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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BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Human Grand Prix posted:

Cool OP. Have you ever seen any JDM NSXs come for sale or auction? I can't ever recall seeing one outside of Japan, on the road or for sale.

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

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

# ¿ Aug 4, 2017 18:49

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# ¿ May 11, 2024 16:43

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

When I used to import stuff from Japan if someone said the car was in good condition, just serviced etc... they were almost always lying. Best was ATF in the front diff on an R32 GTR.

# ¿ Aug 5, 2017 03:11

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Nodoze posted:

canada would mean rust though?

This is a good point, in Japan they don't use salt on the roads so if you bring something over you will need to get it undercoated if you plan to use it in the winter or live near the sea.

# ¿ Aug 5, 2017 21:19

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

You know in your heart you truly desire a March Super Turbo

# ¿ Aug 5, 2017 21:54

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Built 7Ms respond well to an Accusump if you are planning on giving it the beans.

As for R32 GTRs I think I have touched on this before but I plan to wait for a bunch to make it to the US and the engines to go boom, because the RB26 is not super reliable imo, then buy a replacement short block from RIPS in New Zealand as then I get the car I want for less than market and I get to know that it was rebuilt by some of the best out there. If anyone is really interested in one tho feel free to drop me a PM so I can give you the low down on what to check out.

# ¿ Aug 7, 2017 13:18

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Olympic Mathlete posted:

What's the exchange rate like? A friend here in the UK has an ~800bhp R32 GTR up for that amount in ��...

Car is a loving monster but I'd turn down the boost personally, it's just silly.

It is what 1.2 $ to the � right now?

Applebees Appetizer posted:

I've ridden in a few back in the early 90's and tbh I was way more impressed with the Pulsar at the time. It was light and nimble and handled incredibly, plus it was the coolest hot hatch I had ever seen. The skylines were heavy and you felt it. It sounds dumb to me now because of how popular the r32 is, but at that time they were like the Mustang of Japan, and the turbo RX7's were the Camaros, drag racing all the time so they were no big deal.

The Pulsar GTIR is great and I want one for Autocross, the GTR is more of a GT car and dominated in those kind of classes but compared to other cars you could use is too long and too heavy, I wouldn't autocross a GTR but something like One Lap of America when you are coming up against other GT type cars it would be great.

I need to stop jumping into GTR chat tho before I start to sound like a mustang guy or something :v:

# ¿ Aug 7, 2017 18:02

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Varies state to state but most of them say the year of manufacture so you should be fine.

# ¿ Aug 7, 2017 18:26

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

InitialDave posted:

Aren't the gearboxes a frequent failure point one them? Like people say they will break, it's just a question of when?

Oh they are unreliable as all gently caress. I would never rely on one as a daily driver but a bit of weekend warrioring will be fine. Just have to get really good and rebuilding the gearbox, diff and replacing wheel bearing.

# ¿ Aug 8, 2017 01:28

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Clean, not modified, looks good to me.

# ¿ Aug 8, 2017 16:30

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

NitroSpazzz posted:

Registration finally went through for Japan Car Direct, time to start searching.

Could make sense to import some of these, not sure how good of shape they're in but it's good to see they do pop up and go for reasonable-ish values.
https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj-lHH7Y3BFUGWPdrV.htm
https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj-lHj6YPCmOMPXCzY.htm
https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj-lHR63onlLrDrQ0n.htm
https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj-lHoZcFW6h9MXTOn.htm

Looking at the auction sheets the M3 and the grey 911 might have had front damage in the past. The multi coloured 911 says it has a new rear hatch but I think that is just because it is another colour and might be original, however again it might have take a hit to the back.

# ¿ Aug 9, 2017 12:35

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

CAT INTERCEPTOR posted:

Hmmmm. Wonder if I could get a hold on a 2 door WRX STI......

If you are willing to wait, depends on which one you want really.

# ¿ Aug 10, 2017 13:10

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

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.

# ¿ Aug 11, 2017 12:38

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Lord of Garbagemen posted:

Put down $500 and got my first free inspection on a 91 gtr. Inspections are crazy in depth. it came down to paint is peeling (clear coat) and inspector thought rust was so bad that it went through in many places. Walked away sad, but glad that I didn't buy a POS.

I am guessing rear quarter panels, bottom of the doors, front suspension tops aaaaannnnndddddd spare wheel well.

# ¿ Aug 18, 2017 21:51

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Loving the Momo steering wheel

# ¿ Aug 24, 2017 13:03

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Uuuhhhhnnnnn I want that.

Lift it and go trolling Truck Bros so hard.

# ¿ Aug 29, 2017 14:04

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

BlackMK4 posted:

13.5-14k for a R32 GTR? What are you looking at FOB?

