why are japanese cars so popular?

mark_andrews
By mark_andrews

just a thought guys, why are japanese cars very highly preferred here over the euro or american counterparts? personally i think japanese cars in general do not handle well and they're really boring so why buy them? i don't mean to be offensive or something, but please, to all those japs car lovers out there, can you defend your rides?

By heero_yuy2• 22 Aug 2008 17:05
heero_yuy2

Because it's made in Japan. Japan trend started in the 80's. It's a bit lighter than the usual US or European vehicles and cheaper...

...but then again, are you sure all these Japanese cars really are 'made in Japan'? Check the underparts again. LOL

By vips_one• 22 Aug 2008 17:00
Rating: 5/5
vips_one

I will have to agree with you on this one mark, japenese cars lack of life and interest, but just look at what they are capable of achieving:

---> all their materials to build cars come from outside Japan and yet they are still capable to make their rides cheaper to similar models in their class which is why Toyota now officially sold more than GM in 2007

---> They indeed make very boring cars, but people who buy Japenese cars are definitely not petrolheads (oh oh unless we start talking about a very special section of japenese cars, like the evo or eclipse, supra and skyline, etc....) but for a corolla and etc, it would be people who like the have an easy financing, no long waiting lists and good resale value, and that for them is enough...

By bondowen• 22 Aug 2008 16:54
Rating: 5/5
bondowen

1. European cars like Citroen, Pegeout, Fiat, Seat, Renault are merely garbage. They are cheap and disgusting. It needs no explanation why. Despite this Europeans love these cars. I was in Spain for two weeks 1 week back, this is all I could see.

2. GM the automobile leader in the world is threatened by Toyota that might replace its supremacy.

3. Japanese cars are not significantly uncomfortable compared to US or Euro cars, and besides we commute for like 30 mins to 1 hr max in Doha at a time anyways.

4. Most electronic problems and technical faults happens in high end German cars like BMW, Audi and Mercedes in Doha specially. I'd rather say these cars are not meant for Doha driving and roads. They are better suited for Auto bahn or motorway in Europe.

5. Someone with no background on cars and prices and their origin will not be able to say which one costs more or less.

5. Nobody wants to keep their cars for decades now and wants to change every two to three years so why waste so much money on depreciation of cars.

Do we have a conclusion now? ........ I think my inclination is clearly obvious.

By mark_andrews• 22 Aug 2008 16:11
mark_andrews

why everybody's always bothered with resale value? you see, five years into the car's life, japanese or american, both of them won't be sold for more than 50% of the price as new. ok, toyotas will get 10% more on resale compared to american car of the same grade but no one seems to think that toyotas are also more expensive to purchase by more than 10% over the american car's price. so what do u gain there? nothing more than what's right!

By mark_andrews• 22 Aug 2008 16:07
mark_andrews

you're saying american cars are only as good as you're payng them? why have you had one before hotandsticky? just a quick sample, take a look at these taxis around, what are they? one is ford and the other toyota, right? i bet these mondeos have more than 200,000 kilometers on them plus the abusive drivers who alternately use them but still they're on the roads just as long as the camrys. isn't that reliable?

By mark_andrews• 22 Aug 2008 16:03
mark_andrews

well i had one camry before and all i can say is that it floats like a huge bed on wheels. take a turn and it'll make you fuke. body roll my friend, body roll!

By Intelligent• 22 Aug 2008 16:03
Rating: 5/5
Intelligent

First thing what I believe is that the Japanese cars are cheaper compare to European cars.

Secondly the spare parts are bit cheaper and easily available. Another thing about spare parts is that you can get duplicate some times also.

Thirdly if you want to sell you will have good resale value.

If you see in the market frankly how many old american or euoropean cars you see in 90 models for sale. Almost non as compare to japanese cars coz the resale value is the first reason and the spare parts is the second reason.

So if you can afford having american and euoropian cars then dont even think about japanese cars. American and euoropian cars are more comfortable and relatively expensive to maintain.

About the AC I agree with most of the people. All most Japanese cars have good AC. American cars also have good AC but they are not made to be used in such hot weather like in Qatar we use AC more than 8 months. These cars are made according to euoropian and american weather. So they give even better performance in that weather.

Regards,

By hotandsticky• 22 Aug 2008 15:49
hotandsticky

Dont handle well? Boring? Obviously you have not been behind the wheel of many Toyotas or Hondas.

By hotandsticky• 22 Aug 2008 15:44
Rating: 5/5
hotandsticky

Simple. They consistently rate the best in reliability ratings year in and out. In addition , they hold their value the best as well.

Take American cars for example, the saying goes they only last as long as you are making payments. Also you will be lucky to get 35% of the new price after 5 years, especially here in Qatar.

Be smart, buy Japanese. Simple as that.

By hotandsticky• 22 Aug 2008 15:44
Rating: 5/5
hotandsticky

Simple. They consistently rate the best in reliability ratings year in and out. In addition , they hold their value the best as well.

Take American cars for example, the saying goes they only last as long as you are making payments. Also you will be lucky to get 35% of the new price after 5 years, especially here in Qatar.

Be smart, buy Japanese. Simple as that.

By mark_andrews• 22 Aug 2008 15:29
mark_andrews

definitely! it's an old belief that euro and american cars are performing less than japs brands. but the fact is, you'll have better driving experience with these makes rather than the japs counterparts. i'm sorry to say but euro and american cars are being looked at way too low here. and these people just doesn't realize what they're missing.

By anonymous• 22 Aug 2008 15:25
Rating: 3/5
anonymous

How can you say "AC's are not good in American cars"? I have a car brought ftom the US. The AC was designed for the Death Valley in Arizona!!

By amumtaz19• 22 Aug 2008 15:21
Rating: 5/5
amumtaz19

Japanese cars are more reliable compare to Euro and American cars and the maintenance is easy while others are not really reliable and AC are not designed for Middle East as will as the service centers are not effective most of the time they don’t have the spares.

By mindcrime• 22 Aug 2008 14:53
Rating: 5/5
mindcrime

people with high income never go for JAP cars here.

they all go for Eur cars.

the one with average income will go for the JAP cars.

the fact is, in the midsize and low price category, JAP cars are better...

i mean the entry level of BMW 320 or the 2,0 A4 or the old C class are very dull and boring to drive too.

By hawker• 22 Aug 2008 14:51
Rating: 4/5
hawker

reasons why its popular;

- plenty of Duplicate Parts, and

- a/c's are better.

By mark_andrews• 22 Aug 2008 14:23
mark_andrews

well i don't think there's really a big difference in maintenance cost. i have a euro car and compared to the regular maintenance fees of my frineds new civic, it's just the same. and sometimes they charge more, just like nissan. i guess it's lucky for us to be here where euro and american marques are priced way below than in UK. we can enjoy changing cars more often, can we?

By Angelo• 22 Aug 2008 14:20
Angelo

I second Brit

By britexpat• 22 Aug 2008 14:13
Rating: 5/5
britexpat

I personaly like European cars.

However, most people buy a car to get from A to B. They also want reliability, low maintenance costs and good resale value.

Japanese cars meet all these criteria in this region.

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