Hey Guys,
I guess I never introduced my car or myself yet on this forum formally. I just kinda used the forum and never got around to it lol. For starters my name is Tim, I'm 20 from Victoria, BC Canada. I am a linux server/network administrator by trade.
I imported my car into Canada in late December, 2007 from Tokyo, Japan. It is a JDM 1991 GT-Four A, grey with dark grey leather seats. I decided to cut costs as much as possible and be my own importer/basically do everything. Originally I wanted a MKIV Supra, but the 15 year rule wouldn't allow it. I started reading up on what I COULD import, at the time all the imports on the road were Skylines. I didn't like the look of Skylines. I did some more looking around and realized a really liked the Gen5 Celica body. Not long after, I realized there was an AWD, turbo model that competed in the WRC! I immediately fell in love with the car - it's looks, history, rareity, and also I really liked the front end look of it with the RC bumper.
On Dec 16th I got a fax telling me my car had arrived in a port in Vancouver, BC and needed 5 days custom clearance. 21st rolls by, I take a float plane to downtown Vancouver (I live on Vancouver Island, a 25 minute small-plan flight/90 minute ferry to from the mainland). I went to the shipping company's HQ and signed some stuff, I went to customs and did the lame pile of paperwork, went to an auto insurer, confusing them to the point that they gave me a 4 day license to drive home when they shouldn't of , took a skytrain (like a subway) and many buses to Annacis Island, an island of cars that are being imported to Canada.
I get off a bus and walk to the front gate. "Picking up a car from Japan.", I tell the lady. She worriedly asks "you're on foot?". I ask why. "6 km walk to that Admin building, you need to go there first." Fuck. I walk 6km to the building and they ask for $65, I have $40 cash, a VISA and a debit card. They don't take cards. Fuck! I walk 6km + 5km to the nearest place with an ATM and take a cab back, pay the dumb f-ing $65 and walk 6km to my car AGAIN!!!!
The port security walk me to my car, they say "Good luck, most don't start". I turn the ignition - nothing. The battery is dead. I got a jumpstart from a tow truck and, driving RHD for the first time and having no opportunity to stall, I drive her to the nearest Wal-mart to convert the battery terminals and install a new battery using the light on my cell phone and a $9.99 tool set from Wal Mart.
It starts! But I have less than a 1/6th of a tank of gas and I don't know where a gas station is. I drive in circles for a while then find one finally, the last ferry home is in about 50 minutes at this point (very bad). I fill up and drive in circles, lost for another 15 minutes. I finally get to the last ferry about 20 minutes before it leaves. I was the 3rd last car allowed on the last ferry home. WOW.
Word of advice: Importing a car to Canada is a lot of work.
Up until now the only notable upgrades have been:
-Taylor Battery box and relocation to trunk
-Greddy Type S Blow-off valve installed on OEM IC
-HKS turbo timer
-Whiteline rear swaybar
-Single-pot front brake upgrade (mine had dual pots). Raybestos Ceramics, Brembo blanks.
-C's short stroke shifter
-K&N style intake relocated near headlight
-Headlights replaced. Hella DRLs and different JDM clear corner/turn signals. Sylvania Sliverstar pop up lights.
I'll list of any other mods that come along on new posts.
Cheers Guys!
Tim
In japan before I bought it:
Shortly after getting it (it's different now):
I guess I never introduced my car or myself yet on this forum formally. I just kinda used the forum and never got around to it lol. For starters my name is Tim, I'm 20 from Victoria, BC Canada. I am a linux server/network administrator by trade.
I imported my car into Canada in late December, 2007 from Tokyo, Japan. It is a JDM 1991 GT-Four A, grey with dark grey leather seats. I decided to cut costs as much as possible and be my own importer/basically do everything. Originally I wanted a MKIV Supra, but the 15 year rule wouldn't allow it. I started reading up on what I COULD import, at the time all the imports on the road were Skylines. I didn't like the look of Skylines. I did some more looking around and realized a really liked the Gen5 Celica body. Not long after, I realized there was an AWD, turbo model that competed in the WRC! I immediately fell in love with the car - it's looks, history, rareity, and also I really liked the front end look of it with the RC bumper.
On Dec 16th I got a fax telling me my car had arrived in a port in Vancouver, BC and needed 5 days custom clearance. 21st rolls by, I take a float plane to downtown Vancouver (I live on Vancouver Island, a 25 minute small-plan flight/90 minute ferry to from the mainland). I went to the shipping company's HQ and signed some stuff, I went to customs and did the lame pile of paperwork, went to an auto insurer, confusing them to the point that they gave me a 4 day license to drive home when they shouldn't of , took a skytrain (like a subway) and many buses to Annacis Island, an island of cars that are being imported to Canada.
I get off a bus and walk to the front gate. "Picking up a car from Japan.", I tell the lady. She worriedly asks "you're on foot?". I ask why. "6 km walk to that Admin building, you need to go there first." Fuck. I walk 6km to the building and they ask for $65, I have $40 cash, a VISA and a debit card. They don't take cards. Fuck! I walk 6km + 5km to the nearest place with an ATM and take a cab back, pay the dumb f-ing $65 and walk 6km to my car AGAIN!!!!
The port security walk me to my car, they say "Good luck, most don't start". I turn the ignition - nothing. The battery is dead. I got a jumpstart from a tow truck and, driving RHD for the first time and having no opportunity to stall, I drive her to the nearest Wal-mart to convert the battery terminals and install a new battery using the light on my cell phone and a $9.99 tool set from Wal Mart.
It starts! But I have less than a 1/6th of a tank of gas and I don't know where a gas station is. I drive in circles for a while then find one finally, the last ferry home is in about 50 minutes at this point (very bad). I fill up and drive in circles, lost for another 15 minutes. I finally get to the last ferry about 20 minutes before it leaves. I was the 3rd last car allowed on the last ferry home. WOW.
Word of advice: Importing a car to Canada is a lot of work.
Up until now the only notable upgrades have been:
-Taylor Battery box and relocation to trunk
-Greddy Type S Blow-off valve installed on OEM IC
-HKS turbo timer
-Whiteline rear swaybar
-Single-pot front brake upgrade (mine had dual pots). Raybestos Ceramics, Brembo blanks.
-C's short stroke shifter
-K&N style intake relocated near headlight
-Headlights replaced. Hella DRLs and different JDM clear corner/turn signals. Sylvania Sliverstar pop up lights.
I'll list of any other mods that come along on new posts.
Cheers Guys!
Tim
In japan before I bought it:
Shortly after getting it (it's different now):