Buying a Car in Japan

We have started to look at cars in Japan as this will be one of the first things we will need to get sorted out.
My wife will be going there first so I want to try and narrow down the choice a bit or she will get something crap and horribly kawaiiiii. !
I want to keep it under 800,000 yen (including taxes).
Preferably a station wagon.
Less than 10 years old.
I have had a Suburu Legacy in the past which was a great car and juding from my search here:
ﾆ湛ﾆ弾ﾂーﾆ歎ﾆ停?｡ﾆ停?愴陳照担ﾆ停? 2005窶扼?ﾂ〜 50.0窶毒凪?ｰ~?ﾂ〜100.0窶毒凪?ｰ~ 窶堙娯?吮??ﾅ津ηｽﾃ板湘ｮ窶｢ﾃｱ - carview!
there looks to be some good cars available within my price range.
Any recommendations or advice re buying a used car would be greatly appreciated.
We will be staying at a weekly mansion for the first couple of months while we find a place to live but could use the parents in law's address for the parking verification.
Thanks in Advance for any replies.

I'd avoid European cars here, they tend not to handle the climate as well as Japanese cars. I'd also take a look at street width before deciding on a station wagon. If I had to haul kids I'd probably go with a narrow yellow plated van. As is I have a Toyota WiLL and even though it's small by western standards it's about as wide as I'd want to go where I live.

I don't think you need to spend that much, my 2003 cost 350000 last year. Cars don't maintain value well here from what I've seen. Though I'm down in Okinawa so perhaps someone from mainland will correct me.


Sent from my fingers using the internet.

If you're concerned about cash, I recommend looking into the K-class car, K for karui/light. They fall into a different tax bracket, and cost less all around. That may be what Wonko refers to as a yellow plate.
Kei car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

nahadef said:

If you're concerned about cash, I recommend looking into the K-class car, K for karui/light. They fall into a different tax bracket, and cost less all around. That may be what Wonko refers to as a yellow plate.
Kei car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Yup, sorry I should have been more specific. K car is what I meant, they have yellow plates down here (dunno about mainland).

Keep in mind it's not just about the initial cost and upkeep, but also the compulsory inspection costs. My windshield wipers left streaks on my windshield so I failed mine and had to come back after fixing them.


Sent from my fingers using the internet.

It's good to know I can probably get a decent car and not have to fork out too much. I think I will stick with a Japanese maker. I've owned Mitsubishi, Subaru and Toyota in the past - all good.
The adavantage of a Kei car would be, as WTS pointed out, maneouvering through the narrow streets. Ongoing running costs shouldn't be too much of an issue with us so we could afford a larger car.
Such a small car would probably prove a bit too small for me however and I would be concerned about driving in certain conditions (snow / torrential rain / typhoons). I remember having a nightmare of a time being caught in my wife's Nissan March in a snow storm and that was bigger than a Kei car from memory.

Yes, the weather can be a problem, though I've found that with snow (having grown up in Michigan) it's really more a function of whether it's rear wheel drive and whether the driver has enough snow driving practice. When I was in Maryland I saw 4-wheel drive trucks unable to navigate through snow I had no trouble with while I was driving a simple, light front wheel drive car.

K car classification is based on engine size, not car size, so some K cars are larger than non-K cars in terms of interior space and seating.

You might find, as with many things, that it's a good idea to leave yourself open to change based on what you find when you get on the ground here. It's normal and wise to do a lot of pre-arrival research, I certainly did, but it's also a good idea not to set it in stone. In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice... If you get my drift.

Yes I know what you mean about setting things in stone. That's the reason we're going to take a good amount of time to decide on a place to live when we get there.
The car is trickier because my wife will need it soon after she arrives and I would really want to physically sit in the vehicle if it is smaller than what I've been comfortable in with my previous cars. I'm in AUstralia at the moment and finding comparable cars here is difficult.

Hi Dotanbatan

here is some what I hope is some helpful info when considering what to buy (apologies if you already know this):

1) Parking- you need a registered parking space before you can but a car (must be within 2km of your residence)

2) WEIGHT TAX is based on engine size (the above mentioned k-jidosha runs from 4-8,000 per year depending on if it is a commercial vehicle - seats in back have less leg room- or non commercial, but that tax has just increased) Roughly speaking a "normal car" (futsusha) (with a 5 number plate) goes up to about 40,00 in tax per year - up to 2000cc. Above that it increase about 10,000 to around 3 L, and then jumps to 60 about 3 (have not had a bigger engine than a 3.2) They will also hit you for 10,000 if your car is longer than 5. m (which is why J cars are 4.9 something all the time)

3) SHAKEN (mandatory inspection that includes the minimum PL&PD) is every 2 years (shops usually charge about 60-70,000 for a K car, and 80-90,000 for a regular car (and more with add ons that they try and get you to do that are not required for the inspection- you can bring it in yourself and it is a bit cheaper but IMO not worth wasting the time.

4) INSURANCE- depends very much on your car (most companies will consider you a fairly new driver so you will probably be looking at 60,000 or more per year (again depends on your car a lot) Japanese cars are cheaper.

