jap packages (1 Viewer)

vwalan

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Sep 23, 2008
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there are a nice stream of jap built coach builds coming in as well . real nice built on the slightly bigger vehicles . very good conversions from what i have seen .

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Terry

Terry

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Can't remember ;)
No good for us :Smile: Ann needs loo at least twice a night ::bigsmile:
Terry
 

Snowbird

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6 berth.........They would have to be very friendly Japanese size. But it does make the VW offerings look a bit silly.

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scotjimland

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Jul 25, 2007
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6 berth.........They would have to be very friendly Japanese size. But it does make the VW offerings look a bit silly.

indeed ... but have you seen what passes for a Jap bedroom .. :roflmto:

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seriously .. it would make a great tourer for a couple who can only afford or want one vehicle .. that's me and 'er.. our future van :Smile:

HiAce are a great van, where I used to be employed we had one used for deliveries and it was driven by every tom dick and harry , couldn't kill it.. done about 150k and still sounded sweet..
 

TheBig1

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many many years! since I was a kid
clever these Japanese, especially with vehicles

Mind you I was talking to a Jap autoparts specialist a few weeks back when I needed something. He was saying how many flood damaged vehicles were being imported for parts following the tsunami. I cant see how importing such an old low value van makes sense financially, unless it was supposed to be destined to be parts. unlike this country, they dont have a register of write offs

buyer beware, or check it thouroghly for water damage etc

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Snowbird

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Its not economic to keep an older vehicle in Japan. Thats why we were flooded with all the top of the range older Chelsea Tractors. They can only export em to us and the Ausies as the rest of the world drives on the wrong side.
 

Jaws

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Very cleverly laid out ( and the photography is even very clever too )..

But I think the toilet facility leave a bit to be desired.........................


$T2eC16JHJGYE9nooiN!JBQW5hZ1jQ!~~60_3.JPG
 

pappajohn

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Its not economic to keep an older vehicle in Japan. Thats why we were flooded with all the top of the range older Chelsea Tractors. They can only export em to us and the Ausies as the rest of the world drives on the wrong side.
very true evidently Dave.....

Driving is expensive

In Japan not everyone drives a car. This is because driving can be expensive. Gasoline is more expensive here than in any country so just starting up your car will cost you more. On top of that there are very expensive toll roads that connect cities or parts of cities. Probably the most overlooked is the cost of parking. You are not even allowed to own a car unless you rent a parking spot. This can cost anywhere from 10000 (£79) – 25000 (£179.50) yen per month. Next is insurance which is not really that expensive (5000 (£39.50) yen per month). And last is the big killer shakken. This is a vehicle check to make sure your vehicle is road worthy. By law anything that is wrong with your vehicle must be replaced or fixed. This sounds realistic until you see the price. You will pay 120000 (£948) – 160000 (£1264) yen for a mid size car every two years. This price is dependant on the engine size so a bigger engine will cost more as well.


People don’t like old things

In Japan there is a mentality that old things are garbage. People discard anything that looks old and this has been going on for decades. A good example is houses. Here in Japan many houses are torn down when they reach 30 – 35 years old. People will tear down their house and re-build. This is common in bigger cities where the land value is much higher than the house. This mentality is the same for cars too. An old car loses it's value because people just don’t want something old. I get told all the time that people want new cars because their 5 year old car is too old. This has always been funny for me since all my cars have been older than me.

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Apr 13, 2012
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These Jap imports (HMO) seem a lot of money for an old vehicle with possible problems with spares - and yes it could sleep 6 - but why? - not my idea of a holliday - farting aside
 
Aug 27, 2009
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6 berth.........They would have to be very friendly Japanese size. [HI]But it does make the VW offerings look a bit silly.[/HI]
The only offering from VW is the California, you would have to own a Cali to understand the folly of your statement.
 

