Why are jap cars so reliable

[obi_waynne]

Why do you think Japanese cars are so reliable?

Are they reliable or do they just have a reputation for reliability?

Perhaps it is down to the work ethic in Japan or is it the research and development invested?

 

[HDi fun]

It's down to the fact that they're extremely good at quality control at every stage. Probably down to, as you say, the work ethic.

They also carry out extremely severe testing procedures to ensure long term reliability.

 

[turbonutter69]

Yeah think you've both got it there.
I know Nissan do extensive testing on their engines.

 

[marti5]

Because they are brilliant at electronics, 99% of car breakdowns are down to electrical failure and they have got that edge on every other car manufacturer.

 

[HDi fun]

Because they are brilliant at electronics, 99% of car breakdowns are down to electrical failure and they have got that edge on every other car manufacturer.

They're pretty good at basics as well, such as making bullet proof high revving engines and car interiors that are totally and impenetrably watertight, for example.

Discussing the SR20DE engines Nissan apparently used to freeze 'em down to -40 celcius and then start, from cold, and run immediately at full revs (over 7000rpm) , under full load on a dyno for 24 hours. Take it apart, and see what, if anything failed. Any failed bits were re-designed and re-tested as part of the development phases.

They also used to create partial vacuum inside a car and then spray high pressure water jets directly at vulnerable seals around the doors etc. to see if any of them leaked.

 

[RobBentley]

Maybe its because there is naff all in most of them?

 

[HDi fun]

Maybe its because there is naff all in most of them?

A bit harsh, maybe?

Japanese cars are generally quite well equipped within the price point at which they compete.

Same could be said of current Korean cars.

Whether they are actually better cars is far more subjective and I would have to say that I don't have a definitive opinion.

For every reason I can find to buy a Japanese car (even a UK built one!) I can find a reason to buy a European car.

Your pair of Passats, for example - there's nothing in the Japanese stable that would compare to either. I'm not saying that Japanese cars are inferior, just that the makers don't seem to offer a competitive model.

Your R36 could well be set against a Lexus GS430, but, on a price basis the VW would have to win - before we even considered the VW's arguably better drive.

 

[RobBentley]

A bit harsh, maybe?

I only tease...

... mainly because my mate is a jap-fanatic.

 

[HDi fun]

I only tease...

... mainly because my mate is a jap-fanatic.

That's fair enough - nothing like playing Devil's advocate : -)

 

[RobBentley]

That's fair enough - nothing like playing Devil's advocate : -)

or beating his RX-8 'Sports Car' consistently down the 1/4 mile in a Passat

 

[RobBentley]

I say that though... but that is in fact is a good example of a not-so-reliable jap car.

The RX-8 rotary engine is known for its flooding problems, and even after Mazda's recall to fix the problem - it still seems to occur.

 

[HDi fun]

I say that though... but that is in fact is a good example of a not-so-reliable jap car.

The RX-8 rotary engine is known for its flooding problems, and even after Mazda's recall to fix the problem - it still seems to occur.

The RX-8 is a strange one, isn't it? Four doors (sort of) and four seats (not my idea of comfort though). Fast, yes, without a doubt, but clearly not quite enough.

The w4nkel engines have evolved over the years and are better now than they were in the early 1970's. But, if so good, why has no-one else adopted them.

NSU had a play in the very early 1970's with them, but, that's about it.

 

[RobBentley]

RX-8 is fast, ish, if your willing to rag the nuts off it - there is a complete lack of torque anywhere in the "usually used" rev range.

 

[HDi fun]

RX-8 is fast, ish, if your willing to rag the nuts off it - there is a complete lack of torque anywhere in the "usually used" rev range.

There will be, rotary engines rev to about 13,000 rpm. It's all relative to gearing.

The RX-8 is a bit of a hair-dressers car in my opinion. Not quite all show and no go but it's a triumph of style over substance.

 

[RobBentley]

RX8 revs to 7500rpm (192BHP version) or 9000rpm (231BHP version). The 231 has less torque than the 192 as well... so doesn't feel much quicker to drive unless your ragging it above the redline of the 192.

 

[HDi fun]

RX-8 is fast, ish, if your willing to rag the nuts off it - there is a complete lack of torque anywhere in the "usually used" rev range.

There will be, rotary engines rev to about 13,000 rpm. It's all relative to gearing.

The RX-8 is a bit of a hair-dressers car in my opinion. Not quite all show and no go but it's a triumph of style over substance.

 

[Prince]

I think the build quality of Jap cars is immense and the engines will go on forever! My household contains a VW Van, A Ford Fiesta, a Ford Focus and a Ford Escort. I'd bet that my Civic out lives them all considering only the Escort is older!

From my experience though, Jap cars are let down by the grey interior. If I wanted a luxury car, I probably wouldn't buy a Jap car, and that's coming from somebody that loves Jap cars!

 

[HDi fun]

Nissan's first production car was an Austin 7 copy. It appears they took an elegant and worthy design then proceeded to design out the flaws, re-engineering the weak bits to make a brilliant piece of reliable and repeatable production engineering.

There's much to be said in favour of this approach. OK, it might well make for a bland, grey, vanilla flavoured car. But if the anti-thesis is a characterful car that is unreliable, won't start on demand, won't stop when required and p***es oil all over the drive, then I'd have to take bland in deference.

OK, this is an extreme example, but Japanese manufacturers are superb at building appliances. Treat the car as an appliance, bought to serve a purpose then you can't go too far wrong. Given that they apply the same thought process to true high performance models then maybe, just maybe, it's the right thing to do.

But, what would they do without inspiration from abroad? Still make a brilliantly engineered Austin 7, perhaps?

 

[obi_waynne]

I saw a video where they replaced the engine oil in a CIVIC VTEC with water and they ran the engine for ages before it died! (Try that in a Rover 220 engine!)

 

[HDi fun]

I saw a video where they replaced the engine oil in a CIVIC VTEC with water and they ran the engine for ages before it died! (Try that in a Rover 220 engine!)

Modern engine oils aren't much more viscous than tap water anyway.

Tell you what: you supply the car, and I'll supply a gallon of tap water for this experiment.

 

[WLBjork]

What about the time Clarkson tried to kill they Toyota Hilux?