Evo_Lee

LOL...I wish I had, though the fact was it was 5 years ago and I couldn't afford a Digi and we were all completely smashed. Like we will be with the upcoming installment of the "Just tryin to get it in - consult me!!! aka Justin" Vs "Jaggy Bastard aka Troy" next pool game.

hehehe...too true, I really don't know why it bothers any of you whether it is expensive or cheap. A car has always been in my opinion worth what your willing to pay for. But I see many of your youngins think wow import, nicer, newer, better equipt and most importantly cheaper. Ignoring the fact the younger generation is paying stupendous amount of money on insurance, relatively speaking if you can't afford the insurance you can't afford the car!!!

Bahhh...back in Xmas '99 after a long night out, we all caught the first train home back to Sanda. A few of my mates including myself slept along the seats against the wall and a few climbed up onto the bag racks and slept there all the way from Amagasaski to Sanda. They couldn't give a fark anymore, we were all completely exhausted and drunk. I'm sure the attendant would have came around but none of us would have been awake. ...and we wonder why the Japanese think of us so badly, stupid young gaijins we were. I guess it better us sleep on the train home then sleep at the park.

Dave, isn't Honshu an island too

Know what you mean, I've had my Evo unlocked with the window down for a week...being on the piss is no good especially if you forget to lockup the car. Luckily it didn't rain, when I realised the next weekend the thought was kinda scarry. Think about it, if you saw an Evo sitting in a driveway unattended for a week, hell it be gone in a couple of hours. But knowing Japan, you could leave a wallet on the train and no one won't touch it. Highly unlikely but if you get a transfer out my way and you need an alarm installed, I know 2 shops which were mentioned in the 2004 Japan Auto Security guide as the best installers in Osaka. Else I know the guys at 2 Super Autobacs stores who do it cheaper and an OK job.

seen that before it's been around for a while...

Justin which is why the car alarms in Japan have a Konbini function, same alarm in Aust, UK or US is disabled no s/w loaded. I but I never use it, still can't trust anyone. Brian, there are so many bloody alarms in Japan...but you still can't go pass a Clifford if you have the money and it's always worth getting it fitted by a pro even if it cost a little bit more. Dam car alarm itself has cost me a small fortune, I got one fitted at the start then replaced it with a newer one about 18 months ago.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...FTO are nice cars plus they won JCOTY in 94-95 IIRC, they run flat 15s quarters. Compared to cars these days they aren't as quick but considering back then they were doing alright. I find the interior quite cramped and the rear seats are only good for legless passengers...but she also loves to rev!

lol...that would be a nonsense comparison Actually a ITR vs BNR32 in the twisties would be interesting...the ITR would give it a good run for it's money. Once I had a half-go at a ITR and new Cooper S up on Rokko (for those who don't know Rokko has many single lane winding stretches, hairpins and 2nd gear all the way up). The Cooper S was freaking quick, short wheelbase, small turn circle...similar with the ITR, both annoyed the crap out of me because I couldn't pass and having to come off boost everytime I hit a hairpin every 30-40 metres. Both drivers look like they knew how to handle a FWD really well.

The burn damage to that car was inflicted by neons probably a transformer blowing out. Can't see if the car is American, if so I stand correct on my above observations...

Are you all comparing a imported Skyline Turbo against a locally delivered ITR? Let's get a few things straight, -a CTR is not faster then a ITR down the quarter. -JDM stock for stock a DC2 ITR is quicker then a Skyline 25GT-t down the quarter even on the street...I can atest to that many a nights down Chiko and both drivers are experienced drivers. Hell a Prelude Type S is quicker then a 25GT-t As quoted above... yes..."Beware, these cars are fast!" Do I like these cars, they are awesome cars but FWD are like novelty...you will get bored of them after 6 months and the modifications cost is just not worth it compared to a turbo. As for the de-tuned Aust delievered ITR, they are still a very good driver's car, but considering I wouldn't buy a JDM one I won't an Aust one, but that is just me. my 2c

Well one should still exercise due care with any electronic devices near fammable liquids. The test I read was a good few years back and I also remember my lecturer in uni saying it was all bullshit during our transmission and radiowave lecture...but this was a good 10 years back, mobile phones designs could be different these days. But I still fail to see how IC these days which operate on even lower eletrical current can ignite fumes. Back then it was not the use of mobilephone as radio waves are always around us, but the fact that little bit of electrical pulse used when pressing the key in answering or ending a call or making the phone vibrate upon ringing was the source...but that was also tested to be insufficent to ignite. In my line of work I'm very familar with EMC standards which are very strict on electronic devices. I would say in the above 3 recorded cases the mobile phone itself was faulty unfortunate for the victims, else we all would have been burnt to hell in the number of occasions some idiot decided to use his mobile phone at a petrol station.

