Discovering a Bargain: Buying a Cheap Car in Japan! (Feat. Kei Car & Bonus Kei Truck)
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Join me on an adventure as I explore Japan's car market, and scoring the ultimate bargain! (in my opinion). I will go over the costs and process of buying a kei car in Japan with the unexpected bonus tale of a quirky kei truck bought from the side of the road. So.... hit play now and dive into the world of affordable Japanese automobiles!
Thank you for supporting my channel @ChaniJapan I have been drinking a lot of coffee making these videos! If you would like to do more to help me keep creating content here is my Ko-fi link: ko-fi.com/chan...
One of the things Foreigners don't realize that in Japan you cannot own a car if you have no where to park it...parking comes first and then the car ..Unlike most countries ..it keeps things nice and tidy without people parking all over the place!
Yes its so important to sort out your parking first 🚙
wow this is excellent knowledge , how i wish we had this law in uk
多くの自治体では軽自動車の車庫証明は必要ありませんよ
The Japanese culture of being considerate is found in business whereas in the US, it's pure ruthless greed for profit, no matter the cost to humanity, children, or the planet, sadly.
We needed a larger car to fit my son’s wheelchair but the most appropriate car is a Kia carnival which at nearly 80k new is so expensive. We ended up importing a Nissan Elgrande from Japan, it’s a 2011 model but will all electric doors all the bells and whistles that the new Kia has for under 30k and only has 40000kms. Drives a million times better then the Kia and the children love it. Japanese cars are the best. Thank so much for such an informative video.
The Nissan Elgrande is an awesome car. How good you could import it! The bells and whistles on Japanese cars are so cool. I still can't believe there is TV in my little car 📺
@TD88865 & @ChaniJapan would like to know more about bringing a car in Qld Australia please. Cheers
We are in the south so there are a couple of companies in Sydney and Melbourne that import the cars. I am not sure how to import it yourself. We got our Elgrande from Nippon imports in Sydney. There were some issues with the car (we bought it without test driving so kinda our fault but they did fix it) So make sure you test drive it and that it comes with two keys as you can’t get another one keyed to the car even if you get a blank. There are a few Japanese people that bring them over and then sell them on car sales ect. The Toyota Alphard is also a good car to look at but only the 2016 + models as the earlier ones have a more basic suspension.
The Toyota rukus or Nissan cube are great for wheel chair access the Rukus has got a camry engie. I love kei cars i just wish they weren't grey imports here in Aus.
I can believe how little you paid....
I always laughed at these little cube shaped cars, and swore that I’d never drive one. After I rode in one with my brother in law, I discovered how practical and roomy they are ! Now whenever I rent a car in Japan, I won’t drive anything else. On narrow streets and harrowingly winding mountain roads they are absolutely essential !
Agree! On narrow streets and tight parking they are perfect.
The problem is safety, Kei cars are famous for not meeting safety standards, so that’s one of the reason that are not allowed in a lot of other countries, is not only because of the engine.
Me and my husband we will need to buy an other car next year, and I wanted a Kei but my husband ( Japanese) is strongly against it because we will have our kid seat in the back and in case of crush even at low speed it would not be safe for him or for my legs in the front.
One of the model 2 models that are more safe are Honda nbox or Suzuki jimmy but the price goes up and it similar to regular cars because of the extra safety features.
My brother in law has one too. Excellent vehicles that are practical.
Love your channel ❤
your choice is wise
Can't go wrong with a Suzuki, by far my best purchase, vehicle wise, I had a Sierra, like a mini Jeep, softop, windscreen was able to be flipped down, seats were easily folded and moved, she went everywhere in the Northern Territory, through floods, down to Broome, and all the way down here through West Australia and the Perth hills,.
You made a great purchase! Suzuki's rock 🤘
I really appreciate how you add the Australian and US dollars
I lived in California for many years. Experienced several earthquakes while growing up there. Schools always push for a three-day supply of water and some snacks in addition to maintaining a half full tank of gasoline. I enjoyed hearing a similar standard from your you. Great videos.
Water is a good idea too. I was also thinking to put a few emergency bottles in the car.
Yes please we want to know how the k truck ended up in Australia. More videos please 🎉
You got it! I will start planning it out 🚙
I'm also curious how much the export cost was.
