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Affordable and reliable, you can't go far wrong with these '80s Japanese performance cars.

In reality, Japanese carmakers had the affordable and reliable parts nailed down for decades before the '80s arrived. What changed was their approach to gearheads' desires. Sportier designs combined with clever turbocharged engines, and sophisticated electronics led to the never-ending onslaught of performance JDM cars. However, not every Japanese performance car from this period was reliant on technology; the Miata MX-5 gained fame through a less-is-more thought process.

The '80s were a great period for Japanese performance cars that just got better and better. The following decade was much the same with other carmakers forced to play catch-up. For us, however, the '80s was a bargain-filled decade of cool and reliable performance cars where Japan's industrial and technological might rule the roost.

Any gearhead on a budget craving some old school thrills could do a lot worse than these '80s Japanese heroes.

Related: 10 Classic Japanese Sports Cars We Wouldn't Touch With A 10-Foot Pole

The inconspicuous looking CR-X might be a small hatch, but it's quicker than its size suggests. Updated for 1987 adopting the Civic's running gear should be the first clue that smaller is better. Those revisions included a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder VTEC engine generating 150 hp.

While those numbers alone aren't much to get excited about, you have to remember the CR-X weighs 1,808 lbs. Think of the CR-X as a junior sports car in a hatchback body, and you're not far off. How fast? Sprinting to 60 mph in 6.4-seconds should be quick enough to surprise other road users.

The first time around, the MR2 raised the benchmarks for small affordable sports cars. Toyota, rather than giving gearheads tons of kit they didn't want or need, kept the MR2's engine, chassis, and more importantly, weight, to a minimum.

That isn't to say the MR2 was lacking in any areas. Peel away the wedge-shaped body, and you're left with a mid-engined chassis with a modern MacPherson strut suspension set-up. Developed as a sports car for all levels, Toyota offered a choice of engines. At the top end supercharged 1.6-liter 4A-GZE motors produced 145 hp.

RELATED: Here's What The 1980s Toyota MR2 Is Worth Today

The Mazda RX-7 FC sits awkwardly between its predecessor and successor, never quite achieving the same success. Under the skin as you'd expect from Mazda, the FC ships with a Wankel Rotary engine. In non-turbo models, the 1.3-liter twin-rotor set-up produced 150 hp.

For the 1987 model year, Mazda added a turbocharger into the mix boosting output to 181 hp. The horsepower gains dramatically improved performance slashing the Turbo IIs 0-60 mph time to 6.4-seconds.

A long overdue splitting of the Celica Supra lineage arrived in 1986. However, Toyota had one last bite of the famous pairing in the 1981 A60 model. What emerged for the final and most complete makeover in the model's history resulted in a sharper wedge shaped 2+2 coupe.

Toyota had been busy in other areas also. Under the hood, a choice of straight six engines that included a turbo option on the 2.0-liter unit. However, in the U.S., it's the 2.8-liter option that proved more popular in "performance pack" specification putting down 145 hp.

Despite wearing a host of badges and brand names, the Mitsubishi Starion was designed and built in Japan. Where else would find such surprising performance in a tiny 2+2 coupe? Things are more baffling under the hood, with a choice of two different engine sizes. Both were four-cylinders and produced more or less the same power.

Towards the end of production, the Starion had grown more muscular in both performance and appearance. Serious performance junkies are going to want the Japanese spec GSR-V (1984-87) fitted with a larger 2.6-liter Sirius DASH engine putting out 197 hp. On U.S. shores, emissions regulations robbed gearheads of the Starions full potential capping output at 145 hp.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why We Love The Mitsubishi Starion

A welcome revamp of the 300ZX proved Nissan hadn't forgotten the Z-car's pedigree. In place of tired and dated bodywork erring on the side of bloatware, the T32 was a modern 2+2 sports car with enough horsepower to back up its looks. Side by side, you might be surprised to learn the Z32 is wider and a little draggier, too.

In terms of performance, the Z32 stomps all over its predecessor thanks to a turbocharged VG30DETT V6 cranking out 300 hp. In a straight Z-car drag race, the Z32 romps off into the distance crossing the line a full two seconds quicker to 60 mph.

The Skyline GT-R R32 legend is built on storming performance and reliability. Affordability is another matter, but patience sifting through the classified can turn up some surprisingly cheap hidden gems. We managed to find several unmodified (yes, really) for less than a base Mustang would set you back.

In theory, the Skylines RB26DETT motor cranks out 276 hp with JDM cars limited to a top speed of 112 mph. In reality, both figures can safely be ignored and have been disproved several times over. As for reliability, Nissan built the GT-R R32 for competition use dominating the JTCC series from 1989-1993.

Call it a rebirth or some kind of automotive genesis; the A70s launch kick-started the Supra legend in earnest. From the ground up, an entirely new model line-up leaving the Celica in its wake. Under the hood, Toyotas latest 7M-GTE 3-liter straight six could be had with or without a turbocharger.

Call us performance junkies, but we'd take the turbocharged option with 232 hp on tap every time. The extra horses pushing the Supra to a maximum speed of 144 mph. Although the A70 was the first independent model, it's largely overlooked in favor of its successor. As a result, prices kick off around $20k depending on condition.

RELATED: Why The Toyota Supra A70 Is Highly Underrated JDM Legend

Launched domestically in 1989, Toyota, building on the MR2's success, added a touch more style to the popular two-seater. Gone were the folded edge lines of its successor, replaced by a softer body-style earning the Japanese sports car a favorable comparison to Ferrari.

Softer styling didn't mean Toyota had watered down the MR2's capabilities, far from it. The entry-level MR2 "G" model ships with a naturally aspirated 3S-FE 2-liter engine putting down 130 hp. Unfortunately for U.S. gearheads, the W20-MR2 would be another year in waiting.

The 240SX is a little more subdued than the other cars mentioned here. While it looks the part, Nissan dialed back performance a touch offering gearheads a single engine option. Upfront Nissan KA24E 2.4-liter engines cranked out a lukewarm 140 hp in U.S. specification. Overseas buyers faired a little better with a smaller turbocharged motor.

However, the 240SX found fame with another group of motoring enthusiasts. Lightweight construction combined with a well-balanced chassis and longer wheelbase makes the Nissan an ideal drift car.

Raised in a car-obsessed environment from an early age ensured a keen interest in anything car-related. first and foremost an F1 fan, but also an avid follower of other motorsports. Professional background working closely with a well established UK based Supercar manufacturer in recent years.