"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
09/29/2014 at 18:12 • Filed to: NPoCP, Japan, Saturn, Saturn SW2
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"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
09/29/2014 at 18:12 • Filed to: NPoCP, Japan, Saturn, Saturn SW2 | 0
| 5 |
Continuing with my Japan theme, I checked out the famous Goo-net for some American cars, and came across this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! wagon.
It's an SW2, so it's got alloy wheels, leather seats, AM/FM/CD/Cassette player, power windows and steering, fog lamps, and more.
In case anyone's wondering, this isn't some used model that was imported to Japan to sell, this was sold brand new back in 2001.
You see, some Toyota Netz and former Isuzu dealers in Japan sold right hand drive S-Series models from 1996 to 2003, with these third generation models (along with the earlier second gen models) meeting Japan's regulations on exterior dimensions and engine displacement (though the SC coupes never did).
Because of a few issues, including Japanese consumers not having so much money to spend on 'luxury items', which imported cars were considered, Saturns never really sold well, so finding one for sale in Japan, let alone one in this condition with low mileage and so well equipped for it's age, is rare.
This specific SW2 is listed with 49,000 km on the odometer, or about 30,447 miles. It also looks to have been well taken care of, with the only apparent issue is the floor mat on the driver's side looking like it could use a little cleaning.
Usually, with American cars in Japan, getting replacement parts is expected to be challenging and/or expensive, but since these were officially sold in Japan, it shouldn't be too hard, especially if you take it to a Netz dealer for service. Hopefully, that is.
I searched comparable US-spec 2001 SW2s on AutoTrader, and prices go from $1,295 (with 117,787 miles) to $6,995 (with 122,903 miles) and mileage from 90,834 to 148,364.
This JPN-Spec SW2 is being sold for the equivalent of US$5,880, putting it near the high end of the price range compared to those on AT.
So, with all that said, would this wagon be worth the price for someone in Japan compared to similar ones here in the US?
Especially if it very well could be one of the lowest (if not THE lowest) mileage S-Series wagon on the planet (outside of any in museums, if there are any in museums)?
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
dogisbadob
> carcrasher88
09/29/2014 at 18:20 |
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RHD SW1's were sold in the US, mainly to postal workers. Too bad we never got a RHD SW2 :(
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carcrasher88
> dogisbadob
09/29/2014 at 18:23 |
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Yeah, I'll bet postal carriers would have loved that. Just swap out all the seats other than the driver's seat with cloth seats, and you're good to go.
Sadly, RHD Saturns built for postal workers are hard to come by, unlike RHD Jeeps built for the same purpose. Those are a dime a dozen on eBay.
Zohaibman72
> carcrasher88
09/29/2014 at 18:27 |
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Fully Loaded it seems, really low KMs, and these are very reliable. I wouldn't buy it for 5,880 because I find these ugly, and I think you can find better cars in Japan for $5,800. But if you like the looks, then it's a great deal honestly.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> carcrasher88
09/29/2014 at 18:36 |
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I think it's pretty neat that those were sold in Japan. I think it fits in really well, those Saturns were probably the closest thing to a Japanese car that America has ever made.
twochevrons
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
09/30/2014 at 12:39 |
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Interestingly, the third generation Chevrolet Cavalier was also sold in Japan, badged as a Toyota Cavalier. There were quite a few used-import ones hanging around New Zealand, and it was weird to see them badged as Chevrolets when I moved to the US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet…