Japanese Car Guide

Targa Tasmania is an annual race held in Tasmania, Australia. In 2008, the said competition included cars from all over the world—Ferrari, Lamborghini, Renault, Fiat, BMW and Peugeot to name a few of the European cars that participated in the race. Also, Japanese cars were present—Nissan, Mazda, Toyota and others.

The outcome of the race surprised everyone. Mazda 3 emerged as the champion, brushing aside other well known sports vehicles such as the 997 Porsche GT2 (second placer) and another Japanese car, the Subaru WRX STI (third placer) made by Fuji Heavy Industries.

The Targa Tasmania rally is not just about speed. It’s a five-day non-stop race that requires the cars to prove that they can endure the whole competition.

Photo taken from http://www.mazda-3-mps.co.uk

One of the most successful and best selling cars in America is the Toyota Corolla, owing to its reliability and good resale value, as well as it’s no frills, no non-sense approach to driving – the Corolla is all about getting you from Point A to Point be in the most efficient way. Toyota is obviously not sleeping on the job with the newest Corolla on their lineup, the 2010 model. It is generally similar to the 2009 model, with a few improvements here and there. The new 2010 model performs like it’s older brothers, giving a balanced (some might say boring) driving experience in both city streets and highways. Fuel economy is again a major feature of the Corolla, with the least economical model boasting a 29-mile per gallon fuel consumption. The prices also are reasonable, ranging from $15,000 – $20,000 for a brand new model.

Maybe its the economy and maybe its because of the utter lack of sales, most Japanese car makers are increasing prices on their vehicles to compensate for some of the losses they are suffering due to dismal sales. Compared to the European and American auto industry, most Japanese firms have managed to survive the current recession but they have had to do with some cut-backs. Like Honda and Toyota which have withdrawn from some auto shows and from the fast paced Formula 1 Circuit. They are still continuing with research into most of their future concepts which would be taking the streets in the future but they have slowed down considerably.
Dealerships in other countries have suffered greatly due to dismal sales figures but Japanese cars are still some of the top selling brands the world over. Many car makers are in trouble due to lack of sales and with debt they have managed to pile up in recent years, much so that even America’s big three are now in hot water. With grim predictions for the future of the economy, the Japanese will surely keep on reinventing the auto industry with their varied brands and innovative technology.

The 2 leading Japanese car manufacturers today are Toyota and Honda. Both cars are well made and have there own technological advances. They also lead the race for the most fuel efficient cars. If you’re looking for the most fuel efficient car, the Toyota Prius has an edge over the Honda Civic. But if you’re looking for durability, I would say that Honda cars are more durable. They will give you 5-10 trouble free years provided you comply with the manufacturers scheduled maintenance checks. I’m not saying that Toyota cars are not durable, its just that Honda cars are made of sturdier stuff. On the down side, Honda’s design is redundant and parts are expensive. Toyota’s simpler designs make it easier and cheaper to maintain than Honda’s. This allows Toyota cars to be in top shape far longer than their competitors. Verdict: buy a Honda. If it reaches 10 years you really have to get a new car anyway.

Image Source: www.thewebpitch.com
Aside from car indemnity and repairs, the skyrocketing price of gasoline gives extra burden to car owners. Today, each dollar spent on gasoline is worth a day’s meal for some people. That is why keeping energy becomes a topic of significance among car owners. They find ways to save gas and in the process, save money.

Here are some tips to accumulate gas and money without cutting your trip or losing those valuable miles:

1. At all times keep your car in check. Keep in mind that when your car is in a poor state, the more it burns fuel.
2. Use your car air conditioner carefully. Air conditioners use up further energy so make sure they are on a lower situation. Never use air conditioner when your windows are not closed.
3. Arrange your trip precisely so you don’t use up more gasoline than natural. You can avoid unnecessary driving by checking for directions sooner than your trip.
4. Know the kind of gasoline suited to your vehicle. How? Read the Manual. This will keep you from using a pricier gasoline that is not designed for your car type.

Nissan Quest is one of the trademark vehicles of Nissan. The car company started producing it in 1993. Fast forward to this day, the third generation 2008 Nissan Quest has finally been brought to the market.

The 2008 Nissan Quest comes from the mini-van segment, alongside with Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna. It runs on a powerful V6, has bold exterior styling and an impressive driving dynamics.

In terms of versatility and value, the car is on the losing trail with the other mini-vans in the market. But when it comes to safety and driving performance, the 2008 Nissan Quest is a winner with its safety features and improved steering. I think it still deserves a second look. Be your own judge, people.

You can find more information about the 2008 Nissan Quest here.

While Japanese cars have been proven to be dependable and reliable, it is still an important question to ask if what you are planning to get is a brand new or a used car.

These are some of the things that you should do before signing your car deal:

� Measure the Pros and Cons � think about the different cost of maintenance, insurance and other related services for brand new and used cars

� Know your Dealer � dealers always give promises, make sure you can trust them by asking a lot of questions

� Decide Based on Your Finances � as what is always the case, determining your budget will give you a clear idea as to what to buy

If you think all has been done, then proceed with the buying. May it be a brand new or a used car, a Japanese car is always worth the money.