cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

First post - so welcome guys.
Been a regular poster on the SXOC (well.. when I was in the UK anyway).
Had an Integra Type R / Lexus IS200 (why am I including that) and my fav.. an S14 200SX (PowerFC and a few mods )

Anyhow.. been out in Japan for a couple of years - taking a break from the UK weather!

Looking at buying a car.. got two in mind and wanted your expert opinion!

It seems strange that even though I am in Japan the car prices really don't seem that much cheaper (if at all?) Please keep in mind that the prices below include the mandatory 2 year Japanese Shaken test (like our MOT) and a years road tax (or so I am led to believe!)
Both from a dealer, his wife is a language student of mine so I hope to get the prices down a tad.

Anyway, I found two I am interested in :

Nissan Skyline R32 GTR (1994)
Approx 100,000km
It looks immaculate and drove very nice. Started well and couldn't see any smoke. Got some weird Volk Racing alloys that look OK I guess.. matter of taste!
Garages seem to be quite honest and from the paperwork I can see it has had some kind of accident to the rear left side. As I said looked nice though.
1 000 000 yen / £6351

Subaru Imprezza WRX STI Type V (1998)
Approx 110,000km
White, lovely wheels, doesn't seem to have any bodywork issues at all - didn't get to drive it yet.
800 000 yen / £5081

My feeling is that the GTR would possibly be worth bringing back to the UK as they are a bit special, but you see the these STIs everywhere don't you? Is it worth importing? I guess the STI has an advantage in MPG / Insurance etc.. Both quick cars. Bit worried that the GTR is a 94 model.. that is getting on a bit eh! Although most people say the GTR is the classic skyline.
Been through the modding phase with my S14 and don't really want to spend another £10k in mods.. (although I am in the right place to do it

I'm thinking of basically offering them about £500 - 800 less than the prices I quoted above and seeing what they come back with.

Anyone care to comment on the prices / running costs etc??
Cheers guys!

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

Pics :
Picasa Web Albums - Ian - Car Choices

WRX Blues

Much as I love GTR's it would be the scoob for me - the wheels in the Skyline are 'revolking'! That said - I agree with your comment on pricing - you could almost buy cheaper in the UK

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

Cheers dude - +1 for the STI then!

smokingkills

iTrader: (3)

For me I'd go for the STi, but if you ask the question on a nissan forum I'd expect they would all say go for the GTR.

Pricing comparison to UK tells the story of the weak pound.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

The STI
If your coming back to the uk soon, neither one as it wont be worth the money as you can get http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1102725.htm like these cheaper over here now.

Tony

dantastic

I'm with Tony on this one, they wouldn't be worth importing into the UK at those prices, there are plenty already over here that are going for less.

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Wow, that R32 GTR price is way way over the going rate. For not much more you could almost get a R33 GTR for that in the UK.

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Between the two i would defo pick the scoob. I am afraid that that skyline, although maybe sought after, looks a bit lame to me. The scoob looks so special it would be a no brainer

Having said all that i would be definitely pricing up a nearly new Nissan GTR to see what deals were available.

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

Quick update.
I have taken off the cost of the Shaken (2 years Japanese MOT test) and basically I have got the V5 STI down to about £3760 now - compared to the £4400 (again without MOT cost) previously. I think that is a much better buy now - what do you think?
Going to check it next tuesday. I know it has a turbo timer and coilovers but apart from that standard I think.

ktm525racing

iTrader: (12)

+1 on the sti but needs standard rear lights

N_Scooby

iTrader: (2)

Shame about the rear lights. If you were to bring it back don't you have to pay VAT and import duty on it? That would all bump up the price. If you just want a car while out there, the scoob looks the better of the 2.

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

I think from what I have heard that if you own the car for over 6mths here you don't need to pay all the import duty etc.. I may be talking rubbish though :-)

N_Scooby

iTrader: (2)

That may be the case as its your own personal car, not like when I imported mine. I think import duty was 10% when I did mine. Think you would still need to pay VAT though. Not sure how they would work it out 6 months down the line. Mine came from the auction house receipt. Good luck with the buying

coolangatta

I think you're right.
My understanding of the regs are that; to avoid import duties/VAT you will have to have been non UK resident for 12 months and have owned the car for at least 6 months

Akita reg plate

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

Sounds good..
Got to say I am impressed with the forum so far, just like the SXOC which was great. Friendly atmosphere and some really helpful comments - cheers!
Now... need to start thinking about boost controllers.. had an HKS EVC IV in the 200..what is the favourite for the Scooby at the moment? Also had a PowerFC before which was good to get the SX running smooth.. is that the best choice for the scoob? I know the V5 you can add a daughterboard or something but would prefer to do a proper job for a solid base with further mods in mind..

N_Scooby

iTrader: (2)

You can re-map the original ECU with ecutek software (plenty do that on here) or if you want a new ecu the the powerFC works well or better is the simtek (so much for your not wanting to blow £10,000 on modding!! Looks like you want to start spending straight away )

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

True mate... I am walking a slippery path.. the ECU is the start... then... aagghhh
I know it has the usual air filter and exhaust upgrades on as well as coilovers.. when I got the SX mapped it increased the MPG quite a bit and I just want to know everything is running as well as can be..
I may try and find a local tuner and see what they do out here in Japan.. makes sense to get any cheap bits whilst I can.. They will probably try to sell me some exhorbitantly priced HKS Fcon system or something :-(

mykp

the yen is quite strong against the pound at the moment. 6 months ago it was 223 yen to £1 now its 156 yen to £1 hence the price changes.

My wifes business is exporting from Japan to the Uk and at the moment the weak pound is killing us. However exporting to Japan we're quids in!

At the prices you quoted with the exchange rate from 6 months ago your cars would be.

Skyline
1 000 000 yen / £6351
previously £4484

Subaru
800 000 yen / £5081
previously £3587

To get the car to the UK will cost you about £600, with shipping and insurance.

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

Six hundred quid is not as bad as I though - thanks for the info.
I can't believe the exchange rates.. I feel for you!
I guess as I am using it now and paying in yen I dont need to feel too bad.. use it, enjoy it.. and if in 6mths things pick up I can send it back to the UK and move on to a newer model with my profits.. *Wishful thinking ended*
Out of interest where is your wife based - I am up in Akita, you both in the UK or is she over here?

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

If he is in japan and he is buying a car to drive there?? The price of the £ to yen has no bearing at all as he will be buying in yen ?

mykp

based in the uk now but was based in Akashi City near Kobe.

timmy2take

iTrader: (7)

First time I've seen a set of ****** lights on an STI in Japan.

cyrusgod

iTrader: (1)

So I will be the official first gaijin ****** owner.. dammit!
Have to get that sorted with some non ****** lights.. Worryingly I quite liked them.. oh no.. its my old Saxo speaking.. have to start somewhere..