Japan has a mix of narrow, old roads, so a compact car makes sense. And they are also economically light. There is a reason for their popularity.
Yes please to the k truck export video. Would be very interesting.
A very informative and helpful video. And “Yes please!”, to a K truck export story video.
You got it! I will start planning it out 🚙
I second that! Yes, please with a cherry on top 😁
Your videos are great thank you. Just donated a small coffee 🙂 I have been to Tokyo once a few years back to visit our exchange student we hosted for 11 months in 1989. We have kept in touch regularly over that that time. Just loved Japan... you are very brave!
Thank you so much for your support ☕️ Honestly it really means a lot to me. I really appreciate the time you took to comment as well ♥️ Cheers
Yes please, a video on the Kei Truck would be brilliant! My aunt has a fairly new Suzuki Ignis 1.2 which seems quite grown up next to it’s Kei car siblings! I adore Kei Cars though, they’re so funky! Great video!
Will do!
I found out your Chanel yesterday and I had to watch your video . I sometimes just leave it on for the sound to listen when I am doing housework . I am in my mid 30s but I love your vlog so much . It seem like you have have background in film making and omg the way you talk , I can listen all day . I have to watch all your video these day . I wish I have this courage to move and travel for work when I was in my late 20s .
Love from Canada
It's so nice of you to say this. I am learning how to make videos and it means so much that you say this. I really appreciate it ♥️
I'm so grateful I found your video about this and you in general. I'm 43, moving to Japan March 2025 (got the english teaching job! YAY!) and have been looking at various options. Originally I was sold a bit on the N-Van from Honda. This looks great! Around the same price range as well. Also good to see foreigners moving there that aren't the 20 somethings lol.
Congrats on your job in Japan!
Chani, what a breath of fresh air you are. Stumbled across your channel a few days ago, your informative, interesting, humble & sweet. Love watching videos about Japanese food & Japan, you bring a uniqueness to RUclips, great work, please keep going❤
Thank you so much 🙂
I am very jealous of the remote control rear door! I have a Hyundai iMax which I use as a commuter and a camper and it would be so much easier with a remote sliding door. Would be very interested in the Australian import side of the Kei truck story and costs involved.
You got it! I will start planning it out 🚙
great stuff chani Im living a single life in fukuoka like yourself .your very good at explaining japan life perfect ... great job and keep it up the Kei truck story would be good eh
Nice Fukuoka. I've never been there! You got it! I will start planning out the kei truck story 🚙
Thanks for this Chani, I'm loving the snippets of Japanese life and what its like!
I'm actually interested to spend a longer term in Japan as well when the timing is right.
I have one small child and another on the way, so it won't be for a while at least.
Also, I hope to see a video on how you learnt Japanese coming up soon :)
Thank you! I will do a video on learning Japanese soon. I need to do a reno update first 😀
I wish I could get a small car like that here. I drive a lot for work and a small car that is affordable with good gas mileage would be amazing. This style of box van is the best because there is still room for storage that a tiny sub-compact does not have.
It's really cheap to run.
Using a small car is the way to go, especially for being eco-friendly. I have a VW Up, bought it used three years ago and never regretted it. I really dont understand people that need a big SUV just for their ego. Your car model looks really useful.
Right on!
I love seeing videos of how people do "normal" things in other countries - like buying a car, insurance etc. Here in the US we often think every country is like ours and nothing could be further from the truth. I'd love to learn how refuse and recycling work for you in Japan. You did show in the one video about the dump, just wondering how that works and if there is recycling in Japan. Thanks for sharing your experiences and love the kitty!
🐱
Thank you for information on the Kei car. I found it interesting & informative as will many others, I am guessing.
If you're looking for another topic, I believe people will be amazed about Japan's attitude towards drink driving & how 'take no prisoners the Japanese Police are. At least that's what I was told. As a result, my friend from Kyushu, always hires a service whereby 2 people arrive tom the party (one to drive him & his car and the second one obviously to drive the driver when the car is back home). Such a service may be available in Australia, but I have not heard of them. I wonder what other interesting services Japan offers that gaigin such as me, will be surprised with. Thank you & please keep up the good work.
Thanks so much. Thats an interesting topic. DD is very frowned on here!
