by "carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
Published 06/25/2017 at 13:55
by "carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
Published 06/25/2017 at 13:55
Tags: Oppo Challenge
; Oppo Games
STARS: 1
When people talk about importing Japanese cars to the US or Canada, they usually talk about either sports cars like the Nissan Skyline and Silvia, or little kei trucks and vans like the Daihatsu Hijet, Suzuki Carry, or Subaru Sambar.
But let’s put together something a little different. Instead of focusing on putting together an inventory of ‘everyday’ Japanese cars, more mundane, easily accessible passenger cars, trucks, and vans.
The idea would be a small dealer lot (possibly in an abandoned major manufacturer lot), with a garage or service department that can help maintain the cars they import and sell.
Here’s the task: You’re given a budget of ten million yen ($89,863 US/$119,288 CDN) to purchase 5 everyday cars from Japan to import and sell, encouraged to look for cars that are not commonly imported to the US or Canada.
That means that the dealer is looking away from cars like the Nissan Skyline, Honda Integra, Autozam AZ-1, etc, and more towards more ‘average’ cars like the Toyota Crown, Nissan Avenir, Suzuki Alto, Daihatsu Charade, and Honda Ascot.
Also keep in mind the year restrictions: minimum of 25 years old in the US, 15 in Canada.
Ten million yen, 5 ‘everyday’ cars...how hard can it be?
Edit: Oh, yes. I suggest using Goo-Net Exchange for your searching. Let’s make the inventory interesting.
Edit 2: Not all cars have to be Japanese, cars from any foreign country are allowed, as long as they meet age restrictions.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
06/25/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 0
Five Toyota Coasters, and I set the dealership up in Utah.
"CB" (jrcb)
06/25/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 1
You’re thinking wrong. Here’s my suggestion: Avantimes.
"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
06/25/2017 at 14:18, STARS: 0
Legal in Canada, not in the US. So, if you can find five under the budget, go for it!
"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
06/25/2017 at 14:20, STARS: 0
Not a bad idea. Good for tour companies. Nothing wrong with importing commercial vehicles or buses. Very smart looking at a different market for opportunity.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/25/2017 at 14:25, STARS: 0
Old low mileage European luxury cars.
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
06/25/2017 at 14:28, STARS: 0
I’ll go with an obscure Honda dealership, located in an old Honda dealership.
1. 1990 Honda Prelude INX Si http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/HONDA/PRELUDE_INX/700080319430150527001/index.html
2. 1992 Honda Civic Ferio SiR http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/HONDA/CIVIC_FERIO/700055087030161105002/index.html
3. 1991 Honda Ascot 2.0Si Prestige http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/HONDA/ASCOT/700051021130160705001/index.html
4. 1987 Honda Accord Aerodeck http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/HONDA/ACCORD_AERO_DECK/700040356730170425001/index.html
5. Wild card: 1997 Honda Accord Wagon SiR. These are legal to import as long as a registered importer federalizes them. http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/HONDA/ACCORD_WAGON/700820023920130401004/index.html
"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
06/25/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 1
Very nice, and well under budget (4,060,000 yen). Using an old Honda dealer, perhaps using leftover money to bring in some old
Verno
,
Clio
, and
Primo
dealer signage, banners, posters, etc...if they can be found, of course.
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
06/25/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 0
Thanks. I have a particular dealership location in mind, but it’s currently in use. https://goo.gl/maps/gpexkVdinr52
It was the home of Colonial Honda until around 2000. And I like the idea of Verno/Clio/Primo signage.
"RT" (rt-p)
06/25/2017 at 16:55, STARS: 0
I’m not from the US or Canada, but I’ll pretend for the sake of the challenge.
Going for 15-year instead of 25-year because I’m lazy, so Canada it is.
7k
Starting off with this Xedos 6, which has both a smooth 2.0 V6 and a manual; I’ve even experienced owning one myself, so I can confirm they’re wonderful.
3.5m
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C853208
Meet the token French car, a humble CX GTI, with signature Citroën Hydropneumatic suspension and even LHD which is handy in North America.
305k
Since the Delta Integrale is a bit too exotic for this challenge, here’s the next best thing. An Autobianchi-designed Lancia Y10 Fire - should be great fun.
1.4m
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C527013
Next, a really nice example of the NSU Ro80, a very innovative car that is hardly available in North America. It’s a rotary take on an everyday car.
3.6m
To end, a Land Rover Defender. It’s definitely (pun intended) an everyday car in England, and it’s in really nice spec too, since I have a lot of budget left.
So there you have it, a total of cost of ~8.8M.
Already a fantastic lineup, and they’re all ordinary cars.
Please post more of these challenges on Oppo, this was very fun~
