Importing from Japan - What is the secret to becoming a squid man?

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Importing from Japan - What is the secret to becoming a squid man?

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Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Thank you for this write up, very cool and interesting to see the process. I went through and looked at what's out there and holy poo poo there is a lot of modified garbage if you want performance cars. All the good stuff probably already left to Canada or you're going to pay out the rear end for it.

# ¿ Aug 4, 2017 14:59

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# ¿ May 12, 2024 09:54

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

BigPaddy posted:

Here is one going under the hammer in 11 hours from now.

http://auctions.jdmauctionwatch.com/aj-2Qw6k5SOpZ91iQN.htm

Automatic trans. :getout:

# ¿ Aug 4, 2017 18:53

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

BigPaddy posted:

Just give the GT86 a little more grunt and it would be fine. Yes yes I get it, it is about the feel now just powering through but this is not the mid 80s and I want more power than a Camry.

The BRZ/FRS is newer and better in probably every way except it isn't a hatch. I don't get why people are clamoring for some old shitbox when they aren't even buying the spiritual successor.

# ¿ Aug 11, 2017 16:37

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

I'm probably going to set a bunch of folks off with my next comments (since it seems to go against the grain of a lot of the internet folk), so just agree to disagree since we probably won't see eye to eye.

Olympic Mathlete posted:

To me at least, the new one looks like poo poo. That's one reason... Cars are not just about what is factually better performance wise seeing as that's poo poo you can't look at, they're rolling pieces of art and some art is lovely looking. I'd much rather have a ratty looking AE86 that breaks down every month than a brand new GT86/BRZ purely on looks alone, that's how crap I feel Toyota did the 'spiritual successor'

I will never understand your POV if you complain about the BRZ's looks and yet like the original AE86. :v:

Even as an 80's kid it looks to me like a shitbox. It seems to elicit more feelings of "member berries" to people than actually be a decent performing car by today's standards (IMO). Maybe it was fun for it's time, but I wouldn't waste my time with it today.

I like old cars though, it's just modern things do most things so much better even if they lose a little bit of the "soul" of the car. I'm also one of those people that won't complain about manual gearboxes going away (even though I still own one) because DCT's can do it better and faster. :shrug:

Sorry, done going OT. Sorry OP.

# ¿ Aug 17, 2017 01:23

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Rhyno posted:

I have a good chunk of non ear-marked money right now. Since mom and dad gave me money for the wedding I could absolutely buy that.

Sounds like a swell idea, you can always get married at the courthouse.

# ¿ Aug 28, 2017 17:37

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

How much do you think you saved this time vs. going through one of the other companies you used before?

# ¿ Sep 2, 2017 19:03

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

1984 Mitsubishi Delica. 4WD. Turbo diesel. 5 speed manual. Dark green w/ brown accents. Maroon cloth interior. Air Conditioning. Goddamn. I can not escape the siren call of JDM vans. I might seriously bid on this even though I'm supposed to be on a buying freeze.

It's got pretty bitchin' stickers, too.

# ¿ Oct 6, 2017 17:45

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

there is no way I'm going to blind-bid on anything.

I'm sorry, did you miss where it says TURBO WAGON on the side? :haw:

# ¿ Dec 20, 2017 15:04

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

The areas for the license plates seem very...prominent. Neat, weird car you got there.

# ¿ Jan 8, 2018 12:11

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Lord of Garbagemen posted:

Here is all I have on my phone. If you zoom in on the back you can see the Atrai written in defrost coil. If i had a perfect pick this would be cosmic roof, turbo, and with factory a/c not dealer installed.

edit: good kei vans are getting really hard to find though. Even straight off dealer lots there are not many.

I read this and the replies and thought "why would it say Atari?" every time. :downs:

# ¿ Mar 5, 2018 19:23

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

Even I have to admit the carpet and swivel seat are pretty cool. :swoon:

# ¿ Mar 30, 2018 14:02

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

I have a set of 24 on order.

was there a min order or are you just replacing them on all of them?

# ¿ Apr 4, 2018 14:52

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

I wish we still got weird when we made cars. :allears:

# ¿ Apr 14, 2018 01:39

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

Going to destroy multiple clay bars on the exterior,

After using this, I will definitely shill this product. It will save you so much goddamn time and effort.

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garag...=synthetic+clay

# ¿ Apr 27, 2018 15:52

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

I actually prefer the Mothers brand one because the backing is much more rigid.

So what you're saying is that you were being a dramatic liar and will use one clay "bar" to clean up the exterior in like 5 minutes. :v:

I'll have to give the mother's version a try next time.

# ¿ Apr 27, 2018 16:29

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Why can't any of the auctions have decent pictures like that? It's 2018, the gently caress?

# ¿ May 9, 2018 13:59

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

I am unwilling to put any money, time or effort into it so I have to eat the loss. Do you guys have any thought as to what someone would pay for it?

At least pull the plugs and have a look. Have you had to top up the coolant at all/is it low?

# ¿ May 23, 2018 02:03

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Not sure what ultimateforce's shops name is, thought he used to work there, though.

# ¿ May 23, 2018 18:58

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

I'm the RC car antenna.

# ¿ May 29, 2018 11:42

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Blacknose posted:

I absolutely cannot believe people in the US are spending 15 grand on Delicas. They're a fifth of that in the UK.

e; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/delica-L300-new-mot/263715048929?hash=item3d66a44de1:g:D6YAAOSwF8lbCTd5

Even a really desirable, top condition one only goes for 5 grand or so. Amazing the difference between countries.

I have a feeling this is a case of the owner trying to be cheeky and listing it really high because there's nothing else to compare it to here, and see if he gets any bites. If it actually sells for that then I'd like to meet the fellow who buys it and sell him some swamp land in FL.

