Japanese Cars

03 February, 2026

Many moons ago (when I had a lot more hair than I have now), I used to import Japanese cars. In fact I used to spend half of my time in Japan and import 300 cars every year. 

Japan is an experience and if you do get a chance to go, Go!

One thing I do remember is occasionally, because even then it was outrageously expensive, just occasionally, having a steak. 
Not just any old steak, but a richly marbled steak that comes from Wagyu cattle.

The word “Wagyu” translates as “Japanese cow” of which there are four principal breeds, Japanese black, Japanese brown, Japanese shorthorn, and Japanese Polled. Kobi beef, of the Japanese black is the most popular and you can get one for around £125.00 for 250 grams in the Uk.

Some call it the caviar of beef and it comes from pampered cows. Probably the most pampered and chilled out cows in the world. Apparently a pampered chilled out cow is a happy cow and produces the best and “fattiest” steaks.

Japanese Steak

Japanese SteakThe high fat content makes it the international Beef “caviar"

And now, back to those Japanese cars!

And now, back to those Japanese cars!The 148mph Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti

This is the 2002 2 litre version…does anyone have one?

Some refer to it as the Bug eye generation and one could not argue with that. This has Bembo brakes and it needs them with a 148 mph top speed getting from 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. 
This all-wheel drive, 2 litre turbocharged EJ207 inline- 4 engine tips out between 276 - 300 hp and 253 lb - ft of torque.

Now if you were to see this car in red, it makes you think of a movie called Baby Driver….

I imported this Toyota Landcruiser 30 years ago

I imported this Toyota Landcruiser 30 years agoDiesel, 3 Litres, never stops

It was a great car, but after a while I sold it.

Twelve years later I came upon it again and bought it back!

Twelve years later I came upon it again and bought it back!

Like many classic car owners, the car takes you right back to when you owned a similar model , or in this case the same vehicle, they’re a great 4x4 and most nowadays have seen plenty of use, this example was a credit to its owner, 
So when the opportunity came I really couldn’t pass it by, not the best on fuel but a cracking ride all the same.