Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:27:56 -0700
Reply-To: Sullivan Scott <se7en.scot@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sullivan Scott <se7en.scot@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Japan Vanagon Community
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2011041018424961@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Almost correct. There is no certain age or limit of mileage. Copied
this from a JDM blog and it says it better than I could
There are 3 main reasons for JDM cars/engines to have low mileage
compared to here in North America.
1. They reply mostly on public transportation.
2. Costs of driving a car in Japan are high.
3. They must pass a inspected called “Shaken” which determines if a
car is still suitable to be driven on Japanese roads. As vehicles get
older, maintaining them at the standards required by the shaken can
become expensive. This is because beyond the tuner scene, most
Japanese do not get involved in mechanical repairs, and as a result,
mechanics can charge high prices. Vehicles which cannot pass
inspection are not allowed to be driven on public roads. Unwanted
vehicles must be destroyed and recycled, or as some do to make more
profit, export the vehicle. As a result, many Japanese used vehicles
are exported to other nations right before or after their Shaken is
up.
My boss in Japan runs a 1938 MG and you see many older classic cars. I
have seen every car I ever heard of driving around in Japan.
Scot
On Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 3:14 PM, Rob <becida@comcast.net> wrote:
> At 4/10/2011 11:32 AM, John Rodgers wrote:
>>
>> Good questions that I too would like to know, just for general
>> information.
>>
>> I talked with my local mechanic once about a Suburu engine for my van
>> and he told me his source would be a company who traded in Suburu
>> engines (among others) that came from Japan with mileage around 50K
>> because Japanese Government environmental rules and regulations forced
>> those engines off the road at a certain age or mileage. The company
>> would warrant the engines for 50,000 miles if I should buy one. Never
>> found anyone who could corroborate that, but it would be useful to know.
>>
>> John
>
> Found this about the JDM motors, etc...
>
> Rob
> becida@comcast.net
> `````````````````````````````````
>
> http://www.trustmymechanic.com/japanmotor.html
>
>>>I had read somewhere a few years ago about a supposed law in Japan
> that requires engine replacement at 30,000 miles. I did some research
> on the Internet to see if there was some truth to the story, and
> Cheston with Soko America told me this:
>
> There is no such law "requiring" engine replacement at a certain
> mileage. That is a urban myth propagated by importers and car owners
> who simply don't know or understand the situation in Japan. The high
> taxes (annually assessed), insurance premiums, gas costs, and
> especially the safety inspection/registration (occurs biennial)
> combine to keep turnover of vehicles high.
>
> For example, the Safety inspection for your typical car (say
> Camry/Accord type) can typically cost $2,000....each time! New
> vehicles have a 3 year grace period before they are required to
> submit for the Safety Inspection. In other words, for a 10 year old
> car, you will have already paid over $8,000, in just Safety
> Inspection fees! Don't forget, gas over in Japan is also typically
> four times the cost of here in the U.S. Mileage is kept low on the
> vehicles as EVERYONE (unless your fabulously rich and patient) uses
> alternative transportation to get around. Most folks use the trains
> for local and medium distance traveling/commuting.
>
> Far distances are taken by airplane and local transportation done by
> either bicycle or bus. In that society, your car tends to be a status
> symbol more than anything else. I hope this sheds a little more light
> for you!<<
>
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