Thinking through the options
This happened to me a couple of years ago with a different car. Our main car died and we were thinking about how to/whether we should replace it.
The Avensis died that time, and we solved it by me driving the Toppo and my wife getting the Aqua back from our daughter (she and her husband got a people carrier from his parents -needed to fit the three child seats once my fifth grandchild was born!).
Yesterday I noticed the engine noise had changed on the Toppo. Sounded like a problem with the exhaust pipe. There were also new, exciting noises coming from under the car. That, and the brakes had felt a lot less ‘brake-y’ for the last few months.
Time to go to the dealer (run by a school friend of my wife’s).
The verdict
My wife’s friend is great. He looked it over and gave me the rundown of problems without charging us a penny (took a lot of photos of how it looked under the chassis too). I even got some free coffee. The news was not good though:
- the exhaust pipe is rusted through, needs to be completely replaced
- the wheels are rusted to the extent that the brake pads don’t really connect
- the engine and power steering are leaking
- there is a lot of rust on the bodywork
The car is 20-odd years old, not bad for a kei car, but this seems to be the end of the road. 120,000 yen to fix the immediate problems, and then it won’t make it through shaken next April. Goodbye Toppo.
I can still drive it, but it’s not really safe. They cut the rusted out exhaust pipe off, so the exhaust now comes out under the car, and it sounds like one of those souped out racers. I was warned not to leave the car running while stationary, as the exhaust gases will leak through the floor into the car. Eeeek.
So what to do next?
I had a think and considered these options:
- Get a motorbike to replace the car. Pro: I used to ride one and enjoyed it. Con: I stopped riding when I had an accident, breaking my ankle and wrecking the bike.
- Get a similar small cheap car to replace this one. My wife’s friend had a Daihatsu on the lot for about 400,000 all in, and of course could try to find anything else we wanted. Pro: not too expensive. Con: not as safe as a normal car.
- Get a nice second-hand car (a decent sedan). Pro: would be nice to drive. Con: expensive.
- Don’t replace the car. We have one, and I can cycle/car share/walk/take public transport as needed.
I initially was going with #3, as I have never had a nice car, but it really didn’t strike me as good value for money. We also agreed to give my daughter and her husband 6m yen towards their new flat, so that’s our ‘big purchase’ for the next three years. Seems frivolous to spend more.
I also don’t really approve of cars for environmental reasons.
So I decided #4 might be the way to go. I had a talk with my wife, and she made the same decision independently (it’s one thing that makes our marriage better: we tend to have the same outlook on things). From her perspective she doesn’t want me to ride a motorbike again, and kei cars are too unsafe in accidents. She also agreed we don’t need a second car.
I did a quick back of the envelope calculation, and I think just owning the Toppo has been costing me 30,000-40,000 yen a month (for car park, petrol, maintenance, insurance, shaken, etc). It would be nice to invest that instead, or even just spend it on other stuff.
40,000 yen a month is 40 short range taxi rides, or 20 longer ones. Should be enough to supplement public transport and cycling comfortably.
Car free life
So far so good! I can cycle to work and take the train to jiu-jitsu. Really the only thing I need a car for is driving the grandkids around, and I can borrow my wife or my daughter’s car to do that.
My impression is that having a car is easier in that you don’t really need to plan things out: you just jump in the car and go.
Without a car, you need to check train times and get yourself to the station on time, or factor in weather if cycling etc. No big deal, but it takes a bit of getting used to.
And not having a car is much healthier: I find I am doing more exercise now. Even taking the train involves a lot more walking, standing, climbing stairs, etc.
A friend of mine is convinced I will crack by Christmas and get another car, but not convinced enough to put money on it!
What do you think? Am I making the right decision?
My suggestion… Option 3, but I would qualify it, by saying identify a car that will become a classic. My car is 14 years old and it’s re-sale value is now rising…
I don’t think it applies to 14yr old cars, but with the chip shortage and new production shutdowns, and now people wanting to buy, prices for used cars are higher than they have been for a long time–an effect of having long wait times (and no discounts) when trying to order something new. Eg, Honda told me last month at my six-month check that if I was thinking of ordering new to plan on it taking six months. Last time (car I have now, a Fit) it took four weeks.
Yes exactly, I read an article in the FT last month that the gap between second hand and new car prices is narrowing. I was thinking more about classic cars as an investment which has made excellent returns over the last few years. I have an Aston Martin which (fingers crossed) will only appreciate from now on…
An Aston Martin?!? Do you do that thing, like…
They call me ‘Cant’. ‘Tim Cant’. 😉
lol not exactly… but on environmental side, I’m sure I’ll keep the car another 20 years and I always walk to work. So carbon wise, I’m sure my footprint is less than buying a car every 3-5 years and scrapping it. Plus side I should be able to sell at a profit (minus storage costs of course).
How are they like to own?
Do you do your own maintenance or have someone do it for you?
I’ve always wanted to have one of these and the prices on a DB9 or Rapide look within reach, but I’m afraid of what comes after.
What are they like to own? Well the ones destined for Japan had additional quality inspections and paint jobs before they left the old Gaydon factory. So I’ve had no issues at all in 14 years from new.
Granted I only drive 3,000km a year and use a company in Saitama who is a specialist for maintenance. 25% price of main dealer.
I do some bits myself. Excellent site by an American guy who has youtube channel – see https://aston1936.com/
In the end, want to go from A to B? Take a bus. Want to drive? Buy a classic car like an Aston or suchlike.
Public transport is great in Japan. I’m learning languages and doing a lot of work on the trains. Plus you don’t bring in one more noise and pollution creator to this world (: and healthier for sure !
I found Times CarShare works great for access to a car without the need to own.
