Buying a JDM
17 November 2014, 12:49 PM
#1
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Buying a JDM
Hi All
Do you guys have confidence if you were to buy a JDM car as I have heard too many rumors and it kinda puts me off. People say jdm cars have some dodgy past and thats why they are being exported to the uk etc.
What your opinion on this, what would be the check required for this as Bimta takes too long.
Do you guys have confidence if you were to buy a JDM car as I have heard too many rumors and it kinda puts me off. People say jdm cars have some dodgy past and thats why they are being exported to the uk etc.
What your opinion on this, what would be the check required for this as Bimta takes too long.
17 November 2014, 01:35 PM
#4
The Japanese treat their cars impeccably, more so than UK Owners, and the climate is fairer and the roads much better.
To be safe, avoid a modified one -
A JDM car is far more reliable than a UK car, I assure you of that.
They are exported for multiple reasons, and not because they want to get rid of them,
1, the stringent japanese MOT style test on cars over a certain age is brutal, most just trade in for a new one
2, They are right hand drive, therefore there is a market overseas for them in the likes of the UK and Oz, therefore a market was created, making owners see it as another way to trade in and trade up
3, There is a status system in Japan, old cars don't cut the mustard
Theres a troll who knocks around on this forum saying we receive all Japans cast offs, which in a way he is right, but for the above reasons, not because they are fooked. And the best bit, you get a BETTER car as standard than any of the UK spec poverty offerings. Whats not to love!
To be safe, avoid a modified one -
A JDM car is far more reliable than a UK car, I assure you of that.
They are exported for multiple reasons, and not because they want to get rid of them,
1, the stringent japanese MOT style test on cars over a certain age is brutal, most just trade in for a new one
2, They are right hand drive, therefore there is a market overseas for them in the likes of the UK and Oz, therefore a market was created, making owners see it as another way to trade in and trade up
3, There is a status system in Japan, old cars don't cut the mustard
Theres a troll who knocks around on this forum saying we receive all Japans cast offs, which in a way he is right, but for the above reasons, not because they are fooked. And the best bit, you get a BETTER car as standard than any of the UK spec poverty offerings. Whats not to love!
Last edited by Trinity; 17 November 2014 at 01:43 PM.
17 November 2014, 01:40 PM
#5
while i dont agree with the jdm is made of angel tears etc or its anymore reliable than a uk car i do agree with they have no salt on the roads so generally are rust free and better condition underneath and most are exported for genuine reasons so i wouldnt worry too much about buying one.
17 November 2014, 01:42 PM
#6
while i dont agree with the jdm is made of angel tears etc or its anymore reliable than a uk car i do agree with they have no salt on the roads so generally are rust free and better condition underneath and most are exported for genuine reasons so i wouldnt worry too much about buying one.
Oh and they are made of angel tears infused with saffron and cocaine, can't believe you did'nt know that.
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17 November 2014, 02:50 PM
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So how would you go about buying one, what would you look at as I would be confident is one was imported through companies such as Torque Gt or JM Imports.
17 November 2014, 03:45 PM
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JDMS
Scooby K,
Good and bad dealers out there, even good ones have bad days.
You have to put the responsibility on yourself to find a good car, you can't entrust that to someone else, if you do it could all end in tears.
It is not too difficult.
Set yourself some standards and go through them with each car.
Those standards have to include;
1. Log book and engine stamp number match up.
2.Import docs, who imported it.
3. UK service history, as JAP wont be any use to you, and service history is only half the story.
4. MOT
5. Most importantly a good understanding of what the issues are with the model you are looking at.
Best place to start is your budget,as that will determine which model.
Good luck
Oli
Good and bad dealers out there, even good ones have bad days.
You have to put the responsibility on yourself to find a good car, you can't entrust that to someone else, if you do it could all end in tears.
It is not too difficult.
Set yourself some standards and go through them with each car.
Those standards have to include;
1. Log book and engine stamp number match up.
2.Import docs, who imported it.
3. UK service history, as JAP wont be any use to you, and service history is only half the story.
4. MOT
5. Most importantly a good understanding of what the issues are with the model you are looking at.
Best place to start is your budget,as that will determine which model.
Good luck
Oli
17 November 2014, 05:26 PM
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Hi Oli
I always wanted a Hawkeye in black/ white and well aware of the problems with the UK models so though the JDM is a safer bet but worried about of the rumors I have heard.
Also what do you mean by service history is only half the story, what else is there to look out for.
I always wanted a Hawkeye in black/ white and well aware of the problems with the UK models so though the JDM is a safer bet but worried about of the rumors I have heard.
Also what do you mean by service history is only half the story, what else is there to look out for.
17 November 2014, 10:34 PM
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Have a look at Hurstcars Bedford.
Max seems to get good comments for the standard of cars he sells. If I'm buying another newage STI after I sell my blob STI UK in the spring, I'll be looking for a JDM car. I like the idea of a better specd car with has minimal rust underneath. I always missed my first JDM my93 wrx. I bought that at 8 years old with 60k on it and sold it 5 years later with 120k on it and still going strong.
I think your approach to buying any used performance car should be the same, no matter if it's imported or UK. Do your homework and Google the dealer for reviews.
Impreza's are generally reliable cars, but they can go wrong, just like all turbo charged cars. The thing I find with them is that you need deep pockets for fuel or possible clutch replacement, timing belt kit and the likes.
I would not and will not be buying a UK 2.5 impreza unless it came with a lifelong warranty. I'm sure they ain't all bad cars, but I couldn't take the chance of possible engine failure. I ain't made of money !
Max seems to get good comments for the standard of cars he sells. If I'm buying another newage STI after I sell my blob STI UK in the spring, I'll be looking for a JDM car. I like the idea of a better specd car with has minimal rust underneath. I always missed my first JDM my93 wrx. I bought that at 8 years old with 60k on it and sold it 5 years later with 120k on it and still going strong.
I think your approach to buying any used performance car should be the same, no matter if it's imported or UK. Do your homework and Google the dealer for reviews.
Impreza's are generally reliable cars, but they can go wrong, just like all turbo charged cars. The thing I find with them is that you need deep pockets for fuel or possible clutch replacement, timing belt kit and the likes.
I would not and will not be buying a UK 2.5 impreza unless it came with a lifelong warranty. I'm sure they ain't all bad cars, but I couldn't take the chance of possible engine failure. I ain't made of money !
17 November 2014, 11:18 PM
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I already bought a blob from max and gave it back after a while. Would like a blob in black but have my heart set on a Hawkeye. I heard jdm cars power delivery don't pin you back in the seat compared to ukdm. Is this true because of the twin scroll.
18 November 2014, 07:38 AM
#17
What it dosent do, is let all that boost come at once like a UK car, its linear, it pins you from the start instead of
wait..bit slow but getting quicker...getting a bit quicker...ooo theres the boost im excited like a chav getting his dole cheque....change gear...damn, off boost, wait...geting quicker...the UK car fail.
18 November 2014, 12:57 PM
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18 November 2014, 04:04 PM
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