Big thanks for showing me the cool side of life in Japan again Chani! Been here 13 years and kinda hit a wall after the first few. Your vids totally changed the game for me - got me all excited about exploring and experiencing everything again. Cheers!
I am so glad! There is a lot to explore and find here 🇯🇵
I see so many great things ahead for you Chani!
Very kind of you. Thanks ♥️
So impressed how you have negotiated all the essentials for your life, buying the car, was so clever❤
Thank you!! 😊
Finding these very interesting thanks. Me and my family lived in Tokyo for a couple of years in the early 2000s - I was working for a UK company as an expat 会社員 and my clients were demanding Japanese corporates. Tough but we learnt so much. Been back several times on holidays as a couple and also as a family group. It gets into your bones and we think/talk about it most days. Paul
Thats how I felt, like Japan was in my bones! Great way to describe the feeling ♥️
Love love love these videos!!! and Congrads on your lower auto insurance as of this April!
I really enjoy the practical approach to your videos, Chani. It's nice to have a picture of the normal day to day life in another part of the world, rather than just sort of touristy stuff. Thanks! ❤
Aloha, yes to a video on how you were able to export a K-truck to Australia. My husband wanted to buy one in 2014, but was told he could not because the car was under 20 years old. Now, they have a couple dealerships here in Hawaii that sell K-trucks and cars (older models), but the prices are crazy! $7,000 and up! Mahalo for a another informative video🤩
Would love to a video on the process for getting the kei truck back to Australia. You are always very straight forward with the details and tell it like it is. Thanks.
Indeed you have all our support, we are in Ireland and watching your journey , fascinated with your bravery
Your videos so far have a great habit of answering my questions left in my head after watching the previous video
Lovely content. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Glad you like them!
I imported an N Box to Aus last year. Great little car. I would live to see a video on the process you went through. Love your Suzuki and am loving all your videos. Al
I love the N Box. That was my first choice but Gulliver said it was out of my price range so I had to settle for the Suzuki 🤣
Hi Chani! Thanks so much for sharing your life’s journey in Japan. My wife and I are your avid followers from Melbourne and considering to follow your footsteps one day. We just got back from Japan with our two kids and one of them wanted to have a kei car for her 1st car. We would love to see how you got the hijet truck exported to Australia.
So good to see all these things that are so different to our living here in Australia. Im enjoying your videos 🇦🇺🦘😀
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for starting this channel. I am 44 and from New Zealand and your story is so inspirational to me because I have always wanted to live in Japan. I know you were a Japanese student in high school. Did you have to re-learn the language before moving to Japan as an adult? Did you have to get a teaching qualification to teach English? What was your profession before moving to Japan?
I never actually studied Japanese in high school so I arrived with zero language skills back then. Before moving to Japan 11 months ago, I was a high school teacher.
Thank you Chani for brightening my day with another video 🤗 it was very interesting as always. I love how high tech your little car is even though it’s so small! I would be like to hear about the kei truck too please 😊
😊 thank you!
Interesting and useful video once more, many thanks 🙏🏻 😊
When riding a Kei-Car, never drive in front of large transport trucks at night or in the morning.
They sometimes doze off.
That was a really great price on that Suzuki kei car. I have a 2006 Daihatsu Mira which has served me well but is getting a little rusty around the wheel wells. I'm not looking forward to the next "shaken" when they might finally condemn the car. Gulliver's treats you really well. Maybe I will check them out when the time comes.
yeah they were very good at meeting my budget. Not pushy at all.
I found this very helpful, I was looking for information on what purchasing a kei-van there would be like.
Hope you come back to share a bit more about how you were able to ship the K-Truck! Really enjoyed this one!
Oh wow your little van is so cute! ☺️ Always loved Japanese vans since seeing them for the first time in 2005, and wondering why we can’t get them in the west. So practical with the boxiness and high roof, even though yours probably maxes out at 120km/h it’s enough for the city . Wanted to import something like a voxy or stepwagon to Canada, 15 yrs or older it’s allowed… do you know any websites that specialize in vehicle export? 🚗
Looking forward to your K truck video, maybe you could start an export side hustle 😉
Thanks. 😀Yeah they are super practical. I don't know any websites as I organized it all from here. It was a bit stressful being the first time. I don't think I know enough about cars to do a side hustle. 🤣 I'll cover everything in a video later.
