| Not too long ago, the words "auto manufacturer" | | | | If I am in the market for a used car, I'll get a better deal |
| meant dealing with the "Big Three" - the American | | | | from those shipped over from Japan. The Japanese |
| manufacturing companies like General Motors, Chrysler | | | | car owners don't rely on their vehicles on a daily basis |
| and Ford. Everyone bought their cars and they were | | | | like we do in the U.S. They use scooters, public |
| clearly industry leaders - powerful companies that | | | | transportation or simply walk instead of using their cars. |
| ranked high in customer satisfaction, made quality | | | | Often, Japanese cars are saved for weekend trips so |
| vehicles and were the most popular cars to own. | | | | they aren't like these high-mileage used cars you'll find |
| Times have definitely changed. Not only are the "Big | | | | here. I can buy a car from Japan that is several years' |
| Three" not as powerful as they once were, they have | | | | old, pay a reasonable price and I won't be looking at |
| lost the loyalty of so many Americans who now look | | | | inheriting a steep mileage on the car. What's more, you |
| toward other manufacturers for better value and | | | | won't find many of these models made in the United |
| better prices, even if it means ignoring American pride | | | | States so their rarity makes them far more special |
| and going after imported cars instead. | | | | than your average "foreign car". |
| When I think of importing a vehicle from, say, Japan, I'm | | | | When I initially thought of the idea, I didn't think it would |
| not talking about those that are really made in the | | | | be worth the extra hassle and I wasn't sure how |
| U.S.A. - cars like Toyotas, Hondas or Nissans. I mean | | | | much extra it would cost to directly import and ship a |
| an actual imported vehicle that comes from Japan and | | | | Japanese vehicle. I thought it would take forever and I |
| is shipped overseas through the efforts of an | | | | didn't know if I could trust any of the importers. Finally, I |
| automobile exporter. | | | | did my homework and found an exporter that I felt |
| I have several reasons why I think these imported | | | | comfortable with and who had a decent reputation. |
| autos from Japan are better than those made here in | | | | Once I discovered it wasn't that big of a deal, I made |
| the U.S. One big reason is the exchange rate. It's more | | | | the leap and bought an automobile I liked. It took a while |
| attractive financially to obtain a car directly from Japan, | | | | to be shipped overseas, but my efforts were |
| even when you include the extra fees and monies you | | | | rewarded with a car I truly liked. |
| pay for shipping and taxes. It's simply cheaper to buy a | | | | My personal advice is to dump the usual set of cars |
| car directly from Japan than it is to buy a similar car | | | | made here in the U.S. and think about buying an import |
| made in the U.S. In addition, I can afford a much nicer | | | | from Japan that is reasonably priced and in good |
| car if I buy straight from Asia. The price difference can | | | | condition. |
| be in the range of thousands. | | | | |