Assemble in Japan or Canada need opinion

[NSX01]

I ordered a fully loaded lexus RX330 two months ago and finally it arrived at the dealer yesterday. I went to the dealer today and find out that the RX330 I ordered is assembled in Canada .
All the others RX330 on the lot is from Japan. I wanted to be assembled in Japan. So should I take this one assembled in Canada or wait for one from Japan? Thanks

 

[ChrisK]

I ordered a fully loaded lexus RX330 two months ago and finally it arrived at the dealer yesterday. I went to the dealer today and find out that the RX330 I ordered is assembled in Canada .
All the others RX330 on the lot is from Japan. I wanted to be assembled in Japan. So should I take this one assembled in Canada or wait for one from Japan? Thanks

I saw your other post on CL.com. I go by CK6Speed over there. I too bought an 04 RX330, but in April so mine is assembled in Japan. From what I understand, the new 04 RX330 was supposed to be assembled in Canada, however, the earlier this year the factory was not finished so the early models came out of Japan. I'm not sure if they will continue to assmble some in Japan or all will be out of Canada now that the factory is open. As far as quility, I'm sure there is a small difference, but nothing to worry about as I assume it would be up to any Lexus standard.

Good luck with your new RX330. It is a pretty good car. I have a Nuptune Blue with Light Grey interior. You'll love the power rear hatch

 

[red_MM_nsx]

Why does it matter to you where it was assembled? The real issue is wether or not you are getting the Japanese quality. My experience is it doesn't really matter. My accord from Ohio was as good as my NSX. Actually, it may have been better. I've a couple of assembly problems fixed under warranty on my NSX and I never had the first problem with my accord (things like an improperly installed oil pan gasket). As long as you are happy with the vehicle when you take delivery and the dealer will stand behind it (which this obviously will), I think you should take the one they have and start enjoying it. Just my $0.02 worth. Good luck with it.

 

[hlweyl]

I agree with red. Assembly location is not as important as the engineering that goes into it first.

 

[Macster]

One possible disadvantage of a car built in the U.S. as opposed to somewhere else is the quality of the paint job. We have stringent laws regarding the type of paint used, while better for the environment, may not be the most durable.

Just a possibility. Anybody know for sure?

 

[ChrisK]

One possible disadvantage of a car built in the U.S. as opposed to somewhere else is the quality of the paint job. We have stringent laws regarding the type of paint used, while better for the environment, may not be the most durable.

Just a possibility. Anybody know for sure?

I'm thinking the paint job would be just as poor on the RX built in Canada as Japan at least on the Lexus. I'm not saying it is a bad spray, but the new Lexus paint is pretty soft and chips very easy.

As for assembly locations? Well, it is true that they are all the same parts. However, in the early 90s when I worked in a Honda service department, the service techs there used to always tell me stories of the different Accords that they worked on which were assembled in Japan, Canada, and the US. In their unscientific survery (Basically just experience over the years) the US assembled Accords always had more improperly fit parts over the Canada and then Japan assembled cars. Basically they used to find more stripped screws and bolt heads, cross threaded bolts that were jammed in with impact wrenches. Slightly misaligned parts. It was all minor and little things, but definately assembled with a little less care. I'm sure the reliability is all about the same, but depending on which parts are assebled poorly I'm sure it can cause problems down the road. I'm not saying the Japan assembled cars were perfect though. Now, this was the late 80s early 90s, so hopefully things changed a lot for the better since. So while I agree with everyone that you shouldn't worry about it, past esperience with the service techs that worked on them (At least in my area) showed me there can be a difference if you tear the car down and look for them. A cross threaded bolt under the dash may not mean anything to you until you have to remove that bolt.

 

[NSX01]

Thanks guys for the reply.

After reading the sticker on the window today. It indicated engine and trans parts are from the U.S. and assembled in Ontario Canada. I have decided to let this one go and ask the dealer tommorow to get me one from Japan. I wanted the engine & trans parts from Japan not from U.S. I'm not bad mouthing U.S parts so please don't flame me. Since I'm paying high $$$ for this SUV I expected to be made in Japan, just like our nsx. Would you buy a nsx made in the U.S or Japan?



Tony

 

[nsxtasy]

Would you buy a nsx made in the U.S or Japan?

If it were made by Honda in the U.S., yes, absolutely.

If it were made by GM, well...

 

[svalleynsx]

I think just having the thought in the back of your mind that you're buying a Japanese car assembled in Canada might want to make you re-consider. I know Accords are built in the U.S. and I'm not knocking American-built quality, it's just that you say others on the lot WERE built in Japan, and when you're considering such a big-ticket item such as a car, you want EVERY item to be to your personal taste, even country of manufacture. Just my .02

 

[Soichiro]

>>you want EVERY item to be to your personal taste, even country of manufacture.

Huh? Study after study shows no quality differences between homeland and satellite plants operated by top companies like Honda. It's the philosophy and management behind the plant that accounts for quality, not the nationality of the people who work there. This also explains why American brands of cars are poor no matter where they are built - USA, Canada, Mexico, Britain, Australia etc.

 

[svalleynsx]

>>you want EVERY item to be to your personal taste, even country of manufacture.

Huh? Study after study shows no quality differences between homeland and satellite plants operated by top companies like Honda. It's the philosophy and management behind the plant that accounts for quality, not the nationality of the people who work there. This also explains why American brands of cars are poor no matter where they are built - USA, Canada, Mexico, Britain, Australia etc.

Read a little closer. I'm not saying there ARE any quality differences OR issues. What I'm saying is, if it makes you feel any better knowing your car is made in one country or another, then go for the one you feel is right.

 

[NSX01]

My point is if you buy a mercedes or porsches don't you want it from Germany. A ferrari from Italy than from North America. I guess the bottom line is who you ask. Thanks everyone that reply. I contact the dealer and they going to get one from Japan for me. I just have to play the waiting game again. Since the RX330 is a hot item.