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Take It Or Sell It?!

S

Snowflood

GUEST
I just recieved orders to move to Japan. I will be going back to my old base, Yokota Air Base, which is in the Tokyo Metro area. I just bought my Av in August and I only have 8500 miles on it. If I ship it to Japan, no charge because the Air Force flips the bill, I will still have to pay 3,000-5,000 us dollars to register it. What do you all think? Keep it or sell it? Just as a guideline...I will probably end up selling it, but maybe someone has a different approach to my sadness. ??? :cry:
 
What a problem yeng and yang, the old do i or don't i If you take it it will most likely will be the biggest thing on the road you also have to think about what fuel cost are going to be :eek: :eek: ;D ;D
 
If ya take it, you'd probably have to pay to get it back to US standards once you brought it back after your tour. BUT... if you sold it, you could buy a brand new one when you got back... just think of how much bigger and better it'll be then after GM takes all of our suggestions and puts them on the new Av's ;D :B: (y)
 
I will still have to pay 3,000-5,000 us dollars to register it.
Click to expand...

Why will you have to pay $3-5K to register it? Seems awfully high. I've never transfered overseas...is this something that the US or Japan charges you?

TP
 
I think MooCowWithSpots makes a good point.

How long would you be gone? Would it make sense to store it somewhere till you get back?

-Mark
 
Mate I would look at a few things, most countries have a "visiting or tourist" registration procedure. It normally hinges on your vehicle being registered in the country of origin and you having current collision insurance for the country you are visiting (most brokers should be able to advise you on this). This is how people who do a world tour on their motor cycles get away with it, so be assured that system does exist.

If you cannot get that I would still take it with you. I'm assuming that freight there and back is covered so your only cost is rego/insurance if you want to drive on public roads. I'd bet London to a brick that you can sell it over there for a pretty packet of $$$ 'cos they really love the different stuff over there. But even if you can't what have you lost? You can use it to cruise the base on a Friday night... look on the bright side, at least it won't get many miles on it while you're over there. (y)
 
I would take it ... it would look like godzilla in japan ;D
 
I would sell your unit while it has so few miles on it, and when you get back buy the brand new one and make all of us drool........
Tractman
 
many interesting points were brought up...in regard to your dilemma....

1. If you do decide to ship it over....besides the registration fee....ask yourself what the basic upkeep would be with the maintenance...fuel costs etc...is it realistic?...

2. You could also strip the plates and insurance and have it lodged at a buddies house....have him start it every now and again...etc...this depends on how long you would be away....

3. Sell the Av.....you will lose out on some funds....but you would be able to pocket the cash...maybe even invest it into a CD...build on that with the interest...and when you get back state side....go and seek a new av....

seems as though you have quite the task ahead of you.... :) :B:
 
If it we're me I'd take it with me.... Hell you'll be the only guy there that owns one in the entire country probably lol.
 
Hey snow I say sell it as BAD as these baby's are they do depreciate a lot in value and to have it sit in storage for a couple of years makes no sense like someone said when you come back you buy one with all the bugs out.
 
Again I would have to ask how long will you be there? But my vote would be to take it. I think it would be a blast running it over there and seeing the sights.

Now would that be a MOD (japanese registry)? Probably the only one with that MOD.

:cry:After owning mine I do not think I could give it up that easy.
 
Sorry to hear the transfer I worked for the Navy down in Yokosuka in '89. The one thing about taking it is that you might find a buyer over that that would pay plenty for one. Hard to say for sure, but American things like the Av might get a lot of attention. On the downside is gas prices, and the sheer size of the Av compared to anything off base. Parking lots, roads just are not built for something the size of the Av unless times have changed a lot since I was last in the land of the rising sun. Then again you could roll over all the "domestics" with your "import". >:D
 
YEP, I vote take it AND sell it...whoever buys it won't care about practicality, they're looking for one-of-a-kind and I'm betting that kind of rarity is worth some $$$$

Then again, it's YOUR money ;) can you do a search and see what something like you AVY may sell for in Japan?
 
Think I'd lean toward the "Take It" option. Not sure if it works the same way in Japan, but when I was stationed in the UK we were rationed gas on base. And if I remember correctly, the rations were based on driving distance home-to-base and the vehicle (Av = more rations). Also, like Y-Guy mentioned, you may find a buyer there that would pay a premium for, what would be over there, an extreeeemely unique vehicle.
 
