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Thread ID: 31851	2003-04-02 09:52:00	OT: Used Japanese vehicles	rugila (214)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
132902	2003-04-02 21:29:00	Gotta agree with Redbeard45, a nz new vehicle with service records is allways a better car than a import with no history. We owned a nz new 94 Corolla, and with services every 10000k's it still drove like new at 273000k's when we finally got a company car. Same with a Corona at 310000k. Bewary of vehicles that only go to the shops once a week, start stop driving is hell on a vehicle, long trips are much easier on a car. K's are not important if the maintance has been it to scratch. Not sure what your preferences are but after owning the above cars we will not buy anything but Toyotas.	rmcb (164)
132903	2003-04-02 22:02:00	I agree with all the caveats above but one: Parts are no problem if you buy a UJV that is the same as the local model apart perhaps from minor trim items. Buy something exotic or Japanese domestic market only and you are asking for trouble. Mrs T drives a 1986 Mazda Familia that we bought in 1989 for $7500, direct from the importer at its auction value. (Called in a favour!) Thirteen years later it is still going strong and although very few parts have been needed, the local Mazda dealer has never had any problems supplying. We keep trying to find excuses to replace it but there is no valid reason while it looks good and costs peanuts to run. 4WD vehicles should be no different to cars if you buy the equivalent of a local model, but diesel imports are always more of a risk than petrol because diesel maintenance in Japan is almost non-existent. When you see the age that they have to export or scrap their used vehicles you can understand why they don't bother with expensive engine maintenance. I wouldn't bother either. That is why a local purchase with pre-sale mechanical inspection is a better deal. Cheers Billy 8-{) [b][pre]I know a company that privately imported several identical used diesel cars for their company fleet. When they arrived, they found that they had two internal rear vision mirrors and holes in the front passenger firewall. Yep, they were ex-driving school vehicles and when run at over 80km/hr they laid down an oil & diesel smoke screen you wouldn't believe.	Billy T (70)
132904	2003-04-02 23:12:00	If you want to go to Japan, be aware it is not a cheap country to live in, especially the cities. There is also the culture and custom though don't let either of these last two put you off, it is overall a wonderful country. In Japan you can buy cars at Auction but a good grasp of Japanese would be of great benefit or you could still score yourself a lemon. Nissan Japan and maybe others also sell cars which bypass the public auction system and they are supplied with all paper work for the speedo and servicing. Still in Japanese but the cars background is all detailed. 4wd drives are generally in good order as they will see little off roading if any, of course diesels and turbo's need to be approached with some caution unless you have a good understanding of what there is under the hood of one of those motorway tanks.	Gordon. (2217)
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