Why does it seem that just about every Jap import looks to be in pretty bad shape (bodywise).. Do Japanese drivers bounce off each other all day or something??

I've only noticed this recently but every Jap import I've seen has got cracked bumpers and small dents and scratches all over it and these are relatively low mileage cars..

Has anyone else noticed this??

 

Two reasons :

1. The mileage is probably a lot higher than the dealer says it is - very easy to clock an import if it doesnt have a FSH as theres no way of telling what it really is, and the excuse of 'we changed the clocks to UK spec ones' can cover it up easily.

2. Most of the dealers who sell imports buy any cheap old junk - there are very good condition low mileage genuine imports, but at auctions these sell at a premium, so they go to the big dealers and the tatty junk gets bought by the smaller ones.

 

But I'm talking about nearly EVERY import I've seen..

Toyota Supras, Soarers, Imprezas, Celicas etc. All low mileage examples.. Nice clean interiors and clean engines just ropey panels.

 

Simple .... IMPORTS - Jap Imports - are crap .... always have been, always will be.

Look at an Eunos verses a proper UK MX5 ..... the Eunos is tacky as hell .... the MX5 is perfect, for the Europeans. The Japanese love tack.

They are purchased in Japan by Dealers looking for the biggest mark-up ... therefore the crap end of the auction is bought ... ship them over, think up a nice mileage, give it a quick wax job, knock it out to the silly little boys who's only interest is where to mount the CockLink so that they look GREEEEEAAAATT down at Maccys on Friday night!

Pete

 

This thread must have looked like pennies from heaven to you Pete

 

Sounds feasible to me

 

Ooooooo it did, it did

I just checked the Calendar .. thought it was my birthday!!

Pete

 

if the only scoob available was a turbo 2000 i wouldn't own a scoob i would go for something else but i love my crap type r

 

I've never really looked at Scooby imports, but when I was looking at 'freshly imported' Supras and Skylines, I thought exactly the same. They were usually low mileage, but the bodywork never seemed at all looked after, the alloys were usually completely knackered and the interiors were battered too...

I'm sure this isn't true of all imports, but a large majority seem to be pretty poor. I'm still intending to buy a Skyline at some point in the next year or so, but I think I'll probably go for one that's been imported some time ago and sorted out by a UK owner, even if that means paying a little more.

 

When I got my WRX in January 2000, it was a fresh, seven year old import.

It was spotless - no noticeable door dings, no scratches, and only the odd stone chip. The alloys were also in top condition too.

Now, after battling on UK roads for 6 years and 100k miles, it has a couple of minor door dings, numerous stone chips, and some minor pollishing scratches after a bodyshop decided to 'valet' my car for me. It's had a far harder time in Europe than it ever had in Japan.

As a Grade 4 car from Japan, it was practically mint. They do exist. It just goes to prove what crap importers are trying to get away with these days.

 

There are as many good imports as there are bad ones, it's just about making sure you know what you are doing before buying. There are very strict guidlines in Japan about mileage etc and you're pretty much guaranteed a genuine mileage when the car arrives at the UK dock, it's what happens to it after that that you want to worry about.

As has been mentioned above, dealers are looking to make as big a mark up as possible so they buy low grade auction cars, clock them, tart them up, and sell them on. If you import yourself or buy from an honest importer who has all the back up paperwork then you can get some very clean, low mileage cars. Ideally you want to see the japanese auction report as that will confirm genuine mileage, and accident damage or replaced panels etc, or a BIMTA certificate confirming genuine mileage.

 

Most 'imports' come from docks auctions. The cars sold at docks auctions are the poorest cars available in Japan, on the whole. You asked if Japanese cars all bounce off each other; the answer to that is yes, to some degree they do. Even Grade4 cars will commonly have parking paint damage (on bumper corners), even where the rest of the car looks like new.

Simon

 

Three words:

Keighley Trade Centre

 

I know a lot of tat comes from Japan, but a friend got a minter three year old Skyline from New Era Imports, had it six months with no problems whatsoever and it's still well tidy. I look at their site regularly and they only seem to get decent stuuf and are very honest about condition.

When I grow up, I want to be as cynical as Mr Lewis. He makes I laugh!

 

Both my previous Jap import GT4's were in much better condition than the UK'ers I looked at (took about 12 months of looking for each!) ...then again they were much lower mileage (had service history & original clocks as proof) & weren't dock auction

 

I think you get alot of these places that used to import things like Previas And Hi-Luxs jumping on the bandwagon and importing performance stuff and thats where all the ****ters come from

 

Is this a wind up?

 

Think hes on about keithley trade centre.....now that is a laugh

 

They must drive their cars like rentals.

Most rentals I've had the enjoyments of using both in the UK and in Europe are totally shagged by 40,000 miles. So it is feasible for the cars to be dog rough with low miles.

 

ive got a import and its in good nick http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...1Image0005.jpg

 

Why do you say that?

That is clean! but even your car has got uneven pannel gaps.

 

When you get to be as old as Pete Lewis, you won't realise that you're cynical, it will be your normal way of life!

JohnD

PS Love your Somerset accent (He makes I laugh)

 

Cynasism is a gift not a way of life!

 

 

You're talking out your **** again!

 

Yea i went through the same problem when searching for my Scooby, majority of the Garages i visited had very very rough, shabby cars... Visited Keighley too

Eventually got sorted by an importer in Bradford called Jap Performance uk, they don't have a huge variety like Keighley trade however their stock is very presentable. Ive had mine for around 4 weeks, best car i've ever bought.

 

 

Pete; knowing absolutely fuck-all about a subject never impedes your commenting does it?

 

Front wing > door.

 

Got my first Scooby from there, was a nice car..........















After I had the head gasket and radiator, and water pump replaced!

Then 6 weeks later I had the engine rebuilt after it lost compression in two cylinders!


Was a good car after that though!