Why Japanese Used Cars Are Popular in Africa

They are popular just about everywhere, but it’s interesting to find out why Japanese used cars are popular, especially in Africa. Thousands of pre-owned vehicles from Japan are bought, inspected, and shipped to their excited new owners around the world on a daily basis. These autos are in demand in Africa, especially in countries where right-hand drive vehicles are the norm. As you know, Japan is a right-hand-drive country, though they also export left-hand drive vehicles.

Used Cars in Africa
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Japanese-made autos have a reputation for being high quality, reliable, and fuel efficient—factors that are important when you are driving along Africa’s roads. In most African countries, the roads are not well-engineered so it is common to go through bumps and mud. Vehicles from Japan, especially SUVs, can easily go through these tough road conditions because of their build and performance off the road. Even sedans with all-wheel drive features are popular, such as the elegant Toyota Premio.

Another reason why Japanese used cars are popular in Africa is that these are very well-maintained, thanks to the care given to them by their owners and the strict motor vehicle inspection the cars have to go through. Road rules and regulations are also strict, and owners will have to pay high fines if these are not followed. Another factor contributing to the cars’ impeccable condition is that Japan’s roads are smooth, so the cars don’t go through bumps and potholes that usually damage the chassis and suspension systems.

Japan has also put in place a regulation than all vehicles about to be exported to other countries are inspected for roadworthiness first. Once a car passes inspection, importers can secure an appraisal certificate from the Japan Automobile Appraisal Institute, or JAAI, as proof that the car they are importing is roadworthy, and meets the standards set by the destination country. The JAAI also provides details about the vehicle’s physical condition, year of manufacture, grade, weight, and odometer reading at the time of inspection, so the buyer or importer can verify it as soon as the vehicle arrives at port.

Now that you know why Japanese used cars are popular, what are you still waiting for? Get yours now from reliable exporters!

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The Hunt is on For the Fastest Import Cars from Japan

The car that currently holds the record for the fastest acceleration, Bugatti’s Veyron Super Sport, costs about 2.5 million dollars, a price that is terribly out of the reach of most consumers. It is definitely a rich man’s car, but motorsport enthusiasts are not disheartened one bit, because they have another source of fascination that satisfies their need for speed: import cars from Japan. Here’s a list of high-performing roadsters that can set your hearts thumping because of the thrill of the ride and not because of the cost!

Japanese Car Brands

Nissan GT-R R35 – All-wheel drive anyone? The GT-R’s twin-turbo six-cylinder engine makes it one of the fastest Japanese autos, allowing it to reach 60mph in just 3.2 seconds. Pushing it to its limit takes you to a speed of 193 mph.

Mazda RX7 – When the RX7 came out, enthusiasts loved it so much enough to put it in Car and Driver Magazine’s 10 Best Cars list from 1993 to 1995. Owners were impressed by the car’s front-mid-engine layout and timeless design, and it is one of the easiest sports cars to handle.

Subaru Impreza STi – The Impreza WRX is impressive, but if you need something to up the ante, the STi is the roadster for you. It is called the STi because it is developed by the Subaru Tehcnica international division. Equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the car can zoom to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds. This model is one of the most sought-after import cars from Japan.

Toyota Supra Mark IV – Based on the Celica platform, the Supra launched in 1997 makes use of a Sequential Twin Turbo that is able to boost its acceleration, reaching a speed of 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. The 3-liter 2JZ-GTE inline 6 engine pushes the car to a top speed of 170mph.

Honda S2000 – Honda’s take on what it means to be a sports car is embodied in the S2000. Its engine, a 2.0-liter inline 4, is coveted by many a Honda VTEC fan. The engine alone is so remarkable it was recognized as the International Engine of the Year from 2001 to 2004.

With lots of patience and research work, you too can have one of these import cars from Japan—just look around pre-owned stocks of Japanese exporters!

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It’s a Man’s World: The Best Used Cars for Guys

Guys like their big toys, but even manly men need to save for the future. Going for used cars is a smart move and it doesn’t make the male of the species any less of a man. Ladies swoon when they learn how practical their men are! Here are some of the cars that are perfect for the male sporty and stylish lifestyle.

Mazdaspeed3
This is a sport compact hatchback launched in 2007. It has a powerful 2.3-liter engine, amazing handling, and there’s not many of them on the road—so having one will surely make heads turn. The 2008-2009 model can cost from twelve to eighteen thousand dollars—not bad for something that can go from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds. Something quite similar and just as rare is the Volkswagen R32.

