5 Reasons Why People Buy Used Cars from Japan - Vol.337
Japan is known for many things: rising suns, bushido, sushi, and (more recently) quality cars. Subaru, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and many others have taken the world by storm and successfully competed on the global automobile market with American, Korean, German, and Italian manufacturers.
The things that make Japanese automobiles such a great option are compounded further in the previously-owned market; when you're looking for a used car, Japanese manufacturing looks even more attractive to a buyer. While there are many reasons for this, 5 of the most important reasons are:
1. The Price is Right - They're cheap
One of the things we can safely say about the Japanese is that they are renowned for their incredible efficiency. They know how to turn a bunch of raw goods into a reliable car quite cheaply, and when it has been previously-owned the price drops even more. Whether you just need a commuter vehicle to navigate that morning traffic or you're looking to take an ambitious road trip, buying a used Japanese car is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to make it happen. Many Japanese folks resell their perfectly good cars after getting a new model or simply moving to a place where owning one is difficult or unnecessary. This creates a great opportunity for anyone looking to purchase a vehicle on the cheap.
2. Conditional Love - They're well-maintained
Due to a long-standing culture of expecting personal belongings to last for generations, Japanese people have a tendency to treat their stuff with great respect. When you buy a used Japanese car, you can expect it to often seem brand new. If you plan to continue maintaining the car in this fashion, it could mean a small investment for a car that will be around for quite some time.
3. The Spice of Life - A wide variety
Japanese cars, even in the previously owned market, come in all flavors and all shapes and sizes. From white Honda Civics to green Subaru Outbacks to red Mitsubishi Eclipses, you will always be able to find something to suit your preference. Take a look around at your local dealership and see what sticks out to you!
4. I Know What You Did Last Summer - Documented owner history
Because of Japan's notorious regulations and organization, vehicle owner history is well-documented. From businesses with walk-in consultations to online services, you can check the history of any car to make sure nothing has been fraudulently modified or fabricated. This is well-known, and disincentivizes people from lying or committing these crimes. If you're in the market for a previously-owned Japanese vehicle, this is one worry you can forget about.
5. An Honest Merchant - Untampered odometers
Pretty much any car manufactured in the last couple of decades will have an electronic odometer. This means that rewinding the odometer is incredibly difficult. However, even newer cars can be subject to dishonest salesmanship. When you're buying a used Japanese car, you can feel a bit more secure that you're getting what you're paying for because used Japanese automobile dealers don't tend to perform the same types of trickery you might expect from an American or European dealership. In a lot of cases, this is because they don't have to. Japanese people don't drive very much, so even a used car that is several years old will likely have a very low mileage on it. Due to the high-efficiency transit systems in Japan, commuters tend to take the train or bus when they can; it can be cheaper and faster for them to do so. If you're buying a pre-owned Japanese vehicle, don't be immediately alarmed by the low mileage. If you're truly concerned, you can even use one of the many online services to track down the automobile's history and check the mileage. In this market, there are a lot of safety nets.