Importing A Car

[Rob's Lexx]

Been looking into this over the last month or two, after i fell in love with a certain Japanese beauty (CAR!!! ).

I know several members who have imported from overseas, and i just wondered what the benefits were compared to disadvantages??

I know insurance will be more (not sure why, but hey, i don't make the rules), but not so clear on any other details.

Are the Jap import cars generally more powerful as standard? Rarer in colour choices?? etc etc.

Any info is appreciated.

Cheers

Rob

[Monster-Mat]

depends what car it is.....

as to if it is worth it or not, When i was in Germany i imported quite a few cars

[Dave-Ellen]

Been looking into this over the last month or two, after i fell in love with a certain Japanese beauty (CAR!!! ).

I know several members who have imported from overseas, and i just wondered what the benefits were compared to disadvantages??

I know insurance will be more (not sure why, but hey, i don't make the rules), but not so clear on any other details.

Are the Jap import cars generally more powerful as standard? Rarer in colour choices?? etc etc.

Any info is appreciated.

Cheers

Rob

depends on age...............less than 10 years is fairly easy under 10 years gets complicated as you need a ESVA test (model report) or do what I'm doing and go for a single vehicle esva test which is scary..........

once you've bought it is £600 to ship it (normal saloon size) £120 to clear customs then duty & VAT on cost of car & shipping charges

[Rob's Lexx]

been looking at a couple of 350 Z's. IMHO, they're an awesome looking car and go damn well too. Seen a REALLY nice one in a pearl white colour with carbon styling kit etc etc, but thats already in this country and i don't have the cash at present to buy it. So thinking about getting it over here through an import company.

Basically, i just wondered whether a car like that would be worth importing or not? I know the colour choice means i can get exclusive JDM colours, but not sure on other benefits: price, etc etc.

OR......would it be wiser buying one already imported to this country??

[Dave-Ellen]

if you do it yourself the car must be standard with NO modifications or it will fail the ESVA.

TBH you'd be better looking for one already over here with first seller selling it on...............

[Rob's Lexx]

so no styling kits etc etc??

the one's i've seen on various import sites are often heavily modified......how can they be imported??

[WylieCoyote]

I'm not convinced that imports are necessarily cheaper. Yes they may be cheaper at the outset but shipping, taxes, reports, insurance, servicing and trade in values all suffer tremendously. Think very carefully before you do.

[Dave-Ellen]

so no styling kits etc etc??

the one's i've seen on various import sites are often heavily modified......how can they be imported??

again depends on age are they < 10 years ?

Also some you buy with std parts reatined in car which you fit to pass ESVA you then fit them after ESVA

[Rob's Lexx]

yep, 350Z is less than 10 years old......

why does insurance go up though???

[Dave-Ellen]

yep, 350Z is less than 10 years old......

why does insurance go up though???

coz they can...........

[Rob's Lexx]

yep, 350Z is less than 10 years old......

why does insurance go up though???

coz they can...........

yea, guessed as much. insurance companies seem to like making a swift buck for no reason!! might have to give this some serious thought......

[Gord]

yep, 350Z is less than 10 years old......

why does insurance go up though???

Coz if you have a crash, not all the parts are the same for the import car, so will cost more for the parts and time to get the parts, so if you in hire car, you may need it for longer waiting for your parts :D all adds-up, so pass this onto YOU/ME

[Rob's Lexx]

surely most cars are an import of sorts??

[Rob's Lexx]

surely most cars are an import of sorts??

[Gord]

surely most cars are an import of sorts??

Yes, but a car made for the uk market, will not be the same as one made for the jap market.

[Rob's Lexx]

hmmm, didn't realise there was that much of a difference....