View Poll Results: Japanese import: is it a wise choice?
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Japanese import: is it a wise choice?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: West Lancashire
Pete, please don't mention fact-finding, compliance or the PIA on here.
This is where I come to hide from that evil soul-destroying stuff.
Any jobs going for lazy indoors types at your new venture ??
Dave.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,704
Likes: 1
From: South Staffordshire
I guess anybody owning a JDM might be biased, but I would say it's all about managing the risk. If you are switched on and know all the issues in advance, calculate into your price you can have a very nice car.
In theory, JDM is a higher risk than a UK dealer car, but I would not say buying a 2nd hand from a UK dealer is zero risk. They also can pull some flankers, through ignorance or plain deception.
S2000's are probably treated better in Japan than in UK, only about 10% of Honda dealers in Japan are able to sell and maintain S2000 and NSX. This means whenever I take my car there, he already has 2 other S2000 on the ramps and an NSX in for service...hence the technicians are dealing with these cars everday. I read with horror some of the UK dealer stories.
Japanese hardly drive any km's...cars are really a toy or luxury item if you live in a big city.
The "thrashed" story I think is myth, a tuned up thrashed car will be in the hands of another Japanese boy racer and would look what it is.
In theory, JDM is a higher risk than a UK dealer car, but I would not say buying a 2nd hand from a UK dealer is zero risk. They also can pull some flankers, through ignorance or plain deception.
S2000's are probably treated better in Japan than in UK, only about 10% of Honda dealers in Japan are able to sell and maintain S2000 and NSX. This means whenever I take my car there, he already has 2 other S2000 on the ramps and an NSX in for service...hence the technicians are dealing with these cars everday. I read with horror some of the UK dealer stories.
Japanese hardly drive any km's...cars are really a toy or luxury item if you live in a big city.
The "thrashed" story I think is myth, a tuned up thrashed car will be in the hands of another Japanese boy racer and would look what it is.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,885
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
at the end of the day a thorough inspection of the car will show any problems - I bought mine from a UK dealer but it didn't stop me from getting under the car and checking for any inconsistencies and giving it a thorough check - even dealers can be fooled
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,548
Likes: 7
From: Newcastle Upon Tyne
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris Mckenna
[B]
Not really. There is a loop hole that the people at the SVA centre tell to use. All you have to do is buy a steering wheel aid (about
[B]
Not really. There is a loop hole that the people at the SVA centre tell to use. All you have to do is buy a steering wheel aid (about
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Bolton
Originally posted by UK Paul
So as I said, do all of this & then its close to UK spec
(but would probably cost more than a UK one to do so.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
So as I said, do all of this & then its close to UK spec
(but would probably cost more than a UK one to do so.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,845
Likes: 1
From: La La Land
Oddly enough I have a lot of experience in importing JDM and Euro cars. From 1992-1999, I've been doing nothing but export cars to Hongkong. My experience is this:
If you plan to import a car, try to go with a new one. Buying a used sports car... well, you know the story. Just imagine importing an R32, yeah it's a super deal but hell, it's been through all these videos doing powerslides and such
There are gems out there... but make sure you inspect the car before it set sails. There are so many things that could go wrong. Try to avoid cars that come with all the mods!
Driving a car no one has may be sexy but not when you're stuck on the M1. Before importing a new or used car, make certain there are parts readily available for your car locally and a garage who will repair it and has the experience to repair it. A reason why I decided against an R34 was not the price but the fact that no one here in SF knows how to repair one. Getting parts for the car, that's like opening Pandora's Box. One more thing, if you're importing a new car which comes with a warranty, you can kiss that warranty good bye. Dealerships in the UK will not honour them. Mercedes Benz in HK/Sin/Thailand/US for example will not honour the warranty of an imported car also! Good luck...
If you plan to import a car, try to go with a new one. Buying a used sports car... well, you know the story. Just imagine importing an R32, yeah it's a super deal but hell, it's been through all these videos doing powerslides and such
There are gems out there... but make sure you inspect the car before it set sails. There are so many things that could go wrong. Try to avoid cars that come with all the mods!Driving a car no one has may be sexy but not when you're stuck on the M1. Before importing a new or used car, make certain there are parts readily available for your car locally and a garage who will repair it and has the experience to repair it. A reason why I decided against an R34 was not the price but the fact that no one here in SF knows how to repair one. Getting parts for the car, that's like opening Pandora's Box. One more thing, if you're importing a new car which comes with a warranty, you can kiss that warranty good bye. Dealerships in the UK will not honour them. Mercedes Benz in HK/Sin/Thailand/US for example will not honour the warranty of an imported car also! Good luck...