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How do most folks go about insuring something like a kei truck / these older vehicles? The online forms have no idea about these vehicles -- treat as classic cars? Call and provide the VIN / fact that is JDM? I have Progressive right now, and there would be some mild value to me in keeping everything under one provider (also have my motorcycle under there) but open to switching up if someone else is better for this. e: Oh neat, going to Progressive 'Classic', Sambar is the only one they have listed under Subaru for 1992, and down to the KS4 chassis code too. Seems to be through Hagerty? Is this the right track? movax fucked around with this message at 01:56 on Feb 21, 2023 |
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Feb 21, 2023 01:53
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I had to call my insurance (USAA), but it was pretty painless. This was after I had the title so I told them the vin and went from there.
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Feb 21, 2023 02:08
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movax posted:How do most folks go about insuring something like a kei truck / these older vehicles? The online forms have no idea about these vehicles -- treat as classic cars? Call and provide the VIN / fact that is JDM? You absolutely have to call and talk to your insurance company directly. Check the policies specifically, but specialty insurances like Hagerty usually have requirements on storage, last I looked it had to be garaged. Usually something not suited to a kei truck. Generally it's an agreed-upon value policy with full coverage, you get the (not as long as the VIN) chassis ID right on the card like normal too, along with the vehicle make and model. Back in the day we had an insurance agent which went shopping specifically on our behalf which made it much easier. We currently have both of our vehicles insured through Progressive, our USA Land Cruiser and our JDM Land Cruiser Prado. It is not through Hagerty or anything special, it's an agreed-value policy direct through Progressive and is on the same little card as our normally insured domestic Cruiser. EDIT Your 'VIN' on a kei truck is actually called the 'chassis ID' technically but will be called VIN by anyone state-side. As seen here in a Suzuki Carry kei truck:  The VIN here is 'CHASSIS NO.'. I say this because everyone will say VIN but everything from Japan says 'chassis'. It is a unique number tied to that specific vehicle like a VIN though. KakerMix fucked around with this message at 02:29 on Feb 21, 2023 |
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Feb 21, 2023 02:26
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I use progressive for all you must call. It’s never been an issue. I don’t have a garage I can’t use specialty insurance.
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Feb 21, 2023 02:29
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KakerMix posted:Your 'VIN' on a kei truck is actually called the 'chassis ID' technically but will be called VIN by anyone state-side. As seen here in a Suzuki Carry kei truck: For whatever reason Japanese OEMs don’t punch a full 17-digit VIN for domestic production, but do (with world code J) for exported vehicles. So anything you guys will import will just have that format, including the dash in the middle. I haven’t found a reason why, but likely “because Japan”. Where it gets fun is aligning local VINs for vehicles finally assembled outside Japan with those internal chassis codes. Glad I’m not handling that sort of thing at work anymore!
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Feb 21, 2023 02:35
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harperdc posted:For whatever reason Japanese OEMs don’t punch a full 17-digit VIN for domestic production, but do (with world code J) for exported vehicles. So anything you guys will import will just have that format, including the dash in the middle. I haven’t found a reason why, but likely “because Japan”. Yeah and I never bothered to look into 'why' just enough to get buy with importing them into the USA. Toyota is really nice for this though as their IDs, VINs or otherwise, always start the same. Engine, chassis with whatever modifiers, then the rest of the number. I *think* they don't even have an agreed-length in Japan, it's just kinda whatever the manufactured wants to put for the vehicle. SPEAKING OF TOYOTAS, this one's VIN/chassis/frame is ST215-3001225. S = 3S-GTE engine T = platform, in this case the Toyota Corona 215 = Tenth generation of the platform          
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Feb 21, 2023 02:58
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I e always called progressive and just say I have a shorter VIN Japan import and they transfer and then they say we will do the coverage and you’ll get the official stuff in a few days. Latest a Land Cruiser they did it but the guy said you need to send the title after but they instantly sent cards and showed the vin plus enough zeros to 17. I just think the guy didn’t know what he was doing.
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Feb 21, 2023 03:01
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Thanks dudes -- appreciate it. Did you generally get it setup before driving off the lot? Or will the 'grace period' cover?
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Feb 21, 2023 03:04
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I insured my two machines through hagerty. They had great rates and for a first timer I felt comfortable with an agreed value policy. I had to call in because of the short chassis code thing. The grace period should cover it assuming you’ve got such a thing on your account.
