Yet Another Personal Import Thread.

[Sciby]

hi guys, haven't been on here for a while, mostly because I moved to Japan 6 months ago and have been busy as hell.

Anyway, I'm starting to get jack of not having a car - I can deal with public transport, but the lack of ability to roar off into the mountains is making me desperately unhappy.

I'm staying in Japanland until August 2009, so whatever I buy will definitely be with me for 12 months, and I'll bring it back to Aus with me. I'm looking at around the $10AUD/1mil￥ mark, which won't exactly get me anything too exotic or rare, but I'm hoping to get something decent.

I'm not doing it for financial gain, purely for personal enjoyment and the ability to get around this damn place without trains or old men breathing on me.

Questions:

- I obviously have to reside here for 12 months, but has anyone heard anything about not being able to leave Japan at this time, even for a short holiday? I've emailed DOTARS about this but haven't gotten a reply.

- No model really springs to mind that isn't listed in SEVS already. Any suggestions on types to look at? RX7 FD3S spring to mind, but are there any hidden non-SEVS gems that I should consider? I'm even considering a 34 or an S14 S2...

Edited May 14, 2008 by Sciby

[m3gtr]

a million yen will get you plenty of car. Narrow down the list///

What wont go as far is the fact that its going to be around that much again to get it there plus the fact theres a heap of other costs.

I just paid 150k for comprehensive insurance for my sti forester. Im paying 220k a year for parking, 1 tank of hi octane is 6000 yen, etc etc etc.

The dealer will sort you out completely when it comes to all the paperwork and trust me, ive gone greyer over what i had to put together before i could even take delivery./

Do yourself a favor and check down the page - there are a stack of threads dedicated to this topic. I know you want it to be addressed to you personally but a simple search wouldve been more productive.

Anyways,

Good luck with the hunt.

[Sciby]

I did search down the page - quite a bit - which is why I had only two questions.

[N/A®]

Can help with your first question.

Must reside continuously in Japan during the period. You can leave for a SHORT holiday back home.

They will require all pages of your passport and reasons for leaving Japan with your application.

It actually says that on the site. Look closer.

[DaiOni]

It's about 6 weeks, iirc, but check with dotars. I'm spending 6 weeks in europe this summer and then will be home for a couple at xmas, so it's going to be an issue for me this time around.

for 1 mill you can't really go past an FD, nut you really have to know what you are getting yourself into.

You should be able to get a late series 7 for around that price. Try to get one that is well modified. These (s6, s7) aren't available via SEVS, but the s8 prices are getting lower and lower, so don't expect to make bulk profit like the good old days. You shouldn't lose your money on it though (provided you look after it).

Other choices:

* a nice late model mr2

* plenty of cheap r32 GTRs about now (about the same gamble as an FD though, and less likely to get your money back)

* GTO

* Chaser

* GTT (might be hard to find a good one)

* Evo IV-VI (nice example vs high kms)

* Nice older STi, maybe even a high kms bugeye

* high km forester STi type M (if you need to carry shit)

[m3gtr]

It's about 6 weeks, iirc, but check with dotars. I'm spending 6 weeks in europe this summer and then will be home for a couple at xmas, so it's going to be an issue for me this time around.

for 1 mill you can't really go past an FD, nut you really have to know what you are getting yourself into.

You should be able to get a late series 7 for around that price. Try to get one that is well modified. These (s6, s7) aren't available via SEVS, but the s8 prices are getting lower and lower, so don't expect to make bulk profit like the good old days. You shouldn't lose your money on it though (provided you look after it).

Other choices:

* a nice late model mr2

* plenty of cheap r32 GTRs about now (about the same gamble as an FD though, and less likely to get your money back)

* GTO

* Chaser

* GTT (might be hard to find a good one)

* Evo IV-VI (nice example vs high kms)

* Nice older STi, maybe even a high kms bugeye

* high km forester STi type M (if you need to carry shit)

If anyone i know of on this forum that knows about FD's, Dai Oni is your guy. Id take his advice - trust me. He's one of the main reasons i got the ride i did.

If you are only here for a year, you may even get away with an international license - perhaps no need to convert it but if you must, its not that hard.

Just keep in mind, keeping cars here, even if only for a year, is not a cheap process so make sure youve got cash in hand for other things like insurance, parking, maintenance and the eventual tax gang rape by the Oz govt.!

