Dodging Bullets and drooling over Ferraris in Japan

[v1p3r]

Oi, you cowboys, that's a snow-plough, not a cow-catcher!

[supremeBaleno]

Originally Posted by AMATMO

looks like japanese people are more loyal toward their own brands compared to american being towards american brand
is what i said true or its just that you have posted pics of local cars?

You are right. I was not selective with the cars I snapped. Anything that looked interesting was captured on camera.

I think I read somewhere that the Japanese Govt regulates (basically thwarts) car imports (sort of protection of local industry). And yes, most of the cars (90%) I saw here are Japanese. Next come German cars (Merc, BMW). And finally the fancy Italian types like Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo etc.

And I dont remember seeing even one true-blue American car (they might be out there though and only that I did not chance upon them).

Originally Posted by v1p3r

Oi, you cowboys, that's a snow-plough, not a cow-catcher!

Come to think of it, you seem to be right, Akshay.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

I am sure they don't have any stray cows running around railway tracks in Japan.

Forget on the tracks, I am yet to see a single cow anywhere or a sheep or any animal except pets (cats/dogs). Almost all of their meat is imported (from Australia mainly). Actually most foodstuffs (except maybe rice & fish - they are big in large-scale fishing) are imported.

Note : BTW, I was wrong about the Daihatsu Terios Kid being 20v DOHV. Its the mini Pajero which I saw here that is 20v DOHC (no idea about the Kid).

[Mpower]

Both Mazda and Nissan buy cars from Suzuki and badge them as their own.

[supremeBaleno]

Originally Posted by rider60

and by any chance can we see some pics of mid range sedans from japan?

mid-range ? like our Accent, NHC, SX4, Corolla etc ? Sure. Here are some that I spotted.

The Corolla that we rented out (the rear sort of reminds me of our Accent) :


Another view of the Corolla :



A Honda Accord with skirts and all :


And here is the Toyota Corsa. I see one of these with a KA regn in Chennai and always used to wonder how both Toyota and Opel can use the same name for their respective cars. Anyone ?


Yet another sedan - though dont remember the name.

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

And I dont remember seeing even one true-blue American car (they might be out there though and only that I did not chance upon them).

Looks like even though very rare, there sure are some of them here. I spotted this small car on the highway and I see the Ford logo on the rear - could not snap the full car though.




Here is a hatch from Mazda - kind of resembling our SRV :


Front view :

Originally Posted by Mpower

Both Mazda and Nissan buy cars from Suzuki and badge them as their own.

You are right, as I found out yesterday.

From far, this looked exactly like our WagonR, but when I go close, I see a Mazda badge.



On each trip to Japan, I have looked out for one particular car. Could spot it only twice and on both occasions, I could not click it. So, it came as a surprise to me when I saw it when I was least expecting it.

While my colleagues were busy shopping, I was wandering all over the parking lot, looking for interesting cars. And then I see a front that I know all too well (though there were slight differences). I am pleasantly surprised and go over to the rear of the car for a final confirmation.

And Yes, it was the Suzuki Cultus (the Baleno in India) - the car with the most distinctive rear.

The front view (there are slight differences with the Indian version) :



The rear that stands out in any crowd :-) :



Some SUVs I spotted :

The RAV4 :



The PRADO :



The Honda CRV :



Another CRV (it reads Comfortable Runabout Vehicle on the stepney cover) :



A Mitsubishi mini-SUV (dont remember the name - mini Pajero ???) :



A Suzuki mini-SUV (looks like our own Gypsy) :



BTW, I saw some impressive mileage figures on the Corolla that we rented out. We used it for 125kms and before returning the vehicle, when we filled the tank, it took just 4.79litres of petrol. That is like 25kmpl.

Speeds never exceeded 100kmph, terrain was hilly and roads iced over at some places. No a/c used since it was damn cold - only heater. In India, what would a Corolla give in such conditions ? 15-16kmpl max I guess.

And petrol prices are almost same as in India - it cost us 600 Yen for 4.79 litres which is 125 Yen/litre or 50 Rs/litre.

[suren181]

Wonderful Pics supreme. Liked the way you mentioned that you were wandering along the parking lot looking at cars when your friends were busy shopping, a true car lover. Keep em coming bro.

[supremeBaleno]

Well, it is just that I finished all my shopping during the previous weekend itself.

[motorheadinc]

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

BTW, is that the trademark Bullet oil-leak I see below the bike ?

I believe it is just marking its territory.

All hail the Enfield...............

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

The Corolla that we rented out (the rear sort of reminds me of our Accent) :

The Corollas available in the Gulf are also of the same model.

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

And here is the Toyota Corsa. I see one of these with a KA regn in Chennai and always used to wonder how both Toyota and Opel can use the same name for their respective cars. Anyone ?

This car was sold as the Toyota Tercel in the Gulf countries. Has been discontinued now.

[supremeBaleno]

I am not sure how I missed the GV while posting the SUV pics. Here it comes :


And a bling WagonR :



A full frontal view of the Mitsu Jeep I posted earlier :


Another CRV (an older model, I presume) :

[Nitin]

Nice pics,supremebaleno!
The mazda hatch is a the Mazda 3 hatchback. Shares the same engine with the Mazda 3s that I have.
The Grand Vitara looks pretty good. Good to see the color combo,and the efforts taken by the owner to keep it clean!

[supremeBaleno]

Dropped in at the parking lot of Tokyo Medical University, on my way to the metro station and saw all these beauties parked there.

A lovely Merc :


Side profile :



An Audi :



A Mazda convertible :





A VW Golf station wagon :





A VW Beetle :



The first Peugeot I spotted here (a hatch - dont know the name) :



A Porsche :



A White BMW :



A Volvo SUV :


A Jaguar (soon it will sport the Tata badge) :


Look at this red beauty. Sure attracts attention :







A stunning black Merc :



Another one :



The wheels :


More to follow. I am tired waiting for ImageShack to upload snaps - it is really slow today.

[shuvd]

Amazing pictures SupremeBaleno. Thanks for sharing.

[rjstyles69]

Biju excellent pictorial man. Makes for good eye candy. I love the GV that you have posted.

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

The first Peugeot I spotted here (a hatch - dont know the name) :



A Porsche :

That Peugeot is a 207 & that Porsche is a 993 911 and looks to have been modified. But must say it looks terrific with rear arches & after market wheels!

[ishotmydog]

would love to study in tokyo medical university. but would fail my exams as i would spend more time in the parking lot than in the classroom.