Importing (EVO)

[pimpchez]

After finally find a decent insurance quote ive decided to try and import a VII before the spring is over and life throws me a curveball.

I have contacted DCY europe (prices are silly) JM imports (didnt answer any of there 5 lines) and JDMauctionwatch and first choice imports.

First choice are my "first" choice so far as i have got email contact with him.Has anyone used this company before? he is quoting ~6500£ OTR ready to collect for a grade 3-3.5 which is bang on budget.

How has peoples import experience been , im scared of picking it up and the engine/diff is f55ked.

[EK9_CTR]

Have you tried Torque GT or Newera Imports?

[eybic]

The name that used to be synonymous with imports was newera, if I was looking to get a freshly imported car, they are who I would go with.

[Bdevo3]

New era source the finest jap imports although they price accordingly

[EK9_CTR]

I've always been told Newera's cars are some of the best, but as stated above you'll need to pay for it.

Not heard anything bad about Torque GT, they've built a reputation of bringing in decent examples.

[KarlMac]

Although DCY are expensive they only really deal in very good cars. They're well respected on lancer register.

Torque GT, again pricey but very pricey.

Try to go for a grade 4b if you can, there's quite a big step in quality from a 3.5.

I imported mine through Hurst Cars. He has a good rep for Subaru and is currently expanding into Evos (think mine was his first). Would recommend max to anyone.

[pimpchez]

Torque GT only deal in cars more than double my budget and DCY have a dubious reputation

All i want is a man that can import and register , theirs a couple on facebook that ive noticed and charge between £500 & £700.I dont see why i should pay a bigger firm a much bigger fee for the same service as they all say there is no comeback on what you buy. I will keep looking

[Axeboy]

That's fine and I have done that a number of times.

I'm sure you know, but the difference is that you run the risk of what condition the car is in. A 3 or 3.5 might be ok, but it could have issues that are likely not shown on the auction sheet. There is no comeback with those importers although if you are going in with a full understanding, that's fine (as I did too).

Just set aside a pot for works that may be required and didn't expect.

[Axeboy]

A bit more info for you if it helps, I posted this for another thread late last year:

"Ive done it a couple of times, currently doing one using Autospecs/Japanusecars

Website here: http://www.japaneseusedcars.com/

Has some useful calculators etc, simply put the main costs are:

Purchase price in Japan (FOB)
Agents Fee (maybe £300 to £500)
Shipping (say £700 to £1000)
Customs Agent Fee if needed (maybe £100)
Various insurances (not much)
Import duty/tax when it arrives
Transport from the docks to you
SVA, cars over 10 years old are simple enough to register (needs MOT)
Convert to UK, fog light basically and switch kph to mph

Exchange rate isn't great, but some good cars still over there. Check the website for more info and if you check Facebook they have a decent page, speak with Michael.

Normal process for any of these sites/companies is to drop a deposit to be able to bid. However, you may be allowed to browse without bidding if you ask, that way you can check prices etc.

Also, some sites have "dealer" cars or Pre-auction cars for a fixed price. Hope that helps."



So, having a quick look for you I would propose the following total charges:

Evo 7 2001 with maybe 80k to 140k (kms) and condition 3 or 3.5 = approx. 500000 to 700000yen (this could be a bit cheaper with higher miles), say 600000 which is £4317
Agents Fee £500
Shipping £800
Customs Agent £100
VAT £1170
Import Duty £532

Those are the "core" fees which comes to £7419

Beyond that you will have other smaller costs such as transport from the docks if needed, the registration and first tax fee etc etc but its not a lot. The car will most likely need undersealed and converted but any repairs done that it needs. It most likely will need some work if its a 3 or even 3.5


So, that's all based on factual numbers on recent auction values. I hope it helps.

[pimpchez]

Axeboy said:

A bit more info for you if it helps, I posted this for another thread late last year:

"Ive done it a couple of times, currently doing one using Autospecs/Japanusecars

Website here: http://www.japaneseusedcars.com/

Has some useful calculators etc, simply put the main costs are:

Purchase price in Japan (FOB)
Agents Fee (maybe £300 to £500)
Shipping (say £700 to £1000)
Customs Agent Fee if needed (maybe £100)
Various insurances (not much)
Import duty/tax when it arrives
Transport from the docks to you
SVA, cars over 10 years old are simple enough to register (needs MOT)
Convert to UK, fog light basically and switch kph to mph

Exchange rate isn't great, but some good cars still over there. Check the website for more info and if you check Facebook they have a decent page, speak with Michael.

