After more than 51 years in the used-car business, you start to notice a few things.
One of ours?
We really like Japanese vehicles.
That doesn't mean every Japanese vehicle is great, or that we won't recommend vehicles made elsewhere. There are good and bad vehicles from just about every manufacturer.
But when we're buying used vehicles for our lot, brands like Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Acura and Mazda tend to get our attention. There's a reason for that.
Actually, there are several.
1. They Have a Reputation for Lasting a Long Time
When you're buying a used vehicle, reliability matters.
A vehicle with 80,000 miles isn't very useful if it's about to become best friends with your mechanic. And when we buy vehicles for CRC, we're thinking about what happens after they leave our lot, not just whether we can sell them.
Many Japanese manufacturers have built strong reputations for producing vehicles that can stay on the road for a long time when they're properly maintained.
That matters to us because we don't want to see our customers again next week with a major repair.
We'd much rather see you a few years from now when you're ready for your next vehicle.
2. They Tend to Hold Their Value Well
This is a big one.
Some vehicles depreciate faster than others. Many popular Japanese vehicles tend to hold their value well, which can benefit you twice.
First, you're buying something that may retain more of its value while you own it.
Then, when you're ready to sell or trade it later, that remaining value may put you in a better position for your next vehicle.
That's one reason year, make and model matter when we're evaluating a trade-in.
[LINK TO: 5 Factors That Influence Your Car's Trade-In Value]
3. Parts and Repairs Are Usually Familiar Territory
A reliable vehicle will still eventually need maintenance and repairs. Every vehicle does.
Popular Japanese brands have been on American roads for decades, so mechanics are generally familiar with them and parts are widely available for many models.
That's especially important with a used vehicle. A car isn't inexpensive to own just because you got a good deal when you bought it. What it costs to keep it running matters, too.
4. They Often Make Great Used Cars
We don't sell brand-new vehicles. We sell used ones.
That changes what matters.
We're interested in how a vehicle holds up after the first owner has put thousands of miles on it. How does the engine hold up? The transmission? The interior? Can it handle another several years of everyday driving?
That's where many Japanese vehicles have earned our respect.
We've seen enough vehicles come through CRC over the years to know that a car doesn't stop being useful just because the odometer has some miles on it.
5. There's Usually Strong Demand for Them
Toyota and Honda didn't become household names by accident.
Many buyers specifically look for Japanese vehicles when they're shopping used, and that demand can help those vehicles retain value.
It matters to us, too. We want vehicles on our lot that people actually want to buy.
And when you're ready to trade yours later, we'd much rather be looking at a vehicle with strong demand than one nobody is particularly excited to own.
But the Name on the Hood Isn't Everything
This part is important.
We would rather have a well-maintained vehicle from another manufacturer than a neglected Japanese vehicle.
Maintenance, mileage, condition and the individual model all matter. Even manufacturers with excellent reputations have made vehicles, engines or transmissions that we wouldn't be nearly as excited about.
And there's another reality of buying any used vehicle: we can't always know exactly how it was treated before it got to us. We inspect our vehicles and do our best to buy quality vehicles, but we're still dealing with used cars. Sometimes there's simply no way to know how well every previous owner maintained one or how long any particular vehicle will last.
That's one reason every vehicle we sell comes with a FREE 30-day/1,000-mile warranty. We want you to have some protection after you drive off the lot, too.
So don't buy a vehicle simply because it says Toyota or Honda on the back.
Buy the right vehicle.
That's where our experience comes in.
We Buy What We'd Feel Good About Selling
At Chuck Ryan Cars, we're not trying to fill the lot with one particular brand. We're trying to find good used vehicles that make sense for our customers.
After more than five decades of buying, selling, driving and repairing used vehicles, Japanese vehicles have earned a pretty strong track record with us.
That's why you'll often see Toyotas, Hondas and other Japanese makes on our lot.
But whatever you're looking for, we'll help you find a vehicle that makes sense for your budget, your needs and your life. (Link)
And if we don't have what you're looking for, ask us. We can probably help you find it.
That's part of keeping things Quick and Easy.
