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While Italians have a reputation for unreliable sports cars, the Japanese are known to build rather boring ones. But sometimes they surprise us!
Generally, sports car automakers sacrifice reliability and practicality in favor of aesthetics and performance. The low production figures and prices of sports cars mean they are not the best choices for a daily commuter. Made for occasional driving, sports cars are prone to breaking down easily when used for some time, incurring owners high maintenance and repair costs. Over the years, Italian-made sports cars have made a reputation for being some of the most unreliable cars in the world. Not only are they super expensive to buy, but they do also cost a lot to fix compared to sports cars from other markets.
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On the other hand, Japan produces some of the most iconic cars. Enthusiasts love their simple designs, reliability, practicality, and above all, their budget-friendly prices. While JDM sports cars aren’t as powerful as Italian cars, their tuning potential makes them desirable and highly sought-after by gearheads. Even though Italian sports cars are notoriously unreliable, a few manufacturers from the country managed to build both powerful and dependable vehicles. Here are 5 Italian sports cars that were surprisingly reliable and 5 cheap JDM alternatives we’d rather own.
Ferrari has a reputation for producing some of the most elegant sports cars in the world. Besides that, their cars offer scintillating performance and driving experience. However, car reliability threatened the brand's reputation for a long time.
The Ferrari 328 was an exception; even today, Ferrari enthusiasts consider it one of the most reliable cars from the prancing horse. It was an evolution of the 1975 308 that featured a simpler design, free from the complicated electronic wizardry. And unlike most Ferraris, its engine can be serviced without pulling it down, thus reducing the servicing costs.
The WRX STI borrows inspiration from Subaru’s WRC race cars. It is therefore tuned to offer maximum performance. Well, the finicky turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant and the stiff suspension can startle car enthusiasts, but the tenacious symmetrical AWD system and manual transmission are striking hallmarks of this sporty sedan.
What’s more, the AWD system is meant to handle all road conditions and take you where other sports cars can only dream of. While the STI has a limited cargo space, its rowdiness and rawness fascinate motor purists. The car also inherits Subaru’s spirit of solid, reliable cars – the 2020 model scored a 77/100 reliable rating on JD Power.
Modern Lamborghinis have made a name for being reliable since the VW Group took over the company – one Lambo was reported to have clocked over 250,000 miles. It comes as no surprise as that the Gallardo shares an identical powertrain and platform with the first-generation Audi R8.
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Since the car debuted in 2003, owners have expressed satisfaction with the car’s reliability. Yearly maintenance costs were reported to be around $2,000, which is impressive for a supercar. The 552hp 5.2-liter V10 engine in the Gallardo shows that the Italian car company didn't skimp on the performance for reliability.
Nissan 350Z remains a great pick for anyone in the market for a reliable car. It is one of the best JDM cars. Also known as the Fairlady Z (Z33), it offers great performance and superb comfort at a budget-friendly price. Fitted with a 300hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, the 350Z is well equipped to outrun most sports cars from other markets.
The 350Z’s popularity has grown tremendously for its tuning potential, proving to be a modern-day drifter. A Nismo variant tops the model with improved performance, featuring uprated horsepower and suspension.
The Ferrari 360 Modena is considered the first true modern Ferrari. It debuted in 1999 and became the first Ferrari featuring an aluminum chassis. It has a leather interior, power windows, A/C, and power windows to improve your driving experience. Made to be a fairly good daily driver car, the 360’s reliability is proven.
Owners report great durability in the 360 when properly cared for. However, the Ferrari 360 fitted with the F1-derived paddle-shifted transmission was prone to jerkiness, leaks, and unreliability. To avoid such frequent maintenance costs, the manual transmission option is the one you want.
Since its introduction in 1989, this humble roadster has become one of the most popular sports cars in the world. The fourth-generation two-seater convertible, introduced for the 2016 model year, is among the best little sports cars you can buy. And it turns out the MX-5 is pretty reliable. A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that 2.1% of the Miatas sold in 2019 clocked 200,000 miles or more.
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Sure, the car is a little underpowered, with the stock engine producing 181hp, but engine tuning and fitting performance parts is common among many MX-5 owners. Mazda used a simple design by keeping things down and utilizing a stripped-down interior. What you get is an exceptional driving experience.
As pre-stated earlier, supercars compromise useability and practicality for performance, handling, and looks. The Huracan is, of course, a head-turner, but it’s the car’s reliability that sets it apart from other Italian supercars. It adopted the identical unproblematic V10 that served the Gallardo for 10 years.
Electrical architecture is borrowed from the already-proven VW Group but dressed with Lamborghini branding. In a reliability rating conducted by the USwitch, the Huracan emerged as the best among 25 supercars. Made from aluminum and carbon fiber, the car's construction is not only state-of-the-art but sturdy. It boasts of no recalls in the Huracan’s production run – a “bulletproof” supercar!
The GT86 is yet another contender for one of the best Japanese sports cars you can get with a realistic budget. It was developed alongside the Subaru BRZ, and the two share identical platforms, including the 2.0-liter four-cylinder “boxer” engine with power output of 200hp.
It succeeded the legendary AE86, maintaining the car’s excitement, balance, and feedback. With a wide selection of tuning guides available, the GT86’s potential can be unleashed to take on other sports cars. In addition to its stunning modern design, the GT86 offers excellent handling and weight distribution.
Just like other Italian-bred supercars, Ferraris had a reputation for being temperamental. Their build quality has improved immeasurably during the last decade, as is evident on the F430, the successor of Ferrari’s most popular unit, the iconic 360 Modena.
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The car was a fine piece of work, featuring a 4.3-liter V8 churning out a hefty 483hp and 343lb-ft of torque. With all that power, the Italian manufacturer still managed to make it reliable. Most impressive was the car’s acceleration from 0 to 60mph in 3.6 seconds.
The mad rocket-like design of the Type R receives a divided opinion among its fans, but one thing is for sure, the car is a rocket. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the tenth generation FK8 churns out 316hp on the tap. It isn’t only the fastest Civic from Honda; it brags about being one of the quickest compact sports cars around the Nürburgring.
The Civic Type R is a reasonably-sized hatchback without compromise - it is designed for performance and everyday practicality, featuring rear seats and ample cargo space. This affordable sporty car follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, which was known for safety and reliability.
Dennis Kariuki is a tech enthusiast who writes for Hotcars.com. Previously, he wrote for the.car .He likes covering the marriage between technology and cars. Besides that, he is big f1 fan. After working tirelessly through the week, you can be sure that on Sundays he is most likely enjoying and following motorsports events.