Discovering a Bargain: Buying a Cheap Car in Japan! (Feat. Kei Car & Bonus Kei Truck)
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- čas přidán 14. 03. 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/chanijapan - Auta a dopravní prostředky
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....
Yes please to the k truck export video. Would be very interesting.
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
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
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 😁
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 🤘
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 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.
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 🚙
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
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.
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 🚙
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.
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 ♥️
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 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! ❤
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!
🐱
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 😀
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!
That's how Japanese cars beat those big muscle US cars in the US market back then and they still dominate today
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 CZcams, great work, please keep going❤
Thank you so much 🙂
nice, yeah those little k-trucks are neat, i kinda want one
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
When riding a Kei-Car, never drive in front of large transport trucks at night or in the morning.
They sometimes doze off.
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 ♥️
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.
I absolutely love your videos Chani! Please keep enjoy making them and thank you so much for charing your experiences🤓❤️
Thank you so much!!😀
I see so many great things ahead for you Chani!
Very kind of you. Thanks ♥️
Great video ! thank you for the kind happy content and the information!
Glad you enjoyed it!
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!
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.
Great video really enjoying your experiences in Japan 😊
Glad you enjoy it!
So impressed how you have negotiated all the essentials for your life, buying the car, was so clever❤
Thank you!! 😊
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!
Love love love these videos!!! and Congrads on your lower auto insurance as of this April!
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 ♥️
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!
So good to see all these things that are so different to our living here in Australia. Im enjoying your videos 🇦🇺🦘😀
Thanks for watching!
This is helpful. Good work.
Glad it was helpful!
Love your videos! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much!!♥️
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 🇯🇵
Chani,great video on you vehicle experience.
Thank you!
Hope you come back to share a bit more about how you were able to ship the K-Truck! Really enjoyed this one!
Great information - many thanks
Very welcome 🚙
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 🤣
Thank you for doing the car review! Very informative!!! 😂🎉😊
Glad you liked 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!
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.
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!
Nice video, look forward to Kei trucks story!
Coming soon!
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!
Another very interesting video!
Glad you enjoyed it
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!
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!
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.
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 🐱
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.
How cute is that Kei Truck!!!!!!
Thanks for the info. A great video. Would really like more info on the truck.
You got it! I will start planning it out 🚙
Nicely done video 😀👍
Thank you 👍
Love your videos😍from Gilbert, Arizona, USA
Thanks so much 🚙♥️
So helpful. More details about the forms, etc. would be great! (New video plz)
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 😀
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。
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.
Well done !!!
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.
Lovely! Greetings from Bangkok right now.
Hi there in Bangkok! Thanks for watching ♥️
Great video, thanks so much. Please do a video about sending the Ute over to Aus, I’m looking to send one from Fukui to Brisbane in the near future 👍🏻
Will do! I am on to it 🚙
Def be interested in the process in exporting, requirements etc. thanks you , loving your videos
Ok will do 🚙
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 😃
Please make another video about the kei truck 😊 My family and I love watching your videos ❤
Thank you! Will do!
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.
The used cars are so cheap in Japan! Here in the US, the cost of car ownership is is becoming the third crisis (along with housing and student loans) where many people are buying cars they can't afford. These aren't even "cars" anymore. They're monster sized luxury trucks that can run from $50000-90000+ !!! You're talking in the range approaching 10 million yen or more! It's crazy here. Hope to be living in Japan in a year or two.
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 😀
Love to see the export video!
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 😀
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.
Yay, new video!
Yay 😀
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 🚙
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! 🚙
Just discovered your fantastic videos and your wonderful story. Your story is so uplifting and your videos are so honest. Please keep up the good work. It's such a bid world isn't it ? My daughter and her partner moved from Scotland to Sydney 18 months ago and she absolutely loves it there. I'm so glad you've found your happy place. You're absolutely correct when you say you have to make the first move if you want to make new friends, especially in a new place. Good luck in all you do and keep posting the videos (-:
What a lovely comment to read. 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 never understood why these cars are not very popular in Europe. They are great! It seems many men here need to compensate something small with a big expensive car.🙂
Wow that car is so affordable and looks so fun to drive!
It is fun to drive! A little buzz box 🚙
Would love to see a video on how you went about the kei truck import. Thanks. Love your videos also!
Coming soon!🚙
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!
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.
Yes, please share a video of how the k truck ended in Australia. Love your videos 😃🤩
Ok I will do it!🚙
Yes we are interested about the 🚒 story
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 😀
Thanks for another great video, would love to hear more about the Kei truck and how it got exported to Aus.
Also can you explain what you had to do to get your Japanese driver's license? Was it an easy conversion from your Aussie license?
Will do! I will cover the Kei truck and then drivers license. It was a fairly easy conversion, just needed to jump through a few hoops.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support ❤️
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😊
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。
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.
Rly want to live in Tokyo at least once in my lifetime. Gosh
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🌸