People want mid 20's to 30's in Arizona for them right now.

Prices for them are dumb right now. In a couple of years when R33s are legal in the US I expect them to drop while the R33s which are the least desirable ones in most people's eyes will spike since that was the one in F&F. R34s are going to go through the roof tho in 2023 :v:

# ¿ Sep 6, 2017 14:57

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

BlackMK4 posted:

So what about buying one from Aus/Nz?

Not checked there but in the UK the prices are going up with the ones in Japan. If you find one there I don't see it being an issue really.

# ¿ Sep 9, 2017 03:49

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

InitialDave posted:

The gently caress is with that winch tray anyway?

Why mount like that rather than getting it properly tucked away? Can only imagine it's for utility use rather than recovery, given how much it buggers the approach angle.

Considering the corrosion and how bodged the winch is I am getting the feeling it was used to pull and push boats down a launch.

# ¿ Dec 20, 2017 16:01

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

KakerMix posted:

Here in the US people buy grandma spec Skylines because it says 'Skyline'.

Right now pay stupid money for it then wonder why it is slow as poo poo and not be able to find parts. Couple more years people will be into R33s so R32s might go back to sane prices. In 2023 when the R34s are legal to import that market is going to be a blood bath even more so that it is now.

Thinking about getting something like a Crown or Cresda for Lemons Rallies since it will be odd but not a utter pile of junk. Probably cheaper than finding something passible for a road trip in the North East.

BigPaddy fucked around with this message at 19:49 on Feb 16, 2018

# ¿ Feb 16, 2018 19:47

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Ferremit posted:

I know of guys now who are selling their absolutely hosed R32's to Americans now. These are vehicles that were sold in japan, badly modified and thrashed in japan, then shipped to Australia, modified and thrashed some MORE, and they're selling the loving things for just about what they went for when they were NEW!

It is great when it is trashed to gently caress R32s from the UK since they are hosed and rusty.

On a more positive topic I really want a Town Ace to do the Lemons Rally in since it is mid engined just sticker it up like a race car and put a dumb spoiler on it.

# ¿ Feb 18, 2018 00:04

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Truck you say? Well best add on that Chicken Tax.

Yes I know that doesn't apply to used cars.

# ¿ Feb 20, 2018 20:50

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

God that is so dumb, the tax and it applying to second hand stuff. So that made up part of the $600?

# ¿ Feb 21, 2018 03:35

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

KakerMix posted:

One came up at auction and BOY is it priced right the gently caress out of what I'd be willing to pay for a weird Japanese hothatch.

Super rare and unique I think under $4k that is a steal.

# ¿ Feb 21, 2018 13:25

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

KakerMix posted:

Right but that's what the starting price is, I'm assuming it's going to go $$$$$$$$

Got it, formatting on that page is not great and I missed the start and sold for are the same line

# ¿ Feb 21, 2018 17:37

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

The one on BaT isn't too bad if you want something weird and I agree taking a bath on a $5k purchase isn't going to be as ruining as losing out on $13k and flipping cars is always going to be super risky. My personally held belief is that the current inflation in 90s Japanese cars isn't sustainable since even once the US demand has been met there will still be a lot of them and someone is going to be left holding the bag on all those GTRs, Evos, Celicas etc...

However that said I think the following are going to hold their value forever:

R34 GTR (duh they have hardly ever moved from their original retail price in some cases)
Mk4 Supra (even the lovely auto ones are making good money and there is no shortage of 1JZ/2JZ power trains to swap in + oh hey the car from The Fast and the Furious!)
Evo 1 to Evo 6 (the hardcore ones before Mitsi realised they could make some money selling slightly softer ones in larger numbers)
2001 Impreza WRX 2 door (rare and have been sought after for years already)
Honda Integra DC2 (serious drivers love these things and I do to, double wishbone suspension all round and VTEC in a light car unf)

There will be more but they will be quirky things like the March Super Turbo.

Future Winners aka stuff that will be open to import to the US in the 10 years:

Nissan Stagea RS Four (Wagon built on Skyline platform with 4WD and an RB25DET :getin:

)
Honda Integra DC5 (not as good as a DC2 but feels more modern on the inside and still handles great)
Nissan S15 Silvia (more modern 200SX and easy to make stupid fast however already holding its value well)

These are the main ones that come to mind but really after the Late 90s pretty much all the cool stuff went away.

# ¿ Feb 22, 2018 13:26

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Sta ge ar is how I say it but some call it a stag e ar

# ¿ Feb 22, 2018 14:58

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

InitialDave posted:

Gotta set that against every UK poster mentally hearing HEY, HO, IT'S SOOTY AND CO...

Sue is a bitch and needs to keep her nose out of Sweeps business.

