Just got an email from my auction agent

[Kamikaze_Pigeon]

Originally Posted by A Place of Light

There's literally nowhere to go, lol.
A collection of narrow islands+some of the worst traffic problems in the world+one of, if not THE, best public transport system in the world=low mileage cars.
Also the Japanese tend to consider something pre-owned as soiled or less than desireable. It's not a 100% blanket opinion, but the majority of the public look at used cars the way you or I would look at pre-owned socks. If things still work the way they did when I was there then the Shaken makes owning an older car less financial sense.....and the dealers operate a 100% buy back so lots of their lovely used cars can come here

Yeah, the Shaken is a huge pain in the arse, has to be done every 2 years (older cars had to do them annually, but they changed that rule a few years ago) and can cost a lot if you pay a garage or dealer to do it for you (basically add an extra 60,000 yen on the bill for them to do it....I'm going to go the user shaken route for mine, it'll take a couple of hours and is full of form filling, but I'll save heaps) but the Shaken isn't just a super MOT, it also involves some tax and also the compulsory 3rd party insurance needed to drive on the road over here.

Just finished organizing the parking space (which you have to have before you can legally get a car over here) that also is a huge pain in the arse, I had to get 3 different forms from the police station to complete:

1. The actual application form for a proof of parking certificate.
2. A form where I have to draw 2 maps, 1 to show the location of my parking space and the 2nd a detailed map of the actual parking space (including dimensions)
3. A form that I have to ask my landlord to complete proving that I am renting the parking space form him.

And this is just the start......a lot of paperwork!!!!!!

[ElRazur]

I think it is good news for some of us who buy car from Japan once every couple of years or so. I am due for one soon and depending on what the local market here are saying, I may be in contact with you if you don't mind.

[Kamikaze_Pigeon]

Originally Posted by ElRazur

I think it is good news for some of us who buy car from Japan once every couple of years or so. I am due for one soon and depending on what the local market here are saying, I may be in contact with you if you don't mind.

Of course, no worries there's not much I could do though, but I could definitely put you in touch with the guys that have been helping me (they have all the necessary licenses, etc!)

[ElRazur]

Thanks man.

[A Place of Light]

Originally Posted by Kamikaze_Pigeon

Yeah, the Shaken is a huge pain in the arse, has to be done every 2 years (older cars had to do them annually, but they changed that rule a few years ago)

That's interesting, as it's not the way I understood it. I was under the impression that for at least the last 20 years you "got" 3 years Shaken with a new car then you renewed it every 2 years after that. That's why all freshly imported cars were either 3/5/7/9 etc years old. The proof of parking comment you made reminded me of the Kei cars and their raison d'etre.....some of them are cracking little cars á la Cappucino/Copen etc.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by A Place of Light

That's interesting, as it's not the way I understood it.

FWIW, Wiki concurs with your understanding.

[Kamikaze_Pigeon]

Originally Posted by A Place of Light

That's interesting, as it's not the way I understood it. I was under the impression that for at least the last 20 years you "got" 3 years Shaken with a new car then you renewed it every 2 years after that. That's why all freshly imported cars were either 3/5/7/9 etc years old. The proof of parking comment you made reminded me of the Kei cars and their raison d'etre.....some of them are cracking little cars á la Cappucino/Copen etc.

Oh, I wasn't saying that was wrong, just that older cars after a certain age had to have the shaken annually, but this requirement for older cars was scrapped a few years back. But yeah, you're right cars that are just about to run out of their shaken are super cheap!

Yeah, the Kei cars are mega popular here, they're fantastic for around town but the little 660cc engine is not really up for the job on long commutes down the highway!!!!!!

[Darrin]

Personally I'd love to have a Daihatsu Mira Gino. But of course with the turbo.

They look like what the Mini should have been.

http://www.todoroki-trading.com/stoc.../stock601.html

[A Place of Light]

Originally Posted by Kamikaze_Pigeon

Oh, I wasn't saying that was wrong, just that older cars after a certain age had to have the shaken annually, but this requirement for older cars was scrapped a few years back. But yeah, you're right cars that are just about to run out of their shaken are super cheap!

Yeah, the Kei cars are mega popular here, they're fantastic for around town but the little 660cc engine is not really up for the job on long commutes down the highway!!!!!!

Totally off topic, but your avatar is really disturbing

[Darrin]

Originally Posted by Darrin

I have got to say that your avatar is the most disturbing thing I've seen in a long time...

Originally Posted by A Place of Light

Totally off topic, but your avatar is really disturbing

Great minds...