Going to Japan....

rreign

Well, just as the title says...I'm going to Japan!!

As some you you already know, I'm a Marine and I just put in for orders to Japan. I'm only writing this thread because I'm trying to see what some of you guys would do when it came to getting a car over there. We all know that it's the THE import car central for most of us here. What car would you buy and build if you had the chance? Keep in mind that I got about 3 years to build this thing up, so I can pretty much do whatever I want.

Here's the main cars I've been thinking about... + a little info about the importation back here.

#1 = The infamous/famous Skyline GTR - Really want a R34 but can only get it registered as a show/race car for the US. The only one legal for importation to the US is the R33 up to mid 1998 w/ a few grand in bringing it to specs. So do I suck it up and get the R33 or just buy and own an R34 for the time and suck it up as an experience?

#2 = The amazing Silvia S14 (or S15) - Awesome car, but mainly for looks. We all know that it can take thousands to bring it up to par w/ any track/race car. That's the downside!! Otherwise it's an awesome car for aesthetics. Plus it's relatively easy to import.

#3 = 300 Fairlady Z 2X2. The only benefit to this is that they already make the 300 here so changing it over would be simple and easy to import. Also having a RHD 300 here is unique enough.

#4 = 370 Fairlady Z. (same pro/con as 300)

Any input would be appreciated guys. Thanks for the read and I hope you can help me make a solid decision.

- Rick

StLRedrider

One of each

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bigaudiofanat

Get one of the real original gtr's and you can if you take a spacial class and get a license for it operate it normally in the us. YOU LUCKY ..........

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rreign

If only I could afford to, I would! Actually from what some of the Marines there are selling them for, I could buy atleast 2 (not the 370 though) Then I couldn't afford to mod them out though, lol.


I have looked into this extensively for over the last 2 years or more and ohhhh if it were that easy, lol. I won't go too into it right now, but let's just say that Motorex got a little greedy and grimy and screwed everyone's dreams oflegally owning and registering an R34 or R32. The only one's that they legally crash tested and converted and documented was the R33. So anyone that owned an R34 prior to 1998 has had them grand fathered in. Otherwise you can only import an R33 from 1995 - mid 1998 and it has to have a multitude of conversions done. The only myth that people run into that is false is that you don't have to make them LHD, you can leave them RHD as long as you convert everything else.

edeeZee

Semper fi! I got out in '98. I was stationed at MCAS Iwakuni, was with MWSS 171. I'd like to visit Japan again someday.

Get the latest FD Rx7 if you can. The JDM one is worth it. Besides, you can get a 370 stateside anytime you want.

Ellz

If it was up to me between the R33 GTR and a S15. I would go the S15.
R34 GTR is a different story. The 33 is dime a dozen in Australia and it's pretty hard to go past a tastefully tuned S15.

R33 = land bardge
S15 = lite, rwd, well balanced

The thing is, there are skylines every 3rd car when driving on the Gold Coast where as im sure they are quite the rare site in the US.

rreign

Semper Fi to you to brother. Actually now that you mention that, I have thought about the RX7 Spirit A and the RS. I forgot to mention them though. Hard to find from what I here seeing as how there were only 1000 RS made and only about 1500 Spirits made.


I can agree with this to an extent but my problem remains that I don't know hardly squat about the S15 motors. Maybe I should do a little research though. It might be worth it. Hell, if nothing else I'm learning more knowledge about another car anyway, lol.

370Z Purist

S15 is a pretty car. I'd go that route. I would prefer an RX-7. The FD is a pretty curvaceous car, and you can do a lot with it, with or without the rotary.


There was actually an R34 in my area, and it was often street raced. I don't know if it's even a registered car, but regardless of it's registered value, most cops don't even know to question its legality in the states. Skylines in general are very rare in the US.

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-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

GMZ

Ive been there quite a few times over the years. You didnt say, but I assume youre going to "mainland" Japan and not Okinawa? The money is good over there, so why dont you just sample each one and pull the trigger on the one that strikes you most? Theyre all a dime a dozen out there, as strange as it seems now to think that way. I saw some crazy nice Supras when I was there too. Ive actually been drooling over FD's a lot lately.

rreign

I am actually trying to get to Okinawa because it's a little out of the way of all the main tourist areas but I can always go to Iwakuni and just have a ship bring my car to Oki if that's where I find it.

I've been thinking a lot about the MKIV over there too, but if I can't find one with a motor that's already been rebuilt over there, then there's no point in buying it because I know they probably trashed it, lol. It's just that I know more about the RB motors or even the Wankels then I know the 2JZ-GTE.

rreign

I really need some more input on this guys. I have yet to make a decision and it's gonna be coming up, probably sooner than I think. Gimme some input here.

370Z Purist

Seriously consider an FD. You can go places with that platform.

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-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

Togo

I loved FDs and they are great looking cars, lots of options, fairly light weight.

370Z Purist

They were the true "sports cars." All aluminum body (albeit with steel crossbraces and chassis), lightweight, a shorter wheelbase, good weight distribution, and barely any creature comforts. And they have a massive space under the hood/bonnet that you can do a hell of a lot of things with.

If anything, clean pieces tend to be collector's items now.

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-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

GMZ

FD or an R33 in that order. There's a Bit more support here for the FD when you do come back