We Bought a Car

This afternoon we bought a used 1995 Nissan March for $1,750. The engine hums and the car is immaculate. Its odometer reads only 30,000 kilometers. That figures to about 18,600 miles. Why the low mileage? From what I understand, the average Japanese only drives about 5000 kilometers a year, or roughly 3000 miles. Ten years of driving would only equal around 30,000 miles. Also, all Japanese highways are toll highways, so that discourages motorists from driving long distances. Their efficient rail system can deliver them to almost any point in Japan, so they leave their cars at home.

So then, why buy a car if everything on the base is walking distance? Because no one likes walking in bad weather to school, the commissary, the post office, restaurants, or anywhere else for that matter. And, I am told, bad weather will come to Yokosuka, and besides, sometimes you just don't feel like walking.

Where did we go to buy a used car? Right here on the base lemon lot. Lemon lot is a military term used to reference the used car lot on base. Most vehicles for sale on the lot are in good shape. At the lemon lot you’ll find cars for sale mostly from service members who are PCS-ing out (Permanent Change of Station). However, some cars are bought off-base by dealers and put up for sale. The previous owner of our car was a Japanese national. The dealers on base are usually American civilians who buy and sell cars on the side.

The lemon lot just happens to be along our way to the Commissary and the Navy Exchange. We had been seriously keeping an eye out for a good buy since we moved into Goban Tower on August 22. We were patient and I believe it paid off. This car is exactly what we were looking for, but there are all kinds for sale; vans, sports cars, sedans, two and four doors. There's really quite a selection, and they don't last long. One has to be ready to act quickly because there are a good number of people on base in the market for a vehicle. They don't last long on the lot. The one we chose had only been put up for sale this morning. I happened on it at 11:30, liked what I saw, and immediately called the dealer to schedule a test drive.

Melba and I have been strolling through the lemon lot so many times in the last couple of weeks that people began to recognize us on sight.