# ¿ Feb 27, 2018 01:55

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

kimbo305 posted:

Isn't Ralliart Mitsubishi?

yeah but companies sometimes collaborate, who can forget the TRD Laser?

# ¿ Mar 2, 2018 14:22

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

I would buy it to do the Lemons Rally and remake Cannonball Run.

# ¿ Mar 9, 2018 13:49

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

At that price getting a few and sticking them in storage for a few years might pay off. They sell for about 6000 pounds in the UK so even importing them there would make money. I would guess they don't have the name recognition of some other cars.

# ¿ Mar 10, 2018 04:26

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Somethings I want that are not 25 years old I am talking to my cousin who owns a transport company to store for me. Buy it now in the UK wait a few years and bring it in.

In theory registering it in the US will be easier was well since the documentation will be in English.

# ¿ Mar 10, 2018 15:03

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

KakerMix posted:

From my (very limited) looking into it the double-transport thing (buying from Japan, storing it in Canada/U.K./rear end) costs way more than just leaving it in Japan. The cost is in ship transport and now you gotta do it twice. Maybe not Canada but depending on where you are geographically truck transport is even more expensive than the ship transport. I also don't have a cousin with a transport company either though.

Florida registration is a new experience every time. I have to have Dave the inspector come out to physically inspect the vehicle(s) to look at the chassis number and see that it matches the Entry Summary from the Dept. of Homeland Security. He says "Yes" and signs a paper then I go to the DMV and pay some money. In my case the vehicle coming from the U.K. would add nothing at all because I always get an English translation of the vehicle sheet, along with the actual sheet in Japanese. There wouldn't be any benefit to having the car come from the U.K. Again though, no family running a transport company.

Neat! This is a closed group though so I can't see it at all.

I was thinking about buying cars in the UK already rather than buying in Japan, sending to the UK first otherwise yes it wouldn't make sense.

# ¿ Mar 11, 2018 05:40

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

KakerMix posted:

Just make sure they aren't rusty.

Tell me about it, most people who go to the trouble of importing to the UK will know to get the thing undersealed but there is always that guy who has to replace half the underside of their Evo after one winter.

# ¿ Mar 11, 2018 18:06

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

InitialDave posted:

No need to check: They almost certainly are!

I can't see importing from the UK making sense outside of UK-origin stuff like TVRs, Land Rovers, and the traditional British classics. Anything that's come into the UK has not only had shipping costs, but also the duty and taxation on top of everything else (unless it meets certain requirements for much reduced rates, which would pretty much put it in the age pool for direct US import anyway) and our registration stuff.

It might work as a specific stock-holding arrangement where it's kind of a bonded warehouse deal regarding the tax and duty, on the basis of them being re-exported, but I really can't see any way to make it more financially viable than renting/buying warehousing space in Japan and stacking it out with cars that just need to ripen on the vine a couple more years.

If you are shipping right out then yes it makes no sense. I am talking more about buying stuff in the UK that is under 25 years old then storing it for free on property a family member owns until it is 25 years old to import for myself.

# ¿ Mar 13, 2018 13:16

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Every once in a while Homeland security go on a hate boner world tour for illegally imported cars. No CBP 7501 no sale end of.

# ¿ Mar 26, 2018 16:32

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Chris Knight posted:

Would take the Prelude & Starion combination.

Both are super cool. That R31 Skyline is pretty cool as well, it is starting super low and would be interesting to see what it goes for since it will be running a FJ20E which is an almost straight swap for an RB25DET or RB26DETT if you are a masochist. Something more modern like a Barra would go in there as well.

SInce it is a 4 cylinder tho I would probably throw a nice rebuilt and tuned SR20DET into it.

Edit: Something to keep in mind about the 2000 RS is that it didn't come with AC but that auction has it listed so either it was an option, added later or it is not a 2000 RS and just has the stickers on it.

Edit 2: I so want to Ratrod this https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj-4GQpjy30jwJYMn6.htm

BigPaddy fucked around with this message at 15:13 on Mar 28, 2018

# ¿ Mar 28, 2018 14:15

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Shocking. It is not hard guys just don't illegally import poo poo and be patient.

# ¿ Mar 30, 2018 13:52

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Stickers on the speedo is ok but every import I had used a converter on the speedo drive.

# ¿ Apr 1, 2018 20:40

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

InitialDave posted:

UK guys, there's a risky looking Delica for �350 in Harrow...

Sounds Harrowing

# ¿ Apr 3, 2018 18:04

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# ¿ May 11, 2024 16:43

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Nice GTR, I really like the Gunmetal colour. It will be worth it the first time you nail it into a corner and you think it is going to spin out the the front wheels dig in and pull you around.

# ¿ Apr 11, 2018 11:52

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

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