Japan and continental car almost same price now, but ...

[Plusnplus]

Hi all

 

japan and continental car almost same (or some of them cheaper continental) price now, but why ppl still buy japan car?

 

example:

honda civic 1.6 vs renault megane 1.6.

the price cheaper megane(correct me if i'm wrong)

interior : megane sure win

engine : maybe honda win ?

 

stream/ wish vs opel zafira/ citroen grand c4.

the price -+ same !!! (the most only diff 1-2k more expensive continental car)

interior + space: sure continental win

engine : maybe japan car win ?

 

Any idea what other reason ppl still buy japan car ?

 

thanks for any reply.

 

 

 

[Ferraricalifornia]

i'll buy continental...because i prefer the stability and the better handling it gives drivers and passengers...

 

but in this case, the megane is cheaper only because Renault is clearing stock and the Megane is such an old model now...

 

as for Opel, the transmission is just not smooth enough...and reliability is a concern...space wise, both C4 Grand picasso, stream, wish, Zafira...all the same-small!!

[Tireburner]

It's a matter of perception and reputation.

Jap cars are perceived to be reliable, cheaper to maintain and spares parts are easily available and won't cost you an arm and a leg.

While conti are perceived to be unreliable, especially the electronics, not suitable to our hot and humid climate, expensive to maintain and parts.

 

What would you buy given the small disparity?

[Sporadic]

Ah! Perception vs reality....

Gimme the conti anytime.

[Furrynadz]

Hi all

 

japan and continental car almost same (or some of them cheaper continental) price now, but why ppl still buy japan car?

 

example:

honda civic 1.6 vs renault megane 1.6.

the price cheaper megane(correct me if i'm wrong)

interior : megane sure win

engine : maybe honda win ?

 

stream/ wish vs opel zafira/ citroen grand c4.

the price -+ same !!! (the most only diff 1-2k more expensive continental car)

interior + space: sure continental win

engine : maybe japan car win ?

 

Any idea what other reason ppl still buy japan car ?

 

thanks for any reply.

 

 

look at the awards won by the conti and their engines alone, that will be the deciding factor

the zafira and picasso have more than 20 awards between them, with the picasso already having a 3year in a row winning engine and multiple mpv of year awards

[Shull]

It's a matter of perception and reputation.

Jap cars are perceived to be reliable, cheaper to maintain and spares parts are easily available and won't cost you an arm and a leg.

While conti are perceived to be unreliable, especially the electronics, not suitable to our hot and humid climate, expensive to maintain and parts.

 

What would you buy given the small disparity?

 

actually what you said is true to some extent..

 

this is a real experience by a close friend of mine..he is previously driving a Civic ES for close to 7yrs before he traded in for a WV Jetta..

Over the 7yrs or so, the Civic gave no problem whatsoever..none at all..

But the conti is totally different story. 1) 3 weeks, engine mounting vibrating badly, bring to AD, found out that it's cracked..so change under warranty 2) 3 mths, gearbox up lorry..AD also change for him FOC

Imagine the time wasted by going down to AD and troubleshoot..and the downtime when the car is stuck in workshop..And he swore not to touch another conti..

 

Then there is the problem of parts availability. Spare parts for Jap cars are readily available, both in Singapore and over the causeway in Malaysia, simply because of the high number of such cars here. Then, some conti makes hold solely to themselves the parts distributor rights(and charge an arm and a leg for those parts), therefore, one must really look high and low for spare parts if one do not want to pay the sole distributor their asking price. Also, most Jap cars do not need specialised equipment to service. Drive an Altis into any workshop and most will be able to do even the most major servicing. Do that with a BMW/Merc and the on board computer will ask you to go fly kite..

 

Lastly, the resale price for conti rides are always lower when compared to their jap counterparts. This is really down to the above 2 factors and perception. I don't forsee the status quo to change until conti makes prove themselves to be able to compete at what Jap cars are really good at, reliability and parts availability

Edited August 28, 2009 by Shull

[Quirky_ster]

Civic vs Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI ...

