DaiOni

the thing with vip cars is that most of them aren't old school cars - they just look like they are (amazing that some of these dated styles are still in production, or recently were). as rezz said there are very few old cars about. I'd say that old school car owners fall into three categories (generally speaking) - 1. collectors, 2. those who bought them new and, for whatever reason, never got rid of them (older people often fit this category) and 3. those who, for example, had such cars as their first car - and have re-purchased (or held onto them) for the sake of nostalgia. Even poor people can afford what we would consider 'decent cars' (because even mid 90s cars are often given away because of having no resale value). here's what I've seen (a few examples off the top of my head) - * quite a few 80s corollas (surprise, surprise) - the only car, I can think of, from the mid-80s, that is still significantly popular * a couple of series I-III (sa22) rx7s * a mk.II supra (one of the HKS turbo versions, no less!) * the occasional r31, and even rarer, the odd r30 * 1 or 2 prince skylines * an early 70s rotary (was going too fast to conclusively identify - but was in very good nick) * a toyota 2000gt * an old school fairlady z * an old prelude of some sort (a late 80s one, IIRC) * lots of old american cars - many done up as lowriders - buicks, cadillacs, that sort of thing * a lot of wedge shape (1st gen) magnas are still in use in taxi fleets (particularly in kyoto) - though they are badged 'galant', and, IIRC, have a 2L engine

Well, let them enjoy the cars in japan - it's not like they send them back home (well... not like we can)

it's actually been the busiest time ever for me, but hopefully it will slow down soon and I can get back to the business of doing nothing (and posting some pics!)

Unless it's bought at auction, it won't have a 'rating', other than one you might attribute to it personally if you want to check out average japanese caryard prices - use the japanese automotive links thread (it's a sticky) - there is a section in there for car sales. You should be able to bumble your way through those sites (easily if you some minimal japanese skills) - but you can always ask for help if you need it One thing to note - the price advertised is not the 'real' price (the same goes for 'windscreen' prices you see in car yards, the 'real' price is usually on a sheet inside each car). There are a handful of extra charges that may need to be applied - local tax, name change, shaken, and so on - these costs vary between cars - due to things such as location, type of car, etc. 100,000 is about the average 'add-on' cost if shaken is required - though this can sky-rocket if there are problems with the car. I've always bought a car that had shaken, or bargained free shaken into the price (it's a good haggling point).

let's not even joke about that crew

regardless of LCT, import tax es, compliance etc - the base price for a worthwhile GTR is going to be at least $50k. If you want a pristine v-spec/II, or above, then expect to pay at least another $10-20k. A $40k r34 gtr in the current market is, putting it bluntly, one hell of a risk. A $50k car is probably going to be a compromise, be it in quality or kms.

here's an example that would work: 99 GTR, 82000kms (that's one reason for the lower price) cost: approx $50k If you want one with low kms, 2000+, a v-spec (or up), etc - then you are definitely going to smash through the luxury tax threshold (which, from memory, is at about $57k at the moment).

A decent 34 gtr still attracts luxury car tax (nasty), add to that the normal importing fees, transport, re-registration, compliance, mark-up, blah blah blah - and there's your typical australian market price. You'd be doing very well to get a *worthwhile* (condition, kms) example for under $60k

no, I've known others to do it and it cost them significantly less than 10man (IIRC, was half that price, or thereabouts) - of course, with any repairs on top of that figure. I've personally followed the japanese trait of getting rid of a car before the due date. I'll probably be shipping the FD back next april to avoid shaken.

the overwhelming majority are from africa

I can only speak for myself - a jetfoil takes 45 minutes to the mainland, 2 hours 15 minutes or so for the car ferry. Both are relatively inexpensive (the car ferry in particular - as long as you aren't taking a car!). There is also a small plane route. It's the 5th largest of the japanese islands, so you won't get that sort of service in most places. As a jet you can't pick placement - so you have to be lucky (or unlucky, for many), to get an island placement. In my experience, the 1L can is the biggest of the 'true' cans of beer - the rest being aluminium 'bottles' or mini kegs.

no doubt they are - but not that particular car yard - the owners are some of the nicest people I've ever, ever met

random local car #2 660cc's of 'ferrari' power

I'd say the distance in which they are legible, day or night, becomes far shorter

you'd never get away with it in australia, if that's what you're thinking IMO, and, I'm sure, in the opinion of any australian police, they also have the effect of making the plate less legible

there's mullets galore in japan, but a 'bogan' here is more likely to be sporting a sideways cap (or a white towel bandana) than a 'business at the front, party at the back' cut

yep. porn. there is softcore/censored hard core porn on tv after 12 - but not of that variety (that I've ever seen)

if it's what I'm thinking of (and the name certainly sounds like it), it's porn.

hehe, 35000/50000 - you could fit about 3 tokyo 1dk's in our apartments though

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.