The wonderful (and bonkers) world of JDM

[jogger1976]

themanwithnoname said:

Torque GT are top of the pile for importing from Japan in my opinion. The only reason my car isn't one of theirs it's because I found a Litchfield imported one.

Anyway I digress. No issues assert all getting one legal over here. They're over 10 years old, so a few simple conversions, an MOT and some paperwork will see you right.

The stocking point is A: Finding one. And B:They are a tad bit pricy when they do come up. Less so the zzs at around £35k but a zz-ii will is up well over £100k now. Once in The uk after taxes and duties that's going on 50 or 120k respectively.

Do you know if parts are still pricey and if the lead times for delivery are still long? The only experience I have is from an acquaintance who owned an imported Impreza.Some of the part prices were eye-watering. Lovely car though.

[themanwithnoname]

jogger1976 said:

Do you know if parts are still pricey and if the lead times for delivery are still long? The only experience I have is from an acquaintance who owned an imported Impreza.Some of the part prices were eye-watering. Lovely car though.

It depends on the parts! Anything that says STI on it for example carries a massive tax (and after a bit of research, usually for a small, if any benefit).

Anything that says TommyKaira on it - even if its a Skyline with a sticker and no actual Tommy parts commands a mad premium.

As with anything imported it depends on the shipping you use - I've had stuff come in within 3 or 4 days, and in around 2 months. Likewise the taxes which you need to consider as part of the price - [(item+shipping)*1.1]*1.2=cost at your doorstep where 1.1 is 10% import tax and 1.2 is VAT.

The good thing is, that for relatively mainstream imports there are now a few places who specialise and are able to supply parts or equivalents for sensible money

Back to the good stuff though...


The Dome Zero.

[morgrp]

Daihatsu Naked anyone:

[speedtwelve]

k-ink said:

poing said:

Podie said:

The old Micra super turbo always made me smile. Child of the Gran Turismo generation....

That game was educational as much as anything else, spent many hours in a Tommy Kaira despite having never heard of them before that game. Something between an Elise and mk3 MR2.

I had forgotten about that game and car! Wow, now I need one.

Which company would you go to for importing something small and crazy? Can they become road legal here?

That car was built in Norfolk IIRC.

[Nik da Greek]

No love for Mistuoka? It don't get much more bonkers than the Le Seyde



Or the Orochi



Even the humble Viewt looks like a 1:6th scale Jag that's swallowed a puffer fish

[scarble]

speedtwelve said:

k-ink said:

poing said:

Podie said:

The old Micra super turbo always made me smile. Child of the Gran Turismo generation....

That game was educational as much as anything else, spent many hours in a Tommy Kaira despite having never heard of them before that game. Something between an Elise and mk3 MR2.

I had forgotten about that game and car! Wow, now I need one.

Which company would you go to for importing something small and crazy? Can they become road legal here?

That car was built in Norfolk IIRC.

Indeed it was. Or in the UK at least.
After that went south it continued being made as the leading edge er.. 240RT? I think there was a 240RT and a somethingelseRT.
Not sure how many actually made it to customers though and I think it was one of these ones where the customer cars are still prototypes.
So no idea if there are any in the UK or if there's any chance they'd ever go up for sale.
But I want one.
Although in the real world it might not beat Veyrons and Enzos.

eta: I love the Orochi too, crazy little thing!
and let's not forget the ASL Garaiya, being a sort of continuation of the Tommy Kaira as they were taken over by Arta

Edited by scarble on Sunday 17th April 13:59

[GrizzlyBear]

Risotto said:

danllama said:

I love Suzuki Cappuccinos and Toyota Seras. .

Then you'll love AZ-1 / Cara - The Cappucino-sized kei with all the gullwing goodness of a Sera

That is just awesome, are they small inside though? basically would a 6 foot athletically/powerfully built company director be able to extract himself from the car with more dignity than the way he dived out of a Lotus Esprit head first!

Would have to paint it white to give it more of a RS200 look.

Nik da Greek said:

Even the humble Viewt looks like a 1:6th scale Jag that's swallowed a puffer fish

I have seen a few of these over the last few years, anyone know how many were brought into the UK?

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Sunday 17th April 14:25

[Ian_H]

There is a place in Middlesbrough that imports Mitsuoka Cars

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/showroom/mitsuoka

They also have some other whacky stuff

[themanwithnoname]

Ian_H said:

There is a place in Middlesbrough that imports Mitsuoka Cars

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/showroom/mitsuoka

They also have some other whacky stuff

Hmm this one's not a Mitsuoka, but a Nissan Autech Stelvio Zagato - to my eyes its the bd lovechild of the Aston Martin Vantage Zagato and whatever Ferrucio Lamborghini was smoking that week!

Still, absolutely top bombing, and mad as the proverbial box of frogs

Edit: Apologies - the site has it under Nissan, I took a leap from Mitsuoka then a link. My error.

Edited by themanwithnoname on Sunday 17th April 19:39

[DoctorX]

Some interesting stuff on that website. This certainly is bonkers though:

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/used/mitsubishi/c...

Japanese Cadillac hearse - who would buy this?

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/used/cadillac/fle...

Edited by DoctorX on Sunday 17th April 19:53

[jogger1976]

DoctorX said:

Some interesting stuff on that website. This certainly is bonkers though:

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/used/mitsubishi/c...

Japanese Cadillac hearse - who would buy this?

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/used/cadillac/fle...

Edited by DoctorX on Sunday 17th April 19:53

That place is great.Did anyone notice the NSX? This is my favourite.http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/used/mitsubishi/chariot/mitsubishi-rosa-45-kids-fun-bus-theme-park-nursery-school-bus-thomas-tank/middlesbrough/cleveland/16637258

[ZX10R NIN]

They seem to have eccentric covered

[Xaero]

morgrp said:

Daihatsu Naked anyone:

I like the J-porn windscreen sun guard.

I always found the 'Will' brand a bit weird:





Subaru 360:



Starlet GT Turbo:

[themanwithnoname]

DoctorX said:

Japanese Cadillac hearse - who would buy this?

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/used/cadillac/fle...

It is written in my will/funeral plan specifically stating 'don't send me off in a st car' I have cited, amongst others, that a Japanese Buddhist hearse as one of the cars I would choose for me. Though preferably a Toyota Crown based one.

[red_slr]

You guys need to watch Mighty Car Mods on YouTube. They do loads of "JDM" stuff... MAAAAAAD....

[themanwithnoname]

red_slr said:

You guys need to watch Mighty Car Mods on YouTube. They do loads of "JDM" stuff... MAAAAAAD....

Wearing the t-shirt as I type bud!

[red_slr]

themanwithnoname said:

red_slr said:

You guys need to watch Mighty Car Mods on YouTube. They do loads of "JDM" stuff... MAAAAAAD....

Wearing the t-shirt as I type bud!

LOLZ.. CHOO CHOOOOO!

[themanwithnoname]

red_slr said:

LOLZ.. CHOO CHOOOOO!

Its _all_ about the maaad choo choo noises!

In no small part it's the MCM boys who got me interested in the JDM scene, Turbos and Temples as well as Kei to the City (ugh - sorry for the sentimental stuff that follows) genuinely helped get me out of a big old funk. Reminded me that I needed to indulge my passions and to redress the work-life balance. Then I saw the first few seasons and it reminded me of hanging out with a few specific friends hitting the spanners, and how Marty and Moog were practically facsimiles of a friend and I.

The good times are rolling again now.

[red_slr]

Indeed, we need this kind of scene in the UK. I mean, whats better than doing dyno runs at 2am..

[JZZ30]

Suzuki Mighty Boy