 

NA vs TC

 

interior, engine, gearbox...

 

same price bracket..

 

which would I choose?

 

Value for money... Skoda..

 

Resale Value ... Civic..

 

 

[Furrynadz]

the problem with skoda is the agent and perception of it so far

[Sir8]

Jap cars are still not as protective compared to Conti cars.

In the event of a collision, 1% more protection can be a difference between here, and the other side.

 

Is parts durability and higher resale ... of any value?

[Shull]

Jap cars are still not as protective compared to Conti cars.

In the event of a collision, 1% more protection can be a difference between here, and the other side.

 

Is parts durability and higher resale ... of any value?

 

well..try telling that the the hundreds and thousands of Japanese car owners in Singapore..while what you say is true to some extent..the perception will still stay..

[Yeshe]

the problem with skoda is the agent and perception of it so far

 

AD cannot wake up their idea

 

if i can go take up the agency to distribute, confirm top seller

[Jetabout777]

It's a matter of perception and reputation.

Jap cars are perceived to be reliable, cheaper to maintain and spares parts are easily available and won't cost you an arm and a leg.

While conti are perceived to be unreliable, especially the electronics, not suitable to our hot and humid climate, expensive to maintain and parts.

 

What would you buy given the small disparity?

 

It takes a well-informed consumer to understand and make the well-informed decision. Relying on perception and hearsay alone is solely for the lazy and gullible man.

[Ferraricalifornia]

if conti are really cheaper and are more practical, i'll definitely go for them...jap cars are not really that reliable now you know?

 

most cars now are build to disintegrate after 3yrs, so you can go back to the workshop and they will earn from you there...that's part of sales strategy...same as electronics too...once it spoils, throw away, buy a new one!

 

i have considered the Ford Focus...it handles well and drives well, almost like a BMW, but the lack of power and interior space puts me down...it didn't meet my needs...but it's selling at $69,999 some 5k more than the Altis...

 

i think the reason why people get jap cars because they offer a wider range of products for consumers to choose...from there, they take their pick...

[Plusnplus]

say the price, -+ $200-300 different.

take loan 50% for 5 year, intend to sell in 4-5 years.

 

better japan with higher resale value

 

or better continental with best value now

[Intervuurt]

if now prices for both are about the same, buy conti car just cuz it's less common than jap (more novelty and exclusive but make sure buy reliable conti brand and model, not conti for the sake of conti).

 

another reason to buy conti now is that in long term, more "jap" car will be built in SEA so conti prices likely to become higher than "jap" cars already!

[Rickster]

i'll buy continental...because i prefer the stability and the better handling it gives drivers and passengers...

 

but in this case, the megane is cheaper only because Renault is clearing stock and the Megane is such an old model now...

 

as for Opel, the transmission is just not smooth enough...and reliability is a concern...space wise, both C4 Grand picasso, stream, wish, Zafira...all the same-small!!

 

I 2nd that.

 

The Megane that is sold in singapore not the same megane that is sold in europe now.

 

The megane sold here is a 2003 model (desperately trying to clear stock).

[Ferraricalifornia]

precisely...you can't compare something old with something new...

 

for now though...seems like every 1.6L sedan will be compared with the Kia Forte somehow...you seem to be paying a lot less (some 15-20k lesser than the Altis), but are getting so much more features and the drive is better...

 

it somehow seems that in the Kia Forte, you can have your cake and eat it@the same time??!!

[Sglanevo]

When ask my inlaw abt getting golf or jetta, told me best to get japan cars. Cheaper to maintain and parts are not as expensive. Cos of current Cat A at 43k, i am looking at cheaper korean K3/elantra, cost 15k or more Qashqai/vezel/shuttle then finally conti like jetta/golf. Miss out axio 2015 anf subaru xv. Too many choices also headache.