I am set on buying an S2000, but would rather pay Continental Europe prices. My current (Ford) car was a personal import - so I have some experience of what lies ahead, but I am concerned about possible "unsympathetic" reaction from UK Honda dealers should I have warranty problems etc.

What is the experience of other personal importers? Good and Bad.

Any reponses most welcome.

PS - Is it worth going for the GT?

 

My S2000 is a Euro import and I do not have any problems getting work done, warranty or other, at my local garage.

I think you will find that the GT (i.e. S2000 with the Hardtop included in the price) is a UK only option. If you buy in Europe you will need to purchase the hardtop as a seperate item and you will not get the hardtop stand or cover.

 

I have gone for the import option also, but cant be bothered with all the hastle.

So i have an S on order with hondas uk and with a H/top as well, total price on the road

 

The only problem is the waiting time, I waited 9 months for mine (promised in 5-6), as for the dealers, the local one to me have been fine even the sales team have shown an interest without any bad feelings, I have today asked to register it on the Honda UK warranty list which I did not realise I had to do until I read it on this website, so if and when it goes wrong I can use the same dealer network as anyone else. Good luck go for it but keep hastling the supplier once it is ordered.

 

Whatever the availability options are, I'd certainly recommend the hard top. It gives you greater peace-of-mind (both in bad weather and security-wise) and it should help your insurance premium, too. The hard top, if you haven't seen it, is a very solid and secure bit of kit - it was much more luxuriously finished (inside) than I had expected and the extra roof padding helps keep the interior noise down. It's also the only bit of the car you can wax in your living room!

 

I imported and have had no problems from the service department of my local dealer, they were happy to see a customer who would put business their way and have treated me and my car very professionally so I did just that and bought a hard top from them recently.

A salesman who works at the same dealership went so far as to tell me that my car could not be serviced there because it was an import and may have different parts however any warranty work would be carried out because they were obliged to. He even said the service manager was out i.e. sling your hook, have a nice day

I recently recommended a colleague go there to buy a Jazz he was interested in, avoiding the said salesman of course

 

Like simmo I bought through Hondas UK - very little hassle indeed in terms of paperwork etc (no more than through a UK dealer) and great service.
Local dealer has no problem with the fact its a Euro import - wouldn't be the same if it was a JDM import, though, understandably.

 

I picked up my MY02 in June this year. I since had the warranty registered in the UK without problems or hassle.

At first, when I went into the dealership to register the warranty, I was a bit sheepish. When the nice lady said "Oh, it's a European import. Don't blame you. How much did you save?" I relaxed and we had a good natter about the price differential, how more people were importing these days etc. etc.

They registered my warranty with a smile (knowing that any warranty work would be done at their garage, and therefore they'd get paid by Honda to do it).

My only warning is this: DON'T USE AN IMPORT AGENCY IF YOU CAN HELP IT. THEY'RE A BLOODY NIGHTMARE!!!

I'm probably going to sell my S next spring (and benefit from the limited depriciation brought about by a low-mileage recent version), and import another one over winter. This time, however, I'm going to do the whole process myself. At least I'll know that if I need any information, I can deal directly with the suppliers, and cut out the useless waste-of-money middle man.

Good luck.

 

Hi,

Just to update that i have recieved the call from Nick E and the S has arrived. It was just over a week late which aint too bad, just got to wait for 5 days now. How i wish it was friday.