I am, as of right now, going to be moving to Kyoto from Los Angeles in the next 2-3 months (pending visa and getting rid of/shipping our stuff) and I was considering shipping my 2018 Model 3. We’d likely end up buying a car eventually anyways and it’s at the very least cheaper (I’ve got a quote for shipment, insurance, and Japan side fees) to ship the car and import it including customs and inspection than it is to buy a decent car, much less buy another EV.
Are imported cars taxed and/or does Shaken cost more than for cars bought in Japan? How about insurance. I’m curious how much insurance would approximately cost for the car.
Any anecdotes about the process and ownership in Japan, regardless of the car make/model, are welcome.
7 comments
I can’t think of a single reason why this would be a good idea.
My math might be off but I think you’d save money if you sell it for LA prices and buy one over there instead.
I know for my Ioniq5 I’d pay like 39k usd if I rebuy it in Japan and I can sell mine used here in OC for more than that
you also have to move the driver seat from left to right
> … it’s at the very least cheaper to ship the car and import it including customs and inspection than it is to buy a decent car, much less buy another EV.
First, if you have a quote that says it’s cheaper to go through the entire import process than buying a car in Japan, something is being left out. If nothing else, they’re not telling you how long the entire process will take, which could easily be more than a year.
Second, do you really think you will actually need a car? Public transportation in Kyoto is awesome. It’s clean, convenient, and reliable. Other than traveling through the countryside surrounding Kyoto, you’ll find it far more convenient to ride a bus, take a train, use the subway, or even take a taxi than it would be to deal with the traffic, only to struggle to find a parking space at your destination. And, all parking will cost money, even the parking at your apartment.
If you want the car for traveling, rentals are seriously cheap. Rentals come with the advantage that you won’t need to have an apartment with a parking space (which could easily cost 20000 yen per month and wouldn’t have a charging station), and you only have to pay for it when you need it, instead of paying for a vehicle you almost never use.
unless that specific car that you own has some huge sentimental value, I don’t see why would you do that. So much easier just to get another one in Japan
Cars in Japan depreciate very quickly.
You’re probably better off buying a used Model 3 in Japan rather than importing it from LA, besides, a steering wheel on the right hand side will make your everyday life a lot easier.
This sounds like a really bad idea