5 Japanese Cars I Would Never Buy and Why They Aren't Worth It: Mechanic Explains
When it comes to cars that seem to get you further down the road without a lot of added expense, Japanese cars seem to be bulletproof. But hold onto your wrenches, folks, as not every car from the Land of the Rising Sun is made equally or holds up to the reliable reputation of a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.
We reached out to an auto expert to learn which Japanese rides might leave you wishing you'd bought American. Then we based pricing on Kelley Blue Book’s estimation of its likely value since its most recent production.
Scion IQ
Kelley Blue Book fair purchase price: a used 2015 Scion iQ would be around $6,437
Remember when smart cars were all the rage? This one might just fill you with rage instead. "The ride is miserably uncomfortable," said Chris Pyle, an auto expert from JustAnswer. And if you love road noise, good news.
"A lot of road noise enters the cab," Pyle said. And that back seat? He called it a "useless, tiny rear seat." Also, be careful driving this car because "it is not easy to merge due to the difficulty of seeing things beside you," he added. Yikes.
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Honda CRZ EX
KBB FPP: a 2016 Honda CR-Z EX two-door would average $8,793
Honda tried to make a sporty hybrid, and well ... let's just say some marriages aren't meant to be. Pyle called it "a two-seater that is nothing like a sports car,” and that’s not even the bad news. "It is not fast, not quiet and it handles poorly."
Oh, and here's a not-so-fun surprise: “It is programmed to shut off the AC when stopped too long," he said. Perfect for those summer traffic jams!
Mitsubishi Mirage
KBB FPP: 2024 Mitsubishi Mirages start at $17,003 for the ES and rise from there
Ever heard the phrase, "You couldn't pay me to drive that car"? Well, the Mitsubishi Mirage might be Exhibit A. If you need more proof, it has a low 2.5/10 rating on Car and Driver.
"They were trying to corner the cheap car market," said Pyle. "They did that, but the car was too cheap."
Planning an errand? Better make it quick, because, according to Pyle, it's "very uncomfortable if you are on a trip beyond 30 minutes,” due to a stiff suspension that’s almost like having no suspension at all.
Mazda RX8
KBB FPP: 2011 MAZDA RX-8 pricing starts at $6,967 for the Sport Coupe 4D, but climbs rapidly for the R3 and Grand Touring.
This one's like that friend who only wants to party — fun in theory, exhausting in reality.
"It was designed to be driven hard and fast," Pyle said. Drive it like a normal person? "The engine often fails as early as 60,000 [miles]," he said. Drive it like you're in Fast and Furious? "It loves to drink gas fast," Pyle concluded. Either way, your wallet loses.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
KBB FPP: a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser averages $23,678
Just because it wears a Toyota badge doesn't mean it inherited the family genes.
"People think it is like other Toyotas. It is not," Pyle cautioned. Anyone riding in the back will need to be circus contortionists since "the access to the back seats is too tight," according to the expert. Need to change lanes? Good luck: "The styling of the doors makes it hard to see beside you," he added.
And when something breaks? "Parts are difficult to find," Pyle said.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary. Prices are accurate as of Dec. 30, 2025.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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