Japan is not a country from which we normally import used cars. Although there are car boats between Japan and Norway, organizing transport can present problems. But there is a website that connects Japanese car dealerships, transporters and Norwegian car buyers. If you find a fun car, you can order online and have it delivered by boat to Drammen.
Japanese automotive history is full of goodies
Although Japanese cars were popular here at home, it is rare to come across real goodies such as the Datsun 240Z, Honda 2000 and Mazda RX-3. But more people have opened their eyes to Japanese cars and are ordering them from American websites. But did you know you can order from Japan, too? A website guides you through the process from when you find your dream car until it arrives at the quay at Drammen.
The website works for me carfromjapan.com as a safe place to shop used cars online. You get good pictures of the car's condition and can easily enter into an online dialogue with the sales company - hopefully in English. I don't know if Japanese are more honest than other nationalities, but the process seems orderly to ensure all parties. But before you import a car from Japan, you should investigate the possibilities of getting it registered in Norway. In Japan, driving is on the left, so you need to get headlights for driving on the right. It is possible that the seller can help you with that. Furthermore, you should form an opinion about living with the steering wheel on the right hand side (RHD). If you search explicitly for left-hand drive cars, you will find European and American import cars with the steering wheel on the left. Left-hand drive cars may not be very popular on the used market in Japan. It opens up to make a good trade, but I don't see carfromjapan.com as a typical site to trade western cars.
RHD cars
Here at home, right-hand drive cars can be difficult to resell. They are also not ideal if you want a good "driving car" - provided you are not going to drive on closed tracks. If you buy the car for "fun" - for small trips at a leisurely pace, to enjoy the nostalgia and joy of having a special vehicle, a car from Japan may be right up your alley.
I envision two situations - those who want a reunion with the car they themselves - or someone in the family owned in the 60s, 70s or 80s - or a fun little Japanese that only Japanese people can make. I then think about Kei cars which has received advantages in its home country given that the car's engine size and external dimensions are kept under strict limits. In order to make optimal use of the limited dimensions, the cars are built as square as possible, which means that they can never win any beauty contests. But that's what makes them cool. Imagine a Kei-car as car number 2 or 3 - a small pick-up that is used in the local environment - down to the marina, to the golf course, to the hardware store and practical errands.
Japanese snacks
I have allowed myself to pick out a few tidbits from https://carfromjapan.com/. All the cars are models that are already represented in the Norwegian vehicle register, so there are good opportunities to get plates on them. Take the mini-pickup, for example Suzuki Carry, there are an incredible 287 pieces of it in Norway without ever having been brought in via Suzuki's normal import channels. Other similar models are Honda acty, Mitsubishi Minicabs og Daihatsu Hijet. I have also brought the micro utility vehicle Subaru Domingo which can also be found in the Norwegian vehicle register, as well as a couple of nostalgia cars.
The Norwegian prices are calculated according to the dollar exchange rate when the post was written. Go to the links and the sales site's pages for more information about the cars and the sales process.
Suzuki Carry Truck
Link to the ad
Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1997
Sister model: Bedford Rascal
LHD front light kits are available.
Km: 47000
Type of car: Kei Car - automatic - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 30
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 47
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 11
Total: NOK 62
Honda Action Truck
Link to the ad
Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1992 (facelift)
Sister model: Honda Street
Not sure if there are LHD headlights.
Km: 93000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 26
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 40
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 10
Total: NOK 52
Daihatsu Hijet Truck
Link to the ad
Production year model: 1991-1994
Year of manufacture car: 1991
Sister model: Piaggio Porter, Innocenti Porter
The sister models are produced as LHD
Km: 23000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 9
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 23
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 5
Total: NOK 32
Subaru Domingo
Link to the ad
Production year model: 1993-1998
Year of manufacture car: 1998
Sister model: Subaru Sumo/Libero
Is also produced as LHD
Km: 32000
Type of car: Passenger car/MPV - automatic - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 113
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 140
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 140
Total: NOK 178
Cars with nostalgia value
If you buy a youngtimer or vintage car to experience the nostalgia, the fact that the car is right-hand drive is no showstopper. These are cars you use to drive on quiet Sunday trips or to meetings for like-minded people. The problem is that they are also popular in Japan. An old Laurel or Crown with low mileage are expensive pleasures.
Nissan Pulsar
Link to the ad
Production year model: 1986-1991
Year of manufacture car: 1986
Sister model: Nissan Sentra/Sunny
Engine: 1,6 Twincam 120 HP (Sunny GTI)
Available in LHD version
Km: 83000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 62
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 79
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 19
Total: NOK 101
Datsun Laurel 200L
Link to the ad
Production year model: 1972-1977
Year of manufacture car: 1972
Sister model: –
Engine: 2000 ccm
Available in LHD version
Km: 41000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual
Price only car: NOK 323
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 348
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 87
Total: NOK 438
About Kei Cars
From 1990, the engine size must not exceed 660 ccm and the engine power must not be less than 64 HP. External dimensions length x width x height in meters must be kept below 3,30 x 1,40 x 2,00 - from 1998: 3,40 x 1,48 x 2,00. Max length does not include the bumpers.
See
Link to Facebook group for Kei car owners in Norway
