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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These Celebrities Trust Japanese Vehicles!

If you’re a big fan of the entertainment industry and are interested in how celebrities conduct their everyday lives away from the camera, you may be interested to know that a lot of your favorite actors and actresses trust Japanese vehicles—especially the Toyota Prius and Honda models—to be their primary modes of transportation.

Honda has plenty of fans in Hollywood. Sarah Jessica Parker for instance drives a Honda Odyssey minivan. Not a car you’d expect to be driven by a big star, but Sarah shares that for her, the Odyssey is the best car for her errands and when she drops her children off to school. It’s also low-profile, which means the paparazzi won’t be a problem.

Have you seen the Indiana Jones movies? If yes, then you might be wondering what Harrison Ford drives when he’s not busy finding treasure and fighting the bad guys. Mr. Ford drives the Honda NSX, one of Honda’s iconic sports cars. The NSX is equipped with an all-aluminum V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Control system, also known as the VTEC. These give the NSX a powerful performance, making it the perfect car for the swashbuckling Indiana Jones. If he trusts Japanese vehicles, you probably should, too!

The last Honda fan here may not be an actor, but he’s a celebrity nonetheless. Mark Zuckerberg—the big man behind social networking giant Facebook—drives a really small car. The Honda Fit is his car of choice, and it’s an enigma considering he has billions in his pocket. Why the Fit? Well, the fit is pretty low-key and Mark may also want to avoid the paparazzi as much as possible. In addition, the Fit has a remarkable performance as a subcompact hatchback and is Honda’s best-selling hatch, selling 3.5 million units in the United States alone by 2010. It’s similar to Facebook’s user growth!

As for Toyota, the Prius remains as celebrities’ car of choice because of its low emissions. It’s not only environmentally-friendly but a wise investment as well! Some of the actors and actresses who own a Prius are Dustin Hoffman, Cameron Diaz, Matt Damon, Kate Bosworth, Tom Hanks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Bilson, Leonardo Dicaprio, Jessica Alba, Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, and Emily Deschanel. Emily even drove her Prius in one episode of her television series Bones.

Do you know other Hollywood celebrities who trust Japanese vehicles? If you were an actor or actress, which car would you drive?

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Financing Your Vehicle Purchase With Used Car Loans

When you find yourself in a bit of a financial fix just when you’re about to purchase a pre-owned car, one of your options would be to apply for a loan. Used car loans are usually flexible which means you can set the amount for monthly payment. Financing through an independent source such as an online lender, a bank, or a credit union gives you the most control over the transaction and some institutions also have low interest rates for pre-owned car loans.

Before contacting a seller, you can already visit your credit union or bank, or you can apply online for a loan. By doing this you will be confident that you have a lending company to back you up. Credit companies are flexible in the sense that they can give you a pre-qualified amount even before you have your eyes set on a car. This way, you’ll have an idea of the budget range so you can start looking for the car you want. Loans can also be fast-tracked, especially if you’re ready to purchase a car.

Financial services companies such as Wells Fargo offer auto loans and application can be done in four easy steps. The first is to accomplish a short online application—the process is free, takes only a few minutes, and there’s absolutely no obligation on the part of the customer. The customer will then receive a credit decision—the feedback or credit decision is usually immediate, so there’s no prolonged waiting time spent during loan processing. Once the application is approved, the customer can then head off to the local Wells Fargo establishment where he or she will get a check for the specified price of the vehicle chosen. After signing the paperwork, the customer can now purchase the car. Used car loans offer the convenience and confidence—the general feel—of buying with cash.

If you’re planning to take out a loan, always remember to figure out just how much you can pay per month and the length of the loan. As much as possible, don’t go over budget! Remember that you still have to set aside a budget for gas and maintenance. When applying for used car loans, it’s best to know your limits so you won’t find it difficult to make your monthly payments regularly.

