Imported Japanese Cars

By Paul Rogers

I can remember a time not too long ago when the "Big Three" automobile manufacturers were General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. These companies were the true powerhouses and led the industry not only in sales volume but also in quality, customer satisfaction, and overall appeal. But the glory days of the Big Three have just about reached an end, and so has my patience and loyalty to these brands. Instead of making my purchasing decisions out of a sense of civic pride, I'm going to take my wallet into consideration. That's why I've decided to buy imported Japanese cars instead.

When I say imported Japanese cars, I don't mean the Toyotas, Hondas, and Nissans that roll off the assembly line right here in the United States. I'm talking about vehicles that are shipped directly from Japan via an exporter or other third party.

These imported Japanese cars are more attractive than their domestic counterparts for several reasons. First of all, the exchange rate is favorable to the American dollar right now so I my money goes farther than it does here at home. Even with the extra fees associated with shipping and taxes, the imported Japanese cars in my price range are much nicer than anything I could have afforded in the U.S. Second, vehicles in Japan are subject to significantly less wear and tear than in America. People in that country rely on public transportation, scooters, and bicycles a lot more than Americans do, and they usually save their automobiles for weekend excursions instead of using them daily. So even five-year-old imported Japanese cars look and run like new -- all while carrying a much lower price tag. And finally, there is just a certain cachet that comes with driving imported Japanese cars. They're not the exact same models that are available in the United States, which makes them cooler than anything I could get at my local dealership.

At first, I was a bit concerned that buying an imported Japanese car would be too much of a hassle. I didn't know what kind of fees to expect, how long it would take to get my vehicle, or which exporters in Japan could be trusted. But after taking some time to research my options and settling on an exporter that had a solid reputation among American consumers, I found that purchasing imported Japanese cars wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Sure, it took several weeks for the vehicle to arrive, but I couldn't be happier with my experience.

If you're tired of the same old lineup that domestic automobile manufacturers churn out year after year, then I suggest taking a look at imported Japanese cars when it comes time for your next vehicle purchase.