Snowbird

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The only offering from VW is the California, you would have to own a Cali to understand the folly of your statement.
No folly Buttons.........have owned several of em. I still think they are over priced for what they are. A classic case of fools paying over the odds for a name.

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vwalan

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to be honest spares arent really a problem .i have a mazda bongo plus the mitsubishi. there are loads of places for spares . best i found for the mitzy is KS INTERNATIONAL,in ruislip.
top quality parts at real good prices .
for the bongo i use bongo bits in plymouth . but both have other parts for jap vehicles .
having been part of the independant volkswagen parts outlets the jap ones are equally as good .
the vehicles i have seen have been low milage nice quality and well built .
there are some good buys out there.
some expensive ones as well i agree.
 
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Terry

Terry

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The bueaty of jap cars is you don't need parts much ::bigsmile::winky:
terry

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Aug 27, 2009
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to be honest spares arent really a problem .i have a mazda bongo plus the mitsubishi. there are loads of places for spares . best i found for the mitzy is [HI]KS INTERNATIONAL,in ruislip[/HI].
top quality parts at real good prices .
for the bongo i use bongo bits in plymouth . but both have other parts for jap vehicles .
having been part of the independant volkswagen parts outlets the jap ones are equally as good .
the vehicles i have seen have been low milage nice quality and well built .
there are some good buys out there.
some expensive ones as well i agree.
Off topic with no relevance I know but my sister lives not 500 yards from this place in Ruislip.
 
Aug 27, 2009
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No folly [HI]Buttons.........have owned several of em.[/HI] I still think they are over priced for what they are. A classic case of fools paying over the odds for a name.
You have owned several California's Snowbird?:thumb: What did you think of the electric Hydraulic roof, did it ever give you any problems. I'm thinking of getting my third Cali I would be interested in any information your experience has given you. Which engines did you have.:thumb:
 

vwalan

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Sep 23, 2008
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great place .anyone with a jap truck or pick up .you should google K,S,INTERNATIONAL.
long time since i been up there .used to go to daytona m,cycles there.
hi buttons .i,m not keen on t4/5,s t2 /t25 is my cup of tea . i still like the aircooled . they are my favourites really.

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Snowbird

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You have owned several California's Snowbird?:thumb: What did you think of the electric Hydraulic roof, did it ever give you any problems. I'm thinking of getting my third Cali I would be interested in any information your experience has given you. Which engines did you have.:thumb:
Sorry no electric roofs on mine. Just poptops imported from Germany. Not the copy Calies as you call them but the original Westfalia. A couple of photos here in the field.....Well more out of the field really in Norway. If you look carefully you can see the trailer I made from a Sooty van. Exactly the same shape with sliding side door, but with lift up rear door. 1.9 diesels in mine for obvious reasons, Bosch injector pumps. Great van for touring and travelling and very reliable. But they are just toooo basic for serious travel.
 

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Aug 27, 2009
19,788
23,032
Hertfordshire
Funster No
8,178
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
40 years
Sorry no electric roofs on mine. Just poptops imported from Germany. Not the copy Calies as you call them but the original Westfalia. A couple of photos here in the field.....Well more out of the field really in Norway. If you look carefully you can see the trailer I made from a Sooty van. Exactly the same shape with sliding side door, but with lift up rear door. 1.9 diesels in mine for obvious reasons, Bosch injector pumps. Great van for touring and travelling and very reliable. [HI]But they are just toooo basic for serious travel.[/HI]
Thanks, nice pictures, the tailor looks like a pro jobie. The Westfilia was a well made camper but in my opinion lacked the modern refinement of the vw factory made Cali.
I think you sort of some the vw up well, it is as you say too basic for serious travel, However, not all motorhoming is serious travel. VWs are highly versatile economical every day campers. They can be used for serious travel but better to drive to your destination then book base accommodation. This way you have best of both. Facilities and a camper to explore the area with. The savings on site fees, toad fees and the huge amount of fuel saved :Smile:will easily pay for good accommodation with cash to spare. :thumb:
 
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