JAPANAlthough in theory it is possible to take a new car into Japan under an import license, it appears to be virtually impossible in practice to obtain such a license. Further, the importation of used cars has stringent conditions (e.g., no left-side drive cars may be imported).
http://www.relojournal.com/may98/cars.htm

I fully believe it would cost at least $6K to import then export. The net has several US import FAQs you can find with lots of things that can go wrong. I, for one, would not want to convert to RHD and then back, makes no sense at all.

If think of selling, you probably know up front that 20K on a one year car is almost double the average driver since you had it one year. I'm sure you know there is no way your getting back near the costs of performance mods plus, yours is truly Unique (very nice) but its unique to your vision. A buyer is going to have to want that motif (or strip off the tint, etc) so the question becomes how easy to sell? I guess you could always strip of the vinyl, seat covers, and tint

Scenario

If you store it and sell in three years, as Hokie says, maybe its worth ~ $15K. Sell today, ~22.5K and whatever you can get for the mods. (per KBB average private party sale).

Then you got the problem of 07 Turbos coming up ... Will the market take a dump in three years? Who is going to want the old gen one SC when the Turbos are so much faster by then? You might do some research on other cars. For example, once Porsche came out with 997s in 2005, not many people want a 996 and used cars taking a hit.

These are all things you need to consider carefully along with how much equity you have in the car and possibly continuing to carry payments (if you have them). Its a tough choice, especially if you continue to make payments while in storage and depending upon your equity, it might be your going to take a big hit.

Decision

1. Take with you $6K more out of pocket
2. Sell, possibly take a hit
3. Store, a gamble because you just dont know what the MINI market will be in three years especially with a new model out.

IMO, if me, I would let the government pay for the storage, you most likely may not need a car in Japan, continue with payments (if you have them) and take the gamble the market doesn't drop out of gen one MINIs. Thats IS a gamble because its very possible, that the 2nd Gen models "retain their resale value", while the first Gen models (with all the known quirks), drop like a rock. I'd take the gamble


Best of Luck Will! Be Safe

 

Good Luck Bradda! Thanks for the protection that you giving us and what your giving up.... Thanks again

 

The 1st gen gamble may be mitigated if he intends to keep the car for a very long time i.e. until it reaches classic status.

Either way, it's a gamble I'd be prepared to live with too.

 

Hey there,

They do sell MINI's in Japan - so the car should be able to pass inspection with minimal modifications ( I hope!! ). Also the MINI is registered as a GERMAN car ( I don't know why???? but the "W" in the VIN means German built ).

If you do take your MINI to Japan contact MINI USA or IM me for the emails of the guys in Germany who can get you the warranty transfer forms so your service plan AND warranty will be active in Japan. If you just show up for warranty work at a Japanese dealer they will make you pay for it!!

I had my MINI brought in from Spain and it took about 2 weeks for the paperwork to find the right people so I could get dealer service.

Good luck & keep in touch!!!

 

Its a bit late for that. If your thinking Barret-Jackson, except for some low mileage, totally OEM cars, they are mostly garage queens. The more rarer, exotic types are sometimes "used" cars but all OEM parts. MINI has said they will keep parts for 15 years (from Motoringfile interview). After that I guess its hit the machine shop

 

No, I'm thinking MGA, Austin Healy 3000, Mini Coopers, etc, etc. All those cars were driven, some are restored and some are not but either way the current markets are strong and prices good.

In my mind it becomes like every other british car, someone either buys or re-creates the dies and things keep going. Plus the engine/tranny is so generic that I don't see us manual owners having issues

 

Take it with you man....Just stay on NAM and let us know your BatMINI adventures in Japan and beyond.....
Keep us tuned.....

 

Why not take off all of your aftermarket parts and buy a nice UK (or J A P) spec MINI? Then you could just swap over the mods (if they fit) and have essentially the same MINI. Plus, you can then export it back here and have a RHD MINI! I know I want one!

