To import or not?
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18 November 2002, 10:25 AM
#9
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One point to be aware of: there's two types of import.
Parallel import = importing a car that is designed to be used in the EU, and comes with a certificate of conformity (CoC)
Grey import = importing a car that is designed for some other non-eu market (such as Japanese Domestic Market, known as JDM). This car will have to go through the new ESVA.
Mine's a parallel import, and I bought it direct from a small dutch Suburu dealer. Details available if u want 'em
nick.
Parallel import = importing a car that is designed to be used in the EU, and comes with a certificate of conformity (CoC)
Grey import = importing a car that is designed for some other non-eu market (such as Japanese Domestic Market, known as JDM). This car will have to go through the new ESVA.
Mine's a parallel import, and I bought it direct from a small dutch Suburu dealer. Details available if u want 'em
nick.
18 November 2002, 10:28 AM
#11
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If you can't wait and are willing to spend a little more than you could if you imported yourself, Well Lane Turbo Centre had a number of cars on the forecourt. Their's come from Holland, and although they're not an "official" dealer (obviously), there are plenty of good ones around who'll look after your warranty even though the car is an import (RN Golden is where I go, and they're very good service-wise)
Both Well Lane & Golden's are in West Yorks, dunno if that's local enough to be worth it for you ?
Regards
Dox (Import MY02 from Well Lane)
Both Well Lane & Golden's are in West Yorks, dunno if that's local enough to be worth it for you ?
Regards
Dox (Import MY02 from Well Lane)
18 November 2002, 10:37 AM
#15
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The only time I went to a UK dealer to discuss a purchase, I said I was on a budget (laid my cards on the table) and he said that I should consider an import, which I did 
....OK so I went grey twice BUT I did get a parallel import bike, meaning that my last 3 vehicle purchases have not been anywhere near a UK dealer.
....OK so I went grey twice BUT I did get a parallel import bike, meaning that my last 3 vehicle purchases have not been anywhere near a UK dealer.
18 November 2002, 10:43 AM
#16
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dantheman
thanx for putting me straight, your Credentials are intact.
thougt at least one uk dealer would confess to robbing us, wonder what they would put up as a defence.
thanx for putting me straight, your Credentials are intact.
thougt at least one uk dealer would confess to robbing us, wonder what they would put up as a defence.
18 November 2002, 10:44 AM
#18
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I bought from Gertjan van der Velde, who runs Autobedrijf van der Velde in Zuid Beijerland which is near Rotterdam.
The service is superb. Give him a bell on +31 186 661556 or email gj_velde@wish.net. Tell him Nick sent you
Cheers,
Nick.
The service is superb. Give him a bell on +31 186 661556 or email gj_velde@wish.net. Tell him Nick sent you
Cheers,
Nick.
18 November 2002, 11:07 AM
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the differences I have found with importing are.
Parralel Import, Same car (except security immoboliser only) 3yr Subaru warranty (benelux only), have to pay labour on 1000k service (£40), UK subaru dealers are "not" allowed to refuse to service warranty them ect. (but they can make it difficult).
Grey JDM import, quicker car, better spec, no subaru warranty, speedo changes, sva ect. you get a better car if you are willing and have the time to get it here and get it on the road and keep it there exspensive insurance (apparently).
UK Car
Exspensive (6k more), UK security included. OUCH. Dealer may be nicer to you.
But a key factor is deprecciation. if you spend 22k on a uk car in 1 years time it may be worth 16k, spend 16k on a import it will not be worth 16k in a years time. it will always be worth less than a official Uk car but the question is will you lose out ?. I dont think so as if a 1 year old UK car is 16k and your import is for sale (and sell it) for 14k. you have lost 2k the uk car has lost 6k.
Parralel Import, Same car (except security immoboliser only) 3yr Subaru warranty (benelux only), have to pay labour on 1000k service (£40), UK subaru dealers are "not" allowed to refuse to service warranty them ect. (but they can make it difficult).
Grey JDM import, quicker car, better spec, no subaru warranty, speedo changes, sva ect. you get a better car if you are willing and have the time to get it here and get it on the road and keep it there exspensive insurance (apparently).
UK Car
Exspensive (6k more), UK security included. OUCH. Dealer may be nicer to you.
