jap import experiences?

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I've never bought into the whole jap import thing, but I'm really really thinking that an integra DC5 typeR could be just the car I'm looking for.

• not too expensive
• not ruinous to run
• able to cut it on track

However, it is quite old & they are all Japanese imports.

I've got my head around the fact everyone thinks I'm too old for a riced up civic, the engines are meant to be great, but I've just got this niggling doubt that the whole thing could be a complete nightmare.

• hard to get hold of parts
• insurance woes
• no underseal
• clocked as soon as it got off the boat

Etc etc.

Your experiences greatly welcomed

[Captain Muppet]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

• hard to get hold of parts
• insurance woes
• no underseal
• clocked as soon as it got off the boat

I've had a couple of imports, but both were also available as UK cars (CRX Si and a Eunos).

Part were obviously not a problem (apart from Mazda dealers getting sniffy about some MX5 parts). Honda were helpful and parts were available for the few JDM specific parts (they did say it might be a week or two for a new moonroof, which was a worry)

Insurance has been easy (the import CRX cost less than the slightly modded UK car I had at the same time).

The lack of underseal isn't something I've ever noticed or done anything about and the MX5/Eunos is 20 years old (half of that in the UK and the last five years used all winter and stored outside) and still rust free. The CRXs both rusted in the same places at the same age.

As for clocking - there is nothing stopping everyone in the UK taking a few thousand miles off the clocks before the MOT each year, so every car is a clocking risk.