Cars, parts and beer. (questions for the SAU gaijin) :)

[Sciby]

Hi guys,

Got a couple of quick questions about japan...

- Can you legally drink alcohol in the streets? I'm guessing 'yes', since there's beer/alcohol vending machines.

- How much do prices for car parts differ between Oz and Japan?.

- How much do prices differ on cars differ between Oz and Japan?

Why I ask is because when I move over, I'd like to buy a car to bring back with me under personal import rules... since I have to own it for a year, my time will be limited when I move over for buying a car. I'll have about $25k aud (Just under 2m yen) to spend on the car... and mods will come over the year as I work, if it's stock.

A good example car would be an R33 GTR... in oz they're between $35 and 45k... how much would I roughly expect to pay over there? Can they be had for a comparative bargain? Am I just wasting my time trying to do this? Should I just store the ScibyLine until I get back? All these questions and more...

[Demon Dave]

I don't know how prices compare with Oz (since I'm a Brit ) but regarding drinking in the streets, AFAIK there is no law against it. Indeed, during March/April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom it seems as if the entire nation is outside sat under the trees eating and consuming vast amounts of alcohol.

[Sciby]

Eeeeexcellent.

[Rezz]

I think as far as car prices go (depending on condition) take your standard price, and add at least $5,000 onto it to get to the Australian price... maybe more.

[DaiOni]

look at my links thread on the index page - you can check out any of the sites for parts prices. There are dedicated auction/car sales pages listed there as well.

[DaiOni]

I think as far as car prices go (depending on condition) take your standard price, and add at least $5,000 onto it to get to the Australian price... maybe more.

at least!

that's about right for our forester. The FD though.... big difference!

[Sciby]

So in short, price points in japan are lower than australia? Garoovy.

At the moment, I'm considering an R33 GTR, an FD RX7 (if I'm capable of fitting in one. ) or a Chaser Tourer V... hopefully should be able to find something decent, I hope.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[Polski]

Sciby i'm gonna do exactly the same thing

i'm thinking FD rx7 for now, i wuv those machines !

[Sciby]

Not enough Rx7's around... but at 6'3", 110kg, I dunno if I can fit in one.

Daioni, how big are you? Got room to spare in your '7?

at least!

that's about right for our forester. The FD though.... big difference!

A good or a bad difference for the FD?

[DaiOni]

6'3" is not going to be comfortable

I'm 5'8" so it's spot-on for me

[Sciby]

Hmmmmm... perhaps a modified FD where I sit in the back seat...

[Evo_Lee]

So in short, price points in japan are lower than australia? Garoovy.

At the moment, I'm considering an R33 GTR, an FD RX7 (if I'm capable of fitting in one. ) or a Chaser Tourer V...  hopefully should be able to find something decent, I hope.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

My vote, go the Chaser...

The FD is pretty tight, I'm not tall either about the same as Brian but I found it a tight fit maybe the seat in the FD I tested was too small. Another mate of mine who is over 6ft tall also found it a tight fit an has chosen a Stagea instead. But of course not matter what if you like the car that much you will not mind the tight fit, get lower seat rails if your considering circuit...as you may not be able to fit your helmet.

[Evo_Lee]

I think as far as car prices go (depending on condition) take your standard price, and add at least $5,000 onto it to get to the Australian price... maybe more.

Someone knows alot about this recently .

[Sciby]

My vote, go the Chaser...

The FD is pretty tight, I'm not tall either about the same as Brian but I found it a tight fit maybe the seat in the FD I tested was too small. Another mate of mine who is over 6ft tall also found it a tight fit an has chosen a Stagea instead. But of course not matter what if you like the car that much you will not mind the tight fit, get lower seat rails if your considering circuit...as you may not be able to fit your helmet.

It's a shame as FD's are so very very pretty. I do't think I could fit me, a helmet and a seat in one... although i thought I'd never fit in the late body MR2 and I fitted very well.

Hmmmm... maybe an MR2... *ponders*

A chaser would be funky... 2jz TT... and as I'll probably be getting visitors while I'm over there, having a true four door wouldn't hurt.

[Evo_Lee]

Don't get an MR2, but that is just me...

Yeah one of the reasons I have a 4dr is practicality and just being able to carry stuff when I go to the snowfield...also a change from having 2dr cars before.

Chaser 100 will be my next car for sure, a 2JZ would be nice but a 1JZ will be plenty sufficent.

[Sciby]

Mmmmmm... snowfield. 4 weeks until I'm on a slope. Hurrah for holidays.

Speaking of which, anyone dive over there? Is there much scuba diving in Japan?

[akeenan]

scuba diving is popular here.. but thats all i really know

[DaiOni]

I test drove a (well modified) 94 mr2 last week - didn't feel any more spacious than the FD (well, perhaps it felt less claustrophobic - but there wasn't a significant increase in space). It was fun (except for the one edge handling) - but I have to agree with troy's sentiment.

[Evo_Lee]

and if you do chose to buy one...no matter what, buy one with ABS or brake upgrade. For something which can be made so powerful from the back wheels you need upgraded brakes.

Well unless your a very good driver and very aware of your surroundings including the car in front of you has stopped!!! I hope my mate doesn't read this but he locked up his MR2 just centimetres from my rear bar at the lights 2 weeks ago, and mate did his brakes smoke up!!!

Going for a bit of a squirk afterwards, a slow Celica pulled out in front of me and while I have the luxury of Brembos...I was a little worried my mate wouldn't be able to pull up.

Me indicators on early crossed over to the next lane early giving him plenty of space just in case.

[Evo_Lee]

Mmmmmm... snowfield. 4 weeks until I'm on a slope. Hurrah for holidays.

Speaking of which, anyone dive over there? Is there much scuba diving in Japan?

then you need to live out West...Osaka way , Mie-ken or Wakayama-ken has good diving spots or out Kyushu way.

Okinawa is also very good, else SE Asia - Thailand ain't too expensive to fly over