Jap imports - whats the story ??
 

Import cars - guys keep hearing off folk saying that jap imports are much better than the uk cars but just wonder why ?? better spec / stronger engine or what ?? whats the story in japan are most cars thrashed / looked after or lovingly maintained ?? know that a lot off owners are into the big names in japan and dont mind spending on there cars but again just wonder what the story is with them reagrds being mot tested etc over there ??

is it true cars in japan are speed restricted ??

Do a search fella, it's been covered a thousand times.

But a quick pointer,
Jap cars are better than UK cars and yes, all are speed restricted when first imported.

Yep sorry should know about the search facility by now !!! speed restricted over there ??? so not thrashed to bits then !!!

More toys such as electric mirrors etc, stronger engines although a few people on here a running std uk blocks up and over 500+ bhp, twin scroll turbo which some people love to bits, personally imo they are a bit like marmite you love em or hate em but they kick in a lot earlier with less of that punch more of a linear power band. Plenty of threads on them but over all looked upon as being better

It is law that all cars must be restricted to 180KPH, so like you say, you know they haven't been thrashed to hell (well flat out anyway).

I bought my JDM as it had alot of goddies on it.
You`ll find alot more toys added onto a JDM,as over here,parts are alot harder/dearer to get.

i wouldnt say they are less thrashed,112 mph etc is still enough to do traffic lite grand prix`s etc

Jap import come with more bhp than standard UK cars. Insurance is strange though as import are higher insurance group (in most insurers eyes) but I am picking up an imported wagon that is cheaper for me to insure than any UK car, import or not :wonder:

Insurance is a funny one. UK cars are group 17 I think compared to group 20 for a JDM STI. But,, many 'specialist' insurance companies don't charge any more (or very little) to insure a Jap car.
Your average insurer won't want to know but visit someone like moley on here and it's all good chap.

I used Aviva for quots on several different scoobs and other marques and they came out a lot cheaper than anyone else including those who advertise on here.
Yes with moley's company they don't sting you if its an import, which is good :)

Not sure if it's true but ive heard the imports rust quicker than the uk car's. I have seen a few with the rear arches dropping out. I was told their not under-sealed as well and not designed to last as the japs don't keep their cars for that long, hence the amount of imports shipped here.

I'd go for a wrx import 1992+ as there cheap to buy, tones of parts, strong engines. And if anything did go wrong you could prob make your money back in parts. I miss my wrx

When I was looking at what Scooby to go for I got a few qoutes to see the difference in price for having a grey import. A Type R was £300 cheaper to insure than my P1.

The one thing I use to be worried about was the Jap spec cars didn't have the rust prevention and underseal that you did get on UK cars. This was the case in the 80's and 90's , not sure if it is common place now.

It doesn't matter, i had a 1994 import and 1998 uk, uk had rust on rear arches starting, import was rust free. All depends how long been in uk for. 5 years or less will mean its in good nick as weather in Japan alot nicer than uk, thats why you get imports so clean and rust free

Also the don't salt the roads like we do.

But your right , length of time over here , garaged or not , how often it is cleaned.

Half true,If they are not undersealed when they arrive in the uk then yes,they will rust quicker,but,if they are undersealed on arrival into the uk,no issues.

The japs get rid of cars 10 yrs old i think

Okay thanks guys some great info there, have also noticed that a lot off imports have lower mileage on them in comparasion to uk cars, take it cars are not as much over there hence the lower mileage ??

regards ruts yep did hear that they were not undersealed over there but would have thought that at least one owner here in the uk owould have the car undersealed, is this possibly something that most reputable importers would do as part off the process ie.

underseal
convert stereo
convert speedo
etc

Don't you believe it. With the awesome mountain roads over there they are thrashed every bit as much as any cars here. They are however generally better looked after imo, and always run on 100 Ron. insurance costs are also horrendous in Japan, pricing a lot of young people out of the market.

Also as above, Jap roads are not salted in the winter and people stil manage to get to work just fine.:rolleyes: Will need under sealing when it arrives here, though not done my RA yet.

If you were worried about undersealing you could do it yourself (well at least take it to a garage if you don't want to do it).

I have just got my insurance down to £401 and I still have to get the alarm model to include on the insurance :)

Try this lot :thumb:.

http://www.bilthamber.com/search-pro...n%20Prevention#

Jap roads may not be salted in the winter but Japan is an Island country like ours. Surrounded by sea so they will have salty air like we do. Id be worried about an older car imported that had just had new under seal applied. God knows what that could be hiding? Id rather buy one that wasn't under sealed and have it done myself. At least you could inspect the state of the steel.