Ship FR-S to Japan or Keep in States
 

I'm planning on getting stationed back in Japan in 2 years and was wondering if ya'll think I should ship the car over or leave it stateside?

Ship so you can go Tokyo Drift style.

ship it, and youll be unique because you'll have the usdm version :thumbsup:

Save $ from shipping to Japan, and use to purchase Japanese classic to ship back...

Eric G

Military will transfer the car for free, just need to pay the costs of getting it through the inspections and getting the headlights changed out to fit right hand drive (From what i've heard anyway).

I am in the same boat as OP, and I will likely take my FR-S to Japan if I stay Navy. One of my Japanese friends over there said that the Scion badging and amber side markers are as popular over there as the white side markers are over here (at least..it turns a lot of heads).

Just a heads up... you're going to spend approx $6,000 USD and a 3-10 months by the time it's all said and done to get your car on the road in Japan. Ask me how I know ;)

- Omar

Wouldn't pay for shipping, I'd like to ship back one but the costs of going through emissions and getting the car USA approved would be expensive, not worth it IMO.

Ya, I'm in the Navy also, whats your rate? I want to take it over, I'm just debating if its worth the cost of the inspections...headlights would be 2k investment also...:eyebulge:. Didn't know the Scion badges and amber side markers were popular... I was going to re-badge to Toyota front and rear badges with the GT86 badge in the next month though.

Well damn, how do you know?

how about selling the car that's here, and then buying another one for there?

don't know if it's realistic cost wise, but anyone can educate me, if you will.

Depending on the cost, I would say ship it to Japan. That way, you can find someone to swap USDM/JDM parts with. If you were to even get the 86 airbag, I highly doubt you wouldn't at least break even as opposed to doing it yourself.

Because I'm USAF, and I was in the process of having my bugeye legal to drive there... it was heavily modified. Ended up holding off, cost of it wasn't worth while... and on top of it all, the vehicle insurance you'll get there is worthless for us. You'd have MINIMUM liability and depending on what part of Japan you're in and the insurance companies don't give a fuck about the situation, 90% you'll be called to be at fault. Reasoning for this is the way the gov, insurance companies etc. sees it as is pretty much like this. IF you weren't in their country for your military assignment, the specific accident would've never happened.

My suggestion is buy something you won't be able to acquire in America, leave your car in storage, and don't get worried about having an extra bill due to a car in Japan... because you will find something you've dreamed about for 1,000-8,000 USD.

Yen/dollar rate is terrible right now... Buying a new, or fairly new vehicle hurts big time. Then on top of it all, he won't end up being able to bring that one back to the US... unless he were to get an assignment to Europe, another base in JP, etc.

See if they have any Toyota/Scion E plate services in Japan for us military members. Know Japan/US have an agreement where you can purchase new US spec vehicles through I believe an aafes service while in Japan... but believe your vehicle has to be exported by a certain agreed date. (usually your expected PCS time)

Sorry forgot about this, know they have BMW, Merc, and just about every US automaker available to this.

I thought they drive on the right in the Okinawa region. Still have to change headlights?
Buy a Levin/Trueno there for cheap and become Initial (US) D.

oh. don't know what to say then.

if the op is going to really get use out of the car after shipping it there, and he will be there for a while and will enjoy the car there, then i guess it would be worthwhile for him to bring it along with him.

lol hasn't been that way since like the early 80s. Definitely on the left in Okinawa now... Keep in mind you will be getting paid a whole lot extra in Japan, sooooooo if you haven't paid it off yet... could very well get ahead of your billing cycle and/or buy a bunch of misc JDM parts to bring home to it upon return

I'd leave it home and stock up on jdm goodness. Also it's damn near impossible to get jdm cars back to the states. Ask all the poor bastards with gtr's what the federal govt thinks about grey market imports.

Buy S15 over there and bring back to sell to me please.

Best s chassis ever!

There is a guy on this forum who is stationed in Japan and has a '13 GTR. I think he plans to bring it home so obviously it's doable.

I hear Canadian troops overseas can ride ADM (Afghani Domestic Market) bicycles. :lol:

I can say that, I'm Canadian.

I spose anything is doable with enough money. I was quoted 10,000 to convert my 180sx to us spec when I was stationed in Japan. That was in 2003. Planning to bring it home dosent exactly make it doable either.

I think it might sell for more over there because it's sold as the GT86 there but there are restrictions on sales i know that because people use to bring American classics like the GTO and sell them for 3 times what they are worth here. But if you brought it drove it and sold it for way more than you would get here you could come back and buy a new one.

Well I definitely planned to make use of Japan's windy roads! IDK bout the USAF but with getting Cola and OHA out there our paychecks are mighty nice...4-5k a month... my biggest will be the conversion/inspections. I could always save up for that supercharger kit for when I do come back...Only thing is I want to stay in Japan!

Would be nice if the demand was that great!

Marry a Japanese wife, and milk it as long as you can... But USAF gets oha/cola... MISS IT!

Just might need too, as long as shes rich...haha!

No lie brother, I have a friend still in Okinawa who married into a wealthy family. Welcoming into the family gift was an R34 GTR with just about every authentic Z tune part on it. Think now it's sitting built even further with a T88... I applaud him lol.

have a left hand drive in a country wher they drive on left side of the road will not be very easy on daily driving. Bye a right hand driving GT86 their.

Ship the car there, swap parts over then come back.

My god :confused0068:, Lets see if I can swing that when I go back haha...R34=dream car

I've already lived and driven there, its no big deal to me.

Seems legit...

If fog lights still arent available in the US at that time, would you mind sending a pair back to the states for me?!

lol sure

Anybody in Japan currently have any thoughts on this issue?

Again.
You will seat wrong side of the road!!!!!
How can you pass a slow truck on a B road? Unless you have a beautifull codriver telling when lane opposite is free :-)
So many of those british here in France stuck behind truck because they can't see to pass

I'm at the moment in Thailand also left side driving country I would hate to have to drive a LHD car RHD is the way to go.
I've drive in Thailand, Japan, UK, South Africa all left side of the road and I have hated it only in one of them, UK because i cross the pound with my french car LHD, was a night mare.

I would say use the opportunity to get some unique that you can't get in the US. Plus it would be less of a hassle. An older evo or skyline might interest you.

All they have down there in early 90s corollas and they are all yellow and/or white. I dont miss that stinky country one fkn bit

Step 1: Sell Scion FR-S
Step 2: Buy Toyota 86 in Japan
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit!!!

Ship it and you could probably find a local to buy it for twice it's calue once you come back to the States. A "Scion" left hand drive in Japan is a unique as having the Toyota Version in the States. You'll make money...