DaiOni

I'll post up the Driver magazine (japan) figures later, if I remember. IIRC, the r33 GTS-T managed to get worse fuel figures than the GTR! My r33 (rb20e) daily 'beater' is pretty horrid on fuel (for what it is) - I've always thought of it as too little power pushing too big a car though

"After the was Nissan also produced busses based on the model 180 truck that could run on charcoal, to use in Japan while fuel was in short supply" I've discussed this topic with some elderly japanese gentlemen. They are fascinating vehicles. Though they recall having to get out and push with the rest of the passengers everytime they reached the 'big hill' in the area.

hehe, knew it was something like that.

In tokyo - akihabara In Osaka - denki town both will be easily identifiable on any worthwhile tourist map - or just ask for help at reception (if she is staying at a hotel) yodobashi camera (linked above) is a chain store - can be found all over japan. Their prices are usually very good - but you will probably find better deals in the two areas I mentioned. A secret is to look at the smaller shops - some of the bigger places seem to price match with each other.

You're not looking hard enough In the late 80s there was a fad where cafes had mirrored floors and girls with no panties serving! sc3w hooters! these sort of things aren't franchised like they may be in the US, but they can be found in any major city. But like rezz says, you might not want to go there. Another key reason is that these places cater for salarymen with business accounts - not gaijin surviving on a basic salary. I have a friend who went to a post-enkai snack bar and was told by a co-worker (superior) - go on, take one of them home, any one you like (of course he did). Again - sr3w hooters! This is place is a men's paradise (and, admitedly, a women's hell at times). I'll say it again - if I was a single man, I'd never leave

dude, the resistance to foreign influences/people goes back waaaay further than wwII - 1500s/1600s at least (and that's just against european people). The modern 'militaristic japan' - particularly between 1900-1945 was a product of many things, but mainly the attitudes of the ruling class at the time. I think you'd find that the every-day japanese people, today at least, are some of the most peace-loving on the planet! At least that's my impression. Though we should never forget it, and we should learn from it, we shouldn't live in the past.

Though... getting my drivers' licence changed over was the only time I have wanted to punch a japanese person in the face. The niigata ken registry is notorious (one man in particular) - there's a strong anti-gaijin bias there (actually - that's a definite case of racism that I've experienced). He actually said to me (paraphrasing into good english here) 'Yes, you can simply change your licence over. You're lucky. My daughter lives in Australia and wasn't so lucky..." (which came to mean: 'now I'm gunna f`ck you up too') Get a transcript from the RTA. Your passport has to show that you stayed in Australia for at least one year after getting your license. You have to be able to show (using passport only - was what they told me) that you have lived in Australia for one complete year (without any overseas travel) - of course, I didn't have my original passport, and my new one had all sorts of travel in it - so I could only prove 3 months consistent residence - they said they'd give me the equivalent of a p-plate (the green plate)! I had all sorts of other evidence that I'd lived in australia (the rta transcript had a long line of offences!) - but they would only accept passport as evidence. With a long and quite heated argument I eventually got my way. VERY frustrating. Off course, other prefectures might have human beings working at their registries - instead of unflexible, illiogical, bureaucratic 'by the letter of the law' robots. Heaven forbid you actually have to take the test - they recommend you do it the japanese way and go to a school (many $1000s of dollars). In Niigata they had a history of only testing gaijin in a group (despite not offering any english/foreign language assistance) - and only ever passing ONE person in the group. Most people went at LEAST three times before they were passed. I had a friend who gave up after three - she got failed for things as trivial as 'taking too long to move your hand from the steering wheel to the shifter, and back'. Crazy. /rant off

"if you stare at the wrong people in singapore you could get into a fight" jeebus... everyone was staring at us! My wife had her hair in braids (we had just come from thailand) - so that may have had something to do with it

Have you looked at BMW prices here? I have no idea how they compare to US prices, but they appear pretty good to me. Maybe you could just import the mods I don't know your car obviously, but it might be an option.

