JDM Legends: 10 Japanese Sports Coupes That Changed the Game

Japan knows how to build cars that stick around. While everyone talks about their practical stuff like the Prius or Corolla, some of their wildest creations have been sports coupes that completely changed the game. These ten Japanese two-doors didn't just sell well - they became genuine legends.

Toyota 2000GT (1967-1970)

Before the 2000GT, Toyota was basically the company your dad bought a sensible sedan from. Then they dropped this gorgeous, long-nosed coupe that looked like something from a different planet. Yamaha helped with the engine design and even threw in some wood trim from their piano department - because why not? Toyota only made 351 of them, which explains why they're worth a fortune now. James Bond drove one in a movie, and honestly, it still looks better than most modern supercars.

Mazda Cosmo L10A (1967-1972)

While Toyota was playing it relatively safe, Mazda went completely nuts with the Cosmo. This thing had a rotary engine - basically a spinning dorito that somehow made 110+ horsepower from just one liter. It weighed about as much as a golf cart and went like hell. Way cheaper than Toyota's fancy GT too, which probably stung a bit. This little rocket ship started Mazda's obsession with rotary engines that lasted for decades.

Datsun 240Z (1970-1973)

The 240Z was Japan's first real shot at the American sports car market, and boy did they nail it. Some guy at Nissan looked at all those British roadsters breaking down in California driveways and thought, "We can do this better." Turns out he was right. The Z had the looks, the performance, and - revolutionary concept - it actually started every morning. You can still find decent ones without selling a kidney, which says something about how many they built.

Toyota Corolla GT-S AE86 (1984-1987)

Everyone knows this car from Initial D or from watching YouTube drift videos at 2 AM. Back when Corollas were rear-wheel drive and fun, the AE86 was the perfect cheap thrill. Sure, it only had 112 horsepower, but it weighed nothing and would slide around corners all day long. Half of them ended up wrapped around trees by kids trying to be drift kings, which is why clean ones cost stupid money now.

Honda Prelude (1988-1991)

The third-gen Prelude looked innocent enough, but Honda packed it with tech that would make modern engineers jealous. They tilted the entire engine backward just to make the hood lower, used insanely thin roof pillars, and somehow figured out four-wheel steering that actually worked. This thing could out-slalom a Corvette, which must have really annoyed some people in Detroit.

Honda/Acura NSX (1991-2005)

Japan finally built a proper supercar, and it was fantastic. The NSX did everything a Ferrari did, except it didn't catch fire or leave you stranded at Starbucks. Honda made the whole body out of aluminum when everyone else was still welding steel together like cavemen. It looked exotic, went like hell, and you could drive it to work every day without calling a tow truck. Revolutionary stuff.

Mazda RX-7 FD (1993-1995)

The final RX-7 was automotive perfection that came at exactly the wrong time. Mazda threw everything they had at this car - sequential turbos, perfect weight distribution, handling that would embarrass a Porsche. Problem was, Japan's economy imploded right after they launched it, making it too expensive to build. It only lasted three years in America, which is criminal because this thing was absolutely incredible.

Toyota Supra A80 (1993-1998)

The Supra that everyone remembers from Fast & Furious movies. Toyota's twin-turbo six made 320 horsepower on paper, but everyone knew it was making way more than that. The engine was built like a tank and could handle ridiculous amounts of boost with basic mods. It was comfortable enough for road trips but could embarrass supercars at the drag strip. Like the RX-7, it became a casualty of bad economics, disappearing after '98.

Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (1999-2002)

Godzilla. That's all you need to say, and car people know exactly what you're talking about. The R34 GT-R was supposed to make 276 horsepower because of some Japanese gentlemen's agreement, but everyone knew it was making at least 330. America never got them officially, which just made everyone want them more. Paul Walker drove one in the movies, Gran Turismo made it famous, and now clean ones cost more than most people's houses.

Lexus LFA (2010-2012)

Lexus decided to show off and built the most over-engineered supercar ever. The V10 spun up so fast they couldn't use a regular tachometer - it literally couldn't keep up. They used Toyota's century-old textile knowledge to weave carbon fiber, because apparently making fancy fabric and supercars use similar skills. At $375,000, it cost more than a Ferrari and was slower too, but that screaming V10 made it worth every penny. Only problem was convincing people to spend Ferrari money on a Lexus.