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For years, I always drove a cheap import car back and forth to work, and wherever else I could, thus saving the family car for better things. I'd put on 60k-80k a year on the little cheap import until the engine was about to quit. Then I'd replace the engine/transmission with a low mileage (sometimes 18k) used engine imported here from Japan. The engines were barely broke in and were about a third the price it would cost to have mine rebuilt. I always wondered where they came from.
Well, I found out. It is my understanding that when a car is purchased new in Japan , the taxes and registration fee are next to nothing. But as the car begins to age, the fees go up, until a point around three years when the car becomes unaffordable to keep. So the Japs just buy a new one every 2-3 years, which stimulates their economy, reduces their fuel usage, and keeps their air cleaner. Then the engines/trannys are removed and sold to the Americans.
What a novel concept. No need for the American taxpayers to pay the cost of our Cash for Clunkers program, while accomplishing the same thing, but with better results.
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And tomorrow, I'll pass along more information from the Thought Dock, about programs in Japan.
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I had a 1991 Mazda pickup. While on vacation in the winter of 1993 my daughters truck wouldn't start so she took mine. Long story short she popped a freeze plug and drove the aluminum block engine til it warped. Couln't find a replacement that had under 80,000. Had to buy a short block. Sure wish I could have found one of those engines you were talking about, of course we are in the middle of the country not on the coast.
ReplyDeleteA buddy of mine was intrested in that Obama car plan,up to 4500.00 cash for a clunker. Only to find out that the very same cars that he was looking at a year ago mysterously went up in price, way up. The 13,000 dollar car a year ago went up to a near 20,000 when they were advertising the cash for clunker deal. He like most people figure if you got the car for 13,000, then with the clunker deal it would be around 9000 or so. Seems to me I'm starting to smell a rat. The only ones that are really getting stimulated are the dealers. Check it out in your areas and see if this true.
ReplyDeleteLooks like people have figured a way to beat the system. I've heard they are buying an old jun ker for a couple of hundred dollars and using it as their trade in. Don't know if the prices went up that much here, but they have gone up some.
ReplyDeleteHog - You're right, those huge discounts on trucks that were there just a few months ago are now gone. So, the dealers did jack up the prices and are the ones profitting the most.
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