elrodeo666

With current exchange rates, yep getting an engine built is worth it but they will still charge like a bull for job. Biggest problem is sending it back to Australia and not getting stung a whack of import duties. Its a catch 22 situation as for example you could could get a short block built, throw a used head on for shipping and say its a used engine but..you wont be able to insure for full value otherwise you'll pay the impost duty which say on a cheap $15,000 build your looking at minimum of 3k on top for shipping and duty. Real estate in Japan is a very different kettle of fish than compared to Australia. You really need to know where and what to buy and then if renting you'll need a property manager and your rent income isn't that much on a monthly basis. Small apartment blocks with convenient public transport are the go. Buying in Japan is quite easy but finding something that can make you money takes some good research and knowledge of Japan and laws and taxes.

Wasn't the GFC it was before that. It was the bubble and a new generation of people without free money to spend and money they do have is spent on more frivolous stuff like their hair and clothes. The car scene of old was a different time and era when there was so much money being thrown around and able to be thrown around it was obnoxious. Hit any of the major tuners up these days and you'll see they are making after market parts for things like Prius's. The old days you go to those tuners shops and their car parks would be full of wildly tuned cars, nowdays its about general services and basic mods and if they are very lucky the odd person doing the odd build. The economic problem in japan is right across the board and wont change as there business mindset is too stubborn and locked in the old ways If you live in Japan for any length of time you would have seen the amount of businesses going down the tube left right and centre and with property values on a continually spiralling low (I think think is the 18th/!9th year in a row of lowest ever prices) and eclipsing each years low, there rising sun is burning out fast. Tuning scene now is what people can afford and is very different to that of old. Its still out there but in a very small way. Tuning shops are struggling to stay afloat with many big names on the verge of bankruptcy or already have succumbed. In the next few years you'll quite a few disappear and I personally know of one major aftermarket supply already gearing their factories to completely different market altogether and will be fading out their products over next few years. On a different note if your heading to Japan and want to see good tuned skylines and GTR's cars then forget Nismo, forget Auto Salon (well maybe not Autosalon) but get your arse to the GTR Magazine "R's meeting usually in September. This by far is one of the best meets of the year on the Japanese performance calendar.

How f#$king Gay !! Webber should have bitch slapped those big ear flaps of the "Tool" and turned them into cauliflower.

S Hey Loach sorry mate but I have to 100% disagree. The best snow for consistency and quality and massive dumps is Hokkaido by a country mile. I've ridden and done heaps of back country riding all over Japan and I mean all over, main reason I moved to Japan was the snow and Hokkaido justs kills it compared to Honshu. The Niseko area has the driest best quality powder bar Alaska and is easily accessed from Tokyo by a 90 min flight and return tickets for around $100 to Chitose. Then jump on the bus and pretty much your be dropped within walking distance of accommodation. I lived there years before it became popular and for people looking for guarantee of good quality powder and loads of it there aint anywhere in Japan like it. This season has been a machine up with super consistent snow and very big dumps. The ski areas up there are extremely user friendly and plenty on offer to the beginner punter to advanced rider. My personal favourite areas in Japan are Hakkoda in Northern Honshu near Aomori but be warned its not for beginners as trails are barely marked but the back country riding is phenomenal. Another is Tenjindaira in the Minakami area but the hiking area is for advance riders only. Nagano areas like Hakuba are good and get lots of snow but the ski patrol in these areas have become super strict and back country you need your wits about you as it avalanches and people have and do die there. If your doing a snow trip then bang for buck and guarantee lots of snow and great quality then Hokkaido is the go. Yep Niseko gets busy but theres so many small resorts all over Hokkaido that are cheap and very uncrowded and easy to get to by train or bus but some of them get real cold with temps down under -25c. If anyone wants or needs any info on snow trips to Japan or advice send me a message as happy to share info and can hook you up with cheap accomo ..

Why dont you head over to the new Nismo headquarters in Yokohama it opened a few of weeks ago. http://www.nissan.co.jp/GALLERY/HQ/ACCESS/

With the Korean and Japanese Grand Prix being run on consecutive weekends and Korean being first you could fly into Tokyo get a flight to Korea for under $100 do the KGP for the weekend , fly back to Japan ,sight see , party ,buy shit box and do the Japan Grand Prix all in just over 1 week. Warning, Japanese GP is as boring as shit when it comes to atmosphere. I can hook you up with a Japanese mate's club in Roppongi where lots of the GP drivers go after race night but be warned, if your a naughty boy there there's a good chance you'll end up as sashimi, behave and you'll have a wow of a time as it gets packed with foreign and Japanese models.