Great video! Loved it all. A shame your years of driving experience are not recognized. Nice that the dealership provides free coffee from that fascinating machine! (I know Japan is vending-machine paradise -- well, for those of us fascinated by such things.) Seems like terrific dealer service in comparison to what one gets here in Canada. Would also be interested in hearing about your journey to fluency in Japanese.
Thanks! The vending machines are pretty good here! Ok I will do a video about my language journey 😀
So helpful. More details about the forms, etc. would be great! (New video plz)
That's how Japanese cars beat those big muscle US cars in the US market back then and they still dominate today
Great insight... I've been wondering what the cost is like. Like you, I've got about 30 years of experience driving, but all of that's out the window here. And what's worse is that, as an American (a Texan, specifically), I cannot convert my driver's license to a Japanese license. So I'll have to drop some cash and time for driver's ed. Of course, since I live in Tokyo, public transportation and riding the good old mamachari are good enough for daily commutes. But holidays would be much better with the option to drive!
Yeah coming from OZ we can easily convert our license. But I heard you guys have it tough - not impossible just cash and time as you say. I think the freedom a car brings is worth it though. You get access to a different Japan when you get on the road. The service areas are awesome too! Thanks for commenting 😀
Just found your Channel. Absolutely love your videos thank you for showing us a glimpse into your world! I love Japanese countryside and I visited in 2017 which was a life changing trip.
Looking forward to seeing your future videos, lots of love from England ❤
Awesome! Thank you so much ♥️
That was a very informative video, it addressed many of the questions people would have about buying a car in Japan. Pls keep making these videos so that we can follow you on your Japanese journey! 👍🏻
Thanks, will do!
what an adorable car! and the K truck too :-) Wish we had compact trucks in the U.S.
Thanks for the video, I like your style videos. I also vote for the Kei truck video. btw a how you learned Japanese video; I would like to see. I've been living here for several years and still struggle with the language.
Thanks! Will do both - Japanese and Kei truck! 🚙
Really enjoyable videos Chani, thank you. Intersting topics well presented and good length. Looking forward to the Kei car video! Japan is such an interesting place.
Coming soon! I am organising a Q & A to cover all the questions.
過去にこのクルマ乗っていました。とてもコストパフォーマンスが良いクルマでした。
Nice video, look forward to Kei trucks story!
Coming soon!
日本をたくさん紹介してくださり、ありがとうございます‼️
私もkey自動車🚗を運転しています。燃費も良くて運転も楽ですよね😊最近はとても可愛いデザインの車も販売されています。普通車に劣らず安全性に優れています。狭い道や登り道には軽自動車が便利ですね🌸
🌸コメントありがとうございます😊
Another great and informative video. Keep up the great work!!!!! Japan, my favorite country.
Thank you very much! 🇯🇵 It is a great place to live!
In high school, I guess they didn't expect me to amount to much. So for the work experience program I was sent to Wanneroo shire to work in the Parks and Gardens department. This was about 1985 and each parks and gardens person had their own little K truck just like that to cruise around and take care of their designated parks or converge together for bigger projects. But yeah, I'd like to hear the story!...I will probably buy one if my wife and I end up buying a house in Chiba and moving over in about 2030...what was the yearly car rego? My Mitsubishi Pajero is $1200 a year, Its classed as a truck. Would be interesting to know how much truck rego is in Japan too.
The 'shaken' which is sort of like rego cost around $2000 (AUD) for 2 years. I'd guess that the Kei Truck would be a similar cost as its a light vehicle.
@@ChaniJapan Oh wow, its more expensive than I imagined. But at least the initial purchase of a vehicle is a lot cheaper. Thanks!
Great little car and very practical. I'm in one myself when the brother in law drives me around in Shikoku when I visit. More comfortable than any usual car.
Please make another video about the kei truck 😊 My family and I love watching your videos ❤
Thank you! Will do!
Would love love LOVE to hear about the Kei truck’s journey to Australia. My mum is keen on finding one and we’re always going to and from Nihon.
