Thanks, just spotted it on there. I rejected it when searching due to being too modified, again. I will not be able to insure anything with more than a couple of small mods.

Thanks though

 

First one sounds a good one to me.

 

Definitely, especially given that its just down the road from me. However, I couldn't insure it

 

IVA replaced the SVA in 2009, it covers ALL vehicles imported no matter their age
It closed the loophole on that 10 year crap.

Tony

 

I can't find anything official which says this? Everything I am reading says if the car is a personal import it requires testing - otherwise if it is >10 years old, all that is needed is an MOT. Where are you getting this info from?

 

The government
Dont rely on those none gov sites, they are out of date, the IVA covers personal and small quantity imports, there are 2 versions, the basic and normal, both cover all imported vehicles no matter what their age
That 10 year old stuff put dodgy crappy vehicles on our roads which didnt conform to UK standards for safety (none eu type tyres etc which should be picked up on an MOT unless you use a dodgy mot station that is), the car by law requires the speedo to be converted to MPH, but these back street/dock yard importers dont do that, so you end up with a potential death trap on our roads

Basically if they say "oh we can convert it for you to mph if you wish", they are cowboys and should be left well alone!!

Tony

 

Still check what ECU is in there. You may have a nice surprise when you pull the carpet back and lift the lid. Thats the beauty of buying a jap import. All the hidden goodies

 

Hi all. Went to see the car in question today. A few points from the visit...

- No fog light, yet has an MOT - I didn't raise it with them for any explanation
- Many scratches/small knock marks all over the body which weren't described in the add or on the phone
- The "sports exhaust" which had "only just been put on and could be swapped back if I wanted it" had been on a LONG time (had stained the bumper, bolts holding it on were corroded etc)
- The oil on the dipstick was at the right level, but filthy. Yet the oil filler cap was bone dry and perfectly clean inside, with brand new oil visible just inside
- I was originally told the mileage was 54,000 - then on the phone told is was actually closer to 55,000 when converted. When I got there and worked it out, it was 59,000
- No water in the IC spray bottle (i.e. the vehicle really hadn't had any care or time spent getting it ready)

I didn't even drive the car, as I didn't want to fall in love with the drive/power and forget all the problems/niggling feelings I had. I went back to the guy and said thanks for showing me the car, but its not the one for me. He asked if I wanted to see any of their other stock, and for some reason I said yes.

As we were walking out of the garage, one of the other guys there started up a Skyline from cold, reversed it quickly out of the garage, then nailed the throttle wheelspinning off up the road bouncing off the limiter.... great impression

Anyway, we still went to look at the other stock they had. I should mention that earlier in the week I had seen the one "The Hamster" posted earlier on ebay and phoned the seller there too (noticing he was in the same general area). I asked if the cars were the same, if they knew each other etc (giving the other guys ebay names) "no no, never heard of them" blah blah.

So we walk to the other garage (about 300 metres away) and go in - and lo and behold there is the car "The Hamster" posted.

"You're looking for a standard Type R right?"
"Yes"
"This one here is standard"

I look at it for all of 30 seconds and say

"Its got a different airfilter, different wheels, different steering wheel, a turbo timer, different rear lights, a big exhaust and stinks of smoke"
"We can change all that for you if you want. And that's not smoke you're smelling, they all smell like that - go and smell the other one behind you - that ones standard too"

I take a look at it, it smells "normal" (the other one really stank of smoke), but has a changed arirfilter, engine mounts, steering wheel, exhaust, and has stickers all over the back bumper.

After pointing it all out, they again tell me that I can have anything I want changed back to normal blah blah. I tell them I don't want it, thanks for your time, but these aren't the cars for me. After about 2-3 minutes of "hard sell" we are out, with the door shut behind us when it is clear we won't be buying the dross on offer.


After all that (essay, I know) I don't think I expected much else to be honest. However, I now feel better equipped to go out and look at others with a better eye, and am resigning myself to the fact that I may have a long wait on my hands to find what I want.

Thanks for all your advice.

 

sorry mate, did kinda warn you but at least you did the right thing and walk away. Like you say, use it as a learning experience and maybe look for something private thats cherished.

Is 5k the max budget or do you have some flexibility on it? I'm sure theres one out there for you but you may have to find more £ for a minter.

Good luck with your search

 

Wait for a member on here to sell one. That way you will find out a lot more about it

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...0-bhp/89112991

shame this is in Ireland

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...ype-r/89063486

and this is in scotland

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...st-go/88678899

Looks like theres plenty around under 5k if you know where to look mate

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

As luck would have it I think I may have actually struck gold, if everything checks out....

Will keep you posted

 

I imported my 22B myself in 2007, there was no IVA or anything required......

All that was required was to get it MOT'd and then go to the DVLA with all the documents (MOT and Import Docs) and some money and in return they register it for you and give you a tax disc

As it was a MY98 I just ran it on 99RON Fuel and a bottle of Octane Boost per tank (was doing limited miles anyway)

Foglight was wired through the reverse light as is common (although some just VELCRO a foglight onto the rear and have a similar switch in the cabin for MOT time.......pass MOT then just take them back off)

I never had the MPH changed over either as I wanted to leave it as it came out of the factory.