R-sanichi

From what I remember seeing, they were around $40k Australian. Pretty close to WRX price, not STi performance level and price thats for sure. Pretty simmilar to 200SX in category.

Thanks heaps for that! My wife will be over the moon (not - its valentines day). I will be there! Anyone wanna meet there? Thats cool. I was trying to find event on while we're there for the month of Feb in 2009. Too early for Super GT, D1, D1SL seasons. Nothing on at Okayama Circuit (the local track). I'm really happy. Seriously, the only reason I'd not be going is if my parents-in-law force me to go the shrine and pray. Michael.

Hi, Adam, I've skipped most of the posts between here and your original starter post. I'm back in Aus, have been for 2 years now. My wife and I have been back once to visit family (Oct 07), and we are going back for 3 weeks in Feb 08. The main reason why we came to Aus was for me to obtain my Masters degree. I thought I was ready to come back to Aus and was getting bored. Mainly becasue most of my friends (Nova teachers) were all moving on after one year, and the ones who did stay in the country mainly moved cities.. anyway, I digress. I was not ready, and there was soooo much more I wanted to do (but realised this after being back in Aus about a month later). I will do it later in life though, and probably with kids (when they happen). So, I really had to have a big think about "what I love about life in Japan". Its very difficult to put into words. A lot of little things make it interesting, but its mainly the feeling of not being too comfortable. I remember Carlos Gohsn (who has become my business idol) say once on Eigo de shyabe ra naito, "you can never allow yourself to become comfortable. Becasue when you're uncomfortable, your mind is open to new things and is always challenged". This made me think that it's communication and culture differences that I find an ongoing challenge. My own persona is more Japanese than most westerners (and I think perhaps there are many here on SAU). My wife sometimes points out to me, while part way through a movie with complicated dialogue "can you understand?". I say, "well kind of but it's difficult". She'll reply, "No, you cant. If you can understand the meaning of this, then you are defintiely Japanese. But you never will be." She does not mean to put me down, but simply saying that the meaning is so deep that only a Japanese can understand the true meaning.... Hey, I just realised I'm rambling. So, to summarise. Its the challenge of communication and culture adaption. Michael.

OK, But I'm just talking about a standard gearbox and clutch here... I assume from the veiwed/posts ratio that no-one has experienced this sound? Perhaps this car may be a risky purchase.

I don't own the car (yet), so if I go for a second test drive, I will test with the car at idle with the clutch in/out. Thanks.

Hello, I have a query about a noise in 3rd and 4th gear (it may be in all gears, but isnt notable) - after said gears are engaged and letting the clutch out and applying throttle at the same time, a groan at the length of about a second is heard. Its a deep groan, and no vibration is aparent through the stick or pedal so I dont think its the clutch. I have been told that these gearboxes are just noisy, but I'd like more opinions. There's a slight sound when the car is idling in nuetral, and I suspect the thrust bearing - but not sure if its related. Your thoughts and expert opinions please... Michael.

Ahh Miajima. Such a nice place. I really miss Hiroshima ken and the city of fu kuyama....　日本はこいしいい！I think I need to spend many more years in Japan. A great photo diary, its nice you are taking the time to share this with us, Baron san.

The unit is SOLD.

Yeah burning ichi man en notes is easy. Its like Itchy and Scratchy money "just like real money, but fun". The Tokyo fish market is awesome. The only thing is you need to get there really early. I took the 1st train of the day. (around 5am) but it wasnt early enough, the action was dying down by 6ish. to be there at about 4.30 would be the best. 3million customers a day (I remember reading in a book). Sapporo? If you make it up there think about heading east to the area of Obihiro. I worked for Rally Japan in 05 and spent a few days before the actual rally checking roads and supervising the shakedown in the countryside and small farming towns. Its unlike other parts of "normal" Japan.

So you did'nt do enough shopping in Japan? Or did you like window shopping? If I got addicted to those kinds gadgets, I'd go broke.