Bump for top pro lens

NISMO HORN BUTTON Sold STILL FOR SALE ENKEI RPO5 RIMS 18 x 9J x 25 x 5-114 Price $3,000 (still available) NISMO 4 POINT HARNESS 　: $595 (still available) SUPERIOR AUTO CREATIVE CARBON SHIFT PANEL : $195 (still available) TOP SECRET CARBON COIL PACK ORNAMENT : $140 (still available) TAKATA 4 POINT HARNESS 　:　 $270 (still available) BNR34 RIMS 　:　$1,250 (still available) Great cond. QEST LED TAIL LIGHTS R33 & BNR33　:　 $525 (still available) QEST LED FRONT INDICATOR KIT 　:　$270 (still available) Nobody has these on their 33 !! NISSAN GENUINE BCNR33 BONNET HINGES $100 Brand new unused. NISSAN INTERCOOLER CARBON SURROUND (SERIES 1) $295 Used but in very good cond. CARBON GRILL BCNR33 ONLY and NEW GTR EMBLEM BCNR33 ONLY $315 Brand new. Engine package and parts will be available very soon !!

Fact is everyone goes to Japan thinking that workshops etc will have loads of things for sale and fact is that's a myth. Japanese auto shops hardly keep much paraphernalia in stock and generally only bring it out for the big auto shows. My advice is sit down and make a list of auto shops you would like to visit and grab a rental car and spend a couple of days checking them out. Don't go in asking to look around the workshop, just be friendly and you may get lucky. Mike's advice on Up Garage is way off track. Sorry but if they didn't know what they are doing then how do they have a successfull chain of stores around the country and are probably the largest seller of used parts to the general public. Up Garage is where lots of Japanese go for used parts. I think Mike was unlucky and just hit the wrong shop. You need to head to their bigger stores and be carefull which one as some are totally motorbike specific. It pays to go online to their web page andsearch for parts your looking for and go to those particular shops that are holding stock. In Tokyo , Yokohama area's you could try Mines and Midori shops as both are super friendly and Uchinaga-san at Midori, if not busy will more than likey show you around or at least let you poke your nose around. Mines welcome foreigners but don't expect much in the way of purchasable stock at either shops. Hit Nismo for whatever Nismo gear your lucky to find on the way. Head out to Narita area and visit RE Amemiya. You find GTR gear there but they have some flaming cool cars. Whip down to Chiba from there and hit "Crystal" which has mainly new parts at slightly discounted prices and sale priced items and a few used parts as well. From there you could visit Top Secret as its just down the road but don't expect to see Smokey and don't expect much in the way of parts and goods. You'll see some of their cars and probably be able to get a few stickers. If you head out Saitama way you could pay a visit to Garage Saurus but again dont expect much in the way of purchasable items. If your in Osaka then head over to Autoselect..pretty friendly crew and a few bits and pieces and you might be able to grab a tower bar at slightly discount price. My advice, do some research where you want to go, grab a car and hit the road and hit as many places as you can and you may get lucky . Being able to speak the language helps big time in getting access to workshops but be friendly and you never know. If when your in Osaka you want to do a really cool day or overnight trip then head over Wakayama and go to a place called Koyasan (http://eng.shukubo.net/) There is some serious Japanese history there with burial area of some of the most famous Japanese samurai and royal family members and most famous Japanese people. One place that bugger all people know about let alone visit is the Nissan Shrine which is located in the main burial area. You can get the train or bus to here quite easily but the mountain road is fun to drive !! Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth. I'm actually looking at setting up a couple of tours each year for the big shows events with visits to factories, workshops and the auctions and being able to purchase and ship goods back to Oz. Over the years of living in Japan I've got a very good rapport with a lot of the workshop owners and have have discussed with them bringing over tour groups which they would try to have merchandise available. Probably would be Nismo Festival (if it gets going again) Tsukuba Time attack period and Tokyo Auto Salon , Osaka Messe period with options to go snowboarding/sking as I have a ski lodge up in the snow. Anyway good luck and just hunt around and don't be afraid to ask questions.

The Qest lights use Nichia leds...the best quality led's out there.

Whats the condition of shocks and approx mileage

pm's replied

Hi mate I'll be posting up pricing for engine package in next couple of weeks. It wont be cheap as big dollar build and motor and everything that goes with it is pretty much brand spanking new. Drop in package for instant 450kw with room for way more power.

QEST LED TAIL LIGHTS R33 & BNR33　:　Now $525 delivered look same as this

You should be fine with the insurance . If its through proper Nissan rental and the car is drivable your looking at worst 20,000yen. A write off would cost 50,000yen. Even the cheap rental companies in Japan have the same insurance deal so i would not be too stressed. Hope you and the police got the other driver details , especially if he was in the wrong as you can sue his arse off and he will have to pay your excess and anything else you want from him in cash !!

Rent a car it will be cheaper. No need to take food as there's anything from Indian curry to Macca's available. Cops shut it down pretty early these days so I'd get there reasonably earlyish around 7pm, have some food and kick back. You can't really tell which night will be better and weather can dictate how many people show up. Keep in mind the days of lots mental cars turning up are long gone. Seriously your better off grabbing a rental car for a couple of days and check both nights and have the fun of cruising around Tokyo. Check the link below , all in english but your probably out of time to book for tomorrow. http://www2.tocoo.jp/?file=rentcar_inbound/main&asp_id=0001 You can also grab a car from these guys in Otori which has subway station across the road and is easy as to get to plus heaps of cheap hotels around the area with parking. You can get english navigation and Daikoku is about 15mins down the expressway. http://nissan-rentacar.com/english/shop/tokyo/shop127.html

