Hi there everyone again! In the previous articles I tackled the issue of reliable cars and this is time to make everything clean. All followers of european or american automobiles - I\'m sorry, but I\'ll describe japanese brands only. First of all because they are really nice. Secondly - many cars in my country go from Japan and I have more experience and knowledge about them.
Moreover - The Russian Federation is the best polygon to test cars for durability - shitty roads, bad quality petrol, extreme conditions (from -50 C\' in winter up to +40 in summer).
Toyota
The first brand I\'m about to describe is Toyota - the flagship of the japanese automotive industry. Most models of this brand perfectly suit everyday russian exploitation. In Primorsky Krai this brand is the most popular and it makes additional points for Toyota, because this region of Russia has the worst roads and petrol here is not of the best quality. Little prices for aftermarket parts and accessories make additional popularity to the brand.
Such brands as Mercedes or BMW, Audi are reliable enough in case you take care of them and treat your car like a baby. The manufacturers just make its customers buy and buy new parts. But Toyota is on the good side, it will take you to the destination point even if its engine dies!
Unlike most other brands Toyota doesn\'t hasten to make its new models full of "know-how". It just creates cars on the basis of previous successful attempts, that are tested with time and thousands of kilometers, by thousands of people! Of course Toyota doesn\'t lag behind the reality - each time it has an opportunity it tries to upgrade the inventions and make it more perfect.
And yes, some journalists criticize Toyota for its impersonality. But, hay! If we put Toyota and Dutch automobiles so what will we see? First of all Toyota has much bigger model range (there are about 40 variants of Corolla!) that is represented by cars for everyone! From fast Supra and Celica up to "cross-earth" Blizzard. Is it not enough? Verossa, Caldina GT, WiLL VS, Crown Majesta, Mark II Fortuna... And now take a look to Mercedes - same faces but different prices and sizes.
As it has already been said - almost all models of Toyota perfectly bear its responsibility in severe everyday exploitation in Russia. But not all other japanese brands may demonstrate such good results because of constructive features.
Nissan
It never loses to Toyota. In some cases it has even better engines and transmission than Toyota does. More over it has complex suspension systems - multi-link suspension with a big quantity of joints that make a car more stable and comfortable to drive and it is just grate!
But if we speak about Russia with its rotten roads it\'s a minus! Such types of suspension are very expensive for maintenance in a good condition (especially for such budget models as Almera or Primera). The most popular Nissan models in Russia are business class automobiles Cefiro (Maxima), Cedrik, Gloria, Laurel, Leopard, Skyline, Cima and so on.
Mitsubishi
This grate company doesn\'t spare a coin for new technologies for its cars. However it could do so and spend them for manufacturing process. Careless welding, bad quality metal and paint, hidden cavities that create place for dirt and rust.
Moreover most technologies don\'t suit daily exploitation in Russia:
1. GDI engines can\'t run grate on a russian petrol. Start mitsubishi engine at thirty degrees below zero is almost impossible.
2. Tiptronic transmission if difficult to attend. It needs special mitsubishi oil that is not cheap and easy to approach.
3. Suspension can\'t cope with all difficulties on a russian road.
Nevertheless it has very interesting models that find its fans in Russia. I should say that Lancer Evo, Pajero Evo, Galant, VR-4, Cedia are quite popular and famous for the power and reliability.
Subaru
The main feature of Subaru is fast 4wd turbo sedans and station wagons that are built on the basis of flat EJ20 engine (4 cylinders, 2.0 litres, up to 280 hp).
Traditional lacks of the model - you should take care of the petrol quality, sometimes it\'s difficult to find parts (and they aren\'t cheap). However it\'s nothing in comparison with grate dynamic, control and steering stability (especially in winter).
Honda
Such a feeling that its car and motorcycle engines are created by the same people in the same engineering bureau. You may rev the engine higher than 8000 rpm. S2000 engine F20B is champion by the specific power (2.0 lit, 250 hp).
Of course you shouldn\'t forget about the oil and fuel quality. But having some experience I can say that Hondas engines are very durable!
Most popular models in Russia are Accord, Torneo, Saber, Inspire and Legend. But what we like it\'s a sport line that shows grate results even without turbochargers - Integra Type R, S200, Prelude, NSX.
