Where can I buy a car in Japan?

Question

I can find lots of dealser online but would like to find an auction site used by average Japanese people, or go to a car auction. Anyone know of one?

Answer 1

3 years ago I went through the process to buy a car. I live in Japan and this is what I had to do. As for buying a TypeR or Skyline, and exporting it to the USA, I cannot help.

I have not found an auction, I looked, but the best I found was the Car Smile and Goo bi-weekly mags that show listings of used cars. This can give you an idea of prices. (If you can read Japanese). The same mag also lists the dealer's location and phone.

I ended up buying my car from a Toyota Netz car lot. On that lot was a used car business that was owned by that Toyoya Netz franchise. After we negotiated price, I tried to give my cash and drive away with the car.
I had to wait about 2 weeks for the car to be re registered in my name and for my proof of parking space to be verified by my local police box and owner of my apartment building. While I was waiting for those documentsto be processed and cleared, I went to the US embassy and pbtained an affidavit of signature. That took most of the morning to do.
Once all paper work was in my very nice salesman called me and he arranged to pick me up at the nearest station to his dealer lot. We finailzed the deal and I gave him my money, he gave me the keys. The car dealers also sell insurance, so that was one less hassle for me. Every year, my nice salesman calls me up and asks me how I am doing and if I would like to continue insurace. He then sends me all the paperwork, with little "Sign Here" tabs and a self adressed stamped envelope.

Answer 2

There are car auctions in Japan, but AFAIK they are dealers only. If you want to buy a car for export probably the best thing to do is buy it from a dealer who specializes in exporting second-hand cars. That way you can get the car, paperwork, and shipping as a package deal. If they have two cars going to one port they can get two cars in a 40 foot container and save on shipping.

Answer 3

My housemate bought a car at the yahoo auction of Japan. But you have to read and write Japanese there.

Yahoo!オークション 自動車車体
http://list1.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/26360-category.html

Answer 4

Tokyo.

Answer 5

from me!