Buying an Import… Why you Should

Some want to stand out, some to humiliate Porsche drivers and others just “like the cute shape of that one”. Fair enough, but are there any rational reasons you should buy import? 

Cost
Why do we get Imports, and why at the prices that we do? Economics!  The domestic value of Japanese cars declines quickly (See Graph).

Why? In Japan cars are sold to their masters with ‘shaken’ which is valid for three years. This is a combination of safety inspection, compulsory insurance, proof of parking, weight tax and vehicle tax. Renewing shaken is like a nasty version of our green slip, pink slip and stand around at the RTA process. When your shaken is due, you’re up for some meticulous inspection and an average hit of near $3000. This lasts you 2 years, then it’s the same again until you buy a new car…

For the driver, shaken and government taxes make regular new cars an economical proposition and in the competitive Japanese market dealerships provide customers with further incentives to return their current cars as trade ins. The domestic second-hand car market in Japan is tiny and generally restricted to vehicles with valid shaken. So, when the shaken expires after 3, 5, 7 or 9 years most cars are traded. The lack of domestic demand for second hand, leaves dealers holding a lot of orphan babies. Low demand & endless supply, force these babies to be sold cheaply at auction - cheaply enough to be exported to Britain, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, and adopted by new masters, usually still at very tempting prices.

Condition

The condition of the average Japanese used car of a particular age is a lot closer to new than one of ours. Why?

1. Low annual mileage (10,000kms average) due to the congested Japanese roads, high tolls and good public transport restricts the wear on vehicles.

2. The detailed 'shaken' test that all Japanese cars must pass, mandates replacement of many, even slightly worn parts.

3. High costs (eg. Up to $10,000pa for parking) make cars in Japan a luxury; as a result it seems that most drivers take pride in their machines keeping them pristine and servicing them regularly.

4. Australian ‘compliancing’ means that on arrival each import is modified to comply with Australian Design Regulations. Seat belts, child restraint anchors, catalytic converter, rear vision mirror, tyres and plenty of other parts are replaced or installed. Compliancing also includes replacement of all fluids.

Specification

The Japanese domestic car market is the second largest in the world and also has many manufacturers.  This leads to a highly competitive market, which affects the type, range and quality of vehicles offered, when compared with their Australian cousins.

1. Many ‘options’ that we would expect on say, a Holden Calais, like air conditioning, power steering, power windows and mirrors etc, are standard on almost all cars.

 2. Japanese consumers enjoy a greater choice of variants and engines, with mind boggling options on the top spec vehicles like; automatic headlight dipping, drop down front spoilers, drink chillers/food heaters and adjustable suspension settings, to name just a few.

3.  Some also argue that the Japanese consumer protection law, means that their cars are engineered to be more reliable, and that tough emission laws make them less polluting… possible… nice if its true. Certainly, if you look at some of the long warranties dealers are offering, they seem to be confidently staking a lot on the reliability of these cars.

Why these differences? In such a large market with so many manufacturers competition is tough and the consumer is king, and what does the king want? Handling, power, comfort, buttons to push, choice… everything… just the same as us! Difference is… they get it!

Buying an import...
Why you Shouldn't