Someone on here recently asked me why other used car markets cannot match Japanese used car market - car conditions, and it& #39;s very simple really. This is a 2002 Impreza STI
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฎ" title="Face with open mouth" aria-label="Emoji: Face with open mouth">, grade 4.5 (the highest for a used car with high mileage, 5, 6, 7,8,9&S are new cars)
Being a big dollar industry, the government has put strict measures to ensure cars on the roads remain in top condition, particularly a test known as "Shaken". Roads are also in good conditions so rock chips are not common, that and short driving distances (itโs an island)
More importantly the culture of retaining cars in top condition prevails, owners who plan to resell through auctions have to maintain their cars or risk low grades. And the grades are very strict...dent, scratch, mods etc, they all count
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ง" title="Face with monocle" aria-label="Emoji: Face with monocle">
Back to auction grades: 0 and below are accident cars so leave those out. A grade 1 is like a BRZ with a turbo...or change of gearbox from auto to manual. Condition improves upwards from grades 2-3-4 etc. This R34 is a 4.0, not even a 4.5 but look at it
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฅ" title="Fire" aria-label="Emoji: Fire">
Raven was a 4.5, meaning no engine mods, 2 scratches recorded, interior in perfect condition etc
Suffered a few scratches now due to stone chips... PPF a must if you don& #39;t want it happening, that or sweep every road you plan to use
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Smiling face with open mouth and tightly-closed eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with open mouth and tightly-closed eyes">
Suffered a few scratches now due to stone chips... PPF a must if you don& #39;t want it happening, that or sweep every road you plan to use
To conclude, your local used car market is highly ungoverned esp among private sellers: repaints, undocumented repairs, misinformation and some won& #39;t even bother to give the car a wash before advertising it. This R32 is rated poor grade in Japan...but a high grade out there.