The last time I was here, I posted some pictures of JDM cars and the like.
http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... f=5&t=2101
I can do that again though I have not taken too many pictures of cars as of yet.
I'll cover various topics below that may be of interest to Kizashi owners, auto enthusiasts, and JDM followers.
Kizashi related:
I actually spotted one on this trip. I already posted about it, but I saw a silver one in my hometown of Kobe a few times on the same street. Despite these cars now having a reputation as unmarked cop cars in Japan, I could tell this one was not. It did not have additional antennas nor did the driver look like a cop. He was wearing some kind of uniform like a city municipal worker or some kind of technician. As with all Kizashis ever sold in Japan, it had the non-Sport styling. The JDM Kizashi is only offered in silver, white, and black. As I've written before, it's also only made-to-order. I'm almost thinking Suzuki never really intended to sell many of these in the JDM.
Other Japanese cars:
I've spotted some Japanese cars here in Japan that will soon be sold in North America, if not already. They include the Lexus NX and the Honda HR-V. The HR-V is called the Vezel in Japan and is already apparently popular. I see a few everyday here in Japan. In fact, I've seen more of these than both Honda CR-Vs and Mazda CX-5s combined. Also, the JDM model apparently is offered with LED headlights and looks more upscale than the USDM HR-V version. My guess is that the USDM version will have a lower starting price so it's simpler.
I see the Toyota Crown daily and though the new styling was hated on by many on the web (because of the grill), it looks much better in person. The Crown Athlete is actually a sharp looking sedan in my opinion. http://response.jp/imgs/feed_l/537551.jpg
I've also spotted a number of Mazda-badged Suzuki cars. In Japan, all Mazda kei-cars are Suzuki models. This made me wonder why Mazda did not aid Suzuki in any way in the North American market. Mazda's 2.3 liter turbo (as found in the Mazdaspeed3) would have made for a nice performance engine in the Kizashi. It baffles me why Suzuki ever sought VW as a potential partner in the global market than another small Japanese brand like Mazda given it's clear Suzuki and Mazda have a close relationship in the JDM.
American cars in Japan:
Jeeps are by far the most popular. I've spotted several Wranglers in Japan and even an XJ Cherokee that had a huge decal that read, "Only in a Cherokee". Also spotted a few Compasses and Patriots.
I've also seen a Lincoln Navigator and an Aviator.
I also spotted about three C7 Corvettes.
Today, to my utter surprise, I spotted a modded Chevy Silverado in the countryside. I wasn't even aware these were on sale in Japan. In fact, I just checked the Japanese Chevy website and see that it's not currently offered and I doubt it ever was. Either the owner imported it directly from the US or bought it from a US serviceman who had it shipped to a base. Either way, it was as surprising as seeing a R34 GT-R would be in the US.
Exotics:
I've seen about three Ferrari 458 Italias in Kobe so far. Also saw an Audi R8 and a Maserati Quattroporte. Spotted a few Bentleys and a Rolls Royce.
In terms of Japanese models, I've seen a few R35 Nissan GT-Rs and one older Honda NSX.
Suzukis in Japan:
They are everywhere. They are the compact car of choice in the nation and models like the Wagon R, Lapin, Hustler, Every, Spacia, Solio, Alto, Jimny, Swift, Escudo (Grand Vitara), and Carry are ubiquitous. About the only Suzuki that's hard to find is the Kizashi. Suzuki's kei-car models are the most popular cars. Otherwise, it's the Swift that's most common.
LEDs and other JDM car accessories:
The selection is quite different from a few years ago. The selection of LEDs and halogen bulbs have dwindled in the one automotive store I visit. LED headlight bulb conversion kits (similar to the VLEDS kit I once reviewed) and HID kits are more popular. Otherwise, LED bulbs like T10s and especially halogens for headlights are far fewer in selection. In fact, there are so few appealing halogen H7s offered that I decided to wait and get a pair for the high beams in the US unless I can find a better selection elsewhere in Japan. My last few days in Japan will be in Tokyo so I'll see what I can find there.
However, I plan to pick up a few LED bulbs as I want to convert my license plate bulbs to LEDs to compliment my LED position bulbs I got on my last trip. I'll probably go with budget PIAA LEDs again. There are some LED 37mm Festoon bulbs which the Kizashi uses two of for the license plate. I may also get some other LED bulbs to convert my interior to LEDs as other Kizashiclub members have done.
I've also picked up some neon yellow reflector stickers at a 100 yen store (basically, a Japanese dollar store) to put on the inside of the doors. Bootymac once posted about this mod given the Kizashi does not feature lights nor reflectors for safety when the doors are open.
http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/downlo ... hp?id=2054
More about PIAA:
While they are known in the US mainly for their automotive lighting products, they make and sell other car parts in Japan such as wiper blades, radiator caps, and oil filters. One interesting product sold here are their new oil filters and what makes them unique is their design; They have two filter cartridges inside a spin-on filter and have a magnetic ring in between them. The claim is that the magnet helps to trap metallic particles. I've heard of reusable stainless steel oil filters sold in the US using magnets (these are mostly for fleet vehicles), but it's the first time I'm seeing a disposable filter feature one. Here's PIAA's Japanese website on this oil filter:
http://www.piaa.co.jp/products/car/filt ... dex.html#2
I was entertaining the idea of getting one for dissection after use but it costs something like 2500 yen ($20 USD) so I'll pass.
I was also looking at horns to upgrade the lowly OEs on the Kizashi but realized that I need to watch the luggage weight if I don't want to pay the extra fee. For this reason, I'll probably have to pass on JDM horns as well though I've found some I like for a decent price. The shop has several testers in a plexi-glass case you can try out much like the LED bulbs.
That's it for now.