5) USED car- Caveat emptor, Caveat emptor, Caveat emptor, Caveat emptor
That being said, it is worthwhile buying a dealer guaranteed car (or looking at some of the big used shops that offer warrantees) such as BIG MOTORS

Cars are generally cheaper than AUS but running costs are high (parking ticket is 15,000 plus 2 points)

Parking in high cities in "shopping or other attraction areas is usually around \1,000 per hour.


In general, I would go with a Japanese car, not too old. even if it is in good condition, hoses, bushings any rubber stuff goes quicker here. 60,000 KM is about the magic number where the price plummets (which is ridiculously low by Canadian and I assume AUS standards) but be aware that 60,000 km is ALL city for the m,pst part, and used car dealers have been known to tamper with odometersﾂ… There is very little in the way of consumer protection for used cars. You were very much at the mercy of your dealer/shop.

Another option is to look for a shakendai car (basically the price of the inspection) and you get an older car, but you can get a pretty good, solid 10 year old car for next to nothing. I did that for a while. Foreign cars, are generally a pain in the butt- and you pay for them through the nose (though that is changing). Japanese dealers have in general good after service and IMO, if you do not want to hassle with a used car, buying a dealer used car is a good way to go- I would do that or go for a 200,000-300,000 yen car from a local shop and "hope for the best- and then in 2 years when the inspection is up, you can either extend it if it is working well or know what kind of car you really want.

Here is a search (up to 300,000) for a mazda (they do not hold their resale as well as the big 3, so they make a sweet deal for used cars - honda is the worst - or best - in hold value, so I would not buy one used)

ﾆ誰ﾆ停?ｹﾆ筑窶堙ｰ窶儺窶堋ｷ ﾂ｜ BIGMOTOR

hope that helps

Thanks for the excellent advice Tomoni.

Don't get a used kei car. Husband of my wife's friend is a mechanic and he says they are crap.

Glenski said:

Don't get a used kei car. Husband of my wife's friend is a mechanic and he says they are crap.

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I've always had used kei cars. They are not universally crap. Nor is a used car being a non-kei a guarantee it won't be a piece of crap,

I've always had the best luck with used kei cars when I have asked my mechanic to find one for me and just took what he bought.

So, the next question is, does Dotanbatan have a reliable mechanic willing to help?

Glenski said:

So, the next question is, does Dotanbatan have a reliable mechanic willing to help?

Click to expand...

Answer - No.

As a compromise, we are probably going to settle for a mid sized car .... below 2000 cc but bigger than a kei car.

We ended up getting a Kei car (Daihatsu) for under 300,000 and a Station Wagon (Subaru) for just over 500,000. 8 & 9 years old respectively, both in immaculate condition, low mileage and new shakens included in the cost!
I drove a borrowed Kei for a few weeks before we bought one .... And although the Mrs uses it mostly, I was pleasantly surprised by how good they are. I wouldn't want to drive it for longer trips of more than a couple of hours, but it is perfect for handling the narrow roads in Japan.

Wishing you luck on the kei dar. Husband of my wife's friend is a car mechanic, and he says used kei cars are notorious for problems.

Thanks ... I might need that luck one day ... if I ever get stuck in the car, unable to get out after eating a Yoshinoya Tokumori for lunch !!!

My wife wanted a Kei car specifically ... so didn't have much say there !!

They made up more than 40% of the car sales in Japan last year so I'm thinking that any significant reliability problems would be reflected in the market forces.

I've always owned kei cars and believe them no more or less susceptible to problems than their full-sized counterparts.

As you say, if they were all crap then market forces would take care of it.

Just got my wife a used Daihatsu Move yesterday. At the same time I was looking for a car for her I was also helping my son get his first car. Tried to talk him into a sporty kei, but nothing but a full-sized "rally" car would do. We're awaiting his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (used), which I am POSITIVE is more ragged out and destined to give us 10x the problems that docile little Daihatsu ever will. Try talking sense to a twenty year old, though.....it's like shoveling sand uphill.

Mike Cash said:

I've always owned kei cars and believe them no more or less susceptible to problems than their full-sized counterparts.

As you say, if they were all crap then market forces would take care of it.

Just got my wife a used Daihatsu Move yesterday. At the same time I was looking for a car for her I was also helping my son get his first car. Tried to talk him into a sporty kei, but nothing but a full-sized "rally" car would do. We're awaiting his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (used), which I am POSITIVE is more ragged out and destined to give us 10x the problems that docile little Daihatsu ever will. Try talking sense to a twenty year old, though.....it's like shoveling sand uphill.

Click to expand...

LOL. I know exactly what you mean about talking sense to a 20 year old.

The Mitsubishi Evo is an amazing car. I had the nerve shredding pleasure of being taken for a 'full on' drive by a retired Kiwi rally driver on an outback road in Queensland. Phenomenal machine ... And driver.

Was just sifting through some threads as I have been away from the forum for a bit and I must say:

Mike Cash said:

Try talking sense to a twenty year old, though.....it's like shoveling sand uphill.