TOMEI BRONZE VALVE GUIDE SET RB26 : SOLD Still for sale and price negotiable ENKEI RPO5 RIMS 18 x 9J x 25 x 5-114 Price $3,000 (still available) NISMO 4 POINT HARNESS 　: $595 (still available) SUPERIOR AUTO CREATIVE CARBON SHIFT PANEL : $195 (still available) TOP SECRET CARBON COIL PACK ORNAMENT : $140 (still available) TAKATA 4 POINT HARNESS 　:　 $270 (still available) BNR34 RIMS 　:　$1,250 (still available) Great cond. QEST LED TAIL LIGHTS R33 & BNR33　:　 $550 (still available) QEST LED FRONT INDICATOR KIT 　:　$270 (still available) Nobody has these on their 33 !! ENDLESS CC-RG BRAKE PAD SET Front & Rear 　:　NOW $495 (still available) NISSAN GENUINE BCNR33 BONNET HINGES $100 Brand new unused. NISSAN INTERCOOLER CARBON SURROUND (SERIES 1) $295 Used but in very good cond. CARBON GRILL BCNR33 ONLY and NEW GTR EMBLEM BCNR33 ONLY $325 Brand new. NISMO HORN BUTTON $40 Used good cond.

RUZIC 4WD CONTROLLER : SOLD STILL FOR SALE AND ALL PRICES ARE NEGOTIABLE ! ENKEI RPO5 RIMS 18 x 9J x 25 x 5-114 Price $3,000 (still available) RUZIC 4wd Controller : $400 (still available) NISMO 4 POINT HARNESS 　: $600 (still available) SUPERIOR AUTO CREATIVE CARBON SHIFT PANEL : $195 (still available) TOMEI BRONZE VALVE GUIDE SET RB26 : $330 (still available) TOP SECRET CARBON COIL PACK ORNAMENT : $140 (still available) TAKATA 4 POINT HARNESS 　:　 $270 (still available) BNR34 RIMS 　:　$1,300 (still available) Great cond. QEST LED TAIL LIGHTS R33 & BNR33　:　 $555 (still available) QEST LED FRONT INDICATOR KIT 　:　$275 (still available) Nobody has these on their 33 !! ENDLESS CC-RG BRAKE PAD SET Front & Rear 　:　NOW $500 (still available) NISSAN GENUINE BCNR33 BONNET HINGES $100 Brand new unused. NISSAN INTERCOOLER CARBON SURROUND (SERIES 1) $295 Used but in very good cond. CARBON GRILL BCNR33 ONLY and NEW GTR EMBLEM BCNR33 ONLY $350 Brand new. NISMO HORN BUTTON $40 Used good cond.

Yeah there's plenty of big boy clothes but for some reason the Auto clothes are designed and sized for anorexic midgets !! Now lets talk about shoe sizes !! That's a completely different nightmare !!

Your a bit out on the sizing. I take a medium in Oz and Us clothing when fully fit (e.g off the grog) and I have to get 3L (LLL) to comfortably fit. A pair of overalls in that size will turn me into a choir boy or a unic . Jap sizing goes up to 5L (LLLLL) how do you think the fat boys go. There's a few big boy Japanese about. Got a couple of Yak mates that aint small in the stature dept and they have to go the big sizes but most common is up to 3L. I got given a couple of Top Secret T shirts a couple of years ago from manger of Top Secret and they were 3L and were like a girls crop top and ended up given them to my misso's 12 year nephew. What the Japanese do make big is beer !! Beer in 500ml ice cold mugs..mmmmmmm

Pm's answered

Sorry mate did not receive pm !

NISMO 320kph/11,000RPM FULL SCALE METER (Black Face) : 　SOLD STILL FOR SALE AND ALL PRICES ARE NEGOTIABLE ! ENKEI RPO5 RIMS 18 x 9J x 25 x 5-114 Price $3,000 (still available) RUZIC 4wd Controller : $400 (still available) NISMO 4 POINT HARNESS 　: $600 (still available) SUPERIOR AUTO CREATIVE CARBON SHIFT PANEL : $195 (still available) TOMEI BRONZE VALVE GUIDE SET RB26 : $330 (still available) TOP SECRET CARBON COIL PACK ORNAMENT : $140 (still available) TAKATA 4 POINT HARNESS 　:　 $270 (still available) BNR34 RIMS 　:　$1,300 (still available) Great cond. QEST LED TAIL LIGHTS R33 & BNR33　:　 $575 (still available) QEST LED FRONT INDICATOR KIT 　:　$275 (still available) Nobody has these on their 33 !! ENDLESS CC-RG BRAKE PAD SET Front & Rear 　:　NOW $500 (still available) NISSAN GENUINE BCNR33 BONNET HINGES $100 Brand new unused. NISSAN INTERCOOLER CARBON SURROUND (SERIES 1) $295 Used but in very good cond. CARBON GRILL BCNR33 ONLY and NEW GTR EMBLEM BCNR33 ONLY $350 Brand new. NISMO HORN BUTTON $40 Used good cond.

Still for sale. Top quality pro lens !!

All parts are negotiable but sensible offers only please.