So JDM what?
 

I know that there are a great number of fellas out there that worship the JDM gods and will spend $700 on a JDM oil cap and I really don't mean to offend any of you here. To each his own.

I just wanted to find out if there are a bunch of folks out there like me or if I'm all alone.

Even when the pricing isn't absurd and the product in question looks/performs great I find myself turning away from anything that is advertised using that specific acronym.

So far everything I've purchased and that I plan to purchase is designed and built right here in the US. I'm not going out of my way to try and stay within the US....if the performance matches the hype when we finally see some info I bet I'll have an Aussie S/C in my car before too long.

I just feel like trying to shop for the best performance/quality/value/customer service I end up steering clear of everything JDM without any conscious effort to do so.

I think the customer service piece is key. Being able to contact companies like Perrin and Namless for support on their high quality parts or with questions while determining a purchase is something that the JDM gods just can't offer me.

It's a really annoying advertising term because of how overused it is. That being said, if I see two products of equal price and know nothing about either of them I'd be more likely to buy the one that was made in Japan.

youre not alone. the first thing i think when i hear JDM isnt quality, or reliability. i think over-priced. kind of like a guilty until proven innocent type deal.

Yes I'm a JDM brand whore

The main reason I get JDM bits is the availability. If the USDM would sell the stuff I'd get it here. I really only buy OEM parts for this car.

The only thing outside of OEM I've bought is my coils (Made{in VA at that}and Sold in the US) because I didn't like the look or functionality of the TRD coils and STi hasn't released theirs yet.

People in Japan put Scion and FRS badges on their Toyota GT86. Grass is always greener on the other side.

Yep. We created their SpoCom movement with our garbage altezza lights and underglow.

Their Low Rider movement is super strong as well.

Personally I want the stuff for MY domestic market. The main thing is just because something is made to sell in Japan doesn't necessarily make it better.

But that's my main driving factor. Subaru hasn't released anything for the BRZ.

With the FR-S you at least have the Five-AD and TRD stuff here.

I think you're missing the point (or I am), but JDM, to me isn't a brand or something that simply comes from Japan. It's a part that's made specifically for a Japanese car by the original manufacturer of said car. In other words, anything OEM in Japan is what I consider JDM here.

That being said, right or wrong, if I want Silvia headlights for my 240, a sun visor with Japanese text for a Civic, a SR20 engine, or padded Toyota knee guards for my BRZ, I'm going to be buying "JDM" as that's the only way to buy it.

Edit: we'll, I guess "JDM" would technically denote ANYTHING made in Japan, be it good or bad, so maybe I'm being obtuse. Still, it wasn't considered a bad thing when I was a kid. I can see how it could have been bastardized over the years.

Ricers buying "JDM" is like yuppies buying prius's....90% of the time its to put on a front for social status....

What's the other 10% buy it for?

It certainly used to be that way, thus contributing to the 'JDM is better' sentiment.

When my dad had to replace a window switch on his '82 Accord, he found a JDM one in the junkyard. It had extra rubber sealing compared to the one on his car.

They don't need to, everything is interchangeable.