So what car have you been obsessing about today?? (Vol 2)

[DodgyGeezer]

I wouldn't be upset to own this...

[captain.scarlet]

Still toying with the idea of buying this 1995 Toyota Mark II and shipping it back to the UK. Nothing like a rarer, retro Japanese saloon on the UK streets.

Although it has the 2.5 1JZ GE engine and not the GTE, a part of me thinks: so what?!

[tinyboytim]

How much is the price, delivered to the UK? Interesting car.

[McGee_22]

keo said:

Baldchap said:

I have put a deposit down on an Alpina B5 Touring so quite excited about that. 621bhp and 800nm might actually be enough for a daily.

Please do a readers car thread on it when it arrives! I have been reading all I can on Alpina lately

Seconded - I have one of the first Alpina 5 series Tourings and they are fantastic

[captain.scarlet]

tinyboytim said:

How much is the price, delivered to the UK? Interesting car.

Admittedly I've not followed up on the import thread in which I was discussing the above car, so apologies if anyone from there is reading this. The car is in the UAE and as it's not yet at least 30 years old it can't be given classic number plates. Ergo it can't be registered to be driven on the roads and therefore has to be exported if sold to a private buyer.

The dealer has asked for around £3,500 (based on the current exchange rate). I'm hoping that the fact it can't be driven and therefore has to be exported could mean I could get more knocked off. Once the car is 30 years old then it will jump in value as something both collectible and driveable on classic number plates.

I learned in the other thread that no UK import duty is payable if the car has been owned for more than a year, leaving just the shipping cost (before registration, MOT etc). I believe that's around £3,000 - £4,000 but I'm still not 100% sure. So in total I think you'd be looking at around £8,000. Maybe someone else knows shipping costs better.

By contrast, last Saturday I came across this 1998 Mark II with the 2 litre 1G FE engine. The dealer wanted about £2,000 for it in contrast.











Both look great in the flesh and the 1998 model is the tidier of the two inside, but personally I'm more swayed by the 1995 model for looks, especially the rear.

And that was before I stumbled across this equally tempting 2003 Crown (2.5 1JZ FSE).




The asking price was about £2,900. If I could I'd get this 'as well' and I'd like to think of these cars as a little bit different but with the potential to appreciate in value and to get the shipping etc costs back. It has to all be worth it as well.

A bit late but apologies for the lengthy post.

[Stick Legs]

P5BNij said:

I've been getting pangs for S3 Bentleys again, specifically the Continental Flying Spur variety...



And the William Towns Aston DBS...

Edited by P5BNij on Monday 15th August 15:16

The DBS V8 is sublime (I know that’s a DBS-6 above)

It’s my second lottery win purchase after a V550 Vantage.

The S3 shows what I have long suspected that late 1960’s car design is the pinnacle aesthetically.

Edited by Stick Legs on Monday 15th August 22:35

[tinyboytim]

captain.scarlet said:

Admittedly I've not followed up on the import thread in which I was discussing the above car, so apologies if anyone from there is reading this. The car is in the UAE and as it's not yet at least 30 years old it can't be given classic number plates. Ergo it can't be registered to be driven on the roads and therefore has to be exported if sold to a private buyer.

A bit late but apologies for the lengthy post.

Certainly interesting cars but now you have mentioned the back story, a couple of things spring to mind.
Have you tried to source one directly from Japan? From my own experience (I have imported quite a few over the years), the paperwork is prepared for you if you use a decent sourcing company. Also your shipping costs seem quite high. Normally my shipping cost from Japan to Southampton is around 800 pounds, although recent world events may have made that a little more expensive.
The auctions in Japan go all the time so you would have a lot of opportunity to find a suitable car. Also you would get the auction grading system if buying from there so you can be fairly confident as to what to expect. Again having all the paperwork in order is a big plus - never had an issue using the company I use in Japan.

[MissChief]

epom said:

Leins said:

I really fancy some early 90s turbocharged 4WD, but don’t like the prices of Integrales. These two options are currently calling out to me

Sunny GTI-R ??

Are there even any left that haven't been boosted within an inch of the crankcase's life and had all manor of 'additions' like it was dragged backwards through the Demon Tweeks showroom or turned into a rally car? And weren't the gearboxes on these made of chocolate?

[blearyeyedboy]

MissChief said:

Are there even any left that haven't been boosted within an inch of the crankcase's life and had all manor of 'additions' like it was dragged backwards through the Demon Tweeks showroom or turned into a rally car? And weren't the gearboxes on these made of chocolate?

There will be but they'll be very hard to find, likely to exist only in Japan, and only be available at an eye-wateringly high price.

[Leins]

MissChief said:

epom said:

Leins said:

I really fancy some early 90s turbocharged 4WD, but don’t like the prices of Integrales. These two options are currently calling out to me

Sunny GTI-R ??

Are there even any left that haven't been boosted within an inch of the crankcase's life and had all manor of 'additions' like it was dragged backwards through the Demon Tweeks showroom or turned into a rally car? And weren't the gearboxes on these made of chocolate?

