Who is Japanoid?
We are a new business in New Westminster, BC <--map
We love cars from Japan and want you to own one.
Call the Japanoid Auto Store, 604-759-2571
Showroom Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 6:00
Service hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 6:00
What about the cars on your website? Are they for sale?
Some of the cars on our website are owned by people in Canada. Others are just examples of the cars available in Japan. Check our For Sale page for Japanoids currently at our location or crossing the Pacific.
What about Repairs and Parts?
Japanoid Auto Store provides service and repairs at our facility in New Westminster. We also sell parts for all the vehicles we sell. Need a part for your Japanese Import? Need to schedule a repair? Email us at, dean@japanoid.com . We are fully licensed in Gasoline and Diesel repair. For all your part needs check out our Auto Store.
What about Right Hand Drive?
You might think it's a big deal here's why it's not: Many of our cars are so narrow you can drive on whatever side of the lane you want. There are many benefits of being on the right as well, like parking and pressing crosswalk buttons, it's also safer for the policeman that just pulled you over. Ok, going to a drive-through is a slight hassle, but the left side window is usually easy to reach. People who have them swear by them. It only takes a little while to get used to it. Japan itself has many left hand drive cars as well; let us know, we can re-import a Pontiac GTA for you.
Why own a Japanoid?
1. Cool & unique. Japan is the home of the cute boutique car. Automakers there have pushed the boundaries of design for decades. The sheer variety of models and styles is unmatched in the modern world. With financing and leasing plans available, owning a true original doesn't have to break the bank.
2. Better for the environment. Japanoid is a company committed to bringing in cars that met or exceeded Japanese fuel economy standards when built. A vast majority of our cars have engines smaller than your average harley-davidson (660cc) or are diesel. They are extremely compact and well engineered, getting the most out of a much smaller footprint. No car is perfect, but half a regular car ain 't as bad.
3. Reliable and easy to maintain. The domestic market for cars in Japan has been described as hyper-competitive. Even the smallest most affordable car is built with exceptional quality and design. Japanoid offers a 30 day warranty with additional warrantee plans available.
4. Clean with low kilometers . Since Canadian law requires our cars to be 15 years old, we only pick the cherries. Thankfully Japanese regulations make this easy. Their strict inspection system and overwhelming number of toll roads compel divers to drive less and buy new cars more often. Most of our cars have less than 80,000kms.
5. Well inspected and polished. Before our cars leave the motherland we take them to our exclusive auto shop in Chiba. On inspection we check everything. If there's an issue we fix it prior to departure. Upon arrival we do another inspection, but this time we change all the fluids. We also get it professionally cleaned and shampooed inside and out. We baby it like we know you will.
What is a Kei Car?
Japan is a modern industrial nation with almost zero natural resources. So wisely in 1949, the Japanese government started giving tax breaks to cars of certain size and efficiency. These cars became known as Kei Jidosha (Kei-Car, K-car), which is Japanese for "light vehicle".
According to regulations, K-Cars must be less than 3.4 metres long and 1.48 metres wide. This is shorter than a new Mini, and not as wide as a Toyota Echo hatchback. Their engines are also regulated to be less than 660cc with no more than 64 horsepower. By comparison, a Canadian Smartcar has 42 horsepower, a 1976 VW Bus- 32.
The K-Car is very popular in Japan. The key to this popularity hasn't been just the tax breaks; it's the fuel economy. These cars have souped-up motorcycle engines with some of the most sophisticated turbo, superchargers, and dual overhead cams but they skimp at the pumps. Although the Kei-car regulations have changed over the years, Japanese manufacturers have had more than 50 years to learn how to get the most of every regulated square millimeter. Time to take advantage of it.
Can Americans buy a Japanoid?
Yes, but unfortunately you won't be able to register it to drive on the street. Unless you can produce a letter from the manufacturer of the vehicle; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests the vehicle; or it's 25 years old or older you won't be able to obtain a Vehicle Identification Number, which enables it to drive on the road. Laws are different in every state, and there maybe be some strange loophole in Iowa or something; but overall our cars are not welcome. Do some research in your own state, lobby the government, run for governor and change the law to 10 years.
Maybe soon GM will decide to sell you their small Wuling Sunshine Vans (based on the Suzuki Every), or Chrysler will offer up the Chery , until then you'd better start planning your trip to Vancouver.
But there are many ways to enjoy a Japanoid otherwise - buy an Acty Pick-up for the farm, the golf course, or hunting. The Honda Beat makes for a great track racer. Suzuki Works Turbo 4WD is the ultimate rally car. There's a tour company in New Zealand that uses Mitsubishi Delicas to tour Middle Earth. As a beautiful collectors item, the Figaro could just be worshiped in a garage and carried to car shows.