Just posted this up on the 'Evo' BBS - I'll pass on any more signatures.

Chris

Totally agree, 100%

Paul
HP4

Sounds like they havent done the research properly, probably a spotty graduate trainee from the home counties.

The content of the program was factually inacurate, and provided a one sided view.

I agree with the letter

Gary Wilde
SK4

Count me in. I've already had someone at work ask me why my car is "illegal"

Check your mail. You have my support 100%

Agree 100% - you have mail.

Again, I have a UK car, but I fully support the Letter. It was inaccurate, and as we pay for the Beeb, we should at least be entitled to informed and impartial programming.

Jamie L. SL3

Rannoch,

I agree with points you're making, and as a grey import fully support your letter.

Can I make a suggestion though, which I hope you don't take as a criticism - your letter, though well worded in the main, could do with some proofreading. The more professional it appears, the more likely it is to be taken seriously.

Nick

Rannoch,

Thanks for taking the initiative. I have a grey import Subaru Legacy RS. It's certainly not illegal as it went through an SVA test and was bought from a reputable dealer in the UK who imported it directly from Japan. I have the original Japanese sales document, all service details, handbook, the original owner's memberships of the Japanese equivalents of the AA and IAM, and more ....

You have mail.

Nick F,

Grammer or typos? - if grammer it is, then help I will need!

If ti is tpyos then I will sopt them, I hope.

Thanks for your support.

R

I agree with the letter..

David L BT4

How can our cars be 'illegal'when the SVA test is so bl***y strict! I took my STI for its SVA test and it was 10 times more gruelling (and expensive) than a normal MOT! It's a shame they don't do an SVA test for UK cars - atleast then there'd be less chance of them passing these old bangers you see on the road... (but I still don't agree with the price of the SVA test!)

But anyway, I'm off out now in my illegal STi ... http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif

you have mail http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif

Owain "McRae"

Rannoch

Well written (for a criminal http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif)

JohnAllan
SO53

You have more mail.

Rannoch

Good work Fella http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

SJD

I do not own an import car but agree with what your letter.

Robbie Calder
G21

Totally agree with the letter.
Ross Mathew LU3

[This message has been edited by ROSS (edited 23 November 2000).]

sign me up,

BD2 Brendan Simpson

Me too - I can't understand why this program was aired after all the hoo-ha about idiots who pay "Treasure Island" prices for UK cars.

Ray
Nissan Sunny GTI-R (two-off)

Well done Rannoch, good of you to take this up.
How about getting some input or support from some of the major respectable Jap importers? Park Lane, Track Marques, Grange Park (Mitsubishi Ralliart!!!).
I'm sure they'd be keen as their reputations and buisness are at stake here?

Maybe we should challenge the BBC to claim any number of our grey imports on Scoobynet/SIDC as illegal. Production of registration documents, MOTs and insurance would have them eating their words and hugely embarrassed.
On this basis could we not insist on an apology and a withdrawal statement before the next programme?

Details in your mail Rannoch.

Neil.

I will try and get in touch with Roland Dane - he is the founder/chairman of BIMTA the British Independent Motor Traders Assoc - MD at Park Lane and montly adviser on all things import to CAR magazine.

Good thought - will let you know if they want to play.

Cheers,

David

PS Thanks to everyone for their emails and words of support.

I have sent you mail.
Quentin wilson`s comment that` you don`t know if a car has been wrapped around a bus shelter in Nagasaki would imply that you would have a better knowledge of a uk supplied vehicle history which, in my own experience, is definately not the case.

Agree completely.

Richard Hanson
HU9

Totally agree...you have yet more mail

I aggree...100%
Its a pity Quentin forgot that imports often have a higher equipment spec (air con, interior, r/w/wipers etc), with lower milage and in better condition than an equivalent age UK car for a lower price.....
Its also a pity that anyone who might have considered purchasing an import might now decide that its a bad idea and possibly miss out on some of the best deals around, just because of some poor BBC reporting.

What a waste of a TV licence fee!!!

I was furious at the time but it is what I have come to expect from the BBC.

Has anyone who owns a grey import sought legal advice?

Surely the viewpoint put across in the program is implicitly libellous (?) to the owners of greys.

Words fail me as to the low standard of journalism in that program. I'd guess it took them a very short time to concoct the script.

I've never trusted Quentin's opinions I have to say. Whenever there's been a little treasure/unknown bargain of a car, I've always suspected he has a lot full of them....

Utterly disgraceful broadcasting.

Budget journalism, get a hold of all the facts first rant rant rant...#@%&*

Good call Rannoch. Count my support in.


Greg (Sti3)

hey mossman

is that really jon moss - my old mucker from culture club?

haven't seen you for years mate. you ought to come to the ministry of sound and check out my new grooves.

i heard a rumour that the hard cash research team were the ones that worked on 'vanessa'

well there you go then.