Japanese vs. American Cars — Which are the Cheapest to Run?
Japanese vs. American cars’ cost-effectiveness is one of the most debatable topics in the industry. As you may expect, there is no hard and simple rule as to which one is cheaper, and it also obviously varies a lot from model to model. You may find components of a specific Japanese car to be more expensive than its American alternative and vice versa. However, things start to get really interesting when considering a longer timespan, shedding light on which cars are more affordable to maintain in the long run. No need to say that one of the most critical factors determining the overall maintenance expense of a car is reliability — and that is in itself another challenging question to answer.
We will get to that part later, but first, it’s important to mention that no matter whether you are planning to buy a Japanese or American car, performing routine maintenance is always your best bet to keep repair costs light on your pocket. And the best way to do just that is to use a car service manual. Indeed, these manuals come loaded with handy troubleshooting information that will help you deal with any problem, irrespective of the brand or country of production.
But I digress… Let’s dive into the article and figure out which one costs less to maintain. Is it your dad’s old Ford or your friend’s Honda? Let’s discuss.
Which is more reliable?
As mentioned before, reliability plays a massive role in long-term maintenance expenses. The less your car breaks down, the less you’ll have to pay for maintenance — straightforward, right? Unsurprisingly, a reliable vehicle will keep you out of trouble and away from the repair shop.
For a start, Japanese brands undoubtedly dominate the automotive industry regarding overall reliability. Giants like Toyota and Honda consistently top the charts as the most reliable brands. It’s not uncommon to hear about their cars easily breaking the 150,000 miles barriers with nothing more than an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles and basic services every 10,000-15,000 miles.
All in all, Japanese cars have significantly fewer unplanned breakdowns compared to their American rivals. In comparison, popular American automakers like Jeep and Chevrolet produce some of the least reliable vehicles in the market, burdening owners with unforeseen repair expenses.
Hence, a more reliable vehicle ensures you’ll have to spend less on repairs, ultimately bringing down your maintenance costs — and Japanese manufacturers are masters when it comes to reliability.
Cost of repair
Ok so, Japanese cars are more reliable, but what about the cost of having them repaired? And that’s where it really gets tricky. Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer to this question.
Replacement parts prices may vary quite a lot from model to model. Moreover, for some, replacement parts may cost more but also last longer, which is usually the case for Japanese brands. But let’s not be too harsh on American manufacturers since they have come a long way since they were producing boxy unreliable hunks of metal that dominated streets in the 80s to rolling out decent models in recent years.
Now, if you want an estimate of the repair costs for any particular model, we suggest looking up forums or company sites to get an estimate since that is beyond the scope of this article. However, although parts costs depend on the model, labor charges remain more or less the same across dealerships or at your nearby mechanic. We are talking $100 per hour in labor expenses, irrespective of whether your vehicle is Japanese or American — not cheap.
Luckily, this is where trusted car service and repair manuals can save the day. You can easily avoid paying hefty repair shop bills by going through the detailed yet easy-to-understand instructions in the manual and doing the repair yourself. All you need to do is buy the parts and replace them at home, effectively saving a lot on labor expenses.
If you aren’t sure where to start, have a look at eManualOnline. They carry repair manuals for any brand or make and they cost less than a single visit to the shop — what’s not to like?
Last Words
So, what can we conclude? Which is cheaper to maintain? Are Japanese cars less financially burdening than American cars? We are sure you have got your answer by now — everybody has their own idea on this one, and people rarely budge.
Still, as a general rule, Japanese vehicles are less economically straining due to their higher reliability. But of course, that doesn’t mean they are impervious to time and won’t require a bit of care every once in a while.
Indeed, it’s never wise to take your vehicle for granted, no matter if it’s an American or Japanese model. Always use a service manual software and make sure to stay on top of its service schedule. After all, no matter the country of origin, the best way to keep repair costs on the lower side is to keep an eye on your car’s needs and fix minor issues before they degenerate into much bigger problems.
