DaiOni

"How long does it take by Shinkansen?" * There is no shink line - they are only used for long distance. I guess you could hop on the NEX (narita-tokyo express) which stops at chiba - but it may cost more (not sure on that one). I'm not sure if it would even be quicker - but it looks faster * Get option and price match with that (option 2 may have more parts ads). Though places like crystal are your best bet - they tend to be mail-order style businesses, that bulk buy. Whereas autobacs is a (not so) cheap, autobarn style chain of shops. Take a look at autobacs anyway - they may have something you want on sale. * Akihabera - do your research first! come armed with all the local (australian) prices. Walk around - try the small shops (the bigger places tend to price match with each other). You can try to haggle, but good luck - most don't (again, particularly the bigger places). Check that the sticker price is the duty free price - I found that this wasn't always the case. The phrase "menzei no nedan desu ka" (is this a duty free price?) is a helpful one to know. * The weather will be about 15 degrees or so. The weather in tokyo is always more mild than most of honshu - so that's a good thing. * I don't know where the nissan museum is (Rezz?). Don't bother with the toyota museum/showroom unless you are really bored - the current state of toyota production is really depressing (IMO, the latest soarer convertible is the only winner). Someone once told me that there was a honda museum in tokyo too, and that it was really cool, but I haven't seen that either. * Pretty much all of the western world, in my experience, has a 25+ restriction when hiring a car - not sure how japan fares, but it's quite likely, similar. Good luck finding a v35 - most places will just have rows of bright white toyotas. $$$ too. * You can have a beer with me, I'll even take you for a spin in the FD, but you better find sado island on a map first... Enjoy!

Got their car in by the 15yr rule?? don't think so - most of the people on here got there car in via the old standard import laws. The 15yr rule has only very recently (ie: due to '89) become interesting, in terms of a wave of high performance japanese cars. As for limiting user access to the 15yr rule. It would have to be one car per person per year (perhaps even per 2-3 year period) - but even that is open to exploitation via commercial operations (given the profit margin potential and quantity of cars that can be sold).

If you think nissan is boring - go take a look at the big toyota museum/showroom in Tokyo - it's even worse. As Rezz said, it's primarily a product of the times - not of individuals. Ghosn as been roundly praised for turning nissan around - and possibly, rightly so (obviously not from an enthusiasts standpoint). sounds like he can't drive for sh*t though.

Another 2c about differing meanings - think about english proverbs - there are often many ways of interpreting most of them. A lot of the time - context - is the most important factor (when and why it is being said)

oh, and traditionally, it would be written downwards - but either way is fine

shinkiitten (shin - key - eet - ten, is a rough pronounciation guide) means: to change one's mind/turn over a new leaf didn't know the second kanji, so that had me stumped

sounds encouraging. "Spoke to DOFT, they said to approach and ask him to fix it, when he says no, put in the paperwork and they'll take it from there.... cant sell a car that's not ADR compliant." Now that is an interesting statement. I wandered through parramatta road car yards last month - and I have absolutely no doubt that a huge number of the cars I saw could, technically, be ruled non-compliant to ADRs. Hopefully the 'threat' factor will work for you - otherwise it may be more hassle than it's worth. In any case, good luck.

A good one is A$50k+ in japan - luxury tax is one factor that nudges up the 'landed' price in oz

"$75,000 should get you a nice one landed. Long time before they are $50,000 though..." maybe, mabye not.

Glad I'm not the only one thinking about the obvious question! Poor bugger

"coz water -> ice... ice = slipperier that snow" That's exactly right - and anyone who has driven/lived in a snowy area will tell you - snow is slippery, but it's 'black ice' that is the killer. Snow often follows this pattern (well it does where I live): light snow > heavy snow > EXTREME snow/blizzard (dangerous) > thaw period > the refreeze (most dangerous - as the semi-thawed snow creates 'ice-rink' conditions) > snow again > full thaw

when you get up close and personal with these cars, as rezz has noted, you start to understand just how amazingly crafted they are - it's not just a case of stripping out these days

"Don't expect to get your car tuned at CRD for any less than $800 though..." My car (the magna, not the FD, obviously) was on the dyno for several hours (quite a few actually) and he charged me about $200... (actually, that covered install too...) It was a sponsored car (unichip sponsored, among others) and I was giving him a good plug on my website though! Nice guy - and a great tuner! Definitely expensive - but you get what you pay for

As much as I hate t-wings - I've seen imperical data that proves they improve performance. Of course, unless you drive your car on the streets like you're lapping at tsukuba... perhaps the 'silly mod' tags are appropriate. I've mentioned it before, but again - the autobacs r33 is an audio project only, and has nothing to do with performance (I mean, with all that gear - why bother?) one day I'll get around to posting my pics - all FD rx7s though!