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That is the "post of the day".

haha

Hi, I would like to add another question to this thread regarding car insurance.
I am looking to buy a car in Sapporo, but as I am still a temporary visitor to Japan, it will be a lot easier if everything is done under my partners name. However she does not have a driving license so I am wondering firstly if it is possible to register a vehicle if you don't hold a license?
Secondly when you buy insurance I understand you need a copy of the Shaken and your driving license, but as the Shaken will probably be under my partners name and the license will be in my name, does anyone know if this will cause any problems? Also my driving license at this time is a UK one with an accompanying IDP.
Thanks.

JaffaCake said:

Hi, I would like to add another question to this thread regarding car insurance.
I am looking to buy a car in Sapporo, but as I am still a temporary visitor to Japan, it will be a lot easier if everything is done under my partners name. However she does not have a driving license so I am wondering firstly if it is possible to register a vehicle if you don't hold a license?
Secondly when you buy insurance I understand you need a copy of the Shaken and your driving license, but as the Shaken will probably be under my partners name and the license will be in my name, does anyone know if this will cause any problems? Also my driving license at this time is a UK one with an accompanying IDP.
Thanks.

Click to expand...

No problem on either count.

You don't have to have a license to own a car, no more than having a license would oblige you to own a car; they are two separate matters.

If you purchase the car outright, you can even have the shakensho show her as the owner (所有者) and you as the "operator" (使用者) if you wish, although it isn't necessary. If she finances it then the bank will show as owner and her as operator.

None of this matters regarding insurance, though. Just make sure to explain the situation to the insurance agent so he can set it up appropriately.

Also make sure you get regular 任意保険 and don't do like many uninformed foreigners and ride around with just the mandatory 自賠責 (what many call "JCI": Japan Compulsory Insurance). JCI is NOT insurance coverage for you, the motorist. It is a scheme to provide a pool of money to pay the medical expenses of traffic accident victims in cases where the other idjit had no regular insurance. If they have to pay out because you injured someone...THEY SEND YOU A BILL FOR THE FULL AMOUNT...it is NOT insurance! It also pays nothing for property damage whatsoever.

Driving around with just "JCI" is the same as having NO INSURANCE AT ALL.....don't do it. Don't even think about it.

Dealers will offer insurance, but if you (or her family) have an insurance guy you'd like to use, all you have to do is talk to him beforehand, and have the car dealer fax the shakensho to him. You'll be insured as soon as you pick up the car. No worries.

ok perfect thanks Mike.
I'm probably going to get a little cheap Suzuki Jimny or similar, so should be able to buy it outright.

Mike Cash said:

...
Also make sure you get regular 任意保険 and don't do like many uninformed foreigners and ride around with just the mandatory 自賠責 (what many call "JCI": Japan Compulsory Insurance). JCI is NOT insurance coverage for you, the motorist. It is a scheme to provide a pool of money to pay the medical expenses of traffic accident victims in cases where the other idjit had no regular insurance. If they have to pay out because you injured someone...THEY SEND YOU A BILL FOR THE FULL AMOUNT...it is NOT insurance! It also pays nothing for property damage whatsoever.

Driving around with just "JCI" is the same as having NO INSURANCE AT ALL.....don't do it. Don't even think about it.

Dealers will offer insurance, but if you (or her family) have an insurance guy you'd like to use, all you have to do is talk to him beforehand, and have the car dealer fax the shakensho to him. You'll be insured as soon as you pick up the car. No worries.

Click to expand...

+1, and +2, too.

So I have done some internet shopping and found a car I am interested in. My partner called the dealer tonight and he explained that there was an extra 63,440 yen on top of the car advertised price.
(I can post a link to the car I'm looking at if its allowed?)
So the car is advertised as:
車両価格：29.8万円（消費税込み）
※支払総額・諸費用は販売店へお問い合わせください
年式：平成15年(2003年)
走行距離：14万km
車検：2016-01
保証・整備
保証：保証無
整備：法定整備別(整備費用:1.50万円。納車までに整備実施。費用を本体価格に含まない。整備費用は消費税を含む)

Which tax is this that is included in the price of 29.8?

So the extra charge of 63,440 is broken down as follows:
8440 - Recycling fee which I understand.
15000 - for maintenance checks as mentioned above in the advert i think (so fair enough).
25,000 yen for 車庫証明登録
15,000 yen for 車庫証明
However can someone please explain the last two charges? I asked her to write in Japanese what the dealer said the charge was for, but I'm not sure she understood what he was telling her either.
Thanks

Those last two are highway robbery prices to do a couple bits of paperwork that she can walk through herself. That dealer is charging you total rip-off fees for that. Have her read this.

The charging extra for performing the mandatory maintenance checks are just another way to pad the bill.

Note that there appears to be NO warranty on this car. Ask specifically if it is 現状渡し (genjou watashi: "as-is"). Also ask if there is 事故歴 (jiko reki: history of being in an accident). Then make an assessment of how much risk you're willing to take of repairs/failures rearing their heads soon after purchase with no recourse for having them make it right.