I haven't had many issues with staring - except from obaasan and little kids - and those occasions are usually funny anyway. A somewhat common occurence is having an obaasan turn around while waiting in a supermarket line - then going through our shopping basket to see what we are buying (sometimes physically moving things to get a better look) - hilarious! I found staring to be far far worse in singapore - which is something that surprised me.

"I was sorta after crash history etc" You definitely won't find that - sellers aren't legally obliged to provide any accident history. This information would only be recorded by insurance companies - IF a claim was made. Bottom line: you won't find this out. If you can't detect it, or a professional can't detect it, then it doesn't matter anyway

Yes. I feel more comfortable living here than I do in australia - far more, and on so many levels. BUT... having pitiful language skills does create a 'bubble' effect.

Welcome to the club I like chiba.

"if i gave you the car details, eg chassis number engin number etc. How hard would it be to track down the original and true history of a car?" I'm not sure if it's possible, then again, I don't know what you mean by 'history'. If you have the service papers for the car (in a service manual - detailing 5,000km service, etc), then we could tell you the original purchase point. "what the original j-pan rego plates were on my car when it was over there?" This, you won't find out - except for the possibility I mention above. The car, given the average life of a japanese car, has probably been across 2 or 3 different prefectures and worn different plates anyway. I think every car I've bought in japan (#4 was bought tonight) has originated in tokyo/chiba. I've seen people selling japanese plates on ebay - this is your best avenue to source one - unsurprisingly, it is actually a totally illegal procedure (plates have to be handed in when you de-register the car) good luck

I think I've got a pretty good handle on japanese culture (33% of it from studying it before I got here, the rest learned 'on the job' of the last couple of years). I have no problems with japanese culture and the way I'm perceived - partially because I'm pretty open-minded, largely because I've been treated so, so, so well by some of the people I've met (the positives outweigh the negatives). I will say that being a male makes life a lot easier. 99% of gaijin 'whinges' can be boiled down to cultural difference and the opinion "it's like * at home, it _should_ be like * here" I also often think of how we (in general) treat asian (the 'obviously' aesthetically and culturally different) people in our own culture (stereotypically) - so, IMO, let's not throw stones in glass houses but, yeah, rezz, I know exactly where you are coming from

from the sound of it, you don't want CF - but stick-on 'contact' (that looks like CF) AFAIK, real CF needs to be moulded

There's worse out there. A lot of people have split personality disorder when it comes to living in japan (others actually do really hate it). My opinion is that the happiest people are (1) those who have a ultra-super-geek fascination for japan, (2) those who speak japanese well AND understand/accept the culture, (3) those who come with a partner and (4) those who find a steady one here.

Unless there is going to be something special happening, or I have to be in tokyo at that time, I don't think I'll bother. I actually much preferred the osaka show. It's worth going to, though, at least once in your life

