Spotting the Difference: A Guide to Understanding Japanese and GCC Specs in Cars
When buying a Japanese car in the UAE one can choose between many different makes and models. Accounting for a substantial market share, these imported vehicles are available with both GCC and Japanese specs. While price is an important consideration, it is also crucial to understand the difference between Japanese specs vs GCC specs in cars to make an informed decision.
Here’s a comparative analysis of GCC specs vs Japanese specs to help determine which is a more practical option for car buyers in the UAE.
Japanese Specs Vs GCC Specs in Cars: What to Choose and Why
The differences between Japanese and GCC specs are often subtle and not easily noticeable. For starters, below are some important differences based on region-specific features that one should be aware of when buying a car for sale in the UAE.
Radiator
Cars are equipped with radiators that help maintain the engine temperature and prevent it from overheating during long road trips. However, the hot UAE weather can significantly accelerate the heating process of the engine, leading to a potential car breakdown. This is why a GCC-spec car has a greater capacity than Japanese-spec cars to adapt to the extreme heat of Gulf summers. It is a noteworthy difference between Japanese and GCC specs in cars.
Air Conditioning
The UAE can experience incredibly high temperatures that can go over 40 degrees Celcius during summer. The AC units of imported Japanese cars are not designed to operate in such extreme heat. Thus, they often fail to maintain comfortable interior temperatures and often end up causing car air conditioning problems. On the other hand, GCC cars come with stronger AC compressors that are designed to perform efficiently in soaring desert temperatures.
Engine Air Filtration System
While elaborating on the comparison between Japanese and GCC specs in cars, it is important to discuss the difference between air filtration systems. Dusty weather conditions are very common in the UAE. Sandstorms can occur at any time, exposing the mechanical system of a car to sand and dust. To protect the car from potential damage, GCC-spec cars are equipped with a robust engine air filtration system.
Improved Rust Protection
Owing to the presence of vast coastlines, the UAE’s climate is highly humid. This is why cars with GCC specs feature better corrosion protection than the ones with imported specs.
Japanese or GCC Specs: Which is a Better Choice
Buying a car that is specifically designed for the GCC region is a better choice in various aspects. Unlike imported cars, owners of GCC-spec cars can have access to local dealership support and service.
Moreover, vehicles in Gulf countries are designed to better withstand harsh temperatures. As a result, they offer longevity and a higher resale value than Japanese-spec cars. It is also a more or less similar case when choosing between American and GCC-spec cars.
How to Know If a Car is GCC Spec
To identify a GCC-spec vehicle, keep the following pointers in mind when searching through popular used Japanese cars for sale in the UAE.
- A vehicle that has GCC specs can be identified through its vehicle identification number (VIN). VIN in a GCC-spec car usually starts with a ‘W’. Note that not all local-spec cars have a VIN that begins with ‘W’. Moreover, VIN can also be used to check a car’s history in the UAE.
- Another way to identify a GCC-specification vehicle is by examining the chassis plate on the driver’s side doorjamb. Cars designed for GCC have chassis plates with mostly Arabic text.
- GCC-spec cars also have Arabic inscriptions on the side mirrors.
This marks the end of our comparative analysis of Japanese specs Vs GCC specs in cars. You can also add these region-based spec differences to your checklist for buying a used car in the UAE.
Moreover, if you want to learn more about such car specs comparisons, these European vs. GCC car specs might spark your interest.
If you want to read more such informative pieces, stay connected with the dubizzle auto blog — the most reliable source of information for car enthusiasts.