Best Six Japanese Vehicles With Low Maintenance Costs
While purchasing a secondhand automobile may be exhilarating, it’s essential to bear in mind the “real cost” of the vehicle. The real cost of owning a car includes not just the vehicle itself but also any loan payments you have to make, annual registration fees, insurance premiums, gasoline, and maintenance and repairs, as well as any other expenses you may have. This article will concentrate on six used Japanese cars with minimal maintenance and repair expenses.
We compiled our ranking based on the frequency of maintenance, the average cost of suggested servicing, and the frequency of the repairs. As a result, let’s look at each of these cars and a few of the characteristics that each has to offer.
1. Mitsubishi Pajero Mini
The Mitsubishi Pajero Mini may seem like an unexpected inclusion on this list, but let’s look at some facts. Despite its small size, the Pajero Mini comes with a durable engine and robust transmissions to withstand any driving conditions. In addition to having minimal maintenance and repair expenses, it is classified as a kei vehicle, which means it is subject to reduced taxes in the Japanese domestic market.
Engine options include either normally aspirated or turbocharged versions of the 659 cc petrol I4, found under the hood. A four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission are also options for the transmission. Both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles are available to buyers.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Mini’s interior amenities are limited. However, buyers may upgrade them by including a CD audio system with improved speakers and a touchscreen navigation system. The restricted interior improvements reflect fewer electrical repairs, which results in even greater savings over a Pajero Mini’s useful life cycle.
2. Mazda Demio
The Mazda Demio is a supermini sold as the Mazda2 in certain countries. The Demio has received many awards for its fuel economy, cheap purchase price, and low maintenance cost throughout its life. The engine and transmission options have changed throughout the years, but here we are talking about the third generation. We are concentrating on them because they are the most easily accessible for export.
Buyers have a choice of two gasoline engines and two diesel engines under the hood. There are two petrol engines available: a 1,348cc I4 producing 90 bhp and a 1,498 cc I4 producing 110 horsepower. The diesel engine is a 1,399 cc I4 producing 67 horsepower and a 1,560 cc I4 producing 89 bhp. There are three transmission options: a CVT, a five-speed manual, or a four-speed automatic. The Mazda Demio achieves 16.2 kilometers per liter when fitted with the 1,498 cc petrol engine and CVT.
3. Nissan Tida
Let’s discuss the first generation of Nissan Tiida from 2004–2012. Under the hood of this version are three petrol engines and a diesel. There are three petrol engines available.
- a 1,490 cc I4 engine,
- a 1,596 cc I4 engine, and
- a 1,798 cc I4 engine.
The diesel engine is a 1496-horsepower turbocharged I4. After the 2010 model year, the diesel engine was phased out of the lineup. Four-speed automatic, six-speed manual or CVT transmissions comes with the gearbox selection.
Along with its low purchase cost, the Nissan Tiida has earned great safety ratings in every country it is marketed. Furthermore, the Tiida is so robust that many nations use it as a police vehicle. The mix of safety and longevity results in an exceptional offering for a small family on the go, propelling it to the top of our list of low-maintenance vehicles.
4. Toyota Vanguard
The Toyota Vanguard has a 2,660-millimeter wheelbase, which is 100 millimeters wider than the Toyota RAV4. Additionally, the Vanguard has a larger wheelbase than Toyota RAV4 vehicles and a somewhat distinct front appearance with a unique grille, bonnet, bumper, and headlights. Under the hood, the engine and transmission choices are identical. The six petrol engines vary from 1,998 cc with 145 bhp and 190 N-m of torque to 3,456 cc with 268 bhp and 336 N-m of torque.
Two diesel engines available are a 2,231 cc turbo I4 producing 108 bhp and 310 N-m of torque, or a redesigned version of the same 2,231 cc engine producing 147 bhp and 400 N-m of torque. The Toyota Vanguard comes standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission, although 5- and 6-speed automatic transmissions, as well as a CVT transmission, are available. Five- and six-speed manual transmissions are available.
Additionally, the Vanguard is produced in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. As customers would expect from a Toyota Motors luxury vehicle, the Toyota Vanguard is equipped with high-tech features such as keyless entry, steering-assisted stability control, and satellite navigation.
5. Nissan Versa
With a launch price of $12,825 for the Versa, it is not just the least cost Japanese vehicle on the market; it is also the least price new car available. However, the Versa offers more than just a bargain price. It has a spacious cabin with more rear seat and trunk capacity than so many midsize sedans. Under the hood is a 1.6-liter engine with a manual or CVT automatic gearbox that provides quick acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency. You can equip your Versa with features like GPS and keyless ignition while still paying less you’ll for a standard small car.
6. Mitsubishi Mirage
Japanese manufacturers established their reputations on compact, simple vehicles. The Mirage, which starts at $13,830, maintains that heritage with its compact design. Here’s a vehicle that takes the concept of low-cost transportation seriously. In spite of its diminutive size and slow acceleration, the Mirage gets an impressive 40 miles per gallon in everyday driving. In addition, the Mirage comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. This implies that most owners will only have to worry about financial preparation for planned service and fuel until the car is paid off.
Mitsubishi has even engineered the front end to be easy to repair in order to maintain insurance costs as low as possible. Furthermore, there are some nice surprises inside the frugal Mitsubishi, such as basic automatic temperature control as well as power accessories, among other things. The Mirage might not even be one of the most pleasant vehicles to drive, but it is unquestionably one of the most affordable.
Conclusion
There is a high need for dependable, affordable, and efficient automobiles in emerging and established nations. Nevertheless, the desire for affordable used cars is particularly strong among middle and lower-income groups globally. Japanese used cars are important in meeting this demand due to their technological advancements, fuel efficiency, and minimal maintenance requirements. With the advent of E-commerce, Japanese merchants have gained access to customers from all over the world. Many used car exporters showcase their inventory online and may be readily accessible. Ordering the car from a local dealer in Japan is now as simple as clicking a button. This has enabled consumers to acquire cars at rock-bottom rates since there are many vehicles to choose from.