New member about to enjoy Japan..

[Qhu]

Well just registered on here and read about 9 pages or so on registering a skyline in the states.I am on my way to japan(april 08) for the next 4 years and planning to enjoy owning a Skyline. For myself and my friends this is a dream come true. I have been researching and in japan they seem to go for about the same price as most of the us sports cars ranging from 5k to 14k (US) depending on the year, make and condition. I have differents kinds performance cars ranging from DSM's to American muscle. I just wanted to say whats up to everyone and to AZ this is a very information based site. and I will enjoy learning from it.-Josh

[Gold Digger]

Only advice I have for you, be sure to study up on the Japanese way of life and culture. And have plenty of money for a car. Yeah, they may be cheap to buy over here, but, take into consideration; you have to have a license to own a car in your name, it will take approx 2-3 weeks before you can even take dilivery of the car, bi-annual car ispections that run about $1,300 minimum, registration, paying for a parking space (Anywhere between $50-$200 a month), no free public parking, outrageous highway tolls, a sometimes confusing subway/train infrastructure, outrageous gas prices (Average is about $4.50 a gallon for Hi-Oc), not many people are willing to be helpfull, and the general dislike for Americans by most of the population.

Once you come to terms with that, it should be pretty easy living over here.

Anyways, where will you be staying? Mainland, Okinawa? And, just guessing, but you said 4 years...are you attending a college over here?

[Qhu]

Well I will be stationed in Yokosuka. Myself being in the Navy its a 3- 3 1/2 years of duty there for me.

The monthly parking fee I can live with and gas prices, but why is the inspections so much? Not sure if you are famailiar with US inspections but they are like 30bucks and take 10minutes. What all does the inspection in Japan entail? And the highway infrastructure is well something I will have to get used to. And the dislike for Americans there is probably just the same as it was when I was stationed in Bahrain.

Thanks for the information!

[Gold Digger]

Well I will be stationed in Yokosuka. Myself being in the Navy its a 3- 3 1/2 years of duty there for me.

The monthly parking fee I can live with and gas prices, but why is the inspections so much? Not sure if you are famailiar with US inspections but they are like 30bucks and take 10minutes. What all does the inspection in Japan entail? And the highway infrastructure is well something I will have to get used to. And the dislike for Americans there is probably just the same as it was when I was stationed in Bahrain.

Thanks for the information!

Oh man, Yokosuka? What ship are you going to be on?

I was stationed down there for three years. Now that place is like a prison. Your friends can't bring their cars on base, the exchange is pretty lame, but....there are a few people down there that I know that are into cars. Once you get over here, let me know, and I'll get you in touch with them and tell them to show you the ropes on base and to take care of ya.

But, you'll have it a bit easier as far as base car inspections go. JCI is pretty easygoing, and gas on base is cheap, but it sucks. Get it off base if you can. Eneos or Esso stations are your best bet for the best gas.

[Qhu]

Oh man, Yokosuka? What ship are you going to be on?

I was stationed down there for three years. Now that place is like a prison. Your friends can't bring their cars on base, the exchange is pretty lame, but....there are a few people down there that I know that are into cars. Once you get over here, let me know, and I'll get you in touch with them and tell them to show you the ropes on base and to take care of ya.

But, you'll have it a bit easier as far as base car inspections go. JCI is pretty easygoing, and gas on base is cheap, but it sucks. Get it off base if you can. Eneos or Esso stations are your best bet for the best gas.

Ill be on the USS Kitty Hawk until it trades off with the USS George Washington in July of Next year. I won't be in Japan until May 1,2008. And are the inspections for cars that the base does take hte place of the ones for out in town that cost 1300 bi-annually like you said? And you saying ya could help me would be awesome. Also where are your at in japan in reference to yokosuka?

[Gold Digger]

Bout an hour or so north east of Yoko.

Lucky you are going to the Kitty. I know a guy on there, really good friend of mine. What's your rate? I'll give him a heads up that you are coming and see if he can make sure you are taken care of.

[Qhu]

Well I am an AE2-Aviation Electriciansmate. And well you arent too far away if I was in need of some looks at your car!

[Neevo]

There will be some guys down there that have GTRs, or look for those guys that have the nice RX-7s or S-15s etc. and ask them where they got there cars. Those guys at the auto hobby shop might now some people who have authorization to buy from auctions. My dad used to work at that auto hobby shop a couple of years ago. There are also many websites out there of companies who go to auctions daily. You give them a amount of money (600-700 dollars when coverted from Yen to USD) and tell them what you want. Example. 89-93 R32, Gunmetal, with at least X X X X mods. Some websites will even let you see the online auctions of cars, with pixs and car inspections. I was stationed in Germany and went through Hbtokyo which purchased cars from auctions and had them posted on the site. I called them up a couple of times when buying my cars and they always told me they could get me anything I wanted because there are so many cars going through the auctions at any given day. As any military base there will be those service men or woman that will try to give you a low price for thier car because they are coming back to the states. Then later you find out you paid too much because you where fresh off the boat and did not know any better. Research. Have fun there, and if you get a chance climb Mt. Fuji.