57 replies to this topic

[Walter Moar]

The one in the middle is an S-Cargo (think about it)

[VicHockeyFan]

^^ Yes that middle one, I think one parks down by Capital Iron (maybe represents the kayak place), one at Discovery and Douglas and I've seen one or two more.

[Holden West]

One of the things they mentioned on the radio this morning is concern about the safety of right-hand drive vehicles when it comes to visibility while passing on the highway.

[gumgum]

I'm pretty sure Bayview has this car with promo graphics all over it.

[NMP]

What's the reasoning behind importing these Japanese cars? Just to be different? Or is it something practical?
Why do they have to be at least 15 yrs old?

A while ago I was approached with business suggestion one part of which was to import old japanese cars. The idea is based on the fact (haven't checked it personally since got never interested) that cars above certain age, 10 or 15 years I can't recall now, get mandatory write-off in Japan and can be imported but for the price of delivery. Perhaps that's the answer.

Addition: How's that for a waste instead of reuse?

[gumgum]

I wonder how much these cost?

[simon]

There is a Mitsubishi Delica & a Toyota Prado on my block.

I bought (& destroyed) a Toyota Hi-Ace while touring New Zealand....despite the destruction I wanted to get something similar upon return, but the importing hadn't picked up yet.

I was told the NZ new car market is relatively weak due to the flood of quality cheap used cars from Japan.

[Holden West]

CBC segment: (RealAudio)

http://www.cbc.ca/th... ... t_sec2.ram

[simon]

^thanks!

but dangit. now I want to sell my yuppiemobile & get a compact 4wd van.

[Holden West]

B.C. tries to put brakes on right-hand-drive cars

Last Updated: Friday, December 22, 2006 | 4:44 PM ET
CBC News

They are in excellent mechanical shape with low mileage, but used right-hand-drive vehicles from Japan are raising safety concerns in British Columbia.

Provincial officials are concerned the vehicles might be dangerous in passing situations and have asked Transport Canada to step in.

Mike Woods, manager for vehicle inspections in the province, said that while there's no evidence of accidents caused by right-hand-drive vehicles, officials need more time to determine their safety record.

"There is some concern, and the Insurance Corp. of B.C. is probably looking at that quite closely, and I'm certain that the Insurance Bureau of Canada is also looking into it," Woods said.

Some officials worry the cars may be dangerous when passing because the driver's range of vision is limited on the outside of the road.

All cars imported from Japan —where motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road — are at least 15 years old because federal laws place restrictions on newer cars.

However, B.C. officials have asked Transport Canada to extend that to 25 years in an attempt to reduce the number of right-hand-drive cars entering the province.

About 175 Japanese right-hand-drive cars are registered in B.C. every month — a number that has grown steadily, provincial officials say.

One of them is owned by Thomas Nottelman, who imported his 16-year-old Toyota Corolla and several other cars from Japan. Because Japan has tough mechanical regulations and regular inspections, he said, its second-hand cars are prized.

Many of them have "never seen an accident, they've never seen dirt, they certainly don't have any rust, and they're exceptionally low mileage," Nottelman said.

"So you can't buy anything comparable here, unless you happen to find a little old lady's car."

[Baro]

I saw a cute white truck that is right hand drive and has japanese on it. I think it's that "Suzuki Carry". I love japanese sized vehicles, small efficient and almost always in perfect shape.

[FunkyMunky]

I wonder how much these cost?

I was in Parksville for the holidays and noticed a couple of these little rigs in one of the dealer lots.

They have two Honda Acty pick-up trucks. One for $6,900 and the other was $8,000. They were immaculate and feature 3 cylinder, 550cc engines with all-wheel drive.



If you want something more conventional, they also have three Rover Minis from the early 90s for a mere $7,000.

[gumgum]

Ooh, ooh!!! I want that Mini!

[VicHockeyFan]

B.C. tries to put brakes on right-hand-drive cars

Last Updated: Friday, December 22, 2006 | 4:44 PM ET
CBC News

They are in excellent mechanical shape with low mileage, but used right-hand-drive vehicles from Japan are raising safety concerns in British Columbia...

Many of them have "never seen an accident, they've never seen dirt, they certainly don't have any rust, and they're exceptionally low mileage," Nottelman said.

"So you can't buy anything comparable here, unless you happen to find a little old lady's car."

They don't have dirt in Japan? That's cool.

[gumgum]

They've never SEEN dirt.
They're blindfolded cars, dummy.

[G-Man]

They have dirt but it is made out of a brand new synthetic polymer.

[Holden West]

"If you are enjoy excitement of OFF-ROAD drive, apply "Mr. Danger 4x4 Action Soil™" on to exterior of automobile in a lively manner. Proceed to operate your automobile in an action way until the time that is concluded. Then removing "Mr. Danger 4x4 Action Soil™" by the using a soft cloth and disposing in wastebin.

"Mr. Danger 4x4 Action Soil™" is superior than dirt to show outdoor effects without humiliating unsanitariness."

[Caramia]

Gosh those minis are cute.

[gumgum]

Just press the button!

[Holden West]

hahahaaa

I've already bought a case for Derf and Scaper.