Question for Canadians: Why import from Japan over Germany?

[new at this]

I'm still a ways away from buying my first Cruiser so I'm still in the research stage...

I want a HJ80 so I was thinking of one from Japan, but the RHD doesn't sit overly well with me. (I don't like the idea of having to go fully into the oncoming lane on a rural highway so I can see if there's a car in the oncoming lane).

A little more research revealed that Germany has pretty much the same models for the same prices as Japan but in LHD.

So, why do people import their Cruisers from Japan instead of Germany? What am I missing?

 

[45Kevin]

I spent a lot of time looking at the European want ads several years ago. I was looking for HJ75.I did see lots of 80's though.

At the time, the Eoro was about a $1.50cnd. It looked like an '80 would be about $20k landed in Canada and then I still would need to ground ship and do the usual bearings work. It would have been a bit over $20K to get it on the road in Calgary. But the milage would have been well over 100,000km and they seem to be beat a bit harder in Europe.

Not sure what the Euro is at now, but it might be better. Also, there is not much of a network to help you get it from the seller to the loading dock in.

If you can find a seller and shipper you can trust, go for it.

There are a couple of Canadian importers that do Europe. One is in Cochran, Alberta. Do a google search.

 

[Enigma]

They are purchased from Japan because they are typically low mileage in excellent condition, and can be picked up at the Japanese auctions for quite cheap (if you are doing that route yourself).
Also the Japanese models seem to have various little features not found in other markets, such as the dealer installed camping kits on many of the HDJ81's.

 

[twinotter600]

I spent a fair bit of time looking into Patrols in Germany:
1. the euro vehicles have a lot more kms and rust.
2. more $$ for less.
3. unless you have a good connection in Germany you can end up dealing with a crook very easily.
4. options on Japan spec vehicles are more there betterer.
5. Good luck finding 1 unit that compares to 100 Japan units.

I don't care if it's LHD, RHD or I have to strap in upside down and roll right side up after take off. My RHD Japan Safaris (Patrols) are rust free very nice machines with low kms and use...at least until I bang em up!

new at this, you don't go into an oncoming lane you cannot see to pass. You wait to look through the vehicle ahead, around on any side or you simply do not pass. Not being able to see for a safe pass does not happen often especially in a higher vehicle like a Cruiser or Safari.

 

[new at this]

Not sure what the Euro is at now, but it might be better. Also, there is not much of a network to help you get it from the seller to the loading dock in.

If you can find a seller and shipper you can trust, go for it.

There are a couple of Canadian importers that do Europe. One is in Cochran, Alberta. Do a google search.

The Euro's still pretty strong against the dollar. Overall it will be more expensive to get a European one here than buy a landed JDM but I think the LHD is worth it... I guess it depends on how much over the cost it ends up running.

I'm not too worried about the importing issues. I used to work for a car auction house in Ontario that's expanded its operations to Europe and even has a German office in Hamburg now. That's the main reason why I started considering the German route.

They are purchased from Japan because they are typically low mileage in excellent condition, and can be picked up at the Japanese auctions for quite cheap (if you are doing that route yourself).
Also the Japanese models seem to have various little features not found in other markets, such as the dealer installed camping kits on many of the HDJ81's.

Agreed. I did notice that the German cars had a certain patina that was missing on most of the Japanese cars.

However, as cool as the camping kits with the ice cube makers and whatnot are I still like the idea of a LHD. I've driven RHD cars on our roads and I'd rather not have to in my DD.

 

[new at this]

I don't care if it's LHD, RHD or I have to strap in upside down and roll right side up after take off. My RHD Japan Safaris (Patrols) are rust free very nice machines with low kms and use...at least until I bang em up!

Very true. Life left in the engine and rust are going to be major factors for me when choosing a vehicle. I find once a car starts rusting it'll never stop no matter how much effort and money you throw at it. Also, I'd rather not have to rebuild the engine down the line... As I like to think I'll be holding on to my Land Cruiser for decades.

new at this, you don't go into an oncoming lane you cannot see to pass. You wait to look through the vehicle ahead, around on any side or you simply do not pass. Not being able to see for a safe pass does not happen often especially in a higher vehicle like a Cruiser or Safari.

I might have worded the passing situation incorrectly, for some reason block letters don't translate cheeky sarcasm. I wasn't trying to imply that RHD are inherently a danger to all other motor vehicles. I was trying to give an example in a reductio ad absurdum fashion as to my preference in driving positions.

 

[Enigma]

However, as cool as the camping kits with the ice cube makers and whatnot are I still like the idea of a LHD. I've driven RHD cars on our roads and I'd rather not have to in my DD.

It's not an ice cube maker, it's a center console FRIDGE that holds 12 355ml cans of your favourite bevvie, and keeps them very chilly.
It also makes ice cubes for other beverages.

It is....quite awesome

 

[canucksafari]

It's not an ice cube maker, it's a center console FRIDGE that holds 12 355ml cans of your favourite bevvie, and keeps them very chilly.
It also makes ice cubes for other beverages.

It is....quite awesome

So you really don't need that ARB, do you Jeff?