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Interesting and Fun Facts About Used Cars

Vehicle specifications can be overwhelming to read sometimes, especially when the engine and torque combos are too many to ingest. You can take a break from researching about engine displacements by reading fun facts about used cars or cars in general, like the ones listed here.

Facts about the Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling car. In fact, more than 32.5 million units have been sold since it was launched in 1966. Eighty percent of those cars are still plying the world’s roads today, either as new vehicles or pre-owned units exported from Japan to other countries such as Tanzania. How is Toyota able to keep up with the world’s demands year after year? Statistically, a new Corolla is manufactured every 23 seconds, so you do the math.

Fun facts about used cars from Japan
Japan is the world’s leading auto manufacturer, where new models are launched left and right in quick succession. The Japanese tend to want the latest models every time (and it also gets expensive to keep cars more than two years old), so they trade in their cars for new ones. These low-mileage, good-as-new cars are what you can find in lists of Japanese cars for sale.

The regular motor vehicle inspection in Japan is called Shaken. This thorough car checkup makes sure that all cars in Japan are roadworthy. This is also part of the reason why the Japanese take extra care of their vehicles—which is why used cars from Japan are neat, well-maintained, and without dents or scratches.

Miscellaneous used car tidbits
In its lifetime, the average car will likely go through three different owners.
The most common color of used cars is silver. Next in the list is black, followed by white, red, blue, and gray. The rarest color is pink, though you’ll find plenty of pink and Hello Kitty-themed cars in Japan.
In the United States, six out of eight car purchases are used vehicles.
There are more automatic than manual-transmission cars in the secondhand-car market.
One of the greatest cars you can find in the used-car market is the Nissan GT-R, a sportscar that has garnered many awards including the 2009 International Car of the Year. In 2011 it made the Guiness World Record for having the fastest acceleration by a four-seater production car.

I hope you enjoyed these interesting and fun facts about used cars. How about you, do you know a fun fact about cars? Do share!

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A Quick Look at the Mitsubishi GTO

The first Mitsubishi to use “GTO,” which stands for Gran Turismo Omoloato, was the Colt Galant GTO, introduced at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show as the Galant GTX-1. After its production ceased in 1977, “GTO” wasn’t used again until the arrival of the Mitsubishi GTO sports car in 1990. This model was sold as the 3000GT in countries outside Japan, so as not to confuse the vehicle with the Ferrari 250 GTO and Pontiac GTO. It also avoided the ire of motoring enthusiasts who no doubt have objected to the similarity.

In North America, it was sold as the Dodge Stealth by Chrysler, with minor differences in details and appearance. Mitsubishi and Chrysler teamed up to collaborate on the Stealth’s design. The GTO sports coupe was developed to compete with sports cars from other Japanese manufacturers: the Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Honda NSX, Nissa 300ZX, Mazda RX-7, and the Subaru SVX.

The GTO was based on the concept of Whole Wheel Control, or full-time four-wheel drive. This improves performance, which Mitsubishi tags as “Running, Curving and Stopping.” In addition to the four-wheel drive, the GTO also has four-wheel control over its suspension, break, and steering parts. These technologies resulted in a high overall performance.

Another interesting feature of the Mitsubishi GTO is its Active Aerodynamics. This features exhaust modes (sport/tour), electronically-controlled suspension, and automatically-adjusting front and rear spoilers. The sporty look is capped off by pop-up headlights. The second-generation release of the GTO is identifiable by its revised front bumper, round projector fog lights, and projector beam headlights. The sporty look was upgraded; rear bumpers were modified along with the car’s side air vents.

The 1990 release had a 3.0-liter V-6-cylinder DOHC 24-valve engine that can generate 280ps. The second-generation twin-turbo VR-4 models were equipped with a six-speed Getrag manual transmission. Beginning in 1995, the GTO’s base and SL model sported 16-inch chrome or silver wheels; the VR-4 variant had bigger, 18-inch chrome wheels.

