Japanese Car Importing

[forzaminardi]

Anyone had any experience of importing any rarer second-hand machinery from Japan?

I am in the position of, in the next year or so, being able to (all being well) invest in a Toyota GT-86. But of course one can't forget one's boyhood dreams (of the car-related sort; I haven't forgotten the other sorts either, just they've been tempered by reality. Anyway...) and the Honda NSX still asserts a strong draw. Obviously the shortage of decent and affordable NSXs is short in the UK. I am sure they are equally valued and scarce in Japan, but if it extends the opportunity to get one I'd consider it.

So, yeah, anyone had any experience of importing any rarer second-hand machinery from Japan?

[ajf]

Exchange rate is not good other than that check out sva rules if the cars over 10 years old it's ester than new cars which need a model report

Adrian

[Evil.soup]

It may be worth giving Litchfield Imports a ring. They have specialised in Impreza's in the past but now import a variety of specialist and exotic models so if there is a good one out there they can probably find it for you.

http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/

[nottyash]

I imported a Black Civic Type R EK9 in 2008 as I always wanted one. I also got a Starlet Glanza for the Mrs.
I used Mashamoto with no real problems at the time, however when I bought a Legacy B4 in 2010 they went bust after taking the full payment so I was out of pocket and with no car.
The tt that ran it up in Newcastle has moved on too, so I cant knock my money out of him.....yet;)

I would say use a reputable dealer, such as Litchfield. You pay more but your moneys safer.
Problem at the moment is the Yen is too strong, so there are no bargains like a few year ago.

[Stu R]

Not an NSX but plenty of other stuff.

Honestly, I'd go with someone reputable who's already doing it rather than the ballache of DIY (I say that as an importer and exporter too ). Newera, Litchfield etc. Not sure who's favourable with the Honda crowd.

Best sit down with a stiff drink before you get some prices though if it's a tidy manual with a decent auction report though

[Slurms]

Exchange rate as has been commented is the problem these days.

[DC5TEG]

Cheapest route is to do it yourself, just organise an agent to deal with the shipping, do your research and do the rest!!

However as mentioned, the exchange rate has kicked the arse out the importing business at the moment. I have my FD2 up for sale at the moment for 16k. To import one the now same age and same spec, your looking at 25k. That gives you an idea of prices.

5 years ago i got a nearly new DC5 for 13k!!!

If it was me, i'd look at buying what is in Country, whatever Jap import your after?

[Viperzs]

Slurms said:

Exchange rate as has been commented is the problem these days.

It has just started to go up actually, still nothing like it used to be. It's been around 129 recently but gone up to 132.

Wait for a while and hope it keeps going up.