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Feb 21, 2023 03:25
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Lol, e-mailed dealer and they offered to only drop $500 or so on the price. Which would still total ~$11K after tax... https://www.jdmexport.com/subaru-sambar-truck-1992-for-sale-5466b993-6a61-4877-abcb-3f551df4700c Found this one... got in touch w/ JCD as well, maybe I will have them just look out for one for me. For that kind of money, like someone mentioned here, can do much better in terms of mileage, getting A/C, etc. Getting something "now" isn't worth nearly $4K to me, not when I can get a better example + more of what I'm looking for. movax fucked around with this message at 02:33 on Feb 22, 2023 |
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Feb 22, 2023 02:07
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Been trading emails with Yoshi. Currently hunting for: 5MT JZZ30 (Toyota Soarer) ST205 (Celica GT-4) KS4 (Sambar) This is fun! I live in Seattle proper, it’s going to be fun figuring out where to store / park these 
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Feb 23, 2023 03:13
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movax posted:Been trading emails with Yoshi.   It's GT-FOUR, never "4". They are super rad though, and usually plenty of them out there because they were cool from the beginning. The Z30 Soarers always seemed less common but that might simply be because I was never interested in them. Sambars might be less common at auction that even GT-Fours, honestly.
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Feb 23, 2023 04:20
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Ks4 sambars are just the 4wd trucks, there are two dozen plus up every week at least. Sambar has the biggest cab of any besides the Daihatsu jumbo and is the only 4 cylinder kei. AC is much rarer IMO in the Sambar versus say the acty
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Feb 23, 2023 05:48
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NM
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Feb 23, 2023 06:16
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everdave posted:Ks4 sambars are just the 4wd trucks, there are two dozen plus up every week at least. Sambar has the biggest cab of any besides the Daihatsu jumbo and is the only 4 cylinder kei. AC is much rarer IMO in the Sambar versus say the acty Problem is I want the cute lil' bug-eyed 1992 ones; not too many of those showing up compared to the piles of 1994/1995s. But, they just aren't as cute. But, I have been slowly re-reading this thread. There are no Ruggers on, but there is a Blizzard... getting it inspected tomorrow. IT MIGHT BE MY FIRST. KakerMix, which Soarer did you have, an UZ?
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Feb 23, 2023 07:56
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movax posted:Problem is I want the cute lil' bug-eyed 1992 ones; not too many of those showing up compared to the piles of 1994/1995s. But, they just aren't as cute. If you want a specific Sambar, get the one you want, don't compromise. Just wait and the ~perfect one~ will show up. It always does. The Soarer we had was a MZ21, the one before your current target. It was exceedingly cool.
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Feb 23, 2023 09:59
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KakerMix posted:If you want a specific Sambar, get the one you want, don't compromise. Just wait and the ~perfect one~ will show up. It always does. Goddamn that is a cool dash. Growing up my family had a 1993 Mercury Villager, and it had a digital dash... so awesome. I think I'm going to put a bid in on the Blizzard, assuming the inspection goes smoothly. Current status: quote:5mt, crack in windshield, interior scratches/dirty/tears, ceiling liner torn/loose, seat torn, undercarriage surface rust/paint, other dents/scratches/paint waves 55000 km, 1986. Also need to see if it has the 2L or 2L-T. I asked about windshield repair prior to shipping -- going to assume that getting Rugger/Blizzard parts in the US is hilariously terrible. Also, Ruggers seemed to have disappeared from the site... does it only show up if at least one is currently on auction? Or is it listed as the Rocky? Any tips on car storage in a city proper besides... don't, and move out to the boonies and build a big pole barn?  I have a two car garage and large-ish common parking area outside, but my neighbors' patience will not extend to a fleet.
movax fucked around with this message at 01:52 on Feb 24, 2023 |
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Feb 23, 2023 19:43
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I have not bought anything from the auction house the Blizzard is at, I’d ask how tough or not they are in grading. The blizzard looks ok they are very prone to rust and the pics look decent. Looking up that model timing belt and maintenance items are readily available, you’d definitely want to confirm they can handle getting a windshield. My recent experiences have been lacking, they say they will send to mechanic to do requested things then come back and the mechanic says he can’t find the parts. Just FYI
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Feb 23, 2023 20:26
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everdave posted:I have not bought anything from the auction house the Blizzard is at, I’d ask how tough or not they are in grading. The blizzard looks ok they are very prone to rust and the pics look decent. I'm paying for an inspection, so hoping that bears fruit. Asked Yoshi if I could pass along requests (I doubt it, but never hurts) to specifically ID which engine, verify the OEM PTO winch works, few other things. Have your recent experiences been w/ Mat or Yoshi?
