Raphael

Dear Scott,

I hope you and your family and in great health and in great spirits. Mat just helped me secure my 10th vehicle purchase from you. It is a beautiful Nissan Figaro that I could not have gotten without him. After buying 10 cars (and hopefully many more), I want you to know that Japan Car Direct is not just a buyer to me. Japan Car Direct is an invested partner in my success. This is in large part to Mat’s help, expertise, and excellent disposition. He has earned my confidence, trust, respect, and loyalty. He cares about the quality of cars I obtain.

For this Figaro and the last Delica that I won, he went above and beyond to make sure I got the vehicle I wanted. That means he went slightly above my highest bid, but he avoided me losing a great vehicle for a measly $50 US dollars. In the case of the Figaro, my max bid was $8,000 and he got it for me for $8,020. You have no idea how disappointed I would have been if I lost out on that vehicle for a measly $20 dollars. Now, I will have a beautiful Nissan Figaro to sell just in time for summer.

I look forward to buying more vehicles from you and Mat and hope to make my side business more prosperous and exciting with cars like Figaros, Paos, Mark IIs, MR2s, and maybe an AutoZam AZ-1. The Pacific Northwest stills loves 4wd diesel vans and campers, so I hope to buy more of those too. Perhaps by this time next year, I will have enough cash to purchase NSXs, Skylines, and Supras.

Raphael

Raphael – USA

I was introduced to Japan Car Direct (JCD) through a friend that imported his own Kei truck. Prior to me reaching out to JCD, I researched many other online buyers of JDM cars for many years and came away very disappointed for various reasons: their buyer’s fee or fees were ridiculously high; the price of their cars were ridiculously high; they seemed ambivalent about my needs; their English was not strong; the selection of their cars were very limited and/or their stock was full of cars that had been there for months, if not years.

Most importantly, I had no confidence they were acting on my behalf. JCD was completely different.

Since July of 2016, I have purchased 8 vehicles from JCD. They guided me and advised me as to which cars were solid, roadworthy, and mechanically sound. There were cars that I really really wanted and they advised me numerous times to pass on them because of their condition and I know they were right. I have purchased cars that I was able to re-sell with confidence and were in amazing shape. Most exceeded my expectations.

They care and they are by my side at every step of the process.

Raphael – USA

Tom UK Customer

Hi Scott,

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how delighted I am with the 6-Speed MkIV Supra Twin Turbo that you were able to source for me.
I took my time waiting for the right thing to come up and I am extremely glad I decided to go with you as not only was the car the exact thing I was looking for – paying the extra money for an additional inspection on the car was very much worth it. It was exactly as described and I am loving it.

I would highly recommend anyone thinking about importing any car from Japan to use Scott and his Team at JapanCarDirect to do it. The price was extremely reasonable, the communication was swift and accurate and I was kept informed and guided through every step of the way. I always say that the mark of a good company is always answered with the question “would I use them again”? I am actually in contact with them now to import my next car!

Thanks
Supra Twin Turbo
Tom UK Customer

Nick and Kelly

Hi Scott,

My 1991 Mercedes 300D drives very well. The compression seems very good, and body and interior are what I expected – nice shape with just a spit shine needed to get bright again. Overall a great condition car for the age. Thanks very much for the help in getting the deal done!

Best,
Mercedes Benz 300d
Nick and Kelly

Selwyn (Florida, USA Customer)

Hi Scott,

My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. I wanted to get the car all cleaned up before I emailed you back as the end result is really stunning. Bottom line… my biggest complaint is that I bought only one Figaro!

Anyway, I went to the docks at Jacksonville to pick up the car and trailer it home. When I got there I was a little worried as the front hubcaps were missing, the passenger window was open, there was shrink wrap all over where the window should be and the battery was dead. After putting the battery on a charger and running the engine for about 5 minutes, the electrical system came back to life, and I was able to bring the window up. While waiting, I found the hubcaps in the back seat. So all was good.

From what I can tell, I think the shipping company had the window down and couldn’t get it up after the battery died. They did their best to cover it up with shrink wrap and it all worked well as a hurricane had passed through while waiting for customs to clear and the inside was still dry. I got it on the trailer and brought it home with no issue at all. In fact, I think that since the car was open on the cruise over here that most of the smell had dissipated from being open for 6 weeks.

