The sound of reason

Lovert Mafukure

MISTAKES are common, some are intentional and some are unconscious. Some can be easily reversed while some are costly and irreversible. In motoring, the biggest mistake one can make is buying the wrong car! A lot of people have been asking me the same question.

They all want to know the best car they could buy or import from Japan. There’s no one-size-fit-all kind of answer for this question, which is why there’s a profusion of different types of cars meant to serve different purposes. When choosing a car one’s needs and wants, durability, practicality and cost of running the car all come into play . . . but sometimes we just buy because it’s what’s within our reach.

We have grown to love the Japanese cars. They bring a new sense of motoring that we hadn’t known and a new level of luxury we can all learn to appreciate. The most appealing aspect of cars coming out of Japan is cost. They are relatively cheap to buy.

However, buying cheap does not always mean that they are also cheap to maintain. Most of these cars are different from the ones that come to Africa via the correct channels and not as grey imports. The reason that is, is that cars are made different for different parts of the world for a whole lot of reasons. Some include different motoring regulations, different climate and terrain or simply different market requirements.

Japanese sites have thousands of used cars to choose from, it’s good to remember that these are cars meant for a different market and are different in every sense and as such you may find it difficult to get spares for such cars. However, there are cars that are manufactured in Japan under a certain name then elsewhere under a different name but essentially the same car.

Most of these cars look the same but usually not exactly the same. Some parts are interchangeable and others are not. In a sense you can buy a car from Japan called a Honda Edix because you know in South Africa the same car is manufactured under the name Honda FRV. You can also buy a Honda Civic from Japan knowing that the same car in South Africa is manufactured under the name Honda Ballade. Some parts can be interchangeable and some are not. They look similar but they also have slight differences. Getting a car of that nature is one way of making your car last longer with a better supply chain of parts that is closer than Japan. Usually differences on these cars are on lights and fenders and the exterior outlook.

There are plenty other Toyotas, Mazdas, Nissans etc with South African or local variants. That makes it easier for one to get spares for them. But if it so happens that one fancies themselves an iconic car from Japan that’s not so popular in Africa, one of the days they might have to pack bags and fly to Japan in search of an air filter.

Some cars however, not so popular in Africa have found some space to dominate here in Zimbabwe. When you go about your business searching for a new squeeze, look around town, pick a car, and check how many you will find on the road. The more they are the easier it will be to get spares. Its logic right? It’s the laws of demand and supply that will make anything readily available. No demand, no supply.

Running costs will eventually determine whether you bought the correct or wrong car. I could think of all the strategies on vehicle selection and if I didn’t mention fuel consumption I would have failed. There are cars from Japan that make big men stare at the fuel gauge instead of the road they driving on. These are cars that are so thirsty they need you to have an oil rig somewhere in your backyard. Cars are meant to be enjoyed and improve mobility. They do not serve their purpose if all you are going to do is park them because of fuel. With some of these cars you will get instant BP and die prematurely, be warned.

Big cars generally have big engines and the opposite is true for smaller cars. There are some cars that are now well known to eat into your monthly fuel allowance in a week’s time or less. It’s no joke, with every momentary glance at the fuel gauge you are probably aging by a percentage due to high stress levels so buy wisely.

Any car that does less that 12km to a litre, I would consider it thirsty. The engine capacity of a car which is measured in cubic centimeters (cc) will tell you approximately how much your car will consume in normal driving conditions. 1 500cc is a good size engine. You will not get explosive power and you will not dry the oil rigs. It’s enough to do the normal motoring errands.

Some trucks from Japan even come with 1 500cc engines; you would be surprised at the amount of torque they can deliver.

Small engines like the 1 000cc engines usually struggle to generate a lot of power and if you are a petrol-head by nature you may damage these in no time as driving them involves a lot of redline rev counts just to generate some good usable power.

Oftentimes they are good for town errands and not long distance driving. One small car of note that has had a tarnished image is the Honda fit. Honda generally makes strong engines and with the Fit-red-dot you get a good combination of fuel economy and power. It should be one of the fastest cars in its segment. It’s a 1 300cc engine with 8 spark plugs and 8 ignition coils.

Honda says it’s for better fuel economy and more power and they are right . . . sometimes power comes in small packages. On the other hand do not be fooled by the engine capacity of a rotary engine. Mazdas RX series come with a 1 300cc motor. When you see it for the first time, you will buy it not because it looks nice . . . it does look nice but you will buy it because it’s got a 1300cc motor, you won’t even think twice. BUT, it’s a 1 300cc rotary engine. In simple terms that means it drinks more petrol than a whale drinks water. The fuel consumption is so disappointing hovering around 16MPG . . . that is insane! A Toyota Vitz can give you 20kms to a litre but then again it’s all about taste right? You may not have the sound of a sports car or the performance but you won’t have to swear every time you look at your fuel gauge.

Practicality is fundamental when making your choice. Essentially, a buyer would need to buy a car that suits their needs, having looked at those few factors, it’s good to know in which segment you will likely fall under. You do not want to buy a vitz if you drive to Harare everyday and you do not want to buy a fit if you have 8 family members. If you have a big family you need a mini-van. Perhaps not a Nissan Elgrand, it’s 3 300cubic centimeters of madness, you are not an Arab prince or princess. If you are young and getting your life together perhaps a small hatch back. Finally, if you are a handyman you need a truck. It’s all about being practical and putting your needs before everything else because all cars serve different purposes.

That said, one will do justice to an automobile if they use it for its intended purpose. Think of how you want your car to serve you. Think of your needs and wants. Think of your family, friendship circles, what you may need to carry and how often you would want to be pumping money into your fuel tank and parts. When you give the above some thought and get to conclusion . . . that right there is the sound of reason, the incentive to buy the correct car that will serve you to the best of its abilities and as the master – you will enjoy the course of your relationship with your car. Till Next Time, Happy Festive.

Lovert Mafukure is a Japanese Imports consultant. For comments or questions regarding all Japanese imports and all Japanese motoring concerns. You can contact him on WhatsApp/SMS +263772339938 or email [email protected]