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Feb 23, 2023 21:07
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movax posted:Goddamn that is a cool dash. Growing up my family had a 1993 Mercury Villager, and it had a digital dash... so awesome. Blizzards are worse Ruggers in that the Rugger would have the 2.8 liter diesel Daihatsu engine with timing gears, Blizzards were saddled with Toyota 2Ls with belts (afaik). The chassis and body is all Daihatsu. The one we had was a 2L-T, the 86 you're looking at looks to be a naturally aspirated one, non-turbo on account of being really early, and no turbo badging either in the decals on the side or the one that goes in the grill. It does look good, and little things like that box in the passenger footwell that has all four of the chrome rings for the wheels is a *really* good sign, because they are already on the wheels which means they sought out replacements. Someone liked, if not loved, this truck. Stereo has been replaced with a period-esque version maybe? The winch will be PTO meaning it's shaft driven from the differential, not electric. I would go for an inspection on this, absolutely. Definitely get an inspection as there are a ton of things that we can see or *smell* through pictures, nor did the people that filled out the sheet have as much time as they needed. The windshield should be viable to replace easy enough, maybe? The Ruggers throughout the entire run from 84 till 94 (?) used the same body. This is also NOT a Rocky, not at all. Completely different vehicles, including the windshield. The Rocky and the Rugger/Blizzard are absolutely separate vehicles that just happen to be boxy small SUVs. The Rugger was sold as a Rocky in parts of Europe too which confuse things even more. Things are only shown if there are some to sell. Ruggers are uncommon as are Blizzards and hardly show up at auction. For resale purposes a Blizzard is always easier than a Rugger because 'Toyota', however the Rugger is the superior vehicle. EDIT I've only ever worked with Yoshi and we have a very good working relationship, also had no issue asking the inspector to check specific things. Generally if they can tell what is under seat covers and if there is a timing belt sticker they oblige. For that Blizzard it's just going to be a 2L, the inspector will confirm.
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Feb 23, 2023 21:28
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KakerMix posted:Blizzards are worse Ruggers in that the Rugger would have the 2.8 liter diesel Daihatsu engine with timing gears, Blizzards were saddled with Toyota 2Ls with belts (afaik). The chassis and body is all Daihatsu. The one we had was a 2L-T, the 86 you're looking at looks to be a naturally aspirated one, non-turbo on account of being really early, and no turbo badging either in the decals on the side or the one that goes in the grill. It does look good, and little things like that box in the passenger footwell that has all four of the chrome rings for the wheels is a *really* good sign, because they are already on the wheels which means they sought out replacements. Someone liked, if not loved, this truck. Stereo has been replaced with a period-esque version maybe? The winch will be PTO meaning it's shaft driven from the differential, not electric. I would go for an inspection on this, absolutely. Good news on the windshield: quote:"small chips" tend to be really small <1-2 mm and do not necessitate a replacement. Awaiting inspection. No new Sambars, Soarers or GT-Fours overnight though sadly. On the radio front, I'll try to replace it with the least LED-ridden / most tasteful simple single-DIN I can so I can just pair my phone via Bluetooth. Don't see myself going full CarPlay screen in this one -- I'll do a phone mount and run Maps on that instead. I let this one go: https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj-2v64kxAXo3pT7Ji.htm ; haven't researched enough to know what I want yet, but looked decent. Forget if it's the HD or HZ that has the bottom bearings thing going on... movax fucked around with this message at 01:54 on Feb 24, 2023 |
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Feb 24, 2023 01:50
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The 1HDT which I currently have in my driveway is the one with the big end bearing concern. That is a whole book long post. IMO you need to slow your roll the auctions seem weak, this week. Wait for something g you can’t live without
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Feb 24, 2023 01:54
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movax posted:Good news on the windshield: No cracks in the windshield then? Great! Most vehicles from this era will have pure double-din slots, so if you would like to go navigation screen you can without any modification to your dash. I personally like this single-din, bluetooth stereo a lot: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Q4uZgCjhVIU/p_020M508/Clarion-M508.html Expensive I guess but I have no idea what these things cost these days, I'm just glad it isn't a 90s rave look. You can see any Toyota from 1990 onward by plugging the Vin/Chassis ID into this block right here and it will tell you the most important part, plus other details:  It's good you passed on this since it couldn't enter the United States till November. I'm always checking whatever year vehicles (in this case 1998) because it's the month of manufacture that's important. HD is the one everyone screams about bottom end bearings, but I wouldn't worry about it on a nice clean lower mileage JDM one. It's just like everyone that screams about the 2L-TE engines popping off head gaskets and cracking the block. Absolutely possible and maybe even common, much less so with a nice lower-mileage example direct from Japan. If the were as bad as sometimes people complain then there would be Cruisers with these engines left since they should be all dead since they suck so bad, you know? PZ and HZ engines are slow dull unkillable things and never came factory turbo'd as far as I know. KakerMix fucked around with this message at 02:39 on Feb 24, 2023 |