-Cody

 

the mini's gonna feel like a BIG car over there.
might want to investing in the power folding mirrors!!

if you end up on the lhd, make sure you wear the hearing protection.
those boats are really loud during LCAC and harrier ops

 

Don't forget that the only other country besides GB that has right-hand drive is Japan. I wonder if new MINIs over there are right-hand drive.

 

Australia, too....and Australia doesn't allow left-hand vehicles, either. I also wonder if Japan allows left-hand-drive vehicles.

 

don't forget new zealand. (although i've seen LHD cars there)

 

I do believe they allow left-handed super cars...

 

Let the gubmint store the car for you. You can look out over the far eastern horizon and think of her (with apologies to the Misses) as your "other girl" waiting across the sea.

Seriously, I'd bet odds are better than even that you won't even see the full 3 year assignment over there. Uncle Sam's military strageties can change a lot in that amount of time -

Especially once they realize that for the sake of Homeland Security, America's streets aren't safe without the Batmini on patrol!

Here's to hoping you at least make a killing when you sell your home.

 

There have been ships in Sasebo & Yokuska for a great many years, and I doubt that'll change anytime soon.

I talked to the detailler again yesterday afternoon, and she seemed a bit less aggressive. She said she will call me today and let me know the pre-written verdict, but that I'm still the #1 choice.

EDIT:
Found some interesting news on Wikipedia:

 

I wouldn't take your MINI. First, they drive on the left hand side there so your car would not be set up properly. Second the traffic there really sucks. I have gotten off of a bus there before and made better time than if I was on the bus. The public transport in Japan is fairly decent and cabs aren't too expensive either. I am assuming you will be at Yokuska. I have been there a time or two. Everything seemed to be fairly close together. If you want something to get around on there, I would buy a motor cycle. By the way, typically before you buy a vehicle in Japan you have to be able to prove you have a place to park it.

 

Sell the Bat-MINI and store all of your aftermarket parts. Invest the money for 3 years and when you get back you'll have made some money on the investment and can find a very low mileage 2005 or 2006 as a replacement.

 

No kidding. That would be awesome. Good luck on your planning, Wagn

 

Sucks to hear about the short fuse orders...

There's a lot of CTs that have been stationed in Japan, and I'm sure a bunch of them are in my class down here. I'll ask around and see what others have done.

As for driving a LHD car in a RHD land, I can say from being stationed in England, it's at times a PITA, but it can be done! A couple of buddies brought over their car, and didn't have problems driving.

-Paul!

 

:( don't leave! you're taking away wifey's truck? whatever will she do!

 

Hey Wags - have you checked with the Japanese Embassy? They should be able to tell you.

 

Well, last year, snoopy, a NAM member residing in Australia, visited the US. He was here in SoCal and then I saw him at MOTD-2005. He said that no left-hand drive vehicles are allowed in Australia.

I'd still like to know what Japan's policy is on that...whether they allow foreign LHD vehicles on their roads?

 

So far this is the best idea I've seen. There sure are a lot of downer post on this thread.

Sorry to here you have to get shipped out. I'll miss you man. As for your MINI. I have one more suggestion.

Drive it to AZ and leave it with me You know all the mods and graphics will stay just as they are. Or I'll replace them for free

I'll keep the mororing spirt strong in the car by driving it everywhere. What you only put 20K miles on your lmini in a year? I can promise to double that for you


Seriously.

Strip the MINI and sell it stock. You'll get the same money for it that way as if you were to sell it loaded. Keep all the parts... Ah what yucca said.

Certainly find out for yourself what you can about exporting to Japan. That might work and it might not but it's sure worth the research.

And if either of those 2 things don't work out I'm always here for you man

 

we don't have a garage, but Im sure Jay will drive it for you if you want to leave with us! Soulfire would love a Bat brother! And just think what our little complex would do with 2 MINIS outside our condo!!!

 

Crap, I forgot about this thread... I talked to some folk that have been stationed in Japan before, and they unfortunately said that it's nigh-impossible to have a US car in Japan. What one guy in my class did was leave his car with some trustworthy family who took it out for a spin every couple weeks to keep the battery charged and everything moving, and then collected it on his return to the states.

Sorry I don't have a better answer....

-Paul!