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)

Would go for a 95-97 Merc C class. Fine quality add a AMG replica kit. Lower it some, and it would be a classic pimp ride. They're selling them for (C200) about 5,000$ NZ, at the auctions over here. Go through a broker. I see E39 BMWs for about 12k nz$, that'll be a cool ride to work on, though the odometer would be a bit high. Over 50,000km.

Totally agree with peter g on this one. Best to take a buddy and pay them or whoever was responsible for them whilst they were in NZ. I understand that Asian students (minors), must have a guardian in NZ (eg: pay some dude on the dole a $100 to be their guardian). But this person bear full responsibility for their actions regardless if being in NZ now or not. Another option is to find out their nationality and pay their embassy a visit, and issue a complaint.

I've had the same problem when I was in NZ. You've got to get "heavy" with these people. Be threatning, if you can't get the coppas to come. Give 'em a pen and piece of paper and make them sign their name. Here in Japan, some jappa hit my E46. I made this dude come with me to the ATM machine and take out about one grand (damage was like minor $400 job). After I got the money I left him there at the bank and told him to walk (like 50mins on foot to his car). You gotta be hard on these fools with no insurance, and even if they've got insurance, should try to get cash upfront (makes things easier). If they're young, make them park their car, and drive them to their home, and deal with parents or guardian (for 'em asians).

I reckon I deserve most of the blame for spicing up this topic too much, so please accept my appology. Will try to keep such comments off the general discussion board from now.

Reading the replies here, I reconk if you can't afford private health insurance, you shouldn't be smoking $10.00 a pack smokes. If the GOV really wanted to save hospital bills than it would have already put a ban on Roll your own tabaco. Because this is what the poor dudes who've got no insurance smoke. I don't think some fool on the dole is out there smoking a pack of Marlboros. Second hand smoking really sucks (and thats comming from a smoker). But this is a matter of manners, not smoking. Just like farting in front of strangers, and spitting gum on the ground, letting your dog sh*t on the pavement, getting a noisy exhaust etc. So, I reckon to sum it all up. Smokers have to be more aware of their social responsibilities. Government should stop poor people from smoking (ban rollies, and if I remember correctly Holiday brand smokes). Treatment of lung cancer or other smoking related disease shouldn't be covered by public health insurance (only private), do the same with alcohole (drunk driving, liver disease, domestic violence etc). When I lived in NZ, it was a first world country and if I returned today it would be a first world country. And everyone on this board drives a bimmer so I'd say it's a first world country for you. But I reckon there are heaps of dudes who are over 30 in NZ who earn like 20,000 - 30,000 a year and support a family. This aint first world. Thats like 13,000 - 25,000 US$ a year!!

325 Grant, I'm glad NZ still has some civil rights remaining. And Alliluya, what you said is right on the mark. Shadow Ninja is on about how he's paying for the smokers probs. Well I reckon it's the other way 'round, when we're paying $8.00 in tax everyday for a pack a smokes. If I wanted to start, say for example a cigar bar in Auckland city. where the sole purpose of going would be to smoke. so no non-smokers would ever go. and if they went they would know it would be "SMOKING". I couldn't do it, because of the LAW. This isn't causing anyharm to anyone. Just generating income for our government to do what they like to do (fund social welfare, make more speed cameras, sell our forrests to japan etc). Is this Democracy (what Shadow Ninja calls "slightly to the right". Clean Green NZ should be more like "no green (cause no forrests), RED, NZ".

As for the Jappers eating whales, I'm all against that. Went to my local COSTCO (american supermarket) here in Japan and they're selling the whale-meat like real cheap ('bout 10 dollars a kilo). One funny story. A year ago, a bunch of whales got stranded on the beach here in Japan. In NZ, all 'em green dudes would rescue them (which is the right thing). But here in Japan, all these poor dudes went to the beach with their kitchen knives and started collecting their dinner (this is a true story). I watched it on the News and the announcer was saying it was a gift from god (meaning their emperor). What I always hated in NZ. Green peace dudes driving really old cars. Buy a Hybrid car if you want to talk the talk. Also people who think they are skin heads that drive Japanese cars, watch a Sanyo TV, play a playstation etc, etc.

To Shaow Ninja. I myself am a smoker, and I wont say it's the greatest thing, BUT I will say that it's not the worst thing either. (I'm smoking my Marlboro's as I type by the way, and I've got my Air Purifier on full blast). Are Cigarettes a menace to society ?? Let's Compare, some classic KIWI examples (anti-smoking country) VS Japan (the land of the rising smokers). In NZ : Fat men have their pants so LOW, that you can see their crack !! Real Fat women wear real tight out-fits. Women with real big asses!! Old people with veins sticking out, but wear shorts year-round. People who always go bear-feet. Even in public rest rooms. Women who are real ugly, that don't wear make-up. People driving old Japanese cars. Diesel Trains (can't find 'em in any other industrialized country mate) Eating Lamb (come on !! they're baby sheep!!) People who fart in public. So, there you go, Fix that and I reckon you've got a good case saying smoking causes trouble to others. And to Helen Clark and her Far-Left Labour Party. People like me will leave NZ, and I'm here in Japan hiring 10 Japs and paying my taxes to the government here. My older sister got her law degree in NZ and went to the UK to work in a bank. I reckon there are heaps of people like me around the world. I'm waiting for a regieme change before I can go back. (I'm like a dissident, like those Iraq people).

DEMOCRACY!!! The reason I left NZ, is that it's so all undemocratic!!! No freedom or anything!! Some similar dumbass laws that made me leave and find greener pastures : 1* Can't drink outside (NO BBQ AT THE FRIGIN BEACH!!). They even tried to stop the champagne poping at the americas cup, tried to make 'em use Fanta or something!! 2* Can't walk in town in a group of more than 4 people (you can, but the police can stop you without reason). The reason behind this being that you are considered a GANG if your groups number surpasses 3!! 3* MMP : This gives the opportunity for any nut-case to make a political party and get a seat in parliment. I reckon some are "Funny" like the legalize cannibis party or something and really harmless. But you have some Bigots and racists or whatever who can get some sort of power if they try. (example : New Zealand National front) 4* Can't smoke anywhere. All restaurants, pubs, bars, and you've got to pay $10 for a pack!! That's crazy!! 5* Can't do bussiness freely, gotta get permits, pay crazy ass taxes and import duties that are one of the highest in the world. SO I came to Japan. Where I do whatever I please without any problems. I smoke everywhere, drink beer on the subway (yeah, we've got subways!!). I pay $2.00 for a pack of smokes!! Pay miniscule taxes, buy cars cheaper than NZ. And to top everything off, The cost of living is much cheaper!!! NZ is a ripp OFF state. A 3 bed-room house in Auckland would cost $400,000 on average. You could buy a 5 bed room place here in Japan and still get change. I drive 100km on a 40km road and go past the coppers, but they never even try to stop me. And there aint no speed cameras! So I say to you all, leave New Zealand, and all the welfare collecting parasites before it's too late!

When I bought my E46 back in 1999, I got 6 keys!!! So anyone with a Jap import should basically have 6 keys. 2 remote keys, 2 regular keys, and 2 really small plastic keys. For E46 there's a immobilizer chip in the key so it's really expensive to replace, also if you drop it real hard the chips gonna get buggered.