gen Lotus Elise.
Those looking for more power can swap in the Celica’s 190-hp 2ZZ unit, along with its 6-speed transmission. There’s also a decent selection of performance parts available, including outrageous body kits. Techno Pro Spirits in Japan built a togue monster that can be seen in the Best Motoring videos.
Nissan Micra / March
In the late 1980s, Nissan launched a very limited edition March Super Turbo for the Japanese market, but good luck getting your hands on one of those. However, all is not lost, as Nissan has produced the cutesy March (or Micra, depending on the market) over several generations.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations are perfectly suited for some modifications, such as a more aggressive body kit, a set of wheels, and a stiffer suspension setup. There’s even some cool-looking NISMO models available for those who really want to stand out from the crowd.
Mazda MX-3
The little Mazda MX-3 is nowhere near as famous as its MX-5 sports car sibling, perhaps because of its very divisive ’90s styling?! It’s definitely one of those cars you’ll either love or hate, and personally, I’m not a big fan. However, I still think it can look cool with some carefully chosen mods.
It does offer lightweight construction and a balanced chassis, and under the hood we find a very unique 1.8-liter V6 engine. Swapping the engine for the Ford Probe’s 2.5-liter V6 is a popular mod, other than that, a simple lip kit, a cool set of rims, and a ride height drop will make it more desirable.
Mitsubishi FTO
Seemingly everyone will remember the Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT and Eclipse, but people seem to forget about the stylish FTO. Perhaps because it was exclusively sold in Japan for the first few years? Anyway, it’s an awesome, front-wheel-drive coupe with a high-revving 2.0-liter V6 engine under the hood.
Styling-wise, I’d argue that it looks almost perfect from the factory, especially the facelift models with the factory aero kit, but there’s always room for improvement. Install a set of coilovers and some classy wheels wrapped in fat rubber, and the GTO will provide endless fun on twisty roads.
Subaru Legacy GT-B
For years, Subaru dominated the WRC with its Impreza, which helped make it the brand’s most popular model. But what if you wanted a side order of even more practicality to go with your everyday performance car? Enter the Legacy GT-B.
This Japanese market station wagon was introduced in 1996, and the “B” in its name is for its Bilstein suspension setup. In addition to the sportier suspension, the GT-B had larger brakes, sway bars, wheels, and some different interior options. When fitted with the manual transmission, the twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter engine sent 276 horses to all four wheels.
Honda Prelude
If you’re into Japanese cars, you’ve definitely heard of the Honda Prelude. Back in the mid-2000s, there were seemingly modified ‘Ludes everywhere, then they just disappeared. Granted, they do suffer from certain issues, especially now that they’re older and owners skimp on maintenance.
That said, this flagship coupe was packed with awesome tech, such as 4-wheel-steering, and the top model had a 2.2-liter VTEC engine pumping out north of 180 hp in stock form. With its sleek design and responsive handling, the Prelude responds well to both performance and visual modifications.
Mazda 323 GTX
Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mazda wanted to go rallying, so they took the humble 323 hatchback, slapped on a turbo, gave it AWD and a race-ready chassis, and named it the 323 GTX. It’s as rare as hen’s teeth, so it’s no wonder most car enthusiasts have forgotten about it.
That’s a shame, as this hot hatch is just begging for some performance mods. We’ve already featured one modified Mazda 323 here at The Speed Cartel, featuring massive power and a Celica GT-Four drivetrain.
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
Before Mitsubishi created the iconic Lancer Evolution, the Galant VR4 served as the brand’s go-to rally car. To satisfy homologation requirements, the early cars had a turbocharged 2.0-liter. By the time the Lancer Evo came to be, the Galant no longer had to follow those rules.
In 1992, it received a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC 24v V6, and the eight and last generation from 1996 to 2002 had a twin-turbocharged 2.5-liter DOHC 24v V6. The facelifted final generation is by far my favorite, as it looks properly aggressive with the new styling.