Edited May 14, 2008 by m3gtr

[dodgybrooks]

If you are only here for a year, you may even get away with an international license - perhaps no need to convert it but if you must, its not that hard.

You need to send DOTARS a copy of your Japanese licence when applying for Personal Import approval.........

And when did you turn American m3gtr?? License

[Sciby]

Thanks for the replies - got a response back regarding the 12 months/holidays stuff:

We allow for approximately six weeks of holidays away from the vehicle

in a 12 month period.

And as much as I'd love an FD, everyone keeps warning me that I won't fit in one. I"m 6'3" and 105kg... will have to find one at a dealer and shoehorn myself into it, I guess.

[Sciby]

It's about 6 weeks, iirc, but check with dotars. I'm spending 6 weeks in europe this summer and then will be home for a couple at xmas, so it's going to be an issue for me this time around.

Yup, you were spot on.

for 1 mill you can't really go past an FD, nut you really have to know what you are getting yourself into.

You should be able to get a late series 7 for around that price. Try to get one that is well modified. These (s6, s7) aren't available via SEVS, but the s8 prices are getting lower and lower, so don't expect to make bulk profit like the good old days. You shouldn't lose your money on it though (provided you look after it).

Weeeeeell, I'm not really doing it for the possible profit when I get back to Aus - more just the opportunity to have a car in Japan, plus the extra bonuses that the personal import allows.

Other choices:

* a nice late model mr2 - Tempting, and I can fit in these.

* plenty of cheap r32 GTRs about now (about the same gamble as an FD though, and less likely to get your money back)

* GTO - Not a real fan, but I'd look at one.

* Chaser - This is definitely on the short list.

* GTT (might be hard to find a good one) - Ditto.

* Evo IV-VI (nice example vs high kms) - I'd never considered an Evo before (never even sat inside one), but the V/VI's look pretty nice. It'd be a change from a Skyline anyway.

* Nice older STi, maybe even a high kms bugeye - Also very tempting.

* high km forester STi type M (if you need to carry shit) - This, I'm going to explore further...

Thanks for the input, I'd not even thought about half that list.

[m3gtr]

You need to send DOTARS a copy of your Japanese licence when applying for Personal Import approval.........

And when did you turn American m3gtr?? License

gomen!

Blame it on the mac!

[dodgybrooks]

I use a mac.........

[m3gtr]

I use a mac.........

Well touche... part of the minority really. My Job requires i create me lecture material in US english...

Cant argue with that, really.

Besides, who the hell in their right minds uses a window machine anyway?

[akeenan]

people who want to be able to use any program they choose

[Sciby]

people who want to be able to use any program they choose

Try using Final Cut Pro on a PC.

Macs can do pretty much anything that a PC can... and the shareware software is usually of a higher standard, thanks to extreme nutter computer nerds loving Macs. Games? I have an xbox for that.

[N/A®]

It is a difficult thing to find the right car isnt it? Im also looking at buying my second car around the 2Million mark and send it back.

I have a couple of ideas but not 100% sure yet...

Let us know what you finally decide to get

[m3gtr]

It is a difficult thing to find the right car isnt it? Im also looking at buying my second car around the 2Million mark and send it back.

I have a couple of ideas but not 100% sure yet...

Let us know what you finally decide to get

Cmon Ken,. dont be a tease.

What are those " couple of ideas"?

[N/A®]

Cmon Ken,. dont be a tease.

What are those " couple of ideas"?

maybe...

[m3gtr]

lol, another Sube. Werent you advising against the 22b a little while back??

Did you take that photo?

Theres a guy just around the corner from us that has a grey one...

Edited May 18, 2008 by m3gtr

[N/A®]

Yes I took it with my phone. It was a joke.. I wouldnt buy one.

Around the corner from your place? Im quite sure you dont live in Tama

Edited May 18, 2008 by N/A®

[m3gtr]

Yes I took it with my phone. It was a joke.. I wouldnt buy one.

Around the corner from your place? Im quite sure you dont live in Tama

tama? is that what it says? I cant read kanji for shit

I dont even know if my plate has the same thing

Your phone needs a better camera btw;;:,..

Edited May 18, 2008 by m3gtr