nascar24

So are there any reasons not to buy an import, what about security for example is the alarm system the same as UK cars?

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Very often will not have an alarm fitted when it first comes to our shore. Most will have a cat 1 system fitted after its imported.
That's on classics anyway, not sure if newage cars came with standard alarms.

jimmyinrugby

iTrader: (1)

They rust !

rev.chris

they dont rust that bad really, not for the age of the cars, (if were talking classics)

juggers

iTrader: (1)

What year car are you buying? If it's a MY03+ then theres loads of reasons to buy an import

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

Erm only if not undercoated, and seeing as the cars have spent less time on unsalted roads, and in a warm climate they won`t have rusted.

And all you have to do is prep and underseal a car, and most are done by the importers, along with speedo converter, rear fog etc.

addi monster

iTrader: (6)

my car is 16 years old now and has no rust at all, as said above get it sealed up asap and all will be well,.

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

Mine is a 1995 imported in 2004, and has little to no rut what so ever, and I`ll be getting a full undercoat and waxing of all internal sills etc, just to make sure she lasts.
Worth doing every few years on any car, as its not an expensive thing to do.

marcevs72

iTrader: (5)

mine is a 93wrx imported in 2004 and not a spot of rust on it.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Avoid dodgy dealers, the car must pass some basic requirements to run on our roads, those are a cat 1 alarm system needs to be fitted, a rear fog needs fitting, tyres need to be of an EU standard and the speedo has to be converted to MPH.
If its not had these done then walk away, they are a legal requirement!! (plus they put some dodgy MOT on them without rear fogs etc).

Tony

jimmyinrugby

iTrader: (1)

I mean things have thiner cheaper metal fitted,so when they come here they rust,bit of metal below the inter coolier went on mine,bugger knows what its called

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

Nope same car. They have ALUMINIUM panels fitted to reduce weight, but not thinner steel lol.

addi monster

iTrader: (6)

its ok jimmy has been on the crack again

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

My uk classic has more rust than my 1994 import and import was 4 years older.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

It may have an alloy bonnet but thats about it panels are steel, just like the other cars

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

jimmyinrugby

iTrader: (1)

NO it HASN'T !! So that's p1ssed on your chips !!
When I took my car to Area 52 a few weeks ago they changed this bit of metal and said they rust easier as its a jap car and the metal is thiner !! And yes 350ish k's lighter,so FASTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

addi monster

iTrader: (6)

just a quikie here but i had a jdm sti a few years back and that had an ali bonnet and ali wings,. not sure about the wings on my current jdm but i am now looking for a magnet to go test them lol,. verdict comming soon,,,,,,,,,,,,

*_Ste_*

If you mean classics my 94 WRX had no rust at all unlike my 98 Turbo 2000, more power, less weight and, strangely, cheaper to insure (for me anyway)

Is there any reason to buy a UK car more like?

jimmyinrugby

iTrader: (1)

Mines carbon fibre

pooeater

jimmyinrugby

iTrader: (1)

And insurance is far far more expensive,my white UK one was around £250 a year,and the yellow peril is £500 ish a year ! Both R reg !

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

Amazing what some will believe if told by a "professional" lol.

pooeater

TurboAndy

iTrader: (1)

I never have had nor would I ever get a uk car. JDM are higher spec than uk cars also with them usualy coming from hotter country's and country's that use little salt they tend to be mint underneath and have no dreaded rot. Just make sure you get it under sealed ASAP and wax oiled.
Also part of the SVA tests that ALL imports have to go though is to have an alarm/immobiliser fitted. One thing to bear in mind is that not all importers will remap the car to run on uk fuel.

scoobiepaul

Avoid dodgy dealers, the car must pass some basic requirements to run on our roads, those are a cat 1 alarm system needs to be fitted, a rear fog needs fitting, tyres need to be of an EU standard and the speedo has to be converted to MPH.
If its not had these done then walk away, they are a legal requirement!! (plus they put some dodgy MOT on them without rear fogs etc).

Tony (quote)

When I got my car nearly three years ago it only had a cat 2 alarm fitted, it came from a small dealer so do you think it had a dodgy mot? It has since passed two mot's without issue.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

The ONLY aluminium panels that Subaru fitted to an Impreza was a bonnet. They didn't ever do wings/doors or any other panel.

So Jimmy, what piece of "thin" metal did area 52 replace ???

Jap cars do not rust any worse than UK cars as long as they were undersealed when imported. I've seen many UK cars with far worse rust than my STI had.

Tony,
I once bought a car direct from the importer. I then had to go about getting an alarm fitted, convert the speedo, fog light etc etc.
If you buy from a dealer and it's already registered then yes it should have the above already done.

chopperman

Checking the history of an import my be near impossible. How would you know if it's been crashed and repaired or stolen for export?

addi monster

iTrader: (6)

probs the main benefit with an import is they cant test the imissions so you can run a full decat set up with no MOT problems,.

jimmyinrugby

iTrader: (1)

If you look under the intercooler there is a big metal pipe,mainifold I think or something to do with the exhaust,it has a housing round it,and jap cars are known for rotting there,and another place where the metal just "falls off" not long after being in the uk as of our roads,I know Jack **** as you know,just going by what I am told....But in general of course they will be less rust than uk cars,and am I right in saying 300-400 k's lighter?