disadvantages to buying an import??

[bar_steward]

Hi all,
my brother is looking at possibly buying an imported car (350Z) and my immediate reaction was negative but i was wondering if anyone has got experience of buying an imported vehicle and any problems they had or not?
cheers!

[Chris71]

In reality I think the pros even out the cons. People will tell you that some Japanse makes don't rust proof their cars to the same extent for the domestic market, likewise some insurers will charge marginally more for an import. Personally I never found either of these to be a major factor with my Eunos (MX5).

[RobM77]

I once bought a car from a BMW main dealer and was literally just about to shake on the deal when I was told it was a RHD import, ordered from Holland and transported brand new to UK and registered here. I think I paid more on insurance (though I can't quite remember), but even worse was the trouble that my Lotus dealer had getting a trade in quote for it. Lots of dealers just wouldn't touch it. I couldn't sell it privately either.

[Negative Creep]

Not all parts are the same as the UK model. However with something as popular as a 350z I'm sure there are plenty of companies who could source them for you

[saaby93]

I've noticed there's a check box for import on the insurance seacrh sites so it probably makes enough difference

I've been looking to import a Honda Jazz

Honda tried selling the Jazz from Japan in Australia but found the price wrong and import companies beating them with Malayasian imports. Eventually Honda realised and now bring in the Malaysian model made in Thailand for about A$3000 less
The Jazz is also expensive here in the UK and isnt available in so many colours etc

Has anyone tried importing from Australia? Google turns up importing to Australia

Maybe this should be a new thread

[jamoor]

RobM77 said:

I once bought a car from a BMW main dealer and was literally just about to shake on the deal when I was told it was a RHD import, ordered from Holland and transported brand new to UK and registered here. I think I paid more on insurance (though I can't quite remember), but even worse was the trouble that my Lotus dealer had getting a trade in quote for it. Lots of dealers just wouldn't touch it. I couldn't sell it privately either.

Depends on how old it is, after 3-4 years it totally doesn't matter as long as it's the same spec as a local model.

[HellDiver]

There used to be a company in England that specialised in importing cars from Oz - mostly Holdens like the Maloo, Commodore, Monaro etc before Poxhall started selling some of the models. They brough in other cars like the Falcon as well if memory serves.

I'm sure they'd probably be able to get a Honda as well.

[Denis O]

Imports have a stigma attached to them, for whatever reason. The trade will use it to bid you in the balls, like they don't already, as will private buyers if they realise. Either may not buy at all.

There are some vehicles where spec is different. Not worse or better, just different. Some are the same.

I owned a 911 which was brought into this country via a Danish main dealer from new. Porsche have a country nomenclature which in the case of the UK is C16. That means it is exactly UK spec. Porsche dealers will take them but when I came to sell I still had independent car dealers trying to "chip" me because it was an import. tts. Thankfully most clued up Porsche folks understand the C16 designation and will pay the same as a UK supplied car.

[jamoor]

Denis O said:

Imports have a stigma attached to them, for whatever reason. The trade will use it to bid you in the balls, like they don't already, as will private buyers if they realise. Either may not buy at all.

There are some vehicles where spec is different. Not worse or better, just different. Some are the same.

I owned a 911 which was brought into this country via a Danish main dealer from new. Porsche have a country nomenclature which in the case of the UK is C16. That means it is exactly UK spec. Porsche dealers will take them but when I came to sell I still had independent car dealers trying to "chip" me because it was an import. tts. Thankfully most clued up Porsche folks understand the C16 designation and will pay the same as a UK supplied car.

Don't tell independent dealers?
How do they find out it's an import?

[HellDiver]

jamoor said:

How do they find out it's an import?

Says on the V5.

[jamoor]

HellDiver said:

jamoor said:

How do they find out it's an import?

Says on the V5.

Surely that only happens when you hand the car over? Or do they negotiate then too?
(I have never part exd a car)

[Hub]

Speedo is in KPH?

[iggletiggle]

jamoor said:

HellDiver said:

jamoor said:

How do they find out it's an import?

Says on the V5.

Surely that only happens when you hand the car over? Or do they negotiate then too?
(I have never part exd a car)

if its an import you should be honest up front and tell them really ...!!

[Olivera]

Big advantage is now dodging the £400 tax bracket and paying £180 on the old system.

[LuS1fer]

If you import a Mustang, you only pay £190 VEL and they're cheap to insure. Similar sort of car to a 350Z and simple enough for anyone to service.

[Denis O]

HellDiver said:

jamoor said:

How do they find out it's an import?

Says on the V5.

It didn't on mine but the supplying dealer, based in Copenhagen, was a bit of a giveaway at the front of the service book.

[Denis O]

iggletiggle said:

jamoor said:

HellDiver said:

jamoor said:

How do they find out it's an import?

Says on the V5.

Surely that only happens when you hand the car over? Or do they negotiate then too?
(I have never part exd a car)

if its an import you should be honest up front and tell them really ...!!

I hope that's firmly tongue in cheek. I'll be as honest with dealers as they are with me

[MonkeyBusiness]

I've found out this weekend to my horror that my car is an import.
Doesn't say on the V5 but (and I can't believe I didn't spot this) the first service was done in Cyprus.

I'm really annoyed with myself. The car is serviced to within an inch of its life with additional oil/filter changes so someone is going to get a very well looked after car.

Shame the dealer I went to at the weekend didn't see that.

[jamoor]

MonkeyBusiness said:

I've found out this weekend to my horror that my car is an import.
Doesn't say on the V5 but (and I can't believe I didn't spot this) the first service was done in Cyprus.

I'm really annoyed with myself. The car is serviced to within an inch of its life with additional oil/filter changes so someone is going to get a very well looked after car.

Shame the dealer I went to at the weekend didn't see that.

That simply doesn't make a shred of difference assuming the car is 3-4 years old.

If it doesnt state on the V5, it should be just sourced from elsewhere in Europe and registered here when brand new.

[MonkeyBusiness]

jamoor said:

That simply doesn't make a shred of difference assuming the car is 3-4 years old.
If it doesnt state on the V5, it should be just sourced from elsewhere in Europe and registered here when brand new.

Yes I know Jamoor. The car is a 55 plate and shouldn't make any difference. Someone above has said that dealers seem to be picky about imports.

On another note I used to have an imported MX5. Everytime I went into a Mazda dealer for a small service part/screw I used to have trouble.