Subaru Legacy Outback
Something that can run for 300,000 miles must be good, and that’s the Outback for you. The 2008 model release comes with enhanced safety features and supreme driver comfort, and you won’t have to pay for more than twenty thousand dollars for a reliable and versatile vehicle.

Used Cars
Image Credit: Palo Verde Used Cars

BMW M3
First off, it’s a BMW. This means that it already has awesome power and handling, with a pretty sweet image to boot. Expect to pay a little more than twenty grand for models released from 2003-2006, but you’ll be sure that the car retains its value better than other used cars.

Mercedes-Benz S Class
Here comes another contender in the sleek n’ classy segment—go for the ones released after 2005 for more curves. Engine sizes range from 3.5L to 6.3L, depending on how much power you want. The S-Class S500 costs about $40,000—pretty cheap for such a classy car.

Toyota Prius
Who says that the Prius is only for the eco-conscious people of Hollywood? Men can show their soft spot for nature with the Prius. The second generation release has the best value, and costs only $15,000.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The ultimate show of manly prowess comes in the form of driving the Range Rover Sport. This premium SUV is tough on the outside, luxurious on the inside. 2005 models sell for almost $35,000 in the used cars market, and that’s a good bargain, considering the car has a powerful supercharged 4.2L engine and a tuned suspension.

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How to Save on Fuel with your Used Toyota Premio

The first step to saving is already done, thanks to your decision to buy a used Toyota Premio. Your money-saving habit has just begun, and you can keep up the good work by saving on fuel costs. The already-efficient engine can help you along!

•    To reduce fuel consumption and improve handling, decrease the weight of the car by taking out unnecessary items. Driving 100km after having unloaded 10kg can save up to 30ml of gasoline. Remove excess weight such as unused roof racks. The amount of work the car engine does is related to the car’s weight and its aerodynamics.

•    Driving around in the hopes you’ll find you way back consumes 350ml of fuel every ten minutes. Avoid getting lost by planning your trip in advance. What is the fastest, most efficient driving route? Planning can also help you avoid traffic jams, closed-off streets, and road works. You might even realize you won’t need to use the car after all!

•    Accelerate and decelerate smoothly by stepping softly on the gas pedal. Shift your gears at the appropriate time and make the most out of coasting—slow the car down by stepping off the gas pedal instead of just braking. A smooth and proper driving style helps to conserve fuel and reduce wear and tear on brakes as well.

•    Idling your used Toyota Premio for 5 minutes wastes up to 65ml of gas and emits 151g of harmful carbon dioxide too, so be smart and stop that engine.

•    As much as possible, keep a constant pace, using the highest possible gear. This is the most efficient setup, because at a constant speed of 50 km/h in the city, a vehicle online needs about 5% engine power to maintain momentum. Fuel consumption is improved by 10-30%.

•    Check tire air pressure regularly. Studies show that low pressure increases fuel consumption!

•    To conserve fuel, limit the use of air conditioning. Use it in moderation and if it’s cool enough outside, choose to let fresh air flow inside the car. You can also improve AC efficiency by setting the system to Recirculate.

You see, it’s not so difficult to save on fuel. Just drive your used Toyota Premio properly and you’ll be on your way to not only conserving gas, but saving the earth as well!

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Toyota’s Green Productivity

The scope of Toyota’s green initiatives extends from its hybrid cars to its advocacy for eco-driving to its green productivity in car manufacturing. Green Productivity is an approach to improve efficiency and environmental performance for total socio-economic development. Tools, techniques, and technologies are applied to reduce the harmful impacts on the environment made by an organization’s operations.

Cars running on fuel are big pollutants; emitting large amounts of carbon that stay in the earth’s atmosphere and trapping heat in. The effects of global warming and climate change have prompted car manufacturers to come up with more environmentally-friendly cars in the form of hybrids and electric cars that use up less to zero fuel in order to run. However, the process of making a new car creates pollution too, so there is a driving need to make car manufacturing sustainable and earth-friendly as well.

Toyota Prius
Image Credit: Auto Blog Green

Toyota, in particular its plants in North America, have reported achievements in line with its program on environmental stewardship in all aspects of its production process, which includes logistics and sales.

Design-wise, eight of the company’s vehicles have bio-based plastics in their systems. In addition, the vehicles are designed to make the most of its end-of-life recycling. This means that when the vehicles have reached the end of their lifetime, their parts may be easily recycled. Making these vehicles are done in such a way that plants, particularly in North America, are able to reduce their greenhouse has emissions by 7%. In addition, ten factories in the United States were able to step up their green production cycle, achieving zero landfill waste. Can you imagine yourself not producing trash in one day?

