funkyrimpler

This is giving me sleepless nights....I've really got the horn for a JDM car at the moment....
Has anyone imported directly from Japan?
There are numerous companies online, and i've read the good, the bad and the ugly...Wondering if anyone has done it, how it went and any advice.

Scooby_nz

I'll PM you shortly.

Imported a few cars are over the years and never had a issue!

Lefty1

I'm currently waiting on delivery of a JDM hawkeye from Japan, its on a boat at the moment. I've used Torque GT and can say that everything so far has been excellent, the communication and advice from Darren down there has been on point

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

I've been thinking the same. Would love to import a classic Impreza, so many abused ones over here.

neil97rs

I imported mine directly last year. No dealer in the UK fees.
Fairly simple process jus a scary thought sending a man in japan a lot of money .
Pm me if you want any help advice
I used
japaneseusedcars.com

funkyrimpler

Thanks for the phone call Neil..I gleaned a wealth of information..It's certainly given me a lot to chew on, and solidified the fact the I want to sell my M3 and get back into a classic GC8..
Many thanks

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

Someone on another thread mentioned goonet - anyone have any experience of using this site?
Is it just auction stock that can be bought for some sort of mid reserve plus a fee price?
I like the idea of buying at a fixed price rather than chasing auction lots.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Have you tried watching what comes through the Japanese auctions? It's not much better over there now - some right rusty, battered and barried up sheds

Very few classics coming through without some kind of issue.

ray54

Waiting to pickup this.............One onwer /full sevice history/20,000 miles/wrx wagon/auto. what i asked for ! .from THE CAR WAREHOUSE.....SR2 1LR

Tell them what you want, give them a budget to work on , leave a deposit, the,ll give you some vehicle options, job done.

NO HASSLE , you drive it away ALL sorted , (read their website for details of what they do/offer).

See Keith or Lee, its a worth visit just to look around the stock some (odd ball stuff)..

Guys have always been straight with me....................Beware SCAMMERS remember its your hard earmed money.

funkyrimpler

Neil put me onto goonet...Great website...

I went to view a GC8 UK near me tonight because I've not sat in a Scooby for 5 years....
The memories came flooding back..
The cheap, plastic interior..The nasty trim...the flimsy switches...the massive steering wheel...The plastic door handles....The high ceiling, The Fisher-Price instrumentation....the 5hite spec....The looks of derision and hatred from other road users..
Good times!!
The car was crap though..

I think i want...no, I need a V5 or V6 Type R....WRC blue..and gold wheels..and preferably with a roof vent...and blue seats..or blue and black seats....and a steering wheel..it has to have a steering wheel....and a water spray button...and hopefully a central instrument gauge pod with those cool JDM lamco gauges....and...

ray54

Good luck¬!!!!. there will be one out there just waiting for you.

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

The most important point which no one mentions - Make sure the car has the Japanese Auction Sheet, if you want to buy a decent car. The grading should be at least 4 for exterior condition. (5 is the highest, so you want 4, 4.5 or 5)

Some UK dealers will import crash repaired cars, bought very cheaply, graded as R, which they certainly won't want you, the prospective buyer, to see. So the auction sheet conveniently disappears. So never buy a JDM without the auction sheet.

Most good importers in the UK will give you access to the auction websites so you can pick and choose the cars you really like, then their people at the auction will see the cars in the flesh before making any bids on your behalf.

I remember my very first JDM in 2004, imported by Dicksons of Dunblane, like a brand new car it was, totally unmarked with ultra low mileage. It was a grade 5. So I had a fantastic overnight drive from Scotland to West London!
Greg

PT82

You can do an equivalent Japanese HPI check on imports these days.
I imagine a few have been surprised by what they have found out!

http://www.evolutionize.co.uk/japane...hpi-check.html

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

Really useful site. Thanks for sharing . Here's hoping I don't find out anything scary.

neil97rs

Not many grade 4.5 classics going through the auctions anymore.
People get to concerned about grade R cars . Yes some are really rough but you also get some grade R because they have had a bumper replaced or a bit of paint. Don't forget these cars are heading towards 20 years old and some form of minor repair is inevitable.

Any grade 4.5 Type r nowadays are fetching 1.3 -2. million yen ( £9k-14K)
This is before shipping or fees vat and import duties. So for a really low mileage excellent condition type r you are looking at least 15k on the road in the uk.
That's if you can find one in the first place. Goonet have a few on their website but don't know of anyone that has used them so couldn't comment on their service, Also some of those cars the dealer will not export so not all are available to the Uk buyer anyway

neil97rs

Most of the companies give you access to dealer cars I think Goonet are just an agent and buy from dealers and charge a fee to carry out all the paperwork etc. Very few of them will actually go and check a car out for you some say they do but in reality don't

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Great post.

That's exactly how things are and people do get too hung up on grade R cars when looking at 15+ years old. The auction sheets show what damage has been repaired and as said, it's often pretty minor. Those that have had really big impacts get a worse grade than R usually.

PT82

I was speaking to a guy the other day and he bought a type r brand new in Japan back in the day. (My dads financial investor of all people) He literally flew out there, bought it and then spent the next few weeks sight seeing around Japan with it. He flew back and shipped the car over. That's how you do it. Much cheaper to do it back then though.

johned

Lots of good info.

demonstraten

Yes, of course, I was importing a nissan 240sx s14 for sale. This was my first car. Oh, how many things are connected with her! Does everyone have an unforgettable experience associated with your first car? I was a big fan of drifting, so I chose this particular car. The long wheelbase of the Nissan Silvia FR makes it an ideal drift car. The overlays are slower and more stable, and the corners are deeper. All this makes Silvia a well-controlled and predictable car in its behavior. Try to search for excellent suppliers.

hedgecutter

iTrader: (5)

Thread is 5 years old, and specifically for ADVICE for Subarus.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Anyone imported a brand new Impreza?

johno01

That goonet site that’s been recommended on here looks fantastic, some lovely Subarus and according to the yen converter there not very expensive

nicam49

After reading this thread, I wouldn't consider it!

https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...nd-sti-ra.html

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

There's a number of YouTube videos of USA buyers buying rot boxes, full of filler.

Think the UK have bought most of the decent ones over the years. Then the breakers have had loads of them.

Think of all the mint cars Matty alone had broken, as he would only break low mile mint cars.

marcomurabia

There are numerous companies online, and i've read the good, the bad and the ugly...Wondering if anyone has done it, how it went and any advice.

EddScott

Don't know who, but someone has imported the S207/8. There is at least one here on UK plates.

trails

iTrader: (41)

Had a Gen5 legacy GT delivered a couple of weeks ago.

I used BeForward to buy the car, Penguin Shipping to handle the off-boating/import duty/VAT and Bodyshoppe to deliver from Southhampton to Essex.

No issues whatsoever...although I am still waiting for the DVLA so I can register and MOT it.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

There's a company thats still importing and breaking Type R imreza's. and STI models, look in good nick, but maybe buying them as there rot boxes or crashed and repaired then breaking them, must still be good money in it.