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.