MR2 Turbo - Import my own or buy in the UK?

[C35Rob]

As for the car getting damaged etc, thats the risk you take.

Yep, and in my case, the car wasn't standard 3E5 red. Was never told it'd been painted some custom colour with a metal fleck in it.

Needed a full respray, as the colour couldn't be matched perfectly

Didn't you use a UK importer? Surely grounds for rejecting the car if you paid for something not as described.. Which is obviously the upside of paying a UK dealer their cut as it means you've got the same comebacks as buying any used car

[craig]

As for the car getting damaged etc, thats the risk you take.

Yep, and in my case, the car wasn't standard 3E5 red. Was never told it'd been painted some custom colour with a metal fleck in it.

Needed a full respray, as the colour couldn't be matched perfectly

Didn't you use a UK importer? Surely grounds for rejecting the car if you paid for something not as described.. Which is obviously the upside of paying a UK dealer their cut as it means you've got the same comebacks as buying any used car

Yep, used a UK importer.

This was 10 years ago now. Consulted a solicitor who sent him a letter. Can't remember the exact details, but I had no leg to stand on apparently.

I was left with a damaged car needing a full respray. Stolen head unit. Dash left hanging. The car was also supposed to have had these Raybrig fog lights checked as operational on the MOT (as I had queried why they weren't working) Not even wired up

The car was also a potential death trap, with the suspension strut loose on the o/s rear.

I will never EVER buy a car in Japan from photos again, or import or have one imported. Ever.

[C35Rob]

I totally understand, unfortunately the nature of the import business (especially back then when the yen was worth nothing) where dealers bring over R grade crap and sell them on as minters.

I've got two cars that were fresh imports (one from a very good importer and one I imported myself) and both are fine. Saying that though, if I was going to drop a lot of money on a car from a japanese dealer - I.e not an auction car - you're damn sure I'd be spending £600 on a flight to go and see it myself

[craig]

if I was going to drop a lot of money on a car from a japanese dealer - I.e not an auction car - you're damn sure I'd be spending £600 on a flight to go and see it myself

Damn right! However, there's then the potential of a wasted flight if the car is a bag of shart.

Then there's the risk of damage and theft of items from the car on import....

Once bitten, twice shy I'm afraid. Not saying this is the case with every imported car, and I'm sure loads have had no problems, but my first experience will certainly be my last!

[Martin F]

if I was going to drop a lot of money on a car from a japanese dealer - I.e not an auction car - you're damn sure I'd be spending £600 on a flight to go and see it myself

Damn right! However, there's then the potential of a wasted flight if the car is a bag of shart.

And that is why you book a week of work, make it a holiday and kill two birds

[C35Rob]

if I was going to drop a lot of money on a car from a japanese dealer - I.e not an auction car - you're damn sure I'd be spending £600 on a flight to go and see it myself

Damn right! However, there's then the potential of a wasted flight if the car is a bag of shart.

And that is why you book a week off work, make it a holiday and kill two birds

agreed, me and the mrs have decided to do Japan as our honeymoon..

If I had the money now I'd be on a flight to go and buy one of these

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcar ... index.html

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcar ... index.html


I really, REALLY want an FC RX7

[2mad]

Damn right! However, there's then the potential of a wasted flight if the car is a bag of shart.

And that is why you book a week of work, make it a holiday and kill two birds

agreed, me and the mrs have decided to do Japan as our honeymoon..

If I had the money now I'd be on a flight to go and buy one of these

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcar ... index.html

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcar ... index.html


I really, REALLY want an FC RX7

Me too , damn there beautiful