importing an SC

[crazylegs]

i had not really considered this untill the weekend but it could be an option for me. has anyone had any recent experience of importing a SC ? Who do you all recommend ?

[waynestoyotamr2]

Brought 3 of them over myself crazylegs, sir.,

If you are going to buy one through an importer, add £1000-£1500 onto the price the car will cost.

I brought my Mica Blue, T-Bar, Manual gearbox, SC, absolutely rust free, split mint and immaculate over from Japan for just a pinch under £3000 - and what a car it was, should never of sold it.

I bought it from a Japanese car auction, shipped it over, collected it from the docks, had it AA'd back to my house, UK specced it and registered it all myself.

Once I get the finances sorted again (if ever) I will get another one from over there - probably the same spec.

I think there was a thread a while back where Sports Toyota Breakers (?) where saying they were going to Import a few, but I am not sure if this has happened yet.........

If you want to use a dealer I hear Newera (Miguel?) and the guy Steve Kingsnorth and Pete Mason used (cant remember his name now, sorry - chaps?) are good, I have had no dealings with them myself, but your bottom price is really £5000 off them IIRC.

Most importantly, like anything, be prepared to wait a LONG LONG time for the right car - I waited nearly 8 months for my 3rd one..... and it involved alot of fruitless 4am phone calls etc... (this was once I had learnt the pitfalls from the first two - first one was Auto, 2nd was a bit of a nail - 3rd time lucky I guess!!)

If you need any info on the Japanese auctions, PM me.

[crazylegs]

so let me get this in my head. if you do the work yourself you can get one for about £3-4k and £5k with a import firm. Is that duty paid and shipping?

[waynestoyotamr2]

Mine was just under £3000 OTR.

[crazylegs]

we may need to talk soon.

[AndyA]

Hi, sorry to hijack thread...

Have you ever come accross a black SC for sale? I have seen one or two for sale in the states (late models), but wondered if this colour was available to the home market in Japan? How to go about finding out?

Cheers, Andy

[waynestoyotamr2]

Not as far as I am aware - there was Black Mk1a's in Japan but thats it AFAIK

[David Sleith]

Just got my S/C through Newera and its hopefully gonna be registered tomorrow so can get it on the road.

Here is the link to the car I bought

http://www.neweraimports.com/soldcarDet ... ?carId=241

I got the car shipped to Newcastle as I live in Scotland for ease and Paul Woods ( http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2584 ) organised the car to get picked up from the docks and MOT'd it along with doing the front indicator change to clear lenses and the rear fog light using one of the reversing lghts with a switch on the dash. Thats all thats required to convert for UK use to make legal. Paul's garage is ideal as its only 20 miles from Newcastle.

All paperwork is sitting with the DVLO in Glasgow at the mo. £38 registration fee plus tax and five working days to process.

It took on a few more scrapes during transit probably during loading and unloading. Not the most mint of cars I must say but there is absolutely no rust on it. The underside looks like it has just came out the showroom.

It has some paint issues as any 2 will have. Its been in the Tokyo sun so some laquer lifting and a few scrapes. New T bar seals have been put in due to the previous owner sticking the roof down with silicone to try and seal the car and just making it worse. New seals from dealer were £180.

Newera have the reputation for being good although pricey. They charge £900 for their service. Comms is good with Miguel and he responds very quickly with any concerns you have. If you decide to buy a car from Japan just remember its not a new car and pictures always make the car look better than it normally is. You have to expect a nearly 20 year old car will have general use wear and tear.

There is no stockist garage of imported S/C's that you can just go and browse and buy which would be ideal. So unless you hunt for a car already here which may have rust then you need to take the gamble and pick one from the auctions, hoping the importers judgement is sound.

Its nerve racking forking out so much cash on a car you can't prod, drive and look at.

Worth it though.

[DavidJ]

a very nice looking car - the paintwork does look fantastic

sounds pretty honestly described too - nice buy

and you're lucky enough to live near Mr Woods for servicing...

[waynestoyotamr2]

Looks very very good!! =D> =D>

But I wouldnt believe the old wives tale about it getting knocked around on the boat!

[jazz]

stunning looking car mate and it is true about damaged vehicles during transportation. It is very common to find cars damaged or stuff stolen from them during transportation. You can get lucky sometimes but hey thats life. We have had one cars roof