After working out 18 years of drivers neglect, I have not had a problem with my Japanese '87 Mini.  I was the token white guy at most Mini functions in Japan.  Cold beer and a few pizza's got a lot of mechanical issues worked out.  My mechanic ended up getting free English lessons out of the deal.  Dependant wives were making more than $40 an hour to teach english.  Just wish that I had more time to road trip during my last assignment.  I would suggest taking orders to another overseas assignment.  I had a choice between GTMO and Bahrain.  The wife could not go to Bahrain and I had not been in a U.S. time zone since '96.

Also great looking land office (temp) tag in the pic.  I ran a 1970 Cadillac DeVille on one for 6 months before I could get "E" plates.

Travis at Guantanamo

"Mini - No need to compensate."

I was stationed in Japan for 7 years.  Of all the Mini's that I have seen only about 15% had A/C and the majority of those were automatic's.

Travis at Guantanamo

"Mini - No need to compensate."

I really enjoy my Japanese mini.  Of course I won't be able to bring it back home with me once I'm done here.  Re-vinning is huge here and the Japanese love to retrofit their new model mini's with vintage equipment.  If you can find a vintage (or at least one old enough to import legally) example that is in good shape, it'll cost you about the same as buying it in the states.  Of course you have to tack on shipping and customs fees. 

"Well, ya see, I'm not saying that I've been everywhere and I've done everything, but I do know it's a pretty amazing planet we live on here, and a man would have to be some kind of FOOL to think we're alone in THIS universe." -- Jack Burton in Big Trouble in Little China

 

I know a guy who had a japan spec Mini. his only problem was an unusual craving for tea and sushi.

But when it is rusty it is like your car is alive. It is organic and will die, so you will love it more, something like your wife, you know.

Anyone who wouldn't buy a Jap Mini in preference to a UK rustbucket has not seen one up close, or worked on one. They really are like night and day. I would NOT buy another UK mini. PERIOD !!! I was offered a Riley Elf today for $800 with minimal surface rust, and turned it down flat. UK Minis hide a multitude of corrosion faults, whereas the Jap Minis, you get exactly what you see. As a bonus, most of them also have AC.

Due to the Financial Downturn, the Light at the End of the Tunnel must now be switched off.

Mike thats not a good excuse your probably younger than me!

I have one and can't believe how clean and rust free it is, and everything in the car works! If you can get one, get it! Either I'm getting old or just getting tired of rusty, breaking bolts... or both.

Guido
Performance Artist
Classic Minis United
www.classicminis.org
www.GodSaveTheClown.com

 

 

 

I always thought that it was due to two reasons... that they tend to be late models ineligible for import and that unlike the UK or NZ/OZ, they tend to be more highly valued in Japan than here in the US...

Bill

None and actually it certain circles they are revered.

9 very important reasons:

1. After serving in WWII you promised never buy japanese cars.

2. The mini lab tests indicates some zuchi particles still in the car.

3. You hate having air conditioning while you see your mini friends sweating like pigs in their old british minis

4. You don't have arms long enough to adjust the side mirrors while driving

5. Some Japanese minis has been reported to have japanese curses

6. The boot was used as sleeping quarters (http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/images/iku22.jpg)

7. Some Japanese minis only run on Sake 

8. You don't know how to adjust the chopsticks timing

9. You don't have a membership to "the certain circles" were the Japanese mini is revered

 

pablo

any reason not to buy a mini from Japan ?