hamiltonjapan

seems dodgy

Yeah, those Daihatsu's are what we call "K" cars. Engine less than 1.0 Lt. Road tax, air tax, w.o.f tax etc are all way cheaper than regular cars. So poor young people in Japan do the most they can with these ugly ass cars. A 1991 model E36 318i could be bought for less 500 bucks here, but the tax would make it too expensive for younger people.

The cars pictured above are usually driven by ultra right wing nationalist japanese. People in more modern tricked out rides are regular folk. But those in retros are pretty big assholes. But it's a whole load of fun to look at..

I got all sorts of crap said about me. So I retracted my original post to make you all happy, posted I last word and it's deleted!!! "what the hell!!".. Let's see some of you people become more mature!! If you want to say negative things about people, you've got to be willing to take some heat yourself.. Can't have it both ways.

Post removed.

Got a end of line E46 318i on lease. Use it to drive around. My other 3 series is pre-facelift so, the steptronic or whatever engine is a bit better. Personally I prefer the newer models. How bout you guys?

How do you guys pay for international mail order?

sure thing. Those chinese dudes are quick to make anything that has any sort of market, so I'm sure they'll be on the market pretty quick.

Here's a set, from china, on a e46 coupe.. I don't know if any aftermarket facotries produce them for the compact (e46).. These don't have the red rims.

In Japan the lastest "look" is now LED. Every one is getting their rear lamp and side repeaters replaced with LED lights.. Is this happening in NZ ??

Bro, I've seen the inside of an E30 and that is pretty sh*t. The new 5 is pretty good. And compared to a Jap car much better. The problem with a Japanese car is that after 50,000 km you get rattle. Your shocks are gone and get whip lash every time you go over a speed bump. But I have to admit BMW is simple (and that's good for some and not for others). But if you look at some new Jap cars like the avensis and tianna they're german designed. That's saying something. They know what's good.

So I've seemed to have stirred up some sh*t here. Please accept my appologies. I'll go into a little more detail, and try to clearlify the situation for some of you. * I live in Ashiya in Kobe, it's a upscale place but not that high up (like remuera in Auckland). Everyone in my apartment building drives a european/american car. * Skylines/Celicas/Imprezzas/Integras are driven soley by single "just got out of school", "this is my first car" type drivers. I've never seen anyone except youngsters strapped for cash driving these cars. * Why reccomed a Hyundai. Value for money. And toyota have no alliances with hyundai that I know of. I do know that they produce their engines with Daimler Chyrsler benz. * Many Japanese Nationalists drive Japanese cars because they are "SO" proud. Remember Subaru was the Biggest manufactuer of the "Zero" planes in WW2. * Housewives drive Cheapo cars. * Japan is a poor country these days. There are many more poor people than in NZ. * And who the hell would buy a Lexus instead of a BMW 7 series or a S-Class. There is 100% no doubt that Lexus doesn't even compare to BMW or Mercedes. * These days, most European cars in Japan get shipped to the middle east. That's why they don't go your way. * New fairly expensive Japanese cars still only come with 2 airbags. That's cost cutting at it's worst. Though some poeple think they're "safe" cars. * Toyota is stopping the windom,soarer,celcior,harrier cars this year. And they're selling them under the LEZUS umbrella in Japan. Because Lexus is "made in USA", more jappers will buy the cars. Even Toyota knows whats what.

I'm here typing away in Japan. And anyone with any decency (people not in poverty) here does NOT drive a Japanese car. Seriously. Every Japanese I know drives either a BMW, Mercedes, Volks Wagen, Volvo, Cadillac, etc... When the people making the cars don't think they're any good, then I think that's saying a lot. If anyone asked me to reccomend a cheap car, I'd reccomend a Hyundai or a made in Nth Korea FIAT before I reccomend them a Toyota.

Shadow Ninja, your picture is poof, one should never be caught driving a Japanese automobile. European is the way to go. My mate has a Toyota Celsior (lexus outside Japan). It cost a 100k, but when it rains "spat,spat" like a tin roof hut. Even my E46 is better at less than half the price.

looks like it was used by the beach lifesavers!! Probably driven by some git up north. They think the 90mile beach is a highway. Had a Nissan Z when I was in high school and it was totally rusted out as it had been driven on the beach (salt water)