Here is what you need to do: Ship it to Portland, Oregon, USA. Yep, we will lovingly babysit your AV the whole time you are gone. It will have lots of room to exercise and another AV to play with.

Seriously though, I got rid of my mustang when I got in the service and really regretted it when I got back out. I tried to get another to substitute but couldn't find anything close.

If they move it for free. Can you put it in storage while you are there and not have to register it? Then have them ship it back for free again? Than again you may find that an AV will sell for 2 or 3 times as much over there as it would here. You could take the extra money and buy a new one free and clear when you get back.
 
I was stationed in Yokuska myself in 1995... I put my car in storage for a month until my Dad could retrieve it and take it to NY (from WA). I could buy gas on the base at near US prices, but Japanese fuel is one step above kerosene... and about a $1 per liter in town. Will have a hard time manuevering it in town for sure, due to its size. I would check with your financing company as well, they might not allow you to move the vehicle out of the country. You will have to buy Japanese liability insurance, and obtain a Japanese drivers license, so the $3000-$5000 is about right. I ended up buying a used Japanese sedan from a family PCSing back to the states. Was only $800 for the insurance, since the car was already registered with Japanese plates. Remember too that they drive on the Left side of the road, a further disadvantage...

I would find a way to store it, especially if your hitch is only a year or two. That way you will have reliable transportation as soon as you return to the states. Used cars are easily obtainable and cheap in Japan - the Japanese seem to throw their cars out after the first scratch, and once a Gaijin has owned an auto or rented a house, no Japanese wants to drive or live in it... Lots of turn over on base, the 4 door Camry we bought was only $1700, and was 4 years old, perfect condition.

Good Luck, if you haven't been before, you have a great adventure awaiting you - get out and explore as much of Japan as you can!
 
You're facing quite an adventure, and a difficult decision.

There's been lots of advice already on what to do with your truck, I won't repeat it. But I will add one other piece of advice: stay active on this forum! Keep in touch, and report back from time to time on your experiences. Especially if you decide take your Av!

-- SS
 
What would make you happier? Is 3-5,000 dollars worth the happiness? If the answer is yes then take it. You would probably know better than me but I don't think there will be a lot of Happiness on an Air Base in Japan. Even in Survivor you're allowed 1 luxury item. What are the roads there like? Is it possible the truck is too big? If this was me and I could afford the 3-5000 dollars then it would be money well spent. I would take it with me.
 
Hmmmm....a AV in Japan. I have one word for you....


:eek: :eek: :eek:GODZILLA!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Take it and sell it over there. Pocket the money in a safe spot and buy a new AV when you get back. Someone will pay big bucks for the monster over there.
 
Skidd,

Great idea, take the Av to Japan at UNCLE's expense and sell it for big bucks over there to some tycoon.

Pocket the money and buy a new one when you get home.
 
Well I may have been confusing on my initial message. I am in the Air Force and moving BACK to the same base I was just at 3 years ago. The base is 25 miles outside of Tokyo...lots of traffic and I know an Av in SOM would definately stand out. I can buy gas on base for about 1.40 per gallon. So no problem their. The problem, well not really, is how big the Av is compared to all of their cars. Hell the Biggest SUV they have is either the Nissan Patrol or the Toyota Landcruiser. I have them their I would say. The military pays for shipping, but Japan is kind of strict on their vehicle registration so that is why they want so much I think. I just emailed my friend over there again to see what she can find out. Thanks for all the replies...they have been helpful...oh to whomever said I could probably sell it for alot to the right buyer was very correct in what they said. A 2002 Suburban sells for 65-70,000 us dollars...Not bad considering I owe 10,000 on my AV.
 
I was in the AF for 10 years. Yokota MANY times. Having been there you know that shipping an AV to Tokyo is a BAD idea. Hell the roads are barely wide enough for two Geos to pass around Yokota much less ONE AV.

My advise is to sell the truck and walk the 1/4 klik out the NCO billet gate, across the railroad track, to the subline.

Wish I was going with you!!! But then again I don't miss the prices on the Ginsa either.
 
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