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Old 09-10-2011, 10:14 AM   #13 (permalink)
weslmac
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Camp Zama, Japan
Posts: 16
Drives: 2009 370Z Silver
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Lemer, just having a friendly conversation no hard feelings just shareing what I have experienced since I have been here. Apreciate your thoughts as you have spent more time here then I have.

As you know I just made a 35 mile trip and it took 2 hours each way. Speed is not an option here. I am used to open roads with no crazy scooter screaming past me on the left and right side at the same time spliting lanes. Liability here is crazy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemers View Post
Don't get me wrong I was in Japan from 2000 to 2004. I know somethings about the cars there.

1. The Army will import an Amwrican spec car to Japan, but you will pay around $3000 (2000 cost) to bring it to Japanese specs. Glass and emissions was what I was told. Then you will pay $3000 again when you bring it home. Not sure about you but adding $6000 to the cost of a Z just to have it in Japan isn't worth it. Also, you will need to find someone to loan you the money and let you take the car out of the states.

First, I am a civilian employee and I agree that I will be paying close to $3,000to register the Z here but no mods (glass or exhaust changes) will be required as the car meets Japan requirements for registration. The reason for the costs is the size of the motor. I will let you know the total cost once the car arrives. I bought the car used with 18,000 miles and did not pay anyway near sticker price. I traded a 2011 Lincoln MKT for the car as the Lincoln is way to large to drive over here. At the time I traded the Lincoln for the Z used cars were bringing top dollar and I actually made a positive trade on the Z which was less than 29k. The car is on a ship and will arrive October 13th so no issues with the lender releasing the vehicle. There is no cost in return shipping a POV as the Government will pay to ship a POV back when my tour is over. The POV I ship back does not have to be what I brought over here so a Skyline is a option however, I just looked at the R35 GT-R's and they are selling in the 60k range and up and that I am not willing to pay. But it is way to eairly to say what I will be bringing back. My intentions were to install a twin-turbo on the Z while I am here and get the brake and oil problems resolved.

2. Due to JCI there is a huge used car market that caters to Soldiers. You will find inexpensive Japanese spec cars including skylines and superas.

3. thanks to motorex bringing home any J-spec car will be very difficult

4. The challenger was most likely bought through the exchange and j-spec ready (he will still need to convert it back to American specs when he leaves.

The Challenger was brought over from Germany the reason he cannot register the car is due to lighting and no side turn signals. You have to install aftermarket turn signals. I am sure there are other issues I am not aware of. This is why I didnt bring a US car here. The Z will feel right at home here.

5. I can't speek to parts and labor but I do know thanks to JCI the Japanese are forced to keep their cars well maintained.

Parts and labor are just the same as the states not the same for every vehicle. I dont know about the Z but I was refering to a car like a used Skyline that is modofied that is over 10 years old.

6. When else will you ever have the opportunity to own a skyline?
When else will I have a US spec Z in Japan. Owning a Skyline here is like owning a Mustang in the states.

Want to talk crazy my Harley will cost $5,000 to register here. The 1690cc motor is larger then most cars here....lol


Dustin: Please do I would be very interested in going to a Z event over here. I need to learn how to post pictures. I took some for Lemer of some Skylines on post here. I believe I was passed by a R35 GT-R today followed by a SILVIA(sp)?
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