# ¿ May 29, 2018 16:46

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

savesthedayrocks posted:

https://boise.craigslist.org/cto/d/1990-toyota-master-ace-surf/6617435841.html

There�s already a similar one up for 15k if someone wants it. So nice, I�m really getting tempted.

Feels like somebody should have spoken up and said "doesn't Master Ace sound a lot like Master Race, Toyoda-san?"

# ¿ Jul 6, 2018 12:06

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

I'd like to think they are real, I looked them up once and 15s are a thing. How can you tell 'cause this is all new to me.

I bought a Miata with 15" ones, in white, once. Then sold them to some dude for like $800. :v:

# ¿ Jul 14, 2018 11:31

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

InitialDave posted:

Not sure how you'd find it without stripping the interior entirely

Not a bad idea, given the state of it. :v:

That sucks to find though.

Car was looking pretty good after a buff.

# ¿ Jul 21, 2018 01:42

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Frank Dux posted:

Here's some more pics from the auction. Apparently the car is essentially stock except for a Fujitsobo exhaust and some unknown brand coilovers. The car's got some 17 inch Keiichi Tsuchiya rims too.

If you don't mind me asking, what did that run? I love that generation MR2 and have always tossed around the idea of getting a turbo.

# ¿ Jul 22, 2018 18:02

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

I can't drive in flip flops, always have to take them off. Too soft to feel anything.

# ¿ Jul 23, 2018 17:58

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

After looking on their site, I am nowhere near any ports they ship to (Detroit). That kind of sucks and makes this less appealing. Especially since I'm looking at cars we got here already anyway. :v:

# ¿ Jul 24, 2018 19:04

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

Ship it to Detroit and drive it from the port

Maybe my post was unclear. I'm in Detroit. They don't ship to anywhere near here.

Importing Process
Shipping takes 2-5 weeks, depending on port. US RORO ports: Tacoma WA, Long Beach CA, Freeport TX, Jacksonville FL, Savannah GA, Newport News VA, Baltimore MD, New York NY.

Also heard back with a translated sheet and info, average price is way too high for something I could get here easier for less or about the same price. Only made sense to do if it were cheaper.

# ¿ Jul 25, 2018 13:07

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Loanarn posted:

Oh my god looks at this gem.

Under 10k miles, 4 Rating, Super Clean Interior and Exterior, Stock Radio, Highest Trim level with Turbo, Leather and Alcantera. UNF. Why do I not have 10k to bid on this best in class MR2?!

https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj-6YTUjKU2zvzmZMU.htm

That is pretty. I emailed about the white GT-S and sounds like they average around 6-9k USD for a nice one. That one I'm guessing more b/c the miles. Is there any way to see what they end at?

# ¿ Jul 25, 2018 21:29

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

There was a Beat on BaT that didn't hit the reserve at $5500. But it didn't have the :krad:

zebra seats. No fuckin' way I'd consider buying one without those.

# ¿ Aug 14, 2018 03:38

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

This Pajero is so goddamned dirty, gently caress.

# ¿ Aug 15, 2018 13:45

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

That kei truck is only one of those.

A Beat or AZ-1 would be the only things I'd consider but still not worth it for me at least. And I'm American sized so :v:

# ¿ Sep 5, 2018 20:04

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Tyro posted:

Man didn't a goon convert one of these to a GM 3.6L V6 and boost it? That was a fun thread. I seem to remember a Dora the Explorer window shade on the rear passenger window? And I think the hood flew off and smashed the windshield on one of his first on-street test rides.

Fuzzkill. He was posting a sweet Datsun V8 swap thread last I checked but I haven't seen any updates in a bit.

# ¿ Sep 13, 2018 12:26

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

KakerMix posted:

Plus the wheels alone are worth a significant portion of the price I paid.

I had a set of white ones on a Miata that I bought that were 15x7 I believe. I had a tough time selling them for eventually $800 I believe. In 2010.

Might be less desirable now since tire options on small sizes are worse.

# ¿ Sep 15, 2018 17:26

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Riller posted:

I was wondering this as well, and I'm guessing that maybe they are putting the spare into rotation (this was new to me as I've never had a vehicle with a full-size, easily accessible spare) or maybe the KO on the back just got a nail in it or something and the spare was used right before it went to auction. Who knows? Guess I'll find out when it gets here!

This is my bet. Which is a good thing (if that's even the case).

# ¿ Sep 26, 2018 12:31

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

wargames posted:

What do we think about this az1? Also what does R mean?

R as in "Run the gently caress away" is how it's interpreted I believe.

# ¿ Oct 21, 2018 15:33

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

wargames posted:

he is wearing a V neck, never trust a dealer in a V neck shirt.

Needs more chest hair coming out of it

# ¿ Oct 23, 2018 13:37

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

But it's just so yellow.

# ¿ Nov 20, 2018 14:12

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

What's the turbo MR2 (SW20) market like for import costs all in? I see a lot of them being listed here already for 15-20k. Not sure how much I'd save if I were to get serious about bringing one in.

# ¿ May 18, 2021 19:16

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

US ones have gotten to silly money it seems, like everything else recently. I'll have to read up and look into more later. Thanks.

# ¿ May 19, 2021 12:19

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# ¿ May 12, 2024 09:54

Suburban Dad: Jan 10, 2007; Well what's attached to a leash that it made itself?
The punchline is the way that you've been fuckin' yourself

Yours always has me thinking about buying one. :v:

# ¿ May 19, 2021 12:34

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Importing from Japan - What is the secret to becoming a squid man?

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