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Feb 24, 2023 02:20
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You can plug a chassis name into mega zip and similar and get the diagrams and basics for it. Don’t add the letter at the end of the first part of toyota vins on jcd or parts websites https://www.megazip.net/search?q=Ld20
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Feb 24, 2023 02:35
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I was wondering about that — checking the specific month! Thanks for the tips on that. Inspection came in quote:
As long as the surface rust stays that way… I live in the PNW, what are some of the common rust-mitigating things I can do to prolong life of the vehicle? e: woof, failed to meet reserve and I was 300K under the high bid. movax fucked around with this message at 07:28 on Feb 24, 2023 |
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Feb 24, 2023 03:02
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Me, a professional: "I am selling my dealership as I do not wish to vibe any longer with this business" Also me:        Auction Sheet posted:3579- 5mt, ac, electric winch, spare key, rear gate trim torn, undercarriage surface rust, small chips in windshield, other dents/scratches Inspector posted:3579- engine starts idles and revs fine, no smoke or vibrations, no sludge, coolant ok, no oil leaks, tires at 50% cracks forming, spare ok, cargo area ok, undercarriage surface rust but no flaking or holes, boots ok, body as is in diagram, windshield chips small, driver seat slightly worn, other seats ok, dashboard ok, ceiling liner ok, rear gate door trim torn 1cm, no burns, ac ok, clutch ok, gears ok, check lamps ok, 4wd ok, hub lock ok, lights ok, mirrors ok, windows ok, wiper ok, power steering ok 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado KZJ71 with the KZ turbo diesel engine, 5 speed manual transmission, and a wild 42,193 km or ~26,218 total miles. Completely stock, untouched, and pristine. My kinda car! I spotted this a couple days ago, then had this exchange with my wife: Me - "Is our Prado important or is a Prado important?" Her - "A Prado" And that's how we scored this one. It was not cheap, though if our aim was to resell I think we'd do well on account of it being so so clean. All in we'll be at $29,000 for it to be in our hands in our name in our driveway. If we were to resell it I can see mid, maybe upper 30s but that isn't what we are doing, this is for us.
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Feb 24, 2023 18:49
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KakerMix posted:Me, a professional: That is a very nice Prado; still insane to me that a 1994 fetches that much, but that’s virtually no mileage at all. Alas, that Blizzard was not meant to be — it says “sold by nego”. I had asked yesterday Yoshi if we could private message the seller for an offer, but he said it wasn’t generally possible. movax fucked around with this message at 23:39 on Feb 24, 2023 |
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Feb 24, 2023 21:36
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movax posted:That is a very nice Prado; still insane to me that a 1994 fetches that much, but that’s virtually no mileage at all. The year is exactly what makes it so valuable though! These things have come off of the cheap and nobody wants it phase and shot right into the 'nevermind I actually want something like that' zone inflating their cost to wild places. It's also one of those things where there isn't any other game in town if you do want a Land Cruiser 2 door with a stick. They straight-up don't make stuff like this in the USA and is exactly why we made all our money on Hilux pickups and Land Cruisers.
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Feb 25, 2023 03:59
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KakerMix posted:The year is exactly what makes it so valuable though! These things have come off of the cheap and nobody wants it phase and shot right into the 'nevermind I actually want something like that' zone inflating their cost to wild places. It's also one of those things where there isn't any other game in town if you do want a Land Cruiser 2 door with a stick. They straight-up don't make stuff like this in the USA and is exactly why we made all our money on Hilux pickups and Land Cruisers. Was this one recently on? Can’t seem to find it on JCD… I don’t see any USS auction cars on there, actually. I’ve been glossing through this thread really really fast — did I miss something on USS auction registration being separate?
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Feb 25, 2023 22:59
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movax posted:Was this one recently on? Can’t seem to find it on JCD… I don’t see any USS auction cars on there, actually. It was, USS Nagoya. USS is weird about a whole lot of stuff, hence the watermarks all over the pictures of the Prado we won, they are all like that. It used to be in all one big pool, but a couple years back USS started trying to sabotage all the various auction front ends and I don't know why. It used to be they results would show up, but in lovely quality. They do have their own system, https://www.ninja-cartrade.jp/ninja/, of which I do have access.
