I purchased a 2000 kdj95 with 149000kms from a japanese auction house through PacificCoastAuto and I imported it in Vancouver. It was a fun process. It was ready to pick up from the docks on Dec 25. One of the best days ever. Car started no problem. Drove it home in the thickest of Vancouver traffics, first time driving a RHD. Mixed up the wipers and turnsignals only once and merged the highway traffic at full speed ready to die.
Big unexpected expense was passing out of country inspection so I can insure the car. Very few mechanic places are certified to give that inspection (mafia). I did mine in Canadiantire. They charged me ~300$ for installation of a little daytime-running-lights module and another lump $um for the in$pection itself. They failed me on a leaking rear shock, worn out break pads, non-rated tires and a misalignment. Fair enough. Luckily, I had purchased a lift kit( shocks, springs etc) and rotors and brake pads ahead of time. I adjusted my handbrake in the process. The rear shock top nuts are a pain in the ass to get to. You can tourniquet a strap with a screwdriver to rotate the shock while keeping a wrench around the nut. Be patient and dont strip the nuts.
So I showed up for reinspection, and purchased a set of 4 new BF Goodrich k02 265/75R16 on condition I pass. Thats all that was needed. I immediately drove to the only insurance place that was still open and unloaded the paperwork of the century on some friendly unsuspecting insurance lady, 15 min before she can get off work and to her New Years Party. Hour and a half in, she was ready to snap my neck... I managed to come out of there alive with an ICBC (bigger mafia) -registered Toyota 8-seat wagon. Yey me.
Big unexpected expense was passing out of country inspection so I can insure the car. Very few mechanic places are certified to give that inspection (mafia). I did mine in Canadiantire. They charged me ~300$ for installation of a little daytime-running-lights module and another lump $um for the in$pection itself. They failed me on a leaking rear shock, worn out break pads, non-rated tires and a misalignment. Fair enough. Luckily, I had purchased a lift kit( shocks, springs etc) and rotors and brake pads ahead of time. I adjusted my handbrake in the process. The rear shock top nuts are a pain in the ass to get to. You can tourniquet a strap with a screwdriver to rotate the shock while keeping a wrench around the nut. Be patient and dont strip the nuts.
So I showed up for reinspection, and purchased a set of 4 new BF Goodrich k02 265/75R16 on condition I pass. Thats all that was needed. I immediately drove to the only insurance place that was still open and unloaded the paperwork of the century on some friendly unsuspecting insurance lady, 15 min before she can get off work and to her New Years Party. Hour and a half in, she was ready to snap my neck... I managed to come out of there alive with an ICBC (bigger mafia) -registered Toyota 8-seat wagon. Yey me.
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