The green cars born in the green environment of the North American plants are then distributed around the continent in returnable shipping containers. The reusable containers have prevented trees from being chopped down for wood (129 million pounds saved) and cardboard (48 million pounds saved). The cars are then taken care of by dealerships that have been certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as green structures.

As the demand for more earth-friendly cars increases, we’re also hoping that car manufacturers build on Toyota’s model and take steps towards greening their productivity and developing their environmental management systems for a brighter, cleaner future ahead.

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Best for Beginners: Used Toyota Corollas

Along with teens’ excitement in getting their driver’s license is the thrill of having their First Car. While there are several cars to choose from, used Toyota Corollas are the best in terms of safety, stability, and affordability—conditions that parents put forward when their young ones start asking for their own set of wheels.

Concern number one is safety. First-time drivers may still be a bit shaky when taking on the world’s busy roads, so safety is a major concern (there are probably thousands of anxious parents waiting by the garage waiting for their teen to drive home right now). The new Corolla range comes with high levels of safety such as improved brake systems and Active Braking with intelligence as standard features. The body has a complete impact-absorbing structure for front, side, and rear collisions (which we hope would never happen, of course). The Corolla was given the highest rating by Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, making it a Top Safety Pick. Rest assured dear parents, the Corolla was built with safety in mind.

Toyota Corolla
Image Credit: Brent Brown Blog

 

Toyota is well-known for its reliable, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-maintain cars. Their Corollas are so reliable that 8 out of 10 units bought in a twenty-year period are still up and about! Used Toyota Corollas are also sturdy and easy to drive. Driving a Corolla is as easy as putting gas in and driving off. The car will only need to see the mechanic for the occasional oil change and inspection, and can go on rolling past a hundred thousand miles. The ever-reliable car would make any teen appreciate well-made things over simply flashy ones.

The Corolla is already very affordable brand new, and more so when pre-owned. The daunting issue young car owners would probably have is how they are going to pay for the car’s upkeep. Granted, mom and dad have already agreed to split the cost of the used Toyota Corolla’s purchase and insurance, but what about the rest of the car-related stuff like gas and repairs? Well, the car’s fuel economy would help the teen save some gas money. Repairs would be few and far between, so there’s no need to worry that the car will simply be left to rot.

Used Toyota Corollas are undoubtedly great for beginners, and can even be kept for a long, long while.

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How Do Japanese Used Cars Feel?

Being used and then discarded after doing your best can make anyone feel bad, but not if you’re a car in Japan.

Japan has a bustling automotive industry, giving birth every few years to new and advanced car models that become the new darlings of the driving public. The country also has strict policies that make vehicles older than five years difficult to maintain, even if a car is still in perfect running condition. So, Japanese used cars are cast off in favor of newer, more tech-savvy ones.

Elsewhere in the world, discarded vehicles go directly to the scrap yard, because that is the only place where they are welcome. Not in Japan.

Japanese used cars
Image Credit: Jaguar Enterprises

Because the used cars are in exceedingly good condition, they are bundled off and sent to used-car dealers or sold directly by private sellers. In the company of used-car marketers, they become the stars, and given the VIP treatment: a thorough inspection much like an executive medical examination but a lot less embarrassing, a good scrubbing, a gentle polishing, and a photoshoot. Some new cars don’t even get that kind of attention.

Japanese cars are, in the first place, already well-maintained. The rigorous motor vehicle inspection program in Japan makes sure that all cars are fit to be on the road, and this requires checking a car’s sixty or so parts and functions and doing the necessary repairs, if any—Japanese cars are solidly built, after all. In addition, Japanese road rules not only make the roads safe for both passengers and pedestrians but for the cars as well—they are properly driven, are seldom pushed to their limit, and are rarely in accidents.

It is in this unspoiled condition that Japanese used cars are found online in sites such as tradecarview. While Japan is busy making more four-wheeled babies, citizens of the rest of the world are eagerly anticipating the older, more experienced autos to roll off cargo boats and cruise into their driveways. Used cars are a lot cheaper than their new counterparts, and if the previous owners are Japanese, they are sure to be good as new. It’s a win-win situation—used car buyers get more than their money’s worth and for the pre-owned car, feeling desired again is enough motivation to rev up its engine and explore the rest of the world.

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