Newatthis, I'd pretty much echo Jeff's and Twinotter600's thoughts. My wife said she would never drive a RHD but after a few days in "her" Safari, she won't give it up. I really can't see any dangers more inherent in a RHD than a LHD. I can tell you that in thick fog and heavy snow, the RHD made it a lot easier to find my way and stay on the road compared to a LHD.

 

[new at this]

It's not an ice cube maker, it's a center console FRIDGE that holds 12 355ml cans of your favourite bevvie, and keeps them very chilly.
It also makes ice cubes for other beverages.

It is....quite awesome

Perhaps, 12 of my favourite bevvies at hand whilst driving isn't a good idea. Haha. Plus I plan on getting a fridge fairly soon after my cruiser if I don't go JDM.

I'm actually moving to your neck of the woods in a month to take a Millwright course at Kwantlen Polytechnic.

In this country, you gotta get the educations first. Then when you get the education, you get the money. Then when you get the money, then you get the Cruisers

Is there any local 4x4 clubs I should know of? Nothing too serious though, as I'm driving a leased, bone stock FJ Cruiser...

Newatthis, I'd pretty much echo Jeff's and Twinotter600's thoughts. My wife said she would never drive a RHD but after a few days in "her" Safari, she won't give it up. I really can't see any dangers more inherent in a RHD than a LHD. I can tell you that in thick fog and heavy snow, the RHD made it a lot easier to find my way and stay on the road compared to a LHD.

Maybe I am putting too much weight on the LHD issue. As I do the math I keep having to hit the "+" button for shipping, plane ticket, taxes, BEBs, etc. and it's really driving the cost up. Hmmm....

BTW thanks for the responses, everyone.

 

[BCR4619]

It's not an ice cube maker, it's a center console FRIDGE that holds 12 355ml cans of your favourite bevvie, and keeps them very chilly.
It also makes ice cubes for other beverages.

It is....quite awesome

Agreed!

It doesn't matter if its RHD or LHD they are all the same, as with anything it takes a few hours/days to get used too

Good Luck on the search

 

[twinotter600]

I'm driving a leased, bone stock FJ Cruiser...

Gak! somebody save him,,,,,

 

[hzjoe]

i spend 2 months in germany and did not see much cruisers but a lot of rovers defender

 

[twinotter600]

i spend 2 months in germany and did not see much cruisers but a lot of rovers defender

Yup, and they can stay there. What a POS. Shame, I always liked the extra glass in the roof.

 

[new at this]

Good Luck on the search

Thanks, the good thing is I have about a year to do it... The bad thing is all the cherry Cruisers I have to watch slip through my fingers while the bank account comes up to steam.

Gak! somebody save him,,,,,

Haha, I don't think Jesus can save me at this point. (Hopefully taken in good fun as I'm not meaning to doubt His abilities).

The FJ came about as a result of: about to move across country and needed a reliable vehicle to tow with; since I was leasing, only wanting it for at most a year; and finally financial constraints.

Since the PO gave me a lump sum to take the lease over; in the price range it came down to the FJ or a Liberty. And I'd rather go through the effort of bobbing (bob-ing?) a 60 than buy an XJ!

Knowing that I'm destined to be a Cruiser guy it made sense. Plus the ability to join the local Toyota 4x4 Club if I ever worked a normal amount of time in a week. Ha.

The best part about my FJ Cruiser you might ask? The fact that it's pastel blue... Ha x2.

Better than joining the Jeep club.

 

[new at this]

For those interested this is the German car search engine I was using today (who doesn't like to look at TLC ads?):

Search Results: Cars on mobile.de

 

[LanceCruiser]

Keep your eyes open on terra2imports, I have seen two hdj81s converted from RHD to LHD. Another bonus to getting a JDM is some of them might come with accessories that can cut cost on mods like: Snorkel, Aluminum roof rack and rear ladder, aftermarket bumper ARB/TJM, Suspension Lift (some have all the necessary parts), factory 9500 Aisin winch w/remote (works very well, even if it still has the factory wind on it, and the remote has some nice features too). It seems a majority of them go for the looks, and maybe never go off road either, since they are so clean underneath with no rust, scratches, or dings.

You do get use to driving a RHD, it took me a few days to get comfortable. The wipers and turn signal location might need some getting use to, I do mess up from time to time when I switch from RHD to LHD. Then I remember which vehicel I'm in and correct myself. When I started, I used the side veiw mirrors to guage my center, as long as I could see I was inside both lines I was good. I also used the road lines, the hood and the corner of the right fender as a reference too, something I used when I first started driving, and then it becomes second nature and don't think of it.

 

[sailor]

RHD= unmatched views of hot chicks on the sidewalk!

(Not the most intelligent reason to go JDM but quite compelling nevertheless)

 

[VTCDN]

RHD= unmatched views of hot chicks on the sidewalk!

2-funny ,but only if there around in your area. at least most doors up here are still single !

TV

 

[Eric Winkworth]

RHD= much easier to see the kids flying off sidewalk curbs on their BMX's and into the intersection when making RH turns!

 

[John Galt]

Move your computer mouse to the left side. If you can adjust to operating the mouse with your left hand then a RHD Cruiser shouldn't be a problem. It's mostly different blind spots to get used to.