I thought you may have meant that. (I know how writing in romaji is more difficult than actually using kana. ) My wife has studied that for many years. Its beautiful stuff.

Do you know how much a turbo weighs?

Yeah. I like gardening. An i've always been interested in Bonsai. I've had one for a few years. So, when I went to Japan, I though "what a great opportunity to learn it here". But it seems to be one of those dying Bushido practices. People could believe me. "but you're young. Only old japanese men do bonsai, i was told by many ppl. What's akabane?

Ok. I know no-one likes a standard turbo. But keep it as a spare.... $100.00

Have you checked if any events are on? D1, D1SL, Super GT, Super Taikyu?

Well it would have been great to take bonsai classes. The problem was I to take bonsai classes. The problem was I couldnt find anyone to teach me except some tafe kinda place and they wanted lots of money and one year. I should have done it. I wish i had "intimate relations" with more of my NOVA students before I married one. :laughing-smiley-014: Why did the staff tell me I was popular with the 18-20 year olds after I left the company? I still havnt gone to a maid cafe. And the big one, I didnt buy that IMPUL R34 in the car yard on route 2. So, when are you buying a ring for your girl Sleeper??? my location is looking wierd (Melbourne/åºÆ’島ã®ç¦å±±). Why doesnt the ã«ã»ã‚“ãâ€(nihongo) show up?

The unit is standard from an RB20DET. Includes the dump pipe, actuator, water lines. (sorry no oil lines) This turbo was used temporarilly as a back-up and ran fine and reliably. I dont know the history of it, but responds quick on low boost. $150.00, PM me or phone 0419 006 252. Located in Footscray West.

Fantastic. The best shot is the first one. Its beautiful. Danm, I miss Japan. 日本はすごい恋しいいですよ！

If it is the magical 'warehouse' collection of Nismo competition cars from around the world you're talking about............. ? It's become a 'closed to the public' kinda thing. I know people who've been to this magical place and I have pics of the cars from inside. Its in one of the factories that Mr Ghosn shut down when he started his re-shaping (saving) of Nissan. Pm me about it.....

I love em both Akeenan! Especially the English lesson. She is hot, isnt she?. Very funny, and my wife thinks so too. The girl in the vid's wearing a postitutes kimono. (My wife often tells me interesting things about J-culture.)

Man, you took Nova to court? Thats what I should have done. I got a repremand for "dating" a student one month before our wedding. My AAM was basically telling me to break it off or loose my job. What a tool! It turned out better finacially for my now wife to quit Nova and then I found a better job in another company. So they lost a good teacher and a good student! I have to say I loved the Nova experience. Part-time visa, heaps of overtime meant I was earning more then the full timers. Anyway, I've been back in Melbbourne for 5 months now, and my wife and I miss Hiroshima greatly.

Fuji Mart in South Yarra import real Asahi Super Dry. They also have a couple of types of real Kirin, in the 500ml can. They are in behind KFC on Chapel St. Its a total japanese supermarket, just like walking into Every or Fresta, or even Family Mart or Lawson. Pity they dont bring in Asahi (Shin nama) 3. its may favourite hops beer for under 700yen a 6pack.

VOTE 1 - The Premium Malts, by Suntory. Its my Ihiban. Kirin IchiBan and Asahi Super Dry sold in Aus are not from Japan. They are either brewed in Aus or Malaysia and taste different to the actual Japanese brew (I dont think Ihiban has been sold in Japan for many years)

Thanks for your feedback guys. I think me and my wife will check the menus of all your suggested places. Great news is, we found Fuji Mart in Prahran. Its next to the Prahran market, behind KFC on Chapel St. Its a real Japanese supermarket! So good...... any thing from Japan (almost), including beer. (not beer made in Singapore with Japanese brand names on the bottle - you know the ones i'm talkin about). So now my wife can cook all the Japanese dishes with the right ingredients at home.

Its worth paying to go there. I'm happy to know that the money is being spent almost immediately on constant maintenence. Yeah, theres a hedge maze in progress, and its all been landscaped in stuff.