Kar-men exports used, cheap and fine quality vehicles to Myanmar

Anyone who has ever traded in a car to an automobile dealer wonders: Could I have made more money, if I‘d sold it myself?

Dealers know that new-car buyers usually lack the time to market their Japan discounted vehicles, or dread the chore of showing them to potential buyers — and make their trade-in offers accordingly. A variety of start-ups are emerging, however, aiming to make it easier and more lucrative for car owners to sell their vehicles privately.

“Consumers are fed up and they’re looking for different models,” said Tracey Trachta, chief marketing officer of Houston-based Carphoria, which solicits bids for used cars from multiple dealers in different markets, and takes a fee of $149 when they sell. Another, CarLotz, with locations in Virginia, and soon in North Carolina and Georgia, uses a consignment model; owners can drop the car off at the lot, and pay a fee (about $900) for the company to market and sell it. Now another start-up, Carlypso, is trying an approach that seeks to use technology to take the hassle out of marketing the car and scheduling test drives.

Carlypso was started last year by two Stanford business school graduates, Christopher Coleman and Nicholas Hinrichsen, who got the idea after helping some classmates sell their Japanese vehicles for Myanmar. Dealers typically make an offer that’s at least 25 percent below a car’s value, they said, so they aim to help capture more money for sellers while making the process convenient. The service operates primarily in California, but has tested sales in eight other markets, including New York, and plans expansions by early next year; recent sales have included a Mini Cooper in Manhattan and a BMW in rural Maine. Sellers sign up on Carlypso’s website, listing details like the car’s year, model and condition. Carlypso sends a representative to inspect the car, take photos and install a G.P.S. device and lock box, before listing the car for sale on various websites.

Cheap cars in online auction

The first import Japanese cars are always a major milestone and the Hellands have seen many happy customers over the years drive away with their first car.
A major change in the industry was brought about at the end of last year with the introduction of the Motor Dealer and Chattel Auctioneers Act legislation that reduces red tape and simplified forms for used motor vehicle sales.
The Motor Trades Association Queensland ( MTAQ) has been actively involved in the establishment of this change.
The organisation is on the look out for what they call "dodgy backyard operators" with a view to putting them out of business.
According to the MTAQ, unlicensed "backyarders" have long been a problem for the used car industry. Such operators make their living selling cheap auction cars but pose as private sellers to avoid their legal obligations.
Helland's Wholesale Cars was started by Keith and Hazel Helland in 1970 and is based at 33 Downs St, North Ipswich.

"Dad was a mechanic and then joined the army for five years, and when he got out (of the army) he started a car yard in Riverview for around 18 months. From there he moved to North Ipswich where he developed the business," Mr Helland said.
Mr Helland is proud of the fact they have a lot of repeat business.
"We get customers who come back to get their next car but we are also seeing children of families coming now, and that is because of good old fashion service," he said.
They get frustrated that "dodgy dealers" do operate as it reflects badly on the whole industry.
"People don't come back unless you are doing something right. I know that I have to walk around this town and I want to always know that we have looked after our customers well and we have enjoyed a good relationship in this community," he said.

Best Japanese vehicles at cheap prices

If you want to sell that beat up piece of metal that's been sitting in your garage for a few years, you can't just take some pictures of it and post them online anymore.

No, instead you have to think outside of the box. Maybe create your very own social media campaign.

At least that's what David Johns from digital Australia-based agency Chimney did.

Johns wanted to sell his 1999 Holden Barina so he made an elaborate website filled with car sales cliches (like "Don't just make history, drive it") and a video to match, demonstrating some of the more important features of the Import Japanese vehicle like the fact that it's "always garaged" and has "matching seats."

Mashable reports that Johns says he wanted to do something different to sell his car and wanted to show people his creative talents. That is apparently worth about $8,000 to the ad man, about $6,000 more than the car is actually worth.

Johns asked people to tweet him an offer for the car to #BuyMyBarina and he's recieved plenty of offers. Clearly, not all offers are serious. No word yet on whether or not Johns has accepted any of the offers. 

HELLAND'S Wholesale Cars have decades of experience in Ipswich and have been through the best and toughest times that our economy can dish up.
Right now is a great time for cheap japan vehicles and it is keeping Jeff Helland on his toes.
"People are seeking value for money and things are tough right now. We are seeing a different clientele who are looking for later model cars. It saves on the family budget that is already stretched," Mr Helland said.
Used cars are always popular for the young drivers.