Dave, there was a test done a few years back it's all bullshit. But people buy it, the use of mobilephones at a petrol station will not spontaneous ignite the fumes.

hehehe...tax is low but living is high. There is no win-win situation...Japan is not the goldmine everyone thinks.

Yeah I could be out of date, those were the figures I calculated ages ago. These days I don't know what the hell they take out...all I know is a couple of grand disappears before I see anything

Here's a report from today, basically the young is contributing to the pension scheme which supports the elderly. Many of the young people now already feel when they become old the next generation will not be able to support, thus there will be no pension support for them in 35 years time. I have been here long enough to see this is already the case for those retiring in 15-20 years as they take more and more out of my pay pack. As the article says this is the current debate in Parliment to see what changes will be made to the current Pension policy. Unlike Australia we are being made to save, if you don't save for your own retirement...tough! http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/T170411.htm

Justin, I think it's just an oydessy nothing special. The E7 is definitely a nice car...pity I'm stone broke at the moment. Hey, PM me about tonight if it's still on.

Last time I worked it out was like 4-5% or something and pension is like 7%...but don't quote me.

Last time I worked it out was like 4-5% or something and pension is like 7%...

Frank, also remembered starting this year Bonus is applicable to pension contribution. Companies commonly gave lower monthly salaries to escape hugh Pension contribution, but this year the J-Govt got smart and made Bonus applicable to the Pension scheme. It's a killer...a percentage of a hugh lump sum is alot of money ...nobody is happy about that. edit: good point by Scriby, but commonly overlooked...for all you know you may absolutely hate it over here. I know heaps of guys who couldn't wait to leave after their contract ended...they were kinda in an internship. Make sure you have a clause to allow you to get the fark out (breaking the contract with no consequences) when you feel you can't hack the pressure no more.

Hehehe...money and greed is an evil thing, I also couldn't knock back 3 times what I was getting in Aust back in '99. Now I'm worth 3 times of that as a contractor, got to love when the economy picks up. Overseas travel is good, but overseas experience is what looks the best. I've been doing alot of travelling back and forth between Japan and SE Asia. Good luck with the job also for your sake I hope it ain't a Japanese company .

Brian, I'm hoping to get the fark out of here in a couple of months. Japanese companies have weak unions so they can't bargain for much...only more holidays. As if you can find time to take any holidays, they already owe me over 40+ days. Not to mention what suits them, they will treat you like any of their Japanese engineers but I'm not covered by their union so I have to negotiate my own pay...good and bad points of course. Anyway if all goes well I'll be out of here, but not too far...working as a contractor in another part of Asia.

Frank, if your doing OK in Sydney then stay where you are. Coming to Japan for the fun of it isn't exactly what people should do unless they are just out of uni or need a short break...and that should be no longer then 12 months. Else you'll find yourself out of touch with your industry. I'm not sure what kind of job you have landed here but if it gives your career a boost then by all means do it. I came when I was young, through an internal company transfer. The money was good at the time and the opportunity to work with leading edge technology is an invaluable experience. But after 5 years here, I'm wondering WTF am I still doing here. Money is no longer good for me, even though the Japanese economy is picking up companies are putting a freeze on engineers salaries. I will most likely be out of here in a couple of months. Headhunters are onto me and a good time to move as the global economy is picking up, in fact I would have left 2 years back if the global economy was better. Important Note: No matter what, don't stay here more then 3 years unless the company is willing to pay your pension in cash. Compulsory Pension contribution is high and unless you willing to work here for 25 years you will not see more then 3 years of your pension contribution back. I'm pretty sure it's 2.4 years now in a Government ammendment earlier this year. Japan has a very high aging population (perhaps highest in the world), this is increasing quite substantially each year and every working person has to support them. So I'm already farked as it is...3 was bad and 2.4 is worst. I only found out about this pension clause after I stayed on for my 4th year (which is why most English schools will only offer a maximum of 3 years contract). Don't fall into this mistake. Australia does not have any Pension agreement with Japan at present some countries do, so you will lose out on a fair bit of money. As for living expenses...if you can budget for your groceries, gas, electricity, water and maybe home telephone bill for about 50,000yen/month your doing OK. Rent is hard to judge but the cheaper the better it's the largest expense apart from owning and running a sports car. Mobilephone, petrol and personal spending you can control.

They are hard to find and it cost shitloads...and I already have my personal import. C36 are also very rare, RHD are even more rare...only ever seen 2 and cost? Don't ask...immaculate with only 10,000km on the clock. Also seen a couple of 190E Evo II popped up and they are worth a look going for reasonable prices. As you can see I only like rare and limited production cars

the reason why I couldn't be bothered...unless I really wanted the car like a C55!