For your ease and reference: Manufacturers and brand-specific links Nissan www.nissan.co.jp www.nismo.co.jp www.autech.co.jp Subaru www.subaru.co.jp www.subaru-sti.co.jp www.zerosports.co.jp www.syms.jp accessory.subaru.co.jp www.sss.ne.jp/tokyo-subaru/index.htm www.worksbell.co.jp Mazda www.mazda.co.jp www.mazda.co.jp/mazdaspeed www.rmagic.net www.pac-gate.co.jp/feed www.knightsports.co.jp www.re-amemiya.co.jp www.pac-gate.co.jp/run/ www.odula.com Mitsubishi www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/japan/ www.ralliart.co.jp Honda www.honda.co.jp www.mugen-power.com www.spoon.jp www.hondatwincam.co.jp www.pac-gate.co.jp/back-yd/index.htm (Backyard) www.gt-rom.net etcetera.jp (I's Impact) www.uranus.dti.ne.jp/~sorcery/ (Sorcery) Toyota www.toyota.co.jp www.toyota-ttc.co.jp (TRD) www.tomsracing.co.jp www.c-one.co.jp Suzuki www.suzuki.co.jp www.suzukisport.com Daihatsu www.daihatsu.co.jp Isuzu www.isuzu.co.jp Mitsuoka www.mitsuoka-motor.com Top Workshops & Companies www.apexi.co.jp www.hks-power.co.jp www.blitz.co.jp www.5zigen.co.jp www.trust-power.com www.fujitsubo.co.jp www.bride-jp.com www.junauto.co.jp www.veilside.co.jp www.mines-wave.com www.trial.co.jp www.tommykaira.com www.topsecretjpn.com/ Other Workshops & Companies www.uras.co.jp www.saurus2000.co.jp (Garage Saurus) www.rs-r.co.jp www.signalauto.com www.tomei-p.co.jp arise-power.com www.toda-racing.co.jp www.racinggear.co.jp www.sard.co.jp www.border-racing.com www.datasystem.co.jp www.bozz.co.jp www.emotion-r.co.jp www3.ocn.ne.jp/~sheepdog www.arcinter.co.jp (arc) www.first-inc.co.jp (buddy club) www.jsracing.co.jp www.east-bear.co.jp www.koyo-rad.co.jp www.g-reckless.com www.denso.co.jp www.dogfightpro.com www.napolex.co.jp www.autoexe.co.jp www.greatcompany.co.jp www.night-pager.com www.garagemak.com www.works9.jp www.jubiride.com www.kenstyle.co.jp/ www.midoriseibi.co.jp/ www.runs.co.jp www.ksp-eng.co.jp (attain) www.impul.co.jp www.weds.co.jp www.kansaiss.co.jp (kansai service) www.phenix-autocenter.co.jp (target) www.phoenixs.co.jp (phoenix's power) www.nagaidenshi.co.jp (ultra) www.runner-sp.co.jp www.hpiracing.co.jp www.thrash.co.jp www.dwest-web.com www.carmate.co.jp (razo) www.kakimotoracing.co.jp www.zees.co.jp www.yashiofactory.co.jp www.lead-racing.com www.calsonic.co.jp www.makeup-power.co.jp www.creative-sports.com www.prodrive-japan.com www.k-style.gr.jp members.jcom.home.ne.jp/technical-factory-hirano1/01/index.htm www.ms-factory.co.jp www.kei-office.co.jp (not kei cars, despite the name) www.ikeya-f.co.jp www.yellowfactory.net www.craftsquare.co.jp www.luck.co.jp www.monster-sport.com www.auto-craft.jp www.artfactory-inc.com (graphics) Aeroparts etc - note: many of these companies in the following sections also make other parts - mechanical or otherwise www.c-west.co.jp www.drft.co.jp (also c-west) www.wisesports.co.jp www.ings-net.com www.varis.co.jp www.aerocraft.co.jp www.alles-create.co.jp www.damd.co.jp www.ganador.co.jp www.webersports.jp www.aeropalace.co.jp www.gialla.co.jp www.do-luck.com www.kazamaauto.co.jp www.gpsports.co.jp www.awa.or.jp/home/tanaka-t/ (devil) www.aqua-fsp.com www.t-and-e.co.jp (vertex) www.ab-flug.co.jp www.masamotorsports.com www.abroad-limited-company.co.jp (D-Style) www.bn-sports.co.jp www.freeway-dolphin.co.jp www.fabulous.co.jp www.bomexaero.com www.rd7000.com Brakes/Suspension/Clutch www.cusco.co.jp www.oguraclutch.co.jp www.endless-sport.co.jp www.exedy.co.jp www.tokico.co.jp www.project-mu.co.jp www.a-t-s.co.jp www.tein.co.jp www.rd-tanabe.com www.kgm.co.jp www.kyb.co.jp www.jic-magic.co.jp www.yrc.co.jp/yfc/gab www.kaaz.co.jp Wheels and Tyres www.rayswheels.co.jp www.hartwheels.co.jp www.speedstar.co.jp www.advan.com www.arw.co.jp www.bim-cs.com www.bbs-japan.co.jp www.enkei.co.jp www.crimson-inc.co.jp Gauges www.nippon-seiki.co.jp/defi/ www.omorimeter.co.jp www.the-pivot.co.jp/ Lights www.raybrig.gr.jp www.fet.co.jp www.bellof.co.jp/ Parts Chains www.autobacs.co.jp www.upgarage.com www.****pit.co.jp (need to replace **** with c o c k yay!) Car Sales & Auction www.carciao.com channel.goo.ne.jp/car/ autos.yahoo.co.jp/ www.isize.com/carsensor www.carview.co.jp www.tax.co.jp www.kaizousha.com (buyer beware!) www.zele-international.com www.freed.gr.jp Motorsport www.jgtc.net www.d1gp.co.jp www.ebisu-circuit.com www.fujispeedway.co.jp www.jasc.or.jp (tsukuba circuit) www.suzukacircuit.co.jp www.central-circuit.jp www.rallyjapan.jp Autosalon www.e-autosalon.net Magazines www.sun-a.com/option/ (option) www.v-opt.co.jp (video option) www.bestmotoring.jp/ (best motoring) www.microbrain.org/CARBOY/ (carboy) www.carstyling.co.jp www.mag-x.com (mag x) www.cargoods.gr.jp (cargoods) www.sun-a.com (for various magazine/video subscriptions) www.carmode.net/gtr/ (GTR magazine) www.carmode.net/yv/index.php (Young Version) www.carmode.net/vipstyle/index.php (VIP style) www.sun-a.com/genroq (euros - ferrari etc, in japan) www.galsparadise.com (ahem... well you see them at car shows!)

