US Silvia Owners in Japan

I am trying my best to get over to Japan for my first TOD in the United States Air Force and I had a few questions concerning Skylines and older cars.

When I get over there I am going to want to buy a car, probably a S13 Silvia to start (since a 1992 or so is only like $2500USD). Now since I'm not a Japan resident, and am in the US Military do I have to pay the crazy taxes that Japanese residents do?

If I get an older car, like a ~1990 Silvia or Skyline how much yearly cost in taxes/insurance/etc am I looking at. Are the taxes based on year or mileage or both?

If you have any information at all that would be great, but obviously the more detailed the information the better.

I'd like to know this too. I'm being stationed at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan. I was wondering what an s15 would run??? How much??

I'd like to know this too. I'm being stationed at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan. I was wondering what an s15 would run??? How much??

I saw a SpecR for $16,500 US. But then I've also seen several regular ones ranging from $10k-$15k.

Sorry, but i'm a newb to nissans. I'm really a honda nut, so disregard my lack of knowlege, but what's the difference in a spec r and a regular one???

I am trying my best to get over to Japan for my first TOD in the United States Air Force and I had a few questions concerning Skylines and older cars.

When I get over there I am going to want to buy a car, probably a S13 Silvia to start (since a 1992 or so is only like $2500USD). Now since I'm not a Japan resident, and am in the US Military do I have to pay the crazy taxes that Japanese residents do?

If I get an older car, like a ~1990 Silvia or Skyline how much yearly cost in taxes/insurance/etc am I looking at. Are the taxes based on year or mileage or both?

If you have any information at all that would be great, but obviously the more detailed the information the better.

hey i used to live in japan as a military dependant and i think i can answer your question somewhat. vehicles in japan owned by military members have to be inspected every 2 yrs and that can cost you anywhere from $300+ depending on the car. this also includes JCI, which is required by japanese law and is similar to liability insurance in the U.S. however, the price of JCI is usually included with the price of the vehicles purchased offbase. american insurance (property damage insurance) is also required and that depends on your age and rank. also, there is a $50-$100 japanese road tax due in may every year. overall, taxes/insurance there are not as high as those in the states. good luck!

Sorry, but i'm a newb to nissans. I'm really a honda nut, so disregard my lack of knowlege, but what's the difference in a spec r and a regular one???

spec r is the model with turbo

Wow didn't know there was so many people in this forum from Japan. Good stuff. But really you'd be better off getting an R32 GTR than spending more for an S15. But maybe I'm a little bias.

How much can I expect to pay for an R-32 GTR???

It depends on the condition of the R32 and what kind of parts are on it as well as how they installed some of the parts.
Japanese used car dealers buy their cars mostly from auctions which inspect these cars HARD. Every single nit picky thing will be mentioned. If the before owner cut into certain parts of the body to install ie a intercooler the price of the car will drop in a Japnese market.
But I have seen R32 GT-R ranging from 10000 and up.

Buying cars in JApan as a US military member is cheap and easy!! You will LOVE it here!!

hey i used to live in japan as a military dependant and i think i can answer your question somewhat. vehicles in japan owned by military members have to be inspected every 2 yrs and that can cost you anywhere from $300+ depending on the car. this also includes JCI, which is required by japanese law and is similar to liability insurance in the U.S. however, the price of JCI is usually included with the price of the vehicles purchased offbase. american insurance (property damage insurance) is also required and that depends on your age and rank. also, there is a $50-$100 japanese road tax due in may every year. overall, taxes/insurance there are not as high as those in the states. good luck!

expect to pay around 3-4k for a decent s13 k's model. if you buy from a dealer expect to pay a bit more, but the JCI and road tax will be taken care of. i paid 5000 for my 91 180, a bit much but it was already lowered sittin on a nice set of enkei 17"s. JCI is not liability insurance. liability is separate. for a 5 series plate (2.2 litres and below) younger than 24 a full year is 59,000 yen or approxiamtely 600$ full coverage is available for extra. road tax runs about 75$/year for a 5 plate. move up to a 3 plate with the gt-r and your looking at 220$/year plus a hike in insurance prices.

any other info you need just ask

spec r is the model with turbo

It is the S15 with a turbo. The S13 and S14 turbo models are K's models.