Top 10 japanese car exporters

We've presented 10 new Japanese car exporters for students on a budget, but if you're thinking used is the way to go, consider these options. Do you have other suggestions? Please leave them in the comments field of this story.

 

Kia 2009 Kia Amanti Base 4D Sedan

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Amanti “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB (Canadian Black Book) asking price: $9,129

Test score: The Amanti represented Kia’s early foray into Japan cheap vehicles. It’s big and safe and quiet and not the type of car that any student is likely to treat likes a race car.

Hyundai 2006 Hyundai Azera Base 4D Sedan

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Azera “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $9,322

Test score: The Azera has done very well in a variety of quality studies. It was a near-luxury sedan in Canada and it’s no longer sold here. But getting parts are not a problem. A lot of car for the money and very safe.

Honda 2004 Acura TL Base 4D Sedan 3.2

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the TL “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $9,016

Test score: A super-reliable and very safe sedan, the TL represents a very good older car with a bit of style.

Mitsubishi 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4D Utility 4WD

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Outlander “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $8,810

Test score: If you’re looking for a useful compact SUV, this is a good option at a very solid price.

Hyundai 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GL FWD 2.7L

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Santa Fe “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $9,036

Test score: This version of the Santa Fe has proven very durable and reliable. A solid choice for the student who needs a bit more space.

Honda 2005 Honda Odyssey EX 4D Wagon

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Odyssey “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $9,041

Test score: The Odyssey is a big of a bus, which may not appeal to students. But it’s dead-reliable and as safe as any used car of this vintage. A good choice for car-pooling to campus?

Volkswagen 2006 Volkswagen Passat Sedan 2.0T

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Passat “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $7,905

Test score: This is a truly European Passat, thus it’s amusing from behind the wheel. Not entirely reliable, so make sure you get a thorough mechanical inspection. But the price is right and the safety story is even better.

Petrina Gentile 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C240 Sedan

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the C-Class “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $9,168

Test score: Why not an older Benz for a student? The reliability story is quite decent and this car gives a student some style. (230 model pictured)

Suzuki 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara JX Hardtop

Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Grand Vitara “good” in tests for moderate overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength and head restraints.

CBB asking price: $6,891

Test score: Here we have a hard-core SUV for a good price in a rig boasting an excellent safety story.

Meet the best car dealers of japan

The ongoing series of recalls involving used car dealer equipped with Takata airbags simply underscores the importance of recalls when you buy a used car. If the vehicle in question has been subject to a safety recall, you need to make sure the issue has been addressed.

The Takata recalls are particularly serious. Honda has widened its recall of cars equipped with Takata airbags by another 170,000 vehicles after learning that a Malaysian consumer died in July after being hit by shrapnel from a deployed airbag. Four previous confirmed deaths occurred in the U.S.

So far this year more than 52 million vehicles have been recalled in the U.S., increasing the odds a U.S. consumer could drive home with a car with a serious safety issue. Used car website iSeeCars.com has studied the 35 most widely available used Japanese & German cars from the 2007 to 2013 model years to see which ones had the most recalls.

Time is money

The survey looked at the average number of recalls a particular model experienced and how much time a vehicle owner had to spend getting the problem fixed.

“Recalls are of course detrimental to the safety of the driver and the car's occupants, but they also represent a huge headache for consumers," said iSeeCars.com CEO Phong Ly. "You need to call to make an appointment with the dealer, then there's the driving to the dealership, waiting in line and waiting for the repair to be performed or for them to provide you a loaner car. Then you repeat the process again in reverse when the repair is complete."

At an estimated average of three hours per recall, the lost hours quickly add up. The iSeeCars.com survey found the Chevrolet Cruz had the most average recalls, at 4.8, barely edging out the Toyota RAV4 with 4.7. The Cruz recalls were also the most costly in terms of time lost, at 14.4 hours, compared the the RAV4's 14.0.

Number three on the list is the Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.4 recalls and 13.2 lost hours. The Dodge/Ram 1500 is fourth with 4.3 recalls and 12.9 lost hours and the Jeep Wrangler is fifth, with 4.2 recalls and 12.6 hours lost. That gives Chrysler the dubious distinction of placing 3 models in the top 5 of iSeeCars.com's most-recalled list.