ummm... looks like I've got a pile of unanswered pms! apologies to anyone who hasn't got a reply. I'm not rude... just looks like my pm notification option has mysteriously turned itself off

I'm an australasian - so you can tick off the NZ box too, if you like

yeah, but I stepped off the plane once too - and I'd never been here before I think of it this way - if my in-laws can manage to travel from shikoku to my house (off the coast of nw honshu) without any incident or trouble - then anyone can! IMO, confidence is far more important than language for the first-time traveller in japan. I agree, it can be daunting, but there really isn't much to it. The japanese (99.9%) are very friendly and learn english at school - so you'll always find help if you need it. One of the easiest things to do, if you're looking for shops in tokyo, is pick up a copy of option 2, show it (a parts shop ad) to the reception of your hotel, and ask for travel advice - common sense and confidence is all you need. (there's also lots of good advice and directions here and at the pf forum) I'm not discounting the importance of language though - the more you know, the more you'll get out of any foriegn country. The best advice I can offer, is learn katakana - it takes bugger all time to do - and for shopping, it's invaluable.

What Rezz said. But about this comment - "If you are going by yourself and you dont speak or read Japanese, or if you don't have a friend in Japan I think you will find it VERY difficult to go somewhere worthwhile! Its not like Australia where you can just pack up and go out for the day, in Japan you need serious planning lol!" nah, not true - some of us have been living in japan for years now with only basic communicative skills. My japanese is atrocious, but I get by. If I can survive rural japan in this way - anyone can survive a short holiday.

congrats dave

WRX - no, not for street use. Unless it is a personal import owned by someone who lived overseas (for example, in japan) for 12 months. You could definitely get an early model and register it in australia for well under $15k (under those regs) MX5 - yes, if it's an 89 it can be brought in using the 15yr rule (or any year - using the aforementioned personal import regs). Again, you could land one and rego it for well under $10k. For example - last year I owned a 90 mx5 and I bought it for around 250,000yen (= around A$3k). That's a dealership price - you could go even lower at auction, and for a lower quality car. Goon: the JDM mx5 (earliest version) has around 10kw over the australian version. I believe this is due to ignition timing (a common mod anyway). I loved the mx5 - f@cking amazing little cars with sublime handling - nowhere near enough power though - and as such, I don't regret trading it in for my current rx7