So JDM what? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Chewie4299 · 03-13-2013, 08:36 PM

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.

shawnperolis · 03-13-2013, 08:38 PM

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.

Celica00 · 03-13-2013, 08:38 PM

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.

Juvenile · 03-13-2013, 08:39 PM

Yes I'm a JDM brand whore

Beyer Subaru · 03-13-2013, 08:43 PM

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.

cfusionpm · 03-13-2013, 08:43 PM

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

Beyer Subaru · 03-13-2013, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

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.

wbradley · 03-13-2013, 08:45 PM

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.

Beyer Subaru · 03-13-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbradley

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.

KSC · 03-13-2013, 10:25 PM

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.

leon78 · 03-13-2013, 10:33 PM

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

FRiSson · 03-13-2013, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon78

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?

akyp · 03-13-2013, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbradley

The main thing is just because something is made to sell in Japan doesn't necessarily make it better.

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.

Brzetto · 03-13-2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beyer Subaru

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.

They don't need to, everything is interchangeable.

03-13-2013, 08:36 PM	#1
Chewie4299 Spaceman Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 Firestorm Scion FR-S Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 1,581 Thanks: 854 Thanked 860 Times in 468 Posts Mentioned: 26 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ 2013 Firestorm Scion FR-S - Car Journal

03-13-2013, 10:25 PM	#10
KSC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: Ion Redline Location: NY Posts: 233 Thanks: 34 Thanked 120 Times in 62 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ "Bullshit, asshole! No one likes the tuna here!" Last edited by KSC; 03-13-2013 at 11:35 PM.

03-13-2013, 10:33 PM	#11
leon78 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: 13 Whiteout Location: Niceville FL Posts: 666 Thanks: 307 Thanked 241 Times in 142 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Ricers buying "JDM" is like yuppies buying prius's....90% of the time its to put on a front for social status.... __________________ 2013 Scion FR-S (Whiteout) GunMetal 16x8+25 Enkei CompE_Cusco OCC_ Kartboy Crank Pulley_Kartboy TMM insert_Koni Yellows_RCE Springs_K&N Drop-In_Eibach FSB_J2 Catless FP_WhiteLine Camber Bolts_NameLess Track Pipe_RBF600_Ferodo DS2500_PTUNING Tuned. Less parking more racing

03-13-2013, 08:38 PM	#2
shawnperolis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S MT "Panda" Location: Tallmadge, Ohio Posts: 386 Thanks: 148 Thanked 277 Times in 86 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

03-13-2013, 08:38 PM	#3
Celica00 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: 86 Location: utah Posts: 1,156 Thanks: 842 Thanked 798 Times in 434 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	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.

03-13-2013, 08:39 PM	#4
Juvenile Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: 86 GTS Location: Sydney AUS Posts: 853 Thanks: 1,111 Thanked 1,430 Times in 417 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yes I'm a JDM brand whore

03-13-2013, 08:43 PM	#5
Beyer Subaru Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ SWP 6AT Ltd Location: Alexandria, VA. Posts: 1,607 Thanks: 859 Thanked 776 Times in 485 Posts Mentioned: 37 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	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.

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