Japanese cars have earned and maintained a well-deserved reputation for reliability, driving experience and affordability. For instance, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 was the third bestselling car in the U.S. in 2024, according to Car and Driver.

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It falls just behind two American classics — the Ford F-Series and the Chevy Silverado — exemplifying Americans' love for pickup trucks. Rounding out the top 10 you'll also find Japanese car models such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota Camry, Nissan Rogue and Honda Civic. However, not every Japanese car will get you as far down the road as you think.

In fact, Japanese manufacturers, including Honda and Toyota, have had some duds over the decades. You might want to avoid these models if you're shopping for a classic Japanese car that will hold its value while delivering performance, comfort and style.

Mazda RX-8

The first-generation Mazda RX-8 was sold from 2004 to 2008. It had a 4-cylinder engine that wasn't winning any races with 212 HP. But worse than that, it ranks just 11th in reliability out of 19 Mazda models evaluated by MazdaProblems.com.

The site reveals complaints about engine failure, power steering jerks, excessive oil consumption and numerous recalls over the years.

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Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sporty little car with great gas mileage and decent handling. If you're buying one of the older models today, you can snag it for just around $3,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. But models made between 1999 and 2003, and again in 2007, seem to be plagued with problems, according to MitsubishiEclipseMA.com.

The rims and wheels tend to become damaged easily or suffer wear and tear over the years, which can make this car look worn out before its time. The tires also wear out more quickly than some models of vehicles. The interior tends to be cheaply made, which means parts can break. Finally, drivers reported trouble with the automatic transmission, power train, and steering on the 1999 model, in particular.

Honda CRX Del Sol

Honda remains a trusted Japanese brand today, with the Honda Civic and Honda CR-V models making Car and Driver's list of bestselling cars for 2024. However, the Honda CRX Del Sol, designed to replace the beloved Honda CR-X in 1992, was nothing better than "terribly disappointing," according to HotCars.com.