I was browsing around as i'm doing research for my next car purchase when i move to Japan at the end of this year and i found the RX8 forum, with a pretty cool Japanese section of the forum that seems pretty helpful.

anywayz, i've got quite a few questions for the Tokyo resident here. includes some that are not RX8 related.... more of about where is a good place to live ;)

other then the RX8, i'm also looking into the V35 Skyline coupe, next gen Legacy wagon, used GTR, used Impreza 22B, RX7 FD3S late model (ie Sprit R or Bathaust R)

here are my questions
1) is insurance expensive in Tokyo? is it base on age, or the type of car?

2) which area is good to live in? i heard shibuya is pretty good.

3) any website on real estate, i've been told a regular apartment will cost up to 3000 USD a month... is that true???:eek:

4) how are the laws on modifications? if i get a RX8 i'll be taking it to RE amemiya for sure.

5) is there any english based navi system?

6) does the navi system need subscription?



here are my questions for now, thanx in advance.

1) insurance here is not so bad (compared to UK anyway). It's all fixed price based on a formula from the government. I paid about $2000 a year on my '99 S2000 (age 30 + wife on policy)

2) Shibuya is pretty central - depends what you want: close to clubs, more open space, late night vibe etc.

3) Tokyo is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. Apartments can be around $3000 a month for a 2 bed within 30 mins of the centre. If you go smaller it gets cheaper. Parking can be $300-500 per month depending on the area.

4) Plenty of people modify cars here so you'll be fine.

5) There is one by Nissan but you'd have to fit as aftermarket. I'm just going to learn the Japanese ones....it's not that hard once you work out the pattern to it.

6) The only subscription part is if you want telematics which is the real-time jam information.

Have fun & make sure your job here pays well! :D

thanx for the info.

i guess i should stay out of tokyo since i'm buying a car.

any suburb location u recommend?

i always see on tv shows that they live in a house thats 2 level and have it's own car port. i wonder how expensive is one of those.

gas station should be pretty easy to find right?
last time i visited japan, i hardly notice any gas stations!!!

Depending on where in Tokyo your going. I work in Tokyo (normal work). I tell you its not a place to live or own a car, at least down town. Now I advise Yokohama, since I live there hehe. Its a lot more relaxed, bit still VERY close to all the fun..

PLUS you dont want to go to Shibuya (no parking legally) I always park illegally and just hurry around hehe lot of FREAKS

Roppongi is not a place to drive a car. I have been towed a couple times. There is a good street one street towards the tower from the street that club 99 is and Gaspanic.. HAVE FUN!

Lol Gaspanic!!!

Get yourself to Deep Blue or Wall Street. I lived in Hanzomon and Tokyo is not a good place to park a car. It costs up to 50,000Yen just for a parking space per month.

I wouldn't bother getting a car as the transport system is sooooooo good. JT has summed it up. Move to Yokohama and buy the motor, as you will have more space for parking and more road to open the 8 up.

As for where to live I would not advise Shibuya, too busy and full of youngsters.

Try Daikanyama,Hanzomon,Ebisu or as mentioned Yokohama.