Hi all, another newbie with a load of questions that have no doubt been asked before. I have actually had a search about already and gleamed some valuable info but cant seem to find the answers to a lot of my doubts/worries.
So I'll try and keep it nice and neat and hopefully come away with a definite idea of whether to go ahead or not.
I currently have a NA Supe that is a bit the worse for wear really. Due to lack of wages coming in for the last year or so the car has basically fallen into a bit of disarray and I'm undecided what to do. Earning again now and have pretty much decided to lose the Supe (which has been excellent by the way) and go for another car that I like the look of and has a bit of a sheep in wolfs clothing look. And with a little one a 4 door is a seller to the wife.
I really like the look of theAristo. So, I'm toying with getting the twin Aristo. (V300 JZS161?). I think they look gorgeous - especially in black. Anyway I'll ask the questions and hopefully get decided one way or another. Here goes:
1. Is it better/cheaper to import or look for one for sale already in UK?
2. Does anyone have a recommended trader/importer that I could use. My brother in law imported an MPV a few years ago but ended up having a nightare getting it past the import checks. 3 times he was at the testing station (60 miles away) trying to get it passed on speedo accuracy. Ideally, I'd like all that taken care of before I picked one up if I import.
3. I read a thread earlier about the stolen cars and checks with VIN plates and various models etc. I'm not asking for 100% reliablity but a certain level of garuntee from an importer would be good to have. Or at least a solid reputation.
4. Overall, are the imports of good quality? Any wrecks that anyone knows about that have been brought in as all singing all dancing.
Onto the car itself now. Like I say, I love the look of it but haven't actually been in one (or looked in one physically), sooo...
1. Probably stupid, but on the pics I've looked at (RHD) the footrest appears to be where the accelerator should be (RHS) and the accelerator on the left. Am I being stupid here and have just got it all wrong? Pics havent been great but surely I wont have to learn to drive an auto differently.
2. The Mrs is asking if the car seat will fit in the back comfortably (compared to not using it at all in the Supe)
3. Any ideas on insurance compared to the Supe. 8 years no claims - 40 yr old. Tax etc?
4. Any major lookout points that are signs of neglect.
5. Any major problems with servicing them (gotta be easier than changing the plugs on a NA). Specialised garages presumably? Maintenance costs on average?
6. Exactly how are they to drive as an everyday car. (I find the suspension on the Supe to be pretty uncomfortable, and my Mrs loves the looks, loves motorway driving in it, but hates it around town or anywhere there's a crack in the road).
7. What is the standard BHP of the twin (320ish?). I dont have anything approaching a racing style of driving, but occasionallyI like just to feel "the surge" usually when there's a kid in a corsa revving his exhaust off at me. A smile, off for 500m and back down again.
8. Lastly (hopefully), most of the imports come with SATNAV/Radio etc. I presume it would be easy enough to have them converted to UK spec. Oh, and is it easy to swap a unit in that has MP3 etc. Is it just a double DIN space?
A bit of a list but many thanks in advancefor any help.
ps. Apologies for any missing letter M, but my 21 month old has this evening decided the laptop looks much better without one.