Interior – As you noted, the interior was really dirty but not as bad as I had expected. I removed every last interior panel and stripped them of the paint that was originally applied to them which had broken down and become really sticky. Apparently this happens to all Figaros. The floor mats cleaned up better than I expected. The carpet looks brand new. The door panels look like new after a really thorough scrubbing. I added some bolster to the seats and had a company re-dye the seats and repair the crack in the dash so all looks near new. You wouldn’t recognize the inside now!

Mechanical – It didn’t click in my mind that the car had only 25k miles on it. My neighbor is my mechanic and he hasn’t had a chance to touch the car yet as all that it needed was a new battery. The old gas in the tank made it sound rough at first, but after a fresh tank and a few revs, it sounds amazing. I wasn’t expecting such a throaty sound from the exhaust of a 1 liter turbo. I’m really happy. Having Nissan Micra related running gear has made it really easy. I’ve connected with a British owner’s club and that will help me get all the future parts I need. I’m guessing some tie rod ends will clean up the suspension, but it isn’t bad at all as is. Actually it is really smooth on the road and is eager to go faster than I want.

Exterior – This is the only place I was a little disappointed, but to be honest, the interior and mechanicals definitely make up for it and then some. There are four places where we have some corrosion points – two in the roofline where water accumulates in the soft top, one from a repair job in one of the back quarter panel top and the back window panel of the convertible top. Three out of four of those are actually common issues with the car. At some point in the future I’ll have all those repaired and a respray (which should raise the value of the car even more than the cost incurred). The back window panel has new/improved parts available from the UK that will prevent the same issues from happening in the future.

After I cleaned it all up, it looks amazing. Frankly, I’m the only one who has noticed the corrosion on the roofline as you have to remove a rubber gasket to see it. Needless to say, this isn’t something I would have expected you to see.

I went to a large car show in the area and parked it next to 15 Lamborghini’s. Let’s just say that mine was the only one of the 16 cars in that row that drew a crowd. It is impossible to drive anywhere without having conversations with multiple people. It is that good.

The only way it looks better is when my wife drives it. Nancy totally looks the part behind the wheel. She lived in Japan for a few years so, although she doesn’t remember Figaros, she can definitely appreciate driving it. We’ve translated all of the registration stickers on the front and back to English and have narrowed down the prefecture where the car was last parked (Gifu).

With that said, I’m trying to figure out my next move. Depending on some future income options and how well I can sweet talk my wife, I may want a Nissan Pao to add to the collection (or another Figaro to buy and flip here in the US to build up cash for a Pao). That probably won’t be until the end of the year, but don’t be surprised if I come back with another car request in the near future. Now that I know the ins and outs of bringing one over, we can do this much easier with much less worry on my part.

Long story short… thanks for being a part of this adventure with me. I’m really happy with the end result and couldn’t ask for a better. Hopefully we’ll do this again in the near future! I’m still watching the auctions and waiting for the right car, my bank account, and my ability to sweet-talk my wife all come into alignment! When it happens, let’s do this again!

All the best,
Figaro
Selwyn (Florida, USA Customer)

Mike (American 25 Year Old Mini Truck Customer)

The DIY import method went smoothly. All went as planned at the port and it was uneventful getting a license plate as well. I replaced the battery and tires, and changed all the dash lights to blue LED. I’ve ordered the missing decals, air and oil filter. It does have a minor oil leak (drop) or two. Most people think that its new, runs fine. It’s a blast to drive and draws a lot of attention. Everyone I come across wants one and I gave your name and site to several already. I definitely plan on getting another one around May. Would love the Van. Feel free to use me as a reference.

At Mikes house

Mike (American 25 Year Old Mini Truck Customer)

Gebhard (German Customer)

Hi Scott,

Great to hear from you.

I am fine and the 968 turned out to be in better shape than I had assumed. It has been neglegted a bit over the years and I am still fixing one or the other minor issue. But no mechanical problems, absolutely no corrosion whatsoever which is the most important aspect. Paint could be better, I have all the dents removed but the paint has some “coating” which I first thought was from trees and it can nearly not be removed. Took me a few evenings to remove it from all the glass, I had to use special glass polish. Anyway, the car regularly gets admiring comments for its good shape and classic look.

