Question 1

Yes, I can. That said, my Australian drivers license has expired now and I was never legally allowed to drive in Japan. I got my drivers license when I was eighteen years old. It was somewhere between fun and stressful. Eventually, during the learning process, I switched driving instructors and it was much more fun and easy after that.

Question 2

My family in Australia has downsized to just one compact car now that both my parents have retired. While I was growing up, we had a larger family car. When my mother learnt to drive, we became a two-car family. Once I was licensed, we had three cars until I moved to Japan. My family over here has no cars – neither my wife nor I can drive in Japan. Actually, that's not true – my wife is a "paper driver".

Question 3

We had a Ford Escort when I was learning to drive. It wasn't much but it was fun to drive. I think the nicest car we had was a Ford Telstar. It's strange that I've named two Fords in this answer. We were always a Datsun/Nissan family apart from those two. I don't know exactly what my folks drive now, maybe a Kia?

Question 4

The Nissan Bluebird I inherited from my dad was probably the worst. Though it was my first car, it was a gas guzzler. I was in university at the time so I didn't have that much money. Yet to keep myself on the road, I had to put most of the money I earned back into the car. The steering was really heavy too – it turned like a boat!

Question 5

Maybe some kind of electric self-driving car? I want something that will be better for the environment than the cars I've had prevously. It would also be nice to take a nap or read a book instead of piloting the vehicle. I've gotten used to relaxing while travelling and letting someone else do the driving. The Japanese public transportation system has spoiled me!

Question 6

I'm already there! I don't own a car nor do I think I need to own one. Anywhere I want to or need to go, I can get there by train, by bicycle, or on foot. In those times when a car would be more convenient, I shell out the money for a taxi.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
during the learning process	学習プロセス中
downsized	小型化
apart from	の他に
I don't know exactly	正確にはわからない
a gas guzzler	燃費が悪い
pilot a vehicle	車を操縦する
I've been spoiled	私は甘やかされてきました
in those times	当時
shell out the money for	お金を払い出す

Question 1

I can drive although I have not driven for over 10 years. My mother taught me how to drive and she was an ok teacher, but my friends taught me a lot about car maintenance. I do not have a Japanese driver's licence and my New Zealand one has expired.

Question 2

There is only one car in my family in Japan and my wife is the only person who can legally drive it.

Question 3

My mother is a big fan of Mitsubishi goods. She has a Mitsubishi fridge, washing machine, television and car. Her current car is a new model but the first Mitsubishi she got lasted many years and without a problem. She had it for about 22 or so years and there was never any problems. It was a 1991 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Question 4

This is not a car, but my father likes motorbikes. He had a big Suzuki bike, it looked like those racing ones and it was so noisy. I didn't like it.

Question 5

Buying a car for living in Japan is tricky, but I would like a safe, low maintenance car that isn't too small nor too big. One that is good for the environment would be an added bonus.

Question 6

My wife was complaining that the "car tax" is expensive. Not having to pay that would be good. I think in our situation we need a car as we live in the countryside and we have a baby now.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
legally	合法的に
tricky	狡い
maintenance	維持
expired	期限切れ

Question 1

I cannot drive in Japan. I had my international license for one year. I only drove once and it was scary. In America, everything is the opposite. The drivers' side is on the left. You go forward on the right.

Question 2

We have one car. A 2014 Honda Stepwagon. I don't have a license, so my wife drives everywhere. Sometimes, I drive Miwa to school. It's across the rice paddies and I'm not worried about police officers pulling me over.

Question 3

My dad always loved his Toyota Camry. He would buy a new Camry every year.

Question 4

My sister Mary had a Volkswagon Bug that always broke down. I don't trust Volkswagon, but I had a Volkswagon Jetta that was a really good car.

Question 5

I would buy a really small car. The roads in Nara are so narrow. I don't want to have a big car in Nara.

Question 6

I've never relied on owning a car because I've lived in cities with public transportation. I prefer to bike or take the train.

Tough Vocabulary