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Feb 25, 2023 23:13
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KakerMix posted:The year is exactly what makes it so valuable though! These things have come off of the cheap and nobody wants it phase and shot right into the 'nevermind I actually want something like that' zone inflating their cost to wild places. It's also one of those things where there isn't any other game in town if you do want a Land Cruiser 2 door with a stick. They straight-up don't make stuff like this in the USA and is exactly why we made all our money on Hilux pickups and Land Cruisers. Just checked this thread first time this year. Why did you leave the buisness was the margin getting too small?
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Feb 26, 2023 15:24
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Ups_rail posted:Just checked this thread first time this year. KakerMix posted:
TLDR: We decided that we were just done. Nothing major happened or shifted, we were just...done. We originally were just going to sell our inventory and quietly close but a chance encounter means someone else bought our dealership and is carrying on. Margins were better than ever since we we had a good groove going and, with the final sale of the inventory in Limerence, clicked over 7 figures in total revenue over our time wheeling and dealing. However, as private individuals in Florida, my wife and I can sell 3 total cars each without being dealers, hence why we jumped on the pristine Prado we just posted. We'll bring that in, swap whatever better parts there are between them (we'll be swiping the torn rear panel, for one), throw that rack on our current green one, then sell it. Likewise we can and might import more exotic things like Supras or NSXs as we only have so many vehicles we can sell, we might as well climb as high as we can in the margins department. We'll probably avoid GT-Rs though, I never cared for them and they already have a sorta flavor about them I'd rather not wade into. Probably!
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Feb 27, 2023 01:37
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KakerMix posted:It was, USS Nagoya. From Yoshi: quote:Thanks for the email. Any suggestions on where to search elsewhere for USS Auctions? I don't think I would be able to get access to the one you linked, unfortunately...
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Feb 28, 2023 01:38
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I e-mailed Yoshi and got NINJA access. I think I now own two Celica ST205s and one 1992 Silver Sambar. Holy poo poo there are SO MANY MORE vehicles on USS!
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Mar 1, 2023 19:17
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KakerMix posted:USS is weird about a whole lot of stuff, hence the watermarks all over the pictures of the Prado we won, they are all like that. It used to be in all one big pool, but a couple years back USS started trying to sabotage all the various auction front ends and I don't know why. They may have just gotten tired of having their infrastructure get hammered by everyone else.
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Mar 1, 2023 21:58
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Midjack posted:They may have just gotten tired of having their infrastructure get hammered by everyone else. No, they actively pursue getting people to take down pictures of their USS auctions. Happened to me directly with the prado I just bought on instagram. MY guess is that the whole blow up about people selling lovely cars and investigating the auctions has something to do with it, making USS look bad. Their solution is to go after anyone sharing the pictures? It makes no sense otherwise. As for the trying to de-list their results from other non-USS auctions it only makes sense for the same reasons. More eyes = more buys. KakerMix fucked around with this message at 22:44 on Mar 1, 2023 |
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Mar 1, 2023 22:40
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KakerMix posted:No, they actively pursue getting people to take down pictures of their USS auctions. Happened to me directly with the prado I just bought on instagram. MY guess is that the whole blow up about people selling lovely cars and investigating the auctions has something to do with it, making USS look bad. Their solution is to go after anyone sharing the pictures? huh I missed that is the importing JDM getting more popular?
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Mar 2, 2023 00:07
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Ups_rail posted:huh I missed that is the importing JDM getting more popular? lol yes you could say that, highly recommend giving team_free_spirit a follow on IG, he does background checks on auction cars and it's insane some of the lovely "repairs" some importers are doing, scary really
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Mar 2, 2023 00:51
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dphi posted:lol yes you could say that, highly recommend giving team_free_spirit a follow on IG, he does background checks on auction cars and it's insane some of the lovely "repairs" some importers are doing, scary really Yeah it's this that I'm talking about. USS being so uptight, suddenly about two years ago, about their pictures being shared lines up directly with the timing of team_free_spirit and the harassment of their account specifically on the pictures being posted. Someone at USS wants to make it as easy as possible to sell their poo poo cars to the USA. Related to shoddy repairs and dirty history on the vehicles sold. I've said it before, but when you import a behind from Japan into the USA the history is flushed because of the bureaucracy of the system. There is no mechanism to keep that history legally, you have to go look for it.
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Mar 2, 2023 01:22
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                         The cleanest one I've ever seen. God I love these Prados.
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Mar 4, 2023 08:18
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