Also, I just found your channel and am watching every single one of your videos. Keep it up! Thank you soo much for all the insight, and the prices on everything! Especially the renno of your house. We might be about to do the same/big move😸
Sounds good! I will update soon on the Kei Truck journey🚙 Stay tuned 🐱
really enjoying your videos, all great explanations about everyday life in japan. my son is married there and my daughter now lives/works there as well. from mike in ireland.
Thanks Mike. Sounds like you have some good connections in Japan 😃
Thanks for the info. A great video. Would really like more info on the truck.
You got it! I will start planning it out 🚙
great vid very informative :-) loving the channel as im looking at making the move to japan from perth australia , gives a great insight to things often over looked, keep up the great work :-)
I hope you can also make a move!
We are a family of 6, from Perth. Looking to make the move 2030. Good luck with the move.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support ❤️
Just found your channel! I’m also an Aussie living in Tokyo for 20 years now. Your vids are somehow calming and really inspiring!
I'm so glad!
I am a retired Aussie teacher who came fro the USA when I was 22. I just went on a tour of japan and revisited 2 host-family teachers in an outlying prefecture (although one is a single woman)from 20 years ago. The couple hosts seemed a little confused as to why I would travel by myself. The husband used the term 'challenger' allot. I enjoyed the days on my own in Tokyo using the transport system. The single teacher is buying a new house and will pay for decades. She retired at 60 because this seems to be expected, but must still work at universities and seems a bit ashamed that she must work. Curious how much the salary is for your teaching. Your house looks lovely. Cheers to you.
Thanks for the 5 items of buying a car in Japan. Very interested to learn how to have a K truck without the 5 items. It seems a tourist won't be able to own a car unless K truck has exemptions.
Ok I will make it soon.
Hi Chani! I just recently found your channel. I really enjoy your videos!
Thank you for showing us day to day stuff ❤
You are welcome. Thanks for watching 😀
Those kei trucks and cars look so cute and honestly pretty comfy. I couldn't drive one here, the roads are too full of massive potholes.
Love watching your videos. We’ve just come back from a trip to Kansai which was amazing. Our son would love to import a Kei car and we are trying to work out the best way to do this - please post your experience it would be so good to hear. We are thinking of living in Japan for 3-6 months post retirement and are loving what you are posting - thank you 😀
Thanks so much for the comment. I am sorting out filming that kei truck video now so it should be up in a few weeks. Japan is awesome and would be a perfect spot for living post retirement.
hi, yes please do a video on getting the k-truck to Australia. Fees, shipping, how long to get it to Australia, what permits or rules does Australia have when importing a Japanese vehicle.
I took down a note of all these topics so I will be sure to cover it when I make that video! 🚙
The world is filled with used cars exported from Japan. Japanese people take good care of their belongings, combine that with the shaken system that makes owning a used vehicle more expensive and a social norm that places too much importance on purchasing new, and you end up with an abundance of high quality used vehicles that find their best value in foreign markets. Would like to hear more about the process of exporting Japanese vehicles - I know there are a lot of foreigners in Japan that do this as a full time lucrative business.
Yes I can imagine that it would be a big business! The kei truck was old but in great condition. Its a bit tricky to do the process yourself so I reckon it would be a lucrative business.
Chani,great video on you vehicle experience.
Thank you!
How cute is that Kei Truck!!!!!!
Would love to see a video on how you got the k truck to Oz. Have watched a few of your videos now and will be tuning in for more. Desley from Queensland
You got it! I will start planning it out 🚙
Fabulous video Chani, I have been considering buying an older second hand car here in Tokyo for a while now and did not know about the Gulliver car yard appreciate you sharing this 👍
Best of luck! Gulliver were great to me.
Thank you for doing the car review! Very informative!!! 😂🎉😊
Glad you liked it!!
Wow that car is so affordable and looks so fun to drive!
It is fun to drive! A little buzz box 🚙
I'm a recent subscriber and loving your content. I also think you're very brave to make a solo, drastic change of life. Bravo to You. QUESTION: How and when did you learn Japanese language? Cheers from New Zealand
💚🌏💚
Thank you so much! I first came to Japan when I was 18 and did a homestay. I learnt to speak Japanese then. As for reading and writing I am still trying to learn this. 🇯🇵
Lovely! Greetings from Bangkok right now.
Hi there in Bangkok! Thanks for watching ♥️
This is helpful. Good work.
Glad it was helpful!
