Thursday 7th February 2008

First UK R35

The first imported car has landed

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We've run a few stories on the new GT-R recently, each time with a hint of sadness that we have to wait so long for one arrive in the UK, March 2009 to be precise.

One man who didn't want to wait was Ben Linney, he ordered his car as soon as details were announced, not a bad idea as his car was guaranteed an early build slot and his car was ready for collection on the 6th December.

Bad weather delayed shipping meaning an anxious wait, but the car finally arrived in the UK last week.

We all know that the Japanese can buy an R35 for a shade under £40,000 so how much did it cost Ben to import his own? £50,000 is the answer, and that was including transport costs, model report and UK registration.

Looking at the pictures, we reckon that's money well spent.

^{Picture credit: Max Power}

 

[cowellsj]

Yum yum, looks nice in white too.

Btw mate, you've got you phone charger trapped in the passenger door.

Edited by cowellsj on Thursday 7th February 11:41

[paul26982]

outstanding, best colour too

[FiveStar]

Anyone want to lend me 50K to buy one of these and import it over here??

Edited by FiveStar on Thursday 7th February 11:42

[RickLine86]

I didn't realise Japanese cars were RHD.

So you get it a year earlier and £10k cheaper that the probable UK price in March 09?

Seems like a no-brainer to me - I would right now if I could afford to!!

[insanojackson]

now if i used 100% of my savings, traded in my car and got a 5k loan i could get one, wouldnt be a good idea!!!!!!


or would it????

[scotty_917]

Can Pistonheads / Autocar approach Nissan GB and see how the addtional cost of the UK model is justified? Surely with their bulk shipping it should sell for less than £50k! .......agree, looks fantastic in white....can't wait for GT5 on the PS3!!!

[Mr E]

Erm, how did that get through the SVA without a model report?

[melomal]

by far one of the best looking, and one of the best in general cars out.

the new dream car of every male, and compared to lambos and ferrari's it could be seen as affordable

[Vixpy1]

Mr E said:

Erm, how did that get through the SVA without a model report?

Yes, I'd be interested to know that too.

[dxb335d]

Looks great in white. Very nice car and must be satisfying to have the only one in the UK currently and for the foreseeable future.

I thought Nissan UK would sue the tits off anyone who imports one before official Uk launch?


Carlos

[torres del paine]

Gets my vote. Liked this car from the off.

50 grand for a Jap tech masterpiece; twin turbo allrounder with 480bhp and racing heritage.

[kennys]

does it not even come in manual? whats this world coming to?

[cowellsj]

Vixpy1 said:

Mr E said:

Erm, how did that get through the SVA without a model report?

Yes, I'd be interested to know that too.

What's a model report and why would this be a problem?

I take it there is a procedure to follow when importing a car like this and he must have followed it.

[Vixpy1]

cowellsj said:

Vixpy1 said:

Mr E said:

Erm, how did that get through the SVA without a model report?

Yes, I'd be interested to know that too.

What's a model report and why would this be a problem?

I take it there is a procedure to follow when importing a car like this and he must have followed it.

Cars imported under 10 years old must have a large technical document called a model report in order to pass the SVA. Hence the very very small number of NSX-R's around. Its very expensive to create a model report and the manufactuers don't usually release them

I'm assuming someone has already done one for the R35.

[Garlick]

The car had the SVA tests done- added to the story to clarify.

[Godzilla]

Yes indeed. Notice the car is not shown on UK plates.

I believe only Nissan GB are going to have the model report and they ain't lending it to anyone!
This is what they meant when they said they were going to "prevent people bringing in cars for less than the UK price".

I also don't think anyone has got round the GPS-controlled 112mph speed limiter yet either.

Even Middlehurst said their first "demo" car will be static, or at most used on track only...

[LukeBird]

Fantastic!
Looks absolutely incredible in white, I desperately want one!
Must be pretty nice to say that he has the only one in the UK and probably one of a few until UK launch.

[jsr]

Look great in white. I REALLY REALLY want one of these, in white also. Watched a video last night on YouTube - i think it was a best motoring test? Anyway, it was a three lap race against a 997 Turbo. The 997 looked out of shape every corner and was well and truely beat by the GT-R which actually started the length of the main straight behind the porsche!!!

[danrc]

WOW. What a car. What a colour!! Just hope he manages to get it serviced ok over here.

[smele]

Oh, automatic.