But a key factor is deprecciation. if you spend 22k on a uk car in 1 years time it may be worth 16k, spend 16k on a import it will not be worth 16k in a years time. it will always be worth less than a official Uk car but the question is will you lose out ?. I dont think so as if a 1 year old UK car is 16k and your import is for sale (and sell it) for 14k. you have lost 2k the uk car has lost 6k.
18 November 2002, 11:07 AM
#20
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GTB Limited:
no offence taken, but it not as if the Parallel import has no warrenty at all.
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Fanx Chiark for the info on yer importer.
no offence taken, but it not as if the Parallel import has no warrenty at all.
----------------------------------------------------------
Fanx Chiark for the info on yer importer.
18 November 2002, 11:46 AM
#22
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Euro parallel imports now have a 3 year warranty, exactly the same a UK car. By purchasing your car in the UK you are lining someone elses pocket and depriving your familly of your hard earnt money! (cue violins ) UK dealers then service them and take care of them. I do not see that you receive any benefit from the purchase of a UK car.
(Dons flame suit)
Ready to be educated otherwise....
) UK dealers then service them and take care of them. I do not see that you receive any benefit from the purchase of a UK car.(Dons flame suit)
Ready to be educated otherwise....
18 November 2002, 12:10 PM
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dan 4 - benelux cars have 3 yr subaru warranty - all other EU imports now ahve to have a minimum 2yr manufacturer warranty by EU law.
Styx - I asked IM about EU cars having work done under warranty - they said as long as the car is registered with them (send them CoC and original supplying dealer invoice) then the dealers will sort warranty issues on your car in exactly the same way as if it was a UK car (ie no going back to original country etc).
So to answer you question there is not one single reason why you shouldn't get an EU import....I challenge any dealers on this bbs to come up with a good reason.....
Styx - I asked IM about EU cars having work done under warranty - they said as long as the car is registered with them (send them CoC and original supplying dealer invoice) then the dealers will sort warranty issues on your car in exactly the same way as if it was a UK car (ie no going back to original country etc).
So to answer you question there is not one single reason why you shouldn't get an EU import....I challenge any dealers on this bbs to come up with a good reason.....
18 November 2002, 01:22 PM
#27
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I've got a Euro MY01.
Others have made valid points about why and why not. Don't forget that when it comes to trade in time UK Scoob dealers can't take your car in p-ex. This will have some bearing on value, since it is a dis-benefit.
IMHO you should still be able to sell a car privately if the price is right. You didn't pay as much so if don't try and get greedy when selling then you'll still win. So it's not a big factor.
Just keep an eye out for MY03 prices if IM drop them to within say £1k of UK cars then IMHO its not worth going down the Euro route
Others have made valid points about why and why not. Don't forget that when it comes to trade in time UK Scoob dealers can't take your car in p-ex. This will have some bearing on value, since it is a dis-benefit.
IMHO you should still be able to sell a car privately if the price is right. You didn't pay as much so if don't try and get greedy when selling then you'll still win. So it's not a big factor.
Just keep an eye out for MY03 prices if IM drop them to within say £1k of UK cars then IMHO its not worth going down the Euro route
18 November 2002, 01:44 PM
#28
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how many calls, letters, phone calls does it take compared with a UK dealer. What about legal/problems and your cover etc etc. What about time delay? Do all these factors plus the sell on value balance it out a bit?
18 November 2002, 01:46 PM
#29
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Apart from the wait, the large deposit, limited finance options, no trade in opportunity, the perceived hassle of getting the alarm fitted yourself, and going through the registration process which involves a lot of forms, there is little reason to buy a UK car
However, some people prefer the peace of mind of dealing with a local dealer. Imagine if after a 6 month wait the car is rolled off the transporter and has the wrong wheels or spoiler or is the wrong colour
You are looking at a lot of grief trying to reject something that you have already paid for.
I have not heard of such a situation, my car was 100%, but cost me £17.5k all in. Do your research, make sure you consider all the implications and do it.
However, some people prefer the peace of mind of dealing with a local dealer. Imagine if after a 6 month wait the car is rolled off the transporter and has the wrong wheels or spoiler or is the wrong colour
You are looking at a lot of grief trying to reject something that you have already paid for.I have not heard of such a situation, my car was 100%, but cost me £17.5k all in. Do your research, make sure you consider all the implications and do it.