I think that’s the issue with most Japanese 4WD stuff from the late 80 / early 90s. I would think the likes of the Mazda 323 and Celica GT4s would be the same

Early Legacy has perhaps escaped a similar fate, but even then it probably needs luck to find a non-rusty standard one

S2s have been getting pricey over the last while, especially the Avants, but to my eyes they’re still a great looking car. In some ways they even appeal more than the Ur Quattro, even leaving aside the massive value difference

[Killer2005]

Day 365 of not having any clue about car I should have next, this is lovely

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13728749

[captain.scarlet]

tinyboytim said:

captain.scarlet said:

Admittedly I've not followed up on the import thread in which I was discussing the above car, so apologies if anyone from there is reading this. The car is in the UAE and as it's not yet at least 30 years old it can't be given classic number plates. Ergo it can't be registered to be driven on the roads and therefore has to be exported if sold to a private buyer.

A bit late but apologies for the lengthy post.

Certainly interesting cars but now you have mentioned the back story, a couple of things spring to mind.
Have you tried to source one directly from Japan? From my own experience (I have imported quite a few over the years), the paperwork is prepared for you if you use a decent sourcing company. Also your shipping costs seem quite high. Normally my shipping cost from Japan to Southampton is around 800 pounds, although recent world events may have made that a little more expensive.
The auctions in Japan go all the time so you would have a lot of opportunity to find a suitable car. Also you would get the auction grading system if buying from there so you can be fairly confident as to what to expect. Again having all the paperwork in order is a big plus - never had an issue using the company I use in Japan.

£800 from Japan sounds like a bargain.

I would be a complete novice at shipping anything to the UK but I believe the route was Dubai or Sharjah to Southampton. I conducted a basic Google search and the quote of several thousand was based one of the top search results. Maybe no surprise at that.

For convenience, Hull would be the best destination.

Certainly, from what you've advised, it would be best to get a whole load more quotes, however.

A price comparison website would be beneficial for this kind of thing and I'm assuming if I did want to get anything to Hull, it could mean containers being taken elsewhere first and thereby possibly add to the cost.

I haven't used any Japanese auction websites but I'd certainly give them a try.

Are there any you recommend or know are trustworthy (sending your money to an unknown party in another country etc)?

[Harry Flashman]

My absolute dream car.

Not an original, as I think they are millions. I don't care.

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1445474

Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 17th August 10:08

[epom]

https://rallycarsforsale.net/ads/subaru-impreza-gr...

Oh Goodness me....

[P5BNij]

Stick Legs said:

P5BNij said:

I've been getting pangs for S3 Bentleys again, specifically the Continental Flying Spur variety...



And the William Towns Aston DBS...

Edited by P5BNij on Monday 15th August 15:16

The DBS V8 is sublime (I know that’s a DBS-6 above)

It’s my second lottery win purchase after a V550 Vantage.

The S3 shows what I have long suspected that late 1960’s car design is the pinnacle aesthetically.

Edited by Stick Legs on Monday 15th August 22:35

Two weeks on and I still can't stop daydreaming...

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1488373





We've had quite a few threads recently where PH'ers are questioning their own enthusiasm for cars in general, I can understand it to some extent but in my case the desire and enthusiasm just seems to increase as the years fly by. It doesn't matter that I'll probably never be able to afford the Bentley above, just knowing it exists and that I want one is enough, well, almost

[RDMcG]

Beautiful car that Bentley -nothing vulgar or shouty about it .

[RC1807]

I drove my IFA's Taycan Sport Turismo Turbo yesterday.

I WANT ONE!

I'm quite a lot of money short on the price, though......

[keo]

RC1807 said:

I drove my IFA's Taycan Sport Turismo Turbo yesterday.

I WANT ONE!

I'm quite a lot of money short on the price, though......

I saw one absolutely launch off a roundabout yesterday. Never seen anything accelerate like that!

[RosscoPCole]

P5BNij said:

Stick Legs said:

P5BNij said:

I've been getting pangs for S3 Bentleys again, specifically the Continental Flying Spur variety...



And the William Towns Aston DBS...

Edited by P5BNij on Monday 15th August 15:16

The DBS V8 is sublime (I know that’s a DBS-6 above)

It’s my second lottery win purchase after a V550 Vantage.

The S3 shows what I have long suspected that late 1960’s car design is the pinnacle aesthetically.

Edited by Stick Legs on Monday 15th August 22:35

Two weeks on and I still can't stop daydreaming...

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1488373





We've had quite a few threads recently where PH'ers are questioning their own enthusiasm for cars in general, I can understand it to some extent but in my case the desire and enthusiasm just seems to increase as the years fly by. It doesn't matter that I'll probably never be able to afford the Bentley above, just knowing it exists and that I want one is enough, well, almost

When I was in my early teens our neighbour had a 1963 Bentley Continental and 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom II. Both were amazing to be driven around in. Loved going to collect the fish and chips in either of them. The Bentley just wafted imperiously around whilst everything else seemed to move out of the way. The Phantom II was a totally different experience. It was a two seater boat tail roadster. It seemed alive when it was driven and it almost spoke to you.

[Wadeski]

Big. dumb. Fast. Available.

and unlike everything similar from Japan from the same era....still pretty cheap.

As a ridiculous ride to rumble about in on the weekend, its got some charm. Back seats for kids, too.