Q rating is 160km/h They won't match the tyre placard - but so many aftermarket wheel/tyre combos won't - so good luck getting any help there. It may be a compliancing issue - but that usually has more to do with dry tyres not meeting tread requirements - and if the seller didn't comply this actual vehicle... probably up to you to change them. Why are they on your car? Well, I'll give the two most likely scenarios: (a) Owner sold the car druing winter/just after winter and couldn't be stuffed putting the summer rims back on (B) Owner had a nice set of aftermarket rims on the car and sold them separately (to Upgarage or someone similar). Most people use their original factory rims (or a cheap/2nd hand set of aftermarket rims) for the winter. Are they sold in Australia? Very likely no (especially given the snow coverage of oz), as most people resort to chains when the ski season comes around.

Where I am, they have little sheds on the sides of the road in some places (usual steep hills). I've never looked inside, but I was under the impression that they contained a lime-based compound - not salt. IMO, there is far less incidence of rust on cars in japan - than the rustboxes (even newer cars) that you see on any road in Australia. DJ984: I use to thrash around in the dry with blizzaks on my mx5 - they actually weren't too bad at all, in terms of grip in the dry. I think the biggest downside is they are quite soft - and would wear very quickly. I think I have a set of blizzaks on my r33 at the moment - I'll check the speed rating later.

"Th bluey is really fat and down a lot on power so that accounts for the higher speed deficit" The figure I've seen quoted is 1380kg - that's a HPI quote so it could well be wrong (though they are quite small cars, really). They put the bluebird at about .10 slower over 400m, and .001 over 0-100 - compared to an r33 (they are manual figures)

"Bar, Isn't it?" in Osaka" Had a very wild night there in 03! pretty crap bar, overall though. I like the HUB chain of "british" pubs - only because they sell VB and beer in a yardglass!

given that price difference, and the even wider gap in service and quality - you'd be insane to fly qantas

most magazines won't do overseas subscriptions - but if you have a local japanese bookshop in perth (such as Japan Book Store or Kinokuniya) they should have no problem getting it in for you. Alternatively, you could ring one of their stores in other cities and see if they'll arrange something for you (I think the Japan Book Store is only in melbourne now, but there was a couple of kinokuniyas around, or so I hear).

"not to mention they are an entry level sports car" really? don't think so! I guess everybody's terminology differs though. In terms of japanese sports cars, my idea of entry level is an mx5, etc. A GTST/GTT or silvia is probably the next step up. Then You have the big boys - GTR, Supra, GTO, FD Rx7. (and the real top shelf of factory cars goes to the top spec NSX, nur spec GTR...) Where does the GTiR fit? Well its definitely a rally focused car - so I guess if it was around today, it would be a competitor for the evo or sti. It definitely has the gear - and it definitely pulls the times. Easily one of the best cars to get fast times for low $$$ - it's been proven over and over. The only real weak points are the gearbox, the looks (obviously subjective) and the fact that most are now missing their factory umbrella. Definitely not an entry-level car, IMO

Japanese workers are expected to stay at work far beyond 'knock-off time'. My fellow teachers are often at school at 7pm or later - even though they finish at around 5pm. HOWEVER, they don't do bugger all - and from what I can gather, this isn't a trait restricted to teachers. In the few (very few) occasions I've stayed back, I've seen people sitting around 'looking busy' (generally consists of them playing solitaire on their computer or similar). Why do they do it? Well, from what I hear (and please correct me if I'm wrong) it has less to do with 'teamwork' and 'hard work', and more to do with 'protecting your yearly bonus'. For the same reason, many workers are reluctant to take paid leave - or use paid sick leave. It's not surprising when you see how large some of the bonuses are!!!! I don't get a bonus so I'm the one who is usually trying to sneak out 5 minutes early Working for the japanese is definitely an eye-opener. And if you are working for a corporate (I work for the govt.) - be prepared to deal with it. It varies from place to place (and boss to boss) though - some people have it easy, others play by the rules.

yeah, might want to check excess baggage fees.... (not that I've ever been slapped with them - but then again, I haven't tried to ship half a car back either...) In all honesty, and given the current exchange rate (curse it), you may well be better off to just buy through someone like rezz. If it was me, I'd be looking for small and hard to get items.

Not having driven one, but having had a very good look at one (may still buy it, but the wife is against me - she thinks it looks like a volvo) - a brake upgrade wouldn't be at the top of my list. Unless you are thinking of tracking it straight away.

good luck getting all that gear home!