Option #3 has been misrepresented somewhat I feel, because there are reams of high-quality used cars in Japan for cheap (<60man all-in). Using sedans as an example, there are plenty of, say, Subaru Legacy B4's, Audi A4's, BMW 3-series, Mazda Atenza's, etc. etc. out there that would fit the bill. To be fair, you didn't define what "nice" or "expensive" means for you so maybe we're in different markets here, but any of those cars would feel like absolute luxury compared to an old Mitsubishi Toppo. The CarSensor site is always eye-opening on how cheap good used cars can be.
Sounds like it might be cheaper than I imagined, but at this point it’s less about money and more about downsizing.
If we wanted/needed a car we’d just buy one.
I am hoping I’ll get used to not having one and not miss it (or the monthly outgoings) 😉
We have been very happy without a car since moving here in 1996 but we live in the middle of Tokyo as opposed to the untamed wilderness of Sendai. We had to get a used car for a home in the US where kids have been in school and that experience made us even more happy about life without a car in Japan.
Untamed wilderness LOL.
My wife has her car, so not a problem.
I guess when I read this: “This happened to me a couple of years ago with a different car. Our main car died and we were thinking about how to/whether we should replace it,” I’m kind of glad that my latest car was ordered and bought new.
I know, that’s not the common wisdom for how to save money on cars. But I think it has saved me the ‘hassle’ described here, and also the same problem a couple of years ago.
It’s a Honda Fit, one of the top versions, so 1.5L and otherwise kind of sporty. Since it was my commuter, I sourced the best sound system I could, and paid the dealer to install it (Carrozzeria, rather than Honda-branded stuff). It still works great, and has always run off an iPod in the glove box.
With that add-on, I think the total was still under ¥2.2M. Last shaken was ~19 months ago, ¥85,000, alway done at the dealer, next will be in March, when it will be 13 years old. So I’ve had that much trouble-free use. I drove more when I was working, less now. It’s just shy of turning 88,000 km, and I think there’s lots of life left in it. (Maybe a big road trip?!?)
In terms of reliability, it’s been near perfect. I have Honda do all the normal checkups. The only issue is that both side mirrors have needed replacing–they fold back when the doors lock, and first one and then a couple years later the other started chattering and not moving. 2wd, but small and light, and I’ve never had a problem in snow.
It always just starts and goes, plenty of zip (I’d get in trouble with more), and when parking it’s only slightly less maneuverable than a kei. Bottom line is that it’s now the best used car I could ever hope to find, but I guess I did buy it new.
Second that on the Honda Fit a great car. And also recommend buy from the Honda dealer for the great service. Bought a 6 year old Honda Fit Hybrid 1.5 L with 17K on the clock for 1 Mi Yen, and it includes a 5 year warranty. Also if you do decide to buy, would avoid Big Motor, the last car I bought from them was leaking oil to so had to change the oil every 3 months. Also their warranty does not cover parts such as ABS module or water pump…. As opposed to Honda warranty which does.
The Fit is great to drive, only concern is it being I hybrid I read the battery is good for 6-10 years so I guess will be getting less efficient from now on,,,
I replaced my 14 year old kei with a nice, used German car that has lasted me 6 years and going. I must warn you though, you will get used to all that niceness. I’ve been looking to replace it with a slightly less nice car, and every time I look at one I’m reminded that my current car is really nice.
I’m at the point where I’m thinking of keeping my nice car for the nice times, and getting a kei for the regular times.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
When we moved to Japan, we did a bunch of second-hand car shopping. Our tribe of four gusting 5 people only needs one vehicle and mostly for family adventures. So, after some searching and being in touch with a friend who knows the market well, we found our baby. Ended up with an 18-year-old Toyota Alphard in great condition. After a new set of tires from Costco, all-in, still less than 400K Yen. Big boost to the quality of life for our family; it is remarkably fuel-efficient, and ideal for family road trips. Fortunately, parking is free where we live and we ride our bikes and take the subway for most of our trips into Tokyo or to the local grocer and park.
Forgoing a vehicle in Japan is not an issue as public transport is excellent and riding bikes and mamachuri is pleasant most of the time. Having an affordable family car feels like freedom and upcycling a well taken care of, fuel-efficient, domestic brand struck us as a good greenish alternative. Shaken wasn’t bad at all and well worth it to drive it for another two years.
Definitely #4. Your calculations about monthly costs of keeping a car are exactly why I keep telling my husband I don’t want to buy a car. We live in Tokyo. We can walk, bicycle, and take trains and buses very easily. Of course, when we travel, we rent a car at our destination.
I know he loves driving, but, just, no. The space we could park a car is now covered with potted plants, and removing them is also a big no (we have no other “green” space, for one thing).
Nice timing. I am also in the process of buying a car. What others have said about supply issues is true. I was hoping to buy a new Subaru but the dealer said that they have almost no stock and the version I wanted would take months and months to get delivered. So, on to Goo Car and found a slightly older version of the car I wanted and placed an order with the used car dealer. Whilst I would have preferred new, I was not willing to wait until next year to take delivery and used cars in Japan are generally really good value so it is probably a win-win.
Hi, Ben.
To prevent corrosion they sell spray for coating the chassishttps://www.amazon.co.jp/KURE-%E5%91%89%E5%B7%A5%E6%A5%AD-%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88-%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E7%94%A8%E9%98%B2%E9%8C%86%E5%A1%97%E8%A3%85%E5%89%A4-1062/dp/B001D2EQBI/ref=asc_df_B001D2EQBI/?tag=jpgo-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=204322924756&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2530442334608086162&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1009522&hvtargid=pla-455511541582&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
Or you can make it yourself mixing used kitchen oil (500ml) with 2 tsp of grease