Normal process for any of these sites/companies is to drop a deposit to be able to bid. However, you may be allowed to browse without bidding if you ask, that way you can check prices etc.

Also, some sites have "dealer" cars or Pre-auction cars for a fixed price. Hope that helps."



So, having a quick look for you I would propose the following total charges:

Evo 7 2001 with maybe 80k to 140k (kms) and condition 3 or 3.5 = approx. 500000 to 700000yen (this could be a bit cheaper with higher miles), say 600000 which is £4317
Agents Fee £500
Shipping £800
Customs Agent £100
VAT £1170
Import Duty £532

Those are the "core" fees which comes to £7419

Beyond that you will have other smaller costs such as transport from the docks if needed, the registration and first tax fee etc etc but its not a lot. The car will most likely need undersealed and converted but any repairs done that it needs. It most likely will need some work if its a 3 or even 3.5


So, that's all based on factual numbers on recent auction values. I hope it helps.

Thats bloody brilliant thats what i have failed to see so far a proper breakdown.I also didn't know that website existed , looks like i will have to increase my budget .Who needs a holiday abroad , devon is fine right ha?

Undersealing is about £350 at c1-r in lye which is the closest evo place to me. At 7500 i think i could get one from the UK easily enough but you take the rust risk. I do want to keep it for a few years hence my preference to import to reduce the rot risk.

[Trabi601]

In my experience of grade 3 / 3.5 imports, you really don't want to take a chance on one.

I saw a number of 3.5 Bongos which needed hundreds of pounds worth of remedial work to bring them up to grade 4 standard - you'd want to do it, too, as 3.5s look very tatty.

[pimpchez]

Trabi601 said:

In my experience of grade 3 / 3.5 imports, you really don't want to take a chance on one.

I saw a number of 3.5 Bongos which needed hundreds of pounds worth of remedial work to bring them up to grade 4 standard - you'd want to do it, too, as 3.5s look very tatty.

Do Go on ... As i only want a 7 , they can be here for £7000 or there abouts ,but the rot scares me.

[Trabi601]

No rot, but covered in dents and scratches. It may be that Bongos attract this more than other cars due to how they're used, though.

Big one is interiors - the Japanese are really heavy smokers, so a 3.5C will not only have a tatty exterior, but also have several noticeable cigarette burns inside.

The Alphard we ended up buying is a 4B - it looks and feels like something that's only a few years old.

[Axeboy]

I partly agree with the above. A 3 or 3.5 will have some work needed.

As a rough guide, a 3 or 3.5 is probably best termed "OK" so I would expect some work to be done.

Long story short, as the exchange rate is so bad right now, best to buy one in the UK in my opinion.

[pimpchez]

Axeboy said:

I partly agree with the above. A 3 or 3.5 will have some work needed.

As a rough guide, a 3 or 3.5 is probably best termed "OK" so I would expect some work to be done.

Long story short, as the exchange rate is so bad right now, best to buy one in the UK in my opinion.

Well with the link you provided , i think your spot on.Thats a great database btw , i got excel out found the average selling price of grade 3.5s and your talking 9100£ mot`d which is mental the exchange rate difference compared to feb last year is crazy.

Thanks for the info , has been a real eye opener.

[pimpchez]

A little bit of an update

After speaking to MLR members , they have pointed me in the direction of aberdeenshire imports as he quite reputable. I had a good converstion with him over the weekend and he showed me some recent selling prices :O and advised i up my budget a little bit.

On sunday i drove my friends evo 9 running 400/400 ish as its maxed its injectors which redefined my understanding of fast for the street. Totally sold , let the hardcore saving begin.

I am aiming now for summer , not sure if i will import as its really a car i need to test drive for faults.

[Lefty]

pimpchez said:

Torque GT only deal in cars more than double my budget and DCY have a dubious reputation

All i want is a man that can import and register , theirs a couple on facebook that ive noticed and charge between £500 & £700.I dont see why i should pay a bigger firm a much bigger fee for the same service as they all say there is no comeback on what you buy. I will keep looking

Really? Hmmm, i'm interested in their current Evo VI's and they do seem dear at £12k but theyre in great condition. What's the reputation problem? Can you PM me if you dont want to share it publicly!

Cheers
Lefty