At  4/10/2011 11:32 AM, John Rodgers wrote:
>  Good questions that I too would like to know, just for general
>information.
>
>I talked with my local mechanic once about a Suburu engine for my van
>and he told me his source would be a company who traded in Suburu
>engines (among others) that came from Japan with mileage around 50K
>because  Japanese Government environmental rules and regulations forced
>those engines off the road at a certain age or mileage. The company
>would warrant the engines for 50,000 miles if I should buy one. Never
>found anyone who could corroborate that, but it would be useful to know.
>
>John

Found this about the JDM motors, etc...

Rob
becida@comcast.net
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http://www.trustmymechanic.com/japanmotor.html

 >>I had read somewhere a few years ago about a supposed law in Japan
that requires engine replacement at 30,000 miles. I did some research
on the Internet to see if there was some truth to the story, and
Cheston with Soko America told me this:

There is no such law "requiring" engine replacement at a certain
mileage. That is a urban myth propagated by importers and car owners
who simply don't know or understand the situation in Japan. The high
taxes (annually assessed), insurance premiums, gas costs, and
especially the safety inspection/registration (occurs biennial)
combine to keep turnover of vehicles high.

For example, the Safety inspection for your typical car (say
Camry/Accord type) can typically cost $2,000....each time! New
vehicles have a 3 year grace period before they are required to
submit for the Safety Inspection. In other words, for a 10 year old
car, you will have already paid over $8,000, in just Safety
Inspection fees! Don't forget, gas over in Japan is also typically
four times the cost of here in the U.S. Mileage is kept low on the
vehicles as EVERYONE (unless your fabulously rich and patient) uses
alternative transportation to get around. Most folks use the trains
for local and medium distance traveling/commuting.

Far distances are taken by airplane and local transportation done by
either bicycle or bus. In that society, your car tends to be a status
symbol more than anything else. I hope this sheds a little more light
for you!<<