Hollywood

Hi everyone, I'm looking to import a Subaru Impreza Turbo from a dealer in
Holland - Autobedrijf Gertjan van der Velde in Zuid - Beijerland. The price
is attractive - it works out at around £17K including UK VAT (saving of
£5K) - that's for a 5 door with a/c, metallic paint, colour coded skirts and
locking wheel nuts. The dealer is asking for a 30% deposit by bank transfer
and the wait is around 5 months. However the warranty is only valid for 12
months, and there is no CAT 1 alarm.

I found this dealer by word of mouth - a couple of guys I know have used him
and been happy with the service.

Has anyone out there got any comments - perhaps people who have imported
similar cars from the continent recently? I'm interested in what other
owners have done to extend their warranties, for instance - Subaru UK or a
third party?

Cheers for any info!

andy_w

Hollywood,

Try searching for Holland on the BBS - I started a thread about 5-6 weeks ago on exactly the same subject.

There is an 'importingimprezas' mailing list at Onelist (www.onelist.com) run by Nick Lines that's very useful - you will have to register and Nick can add you to the list.

I ended up ordering from Frits Kempen about a month ago (expect delivery in May), as have several others. Many others have used Gertjan van der Velde and seem happy with his service.

As for extending the warranty, I don't think i'll bother - just take my chances. I don't do a high mileage and I reckon the Subaru reliability should be pretty good.

Cheers,
Andy

AlanW

Hollywood,
Can't vouch for Gertjan. But I am due to collect my 4 door from Frits Kempen on 3rd Feb (ordered in mid Sept 99, <4 months). So far everything has gone to plan. He is currently fitting a new stereo/speakers and CD Player, A/C, a quickshift lever and possibly a set of 17" alloys. It seems that Frits is considering supplying some of the BPM stuff, exhausts etc. So maybe some of that also.

In the mean time he is worth calling on +31455312398

Andy,
Will put pictures on the ImpImpr List.

Cheers

Alan

carl

Hollywood,

I imported from Gertjan van der Velde last month. Everything went fine and he was a very helpful chap.

As far as additional warranty goes, since I do high mileage I'll probably go for Motor Warranty Direct (see

sickboy

Hollywood,
get one from Belgium. It will be cheaper (or the same ) and has a 3 year warranty. After VAT I'll have paid £18k (4 door, leather and aircon. 6 mth wait)

That's what I did. Try

andy_w

BTW, exchange rate with the Dutch Guilder is now at an all time high of 3.57
Let's hope this trend continues!

Cheers,
Andy

Milky

Or you could try Auto Tecnica (01924 494 884 - Steve), £18k, ABS, Cat 1 Alarm, any colour (inc Rally Blue), any options and delivery April.

Darren.

I Stancer

Hi
Just discovered this topic . I bought my new 5dr from him ( Gertjan ) this month , he's a good bloke allround and booked our travel weary familly (6 People from Lincs to Holland Via Dover Calais , In a Dicovery ! )in a great hotel nearby ( he didn't pay for it but it wasn't dear )He fitted a Q shift and air con , and threw in a Sony cd ,locking nuts, floormats , a full tank of go juice , and a bunch of Tulips for the missus . It's only a small village garage that would have closed down years ago in the uk , but he's sold over 65 Scoobs to us brits so far !so must be dooing somthing right .
on the subject of Belgium offering a 3 year warranty , I strongly doubt weather IM would honour the 2nd and 3rd year , but if the gearbox goes bang I supose you could push the car on a ferry back to Belgium .the standard european warranty is 1 year , It is up to the individual importers to decide on the domestic warranty . I have been wrong before so dont blame me if that lot is tosh!!!

sickboy

Sorry I Stancer,
but you're wrong about the warranty from Belgium.

I'm waiting for final agreement from Ed Swatman- but hopefully it's in the bag. He's agreed in priciple.

Apparently his official information was incorrect- he was unaware that 3 years was standard from Belgium. Sent him a copy of my servicee book.

When I get the final letter I'll let everyone know.

SB

I Stancer

Hi "SickBoy"

I've been Wrong before , Hey good for you if you crack it . In my experience they are pretty forward thinking at IM, lets hope they give all us smug B*&^%$£s with properly priced ( and technicaly not imported as they are EU type aproved ) cars a full 3 years , and while they are at it stop descriminating against grey cars
chears
Ian