As an Aussie who loves Japan, everything you have to say is great.
That little car is so cute. Just for you it’s wonderful.
I have a Grey import from Japan, it’s from 2007, and I’ve had it for almost 4 years. I love it because it came to me in perfect shape.
Haha Tv while driving. That’s hilarious 🤣🤣🤣
Cheers lovely.
What prefecture are you in?
Cheers from Oz
Hi there and thanks for watching! I can't believe the TV. I am just on the edge of Osaka in Wakayama.
@@ChaniJapan we’ve not been out that way. Looks beautiful in the pics. Sadly we only get two or three weeks at a time to explore, so we usually miss the smaller places. Have seen Osaka of course.
Till next time🌸
Yes please to the Kei Truck story. I moved to Australia from NZ over 20 years ago and was shocked at the cost of used cars in Australia. In NZ we had lots of Japanese used car imports that really made used cars very affordable. I had never thought about doing it myself to Australia.
Also these kei trucks are $$$ to buy in Australia so importing probably works out cheaper. I am organising the filming now it will be ready in a few weeks!
Are $3000USD cars regularly available in Japan?!? Where I live if a car is under $12000 USD you can expect to spend a car payment amount monthly in repairs. 😢
I’d love to see the video about the process to import that small truck.
Thank you for sharing your life with us ❤ I recently discovered your channel and I’ve been really enjoying it. I hope you keep uploading.
Thanks for watching. Cheap cars are common here especially if they are older. You got it! I will start planning the kei truck vid 🚙
I have a Kia Picanto. I love it.
I use the "Wise Card" and app when I travel to Japan too, it's easy ,convenient, and without the "Big Brand" fees.
Love your videos! Truly inspirational. Warm regards from North Queensland.
Good spotting on the wise card! Its been great using it here. My local Japan bank would only give me a debit card so I am relying a lot on the Wise card for online and petrol stations!
I absolutely love your videos Chani! Please keep enjoy making them and thank you so much for charing your experiences🤓❤️
Thank you so much!!😀
Hi Chani, yes I am interested in the purchase of a Kei Truck! A video would be fabulous! Thank You. I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!!!!
Got it!
I can’t wait to drive my 2021 Mustang in Nihon Land in cross country mode… at that time maybe in a few years when I’m done with my obligations here in ‘Murica.
Great video really enjoying your experiences in Japan 😊
Glad you enjoy it!
Your cat is so adorable.
Rly want to live in Tokyo at least once in my lifetime. Gosh
I think you made a very wise choice because K cars have lower taxes and better fuel economy.軽自動車は税金が低く燃費がいいのでとても賢い選択をされたと思います。
Are electric garage door openers common in Japan? I notice that yours is manual.
Yes, more about buying and shipping the Kei-truck. These look so practical for so many tasks a small business or gardener needs to do.
I just couldn’t afford an auto door but they do exist.
I've only driven in the US so I am really nervous about driving in Japan. But eventually I will get my license and give it a try. How strange that they still have the option for full service to have someone pump gas for you. When I was a kid I used to go to the gas station with my dad and I enjoyed watching the gas station attendant fill the tank and wipe the windshields. How strange that they have that static electricity remover on Japanese gas pumps. We don't have anything like that in the US. Do Americans not care about blowing themselves up? But then again, I have never heard of static electricity in the US causing a gas fire or explosion. Why do they have them here in Japan? Love your videos.
What you describe sounds similar to Australia. I hope you end up getting your license. 🚙
i'm moving to japan in 3 years to retire. your experiences are very informative, thank you!
Wonderful!
Yay, new video!
Yay 😀
Great information - many thanks
Very welcome 🚙
Hi Chani
Greetings from Sydney:) Love, love that cute little boxy car of yours...
also looking forward to a future video (perhaps?) of your daily work routine plus workplace..and your students! that would be so interesting😍😍
Noted! Sounds like a good video idea 😀
Hi. I am really enjoying your videos, I hope you keep them up! Hey, I would love love love to know more about how you organised to ship the Kei truck for your family member. I was in Japan in November and fell totally in love with a tiny camper van. Would love to know how to go about shipping a vehicle from Japan to Australia without it being too costly. I am presuming sending the Kei truck was affordable, because otherwise it wouldn't have been worth it. Would love to know more.