993 Japanese import questions

[erics]

I am looking at a Japanese lhd c2 imported in the UK.

Seller pretends that none of the Japanese mkt 993s (aircooled in general) had the bonnet sticker... is it true?

Any other difference with European models?

What should be the discount on a Jap car vs an equivalent Euro lhd car? 10-30%?

[Paracetamol]

True on the sticker front...

[EVOeng]

Have a read of the Japanese auction report for additional info. You can also request one if one isn't present with the current owner.

[nsa]

Paracetamol said:

True on the sticker front...

FWIW I have a RHD Japanese 996 and it doesn't have the bonnet sticker. There is one inside the service record.

I looked into the differences on my car a while ago and think it was only KMH speedo and a quieter exhaust. I recall something about underseal on Japanese cars but can't remember details.

[erics]

Thank you guys.

I know that mercs for example were generally detuned engines. Like the 560sec had 272hp in Japan versus 300hp in Europe.

As long as the engines are the same...

[stewart rix]

Surely it can't be a Japanese mkt vehicle if it's lhd?

[erics]

stewart rix said:

Surely it can't be a Japanese mkt vehicle if it's lhd?

A lot of premium cars in Japan are lhd. It seems to be a status thing over there.

[stewart rix]

But not ordered new in Japan - maybe imported from new.

[SignalGruen]

stewart rix said:

But not ordered new in Japan - maybe imported from new.

Japanese speciification cars could be ordered as LHD although some LHD cars could be Euro spec cars that where imported into Japan early in their life. My 964 is Japanese spec with no sticker and my old GT3 was an Italian spec that was imported into Japan and so had a sticker. I have viewed another 964 that was Japanese spec and that had no sticker either.

[erics]

stewart rix said:

But not ordered new in Japan - maybe imported from new.

I have seen, many, many new Japanese cars which were delivered brand new there in lhd.

My general experience is that cars were often detuned due to engine restrictions, bigger catalytic converters or else.

The purpose of this post was to find out specifically how a Japanese 993 differed from a Euro 993. So far we have only identified the missing sticker!

[AvonM]

Japanese imports are very common in NZ and to a lesser extent, Australia. Having lived there for many years and owning some I would strongly advise doing an odometer check, as many cars exported from that country have suspiciously low mileage for their condition.

http://www.japaneseodometercheck.com

[abidr500]

Unless you have a material reduction in price on a euro car , avoid. You'll struggle to sell the car too- in my experience.
It's hard to know what the history of a jap car is if you can't read Japanese!
As referred to before many cars there are clocked, porkers especially.

[erics]

AvonM said:

Japanese imports are very common in NZ and to a lesser extent, Australia. Having lived there for many years and owning some I would strongly advise doing an odometer check, as many cars exported from that country have suspiciously low mileage for their condition.

http://www.japaneseodometercheck.com

Saw the car today. Has auction docs and 2 service books. Looks pukka.

Condition in line with mileage.

Not cheap enough for me to jump in i think.

[NAS90]

In terms of specification difference, Porsche didn't make many significant changes for the Japan market in the 90's, cars were available both LHD & RHD for that market, there are country specific speedo (Kph) and stickers/ manuals/ service books in Japanese but otherwise no major difference to Euro cars; there was of course the long list of options to choose from as there was/is with any Porsche purchase.

I see there's been some advice to only buy a Japan import if it is notably cheaper than Euro, my experience is that Japan imports are much better condition than equivalent Euro cars as they've been in a much better climate. I've had a couple of Japan imports over the years and had no issues at all moving them on, most people buy on condition, recent history and specification and if it is a good car it will make the right money regardless of what market it was first sold in.

When you are judging price of a LHD 993 you need to research further afield than just the tiny UK market; today's classic car market is much more Global than it has previously been and in reality a very clean LHD has a huge buying audience in Europe and further afield who will buy on condition not on whether it was first sold in their market or not. If you follow pricing on sites such as mobile.de you'll see that for certain models pricing is actually stronger in Europe/ rest of world on LHD than it is here on RHD. The last two Porsches I sold here in UK (both LHD) went overseas, one to France and one to Abu Dhabi buyers

At the end of the day, do your own research and buy what you are comfortable with.

[erics]

Thanks for the long post.

I actually bought a 280sl pagoda lhd in Germany and the 560sec lhd in Portugal, both in the past year. Also a little classic fiat 500 in Italy. So relatively familiar with the process.

Japanese cars are a little different. Mileage often clocked. Cars modified inside and outside and somtimes not in a good way.

Now this 993 i saw yesterday. Looked clean and mileage was consistent with condition. Now, it wax not perfect but could be made so i think.

The rear seats have a much wider seat padding. The stereo is different. There is almost none of the euro car stickers around the car. I looked at key points and it looked original panels. Painted in some areas. Good car but in my mind needs to be at least 15-20% discounted vs equivalent euro model.

[roygarth]

erics said:

Japanese cars are a little different. Mileage often clocked. Cars modified inside and outside and somtimes not in a good way.
Good car but in my mind needs to be at least 15-20% discounted vs equivalent euro model.

I think you're right. Various dealers I speak to say that the Japanese cars usually trade at a 15/20% discount to European equivalent.

[Onetrackmind]

I've had a few cars that were imported from Japan. All have been excellent. They are usually well spec'd, rust free due to no use of salt on roads and well maintained. If unsure of mileage get the auction sheet or use the check service mentioned above. I've not heard of any cars being detained. Had an E47 M3 from Japan and the engine was same as Euro car unlike the US market motor.