Freshly imported Honda SMX of baller awesomeness!
Discussion
So, there have been many attempts over the years at making an anti alcohol advertisement. As far as I can tell all have failed. Here's my go...
Late last year a few friends were deliberating over the idea of importing a car from Japan. The usual fluttery of subjects from the back catalogs of Gran Turismo were discussed, until they settled on an Evo and an R32 GTR. Keen to get in on the action I started browsing the auctions, naturally getting excited at the prospect of almost everything passing through. Several bids were placed on stuff including DC2's, AE86's and Mx5's, however nothing won, most not even close.
Then one typically cold Scottish evening one late October we were locked in the pub, the whole notion of the import idea fading away, the subject moved on to other things and the Belgian beers started flowing on into the night.
The Sunday morning brought with it the usual hangover associated with drinks such as Delerium, and I belatedly started to crawl out of bed for the impending days work. A quick glance at the iPad showed the usual drunken messages flicking up off the screen, however one stood out above the rest. Confirmation that overnight, I'd won a car at auction in Japan. And the following is what greeted me:
Once the laughing had stopped things turned more into fear, firstly what had I actually bought? How much money had I thrown away? And what the hell was I going to do with the thing?
The internet tells me it's a Honda SMX, a late 2001 model no less, with a 2 litre petrol mated to a 4 speed auto (with overdrive!!) It's black (obviously) with some sort of bodykit and terrible aftermarket grill.
Late last year a few friends were deliberating over the idea of importing a car from Japan. The usual fluttery of subjects from the back catalogs of Gran Turismo were discussed, until they settled on an Evo and an R32 GTR. Keen to get in on the action I started browsing the auctions, naturally getting excited at the prospect of almost everything passing through. Several bids were placed on stuff including DC2's, AE86's and Mx5's, however nothing won, most not even close.
Then one typically cold Scottish evening one late October we were locked in the pub, the whole notion of the import idea fading away, the subject moved on to other things and the Belgian beers started flowing on into the night.
The Sunday morning brought with it the usual hangover associated with drinks such as Delerium, and I belatedly started to crawl out of bed for the impending days work. A quick glance at the iPad showed the usual drunken messages flicking up off the screen, however one stood out above the rest. Confirmation that overnight, I'd won a car at auction in Japan. And the following is what greeted me:
Once the laughing had stopped things turned more into fear, firstly what had I actually bought? How much money had I thrown away? And what the hell was I going to do with the thing?
The internet tells me it's a Honda SMX, a late 2001 model no less, with a 2 litre petrol mated to a 4 speed auto (with overdrive!!) It's black (obviously) with some sort of bodykit and terrible aftermarket grill.
A few weeks then passed, and after plenty reading and research I started to grow to the idea of the little Honda. The rear seats neatly fold into a double bed meaning it could potentially be an ideal companion for my race car. Anyway, at this point a few more pictures arrived from the imported, notably including a massive dent on the passenger wing 
And that brings us to yesterday, where it was finally time to take the trip to South Shields and collect the thing. I've driven it about 15 miles to the MOT centre and confirm I'm absolutely delighted with it! It's living there for another week or 2 until it's registered then it's coming to it's new home in Edinburgh.
em177 said:
The internet tells me it's a Honda SMX, a late 2001 model no less, with a 2 litre petrol mated to a 4 speed auto (with overdrive!!) It's black (obviously) with some sort of bodykit and terrible aftermarket grill.
That part above tells me everything, and serves as a perfect warning that, as you said, the internet and alcohol don't mix! We've all won a few things using internet auctions when drunk but not many of us have won a car we didn't even know about without googling it, proper PH level respect for that!I love pretty much anything with wheels, and some things without, but even I struggle with this so all credit to you for finding the positive in it. You are a proper inspiration and deserve a lot of praise for your attitude. The car deserves all the ribbing it will no doubt get!
I've had a letter today telling me about a policy that matures next month so I have a nice little lump of cash coming my way and I was going to have a few drinks tonight, you just saved me a fortune because I'm going to avoid drinking tonight since I've already been looking at getting another MX5 with the money and I know what might happen if I mix the two.
Terrible car, great PH'er!
poing said:
Some kind stuff
Enjoyed reading that, there's no point being boring... we're only here once 
Accelerated said:
Kinda cool!
Can I just ask what sorts of fees are paid to bring it over? And also how easy / hard was the import process ?
I was lucky a good friend of mine has imported quite a few cars, as mentioned below taxes and shipping etc was considerably more than the cost of the car Can I just ask what sorts of fees are paid to bring it over? And also how easy / hard was the import process ?
There are plenty of import specialists around again depending on the type of thing you're after. For example I've seen quite a few of the MX5's Goodwood Sports Cars have imported and there's some stunning cars around for not much money.rossub said:
Oh dear god!
Cost of the car would have been bugger all, so the fees and shipping etc are probably about 4 X that
Look on the bright side - is there even another one in the UK? Unlikely!
There are a few but not many of the later RH2 facelift which mine is, most are late nineties models in the UK. It's only done 96k km as well so loads of life left in it, and it's mint underneath. Cost of the car would have been bugger all, so the fees and shipping etc are probably about 4 X that
Look on the bright side - is there even another one in the UK? Unlikely!
Edited by em177 on Saturday 23 January 13:13
rossub said:
Just checked 'How Many Left' and there appear to be no others in existence in the uk.
There's quite a few. There's an SMX forum and they have a stand at Japfest each year too..http://www.hondasmxclub.com/forums/
Butter Face said:
rossub said:
Just checked 'How Many Left' and there appear to be no others in existence in the uk.
There's quite a few. There's an SMX forum and they have a stand at Japfest each year too..http://www.hondasmxclub.com/forums/
rossub said:
Butter Face said:
rossub said:
Just checked 'How Many Left' and there appear to be no others in existence in the uk.
There's quite a few. There's an SMX forum and they have a stand at Japfest each year too..http://www.hondasmxclub.com/forums/
But it's got a back story. You're going to crash in it (as in sleep) at least once. It's going to be one of those cars that gets under your skin and you'll never forget. For me, these are the best kind of cars 
(says a man with a 25yr old imported Mitsubishi Delica L300)
Plus you just need to retune your thinking on the body kit... Scroll down...
(says a man with a 25yr old imported Mitsubishi Delica L300)Plus you just need to retune your thinking on the body kit... Scroll down...
Accelerated said:
Kinda cool!
Can I just ask what sorts of fees are paid to bring it over? And also how easy / hard was the import process ?
It's actually pretty easy.Can I just ask what sorts of fees are paid to bring it over? And also how easy / hard was the import process ?
You will pay 20% VAT on the cost of the vehicle + shipping, plus 10% duty, and some handling fees an whatnot, have a look on tradecarview, the FOB is the fee on board, that's the cost of the car and shipping, and everything, on the boat, on the way to you. You normally need to pay someone to handle it off the ship for you but that was £50 when I did it, plus they'd hold the car for 3 days or so if needed.
ArsE92 said:
Excellent.
K20A conversion?
I'm pretty sure these have a B20 anyway, you can add a B18 head (with a conversion kit) and a map and it will make pretty decent power (230bhp I reckon)K20A conversion?
A K20 conversion would be a pain in the ass and you'd lose that amaazzzzzzzzzzzziiiinnnnn autobox too
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