Hope at your end everything is fine and business runs well. I keep looking at the auctions every now and then but it’s quite quiet at the moment.

Gebhard (German Customer)

Chris and Rebecca (Canadian Customers)

Good Morning, Scott

My apologies for not getting back to you sooner.

We picked up the mini truck on wednesday last week, and the process was seamless to say the least. The staff at the docks were incredible to deal with, so much so that we continue to talk about how friendly they were. It was unbelievable! Al was great, thanks for the recommendation.

It was pouring rain when we picked up the mini, so we didn’t snap a photo. But we do plan to get a photo of the truck now that its home for you.

The mini truck was exactly as it was described to us, exactly! It started with a simple turn of the key, idled smoothly like a vehicle with 4,800 kms would, and even had the new car smell. Rebecca climbed in, and became the mini’s first canadian pilot, and everything went extremely smoothly while she moved it over to be loaded on the trailer.

I was then handed the wheel, and carefully positioned the vehicle onto the trailer without a single issue. What a great little vehicle. Everywhere we go, everyone who sees it, just smiles, and in the end, everyone says they just love how simple it is. And even more so, everyone can’t believe how roomy the cabin is, even for taller people.

Looks like we will be buying more now, several friends are looking to have me help them purchase a truck, and we are planning to buy an Every van (same year and condition please!!). We would also like to find out about buying a 200 series excavator, if you handle that type of thing.

Thanks for everything, look forward to hearing back from you. We will order up some parts very soon for general maintenance, i’ll send the list tomorrow with the photo we take today of the mini. I’m back to work now, so better fly.

Two very satisfied customers,

Chris and Rebecca (Canadian Customers)

Adam M – East Coast Canada

Finally got to bring my 1999 Impreza STi Wagon home today 🙂 Can’t drive it tomorrow until I sort out some paperwork with my license plate (it’s joint with me and my wife and she wasn’t around when I was registering it .. what a hassle. )

So. How to describe this thing …

Clean, is a good word. I could almost eat off the underside it’s so good. Interior is awesome, lots of antennas I need to take out, but clean and well respected which is always nice.
Sound .. has a glorious rumble, but is actually quieter than my RS was. But that’s a good thing because once that turbo spools up you can hear it nice and clear. And speaking of turbo, when that grabs hold …. into the seat you go, and I wasn’t even pushing much on this run. Might have hit 6 grand at half throttle on one merge, but damn this thing is going to be quick.
While I was impressed with the straight line, I was even more impressed with the first big set of S turns I hit. Picked at route home with a nice two lane set of S turns at the top of a quiet industrial park in a 50 to 100 speed transition. Empty roads means the I get both lanes to myself, hit some gas and line up for the apex, car settles in quickly and holds VERY tight through the curve, I might have be nudging 120, but it would have been as happy at 180, even with the tires being fairly used up. It’s got a good suspension set up tucked behind those nice gold rims.

Brakes weren’t sticky, a little noisy until I wear through months of surface rust, but good feel and no pulling.

It wants to tug right a little bit all the time, but I suspect that’s tires, or a quick alignment issue.

Definitely definitely definitely pleased with the product.

As for you guys, this whole thing started ages ago with a simple question about what freight for an Alto works (which I will still get one day !) might look like, and me saying I wouldn’t be able to do anything for at least 6 months. A question that despite being a slim prospect for business was handled with professionalism, a clear breadth of knowledge and some none too subtle hints of that deep down, consuming “car guy” passion. Fast forward to a couple months ago when we start working to procure a totally different sort of car, and the process is handled so smoothly and efficiently I barely had to be involved. Yet, when I was (often perhaps more heavily than I needed to be) there was always the same professionalism, knowledge and passion.

That’s what really sets you guys apart, I think .. it’s equal parts knowing how this game works, and having that desire to see these machines enjoyed elsewhere for many more years to come.
So, thanks for everything, it’s been quite a ride and I’m definitely looking forward to the next lap.
And I can say that I’ll definitely be recommending you guys for anyone I know who wants to bring something in. your fee is way more than fair considering the effort and attention that goes in to it from your end.

Thanks again for everything.

Adam M – East Coast Canada