Candidly? Premio is a well built car and then with it’s JDM DNA is enough of a testament. But personally, there are a couple of factors that put me off.
1. Relatively, quite expensive. Anyone hunting for a maximum of 2 year old sedan while considering Premio will come across the options of 2016 model equipped with either 1.5L or 1.8L NA engines (Sorry, no Turbo here). Unless a die hard fan, spending 4.5 to 4.9 million rupees on a genuine low mileage clean car is, well, very unjustifiable despite the fact that it’s expensive in Japan too, let alone the import charges and taxes. In this price range you easily cross into the territory of a Hybrid Camry (a more luxurious, premium and renowned car with considerably more Road respect/ presence).
2. Despite a newer model, the structure seems the same carried forward from 2007 apart from its front. Does that and it’s price make it better than a Grande? Yes! What about Civic 1.8? Hell yes. And Civic Turbo? I don’t think so (with which I’d be willing to cut few corners, feel young and save some money for customisation).
3. Nevertheless, Premio has held its market value very well. If I were to spend that money on a JDM, my heart will go out for an imported Civic Turbo (with later consequences) and a sane decision would be a Camry (again with lesser consequences).
But that’s just me. YMMV!