However, the features of the GTO slowly became absent in later model years: the electronically-controlled suspension was gone after the 1995 model year, and after 1996, the active aerodynamics also disappeared. Chrysler stopped selling the Dodge Stealth. The production of the GTO eventually ceased in the year 2000. The Mitsubishi GTO may have only been in the market for a decade, but it undoubtedly created an impact among motoring enthusiasts around the world.

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It’s Sporty, Smart, and Small—It’s the Suzuki Swift!

Before the Suzuki Swift came into being, the Cultus was Suzuki’s prime subcompact that has been manufactured and sold throughout the world. The Cultus was marketed with four body types: as a three-door hatchback, a two-door convertible, a four-door sedan, and a five-door hatchback. The Swift soon came as the rebadged Cultus in 2000, but before we say “And the rest is history,” let’s take a look at what makes this little car such a big gem in the industry.

Suzuki Swift
Image Credit: Net Car Show

•    Keyless Entry and Start – Using keys to unlock cars is so last generation. With the Swift, you can unlock the Swift and start its engine without even fumbling for your key. This is extremely helpful if you’ve got an armful of shopping bags and need to open your car right away.

•    Under the Hood – Buyers can choose between a 1.2-liter gasoline engine or a 1.3-liter diesel engine, and between a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic (available with the 1.2-L gas engine only).

•    Modern media and Bluetooth. – Nowadays, we can bring our favorite tunes with us wherever we go. Through our phones and portable media players, our music keeps us company. The Swift knows this and so it has a USB port for all our mobile media needs. Also, when you’re driving, you should focus on your driving and not on your phone. The Suzuki Swift has been equipped with Bluetooth technology for hands-free operation for phones and other electronic gadgets.

•    Safety counts. – The Swift has been given a 5-star rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme, which means that the car did exceedingly well in safety and crash tests. The car is equipped with seven safety airbags for the protection of passengers and Mazda’s especially-developed ESP, or Electronic Stability Program that can be considered as the car’s ‘sixth sense’ when it comes to making sure the car has a stable grip on the road. The other safety features include ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, 3-point ELR seatbelts, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages.

The Suzuki Swift has more notable features in terms of security, storage, entertainment, styling, comfort, and performance. There’s nothing like driving one yourself to know the rest!

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Carview Corporation’s Role in the Automotive Industry

As early as 1996, Carview Corporation has been providing the world with information about automobiles and the automotive industry. It is the company behind the website tradecarview, which is considered as Japan’s largest online used car marketplace. Harnessing the power of information interchange through the Internet, the company has given consumers and companies with an effective medium that has made the Japanese automotive industry the economic giant that it is today.

Aside from the online used car marketplace, the company also has two other sites catering to automotive enthusiasts: carview.co.jp is a portal that provides news about newly-released vehicle models, articles on test drives and vehicle specifications, and other information about vehicles of all makes and models; and minkara.carview.jp is a social networking service that allows users to connect, communicate, and exchange information on their favorite models, car-buying, and the general automotive industry in Japan. 

tradecarview

It is interesting to note that Carview Corporation’s main website has been rated as the best automobile information service company in Japan by Alexa, a web information company that computes traffic rankings of various websites. Millions of Internet users access the website each month, and tradecarview receives thousands of for-sale applications per month as well. The company also has active Facebook pages to make information dissemination and connecting with customers faster and easier. Through the Internet the company is able to help manufacturers, dealers, and buyers from around the world, creating a strong, efficient, and flourishing global automotive market.

tradecarview Kenya

The expanding market is both a challenge and a motivating factor in the automotive industry, and the company is ready to exert their efforts to reach out to and serve as many customers as possible. Company President Hiroshi Hyodo recognizes that the use of the Internet has extended from location-locked desktop machines to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. People can now use the Internet everywhere, from cafes to train stations. For this reason, the company has developed versions of their websites that are optimized for use in mobile devices.

The use of technology is an effective means of reaching out to consumers around the world. Carview Corporation has done a good job so far in linking automobile buyers from all parts of the world and sellers based in Japan. The information system is well-established, and it’s good to see that the automotive industry is growing because of it.

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New Store On the Block: tradecarview Kenya

Buying used cars from Japan is now made easier by the opening of a new store: the tradecarview Kenya satellite store. Located in Nairobi, the website’s first-ever satellite store will make it easier for customers to purchase pre-owned vehicles from Japan. Now, Japan’s biggest used-car marketplace has become even bigger and better at reaching customers around the world. With the help of the store’s staff, interested buyers from Kenya can now look for and avail great deals on Japanese cars.

If you are looking for pre-owned cars of excellent quality but can’t decide on what to buy, just head on over to Nairobi’s social and entertainment centers: Westlands. The district is home to many shops, restaurants, and shopping centers, among which is Nairobi’s largest and modern shopping hub, the Sarit Center. It is across this shopping plaza that tradecarview Kenya can be found, at the 9 West Plaza along Ringroad. West Plaza is the newest building across the Sarit Center and is fast becoming part of Westlands’ activity hub. The store is easily accessible because it is conveniently located at the ground floor.

tradecarview Kenya
Image Credit: Biztech Africa

What can customers expect upon visiting the store? Upon entering the well-lit reception area, customers are greeted by the friendly staff. The staff will assist customers on what they want to do: if they want to browse around the website or if they already have a car in mind. A look around the store would reveal several computers, making the place look like a stylish electronics shop. The store has 26 brand-new units of iMac computers exclusively for customers who want to browse around the stocks of over 50,000 cars on the website. This part of the store is called the Cyber Station and has been furnished with sleek and simple high chairs for a refined look.

The store also has special counters where you can directly speak to the store’s sales advisors for a one-on-one consultation when purchasing a car. Advisors can show customers the best choices using the new iMacs—the first of their kind in Kenya—as well.

Thinking of purchasing a car from Japan? Do visit the website’s satellite store in Nairobi, where you can get the best service from the tradecarview Kenya staff. The visit will truly be worth it.

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Reach the Skies with the Nissan Skyline GT-R

If there’s one car you would be glad to have on the race track, it’s the Nissan Skyline GT-R. The first Skyline wasn’t built for the track, however. Introduced in 1957 by the Prince Motor Company, the first Skyline was a black luxury car in both sedan and station wagon form. How did it become the speedster it is known today?

In 1964, Prince made a racing GT Skyline. It competed with a Porsche 904 during the second Japanese Grand Prix and though it didn’t win the top spot, impressively got the second to sixth places. It was all the prompting Prince needed, and soon after the Prince Skyline 2000GT was released to the Japanese market.

The Prince Motor Company and Nissan Motors merged in 1966, and all Prince models started to be marketed with Nissan badges. The Skyline variants were included of course, and over the years the sporty line went through several upgrades and improvements in their engines and chassis.  In 1969 Nissan released its first Skyline GT-R, and the rest, as they say, is history. Numerous victories and improvements later, we have the fifth, and last, generation Nissan Skyline GT-R, which was produced from 1999 to 2002.

Nissan Skyline GT-R
Image Credit: X Desktop

The final production model (R34) was called the Nür, after the German Nürburgring racetrack where the model was developed. Only 1000 units of the Nür model were made. With larger turbochargers than previous models increased boost.

In the racing circuit the Skyline GT-R is nicknamed “Godzilla,” in reference to the quality of its performance and country of origin. It consistently places at the top of racing charts and is a favorite of racecar drivers all over the world. It’s also a favorite among motorsports enthusiasts and car tuners. In 2012, SP Engineering, a company that specializes in vehicle tuning and modification, came up with an R34 GT-R that would surely make heads turn very, very quickly.

SP Engineering improved on the car’s aesthetics, aerodynamics, turbos, engine, exhaust, and transmission. When they were done, the car was guaranteed to produce a jaw-dropping 982 horsepower. With the speed you’ll get from the Nissan Skyline GT-R, you’ll have to find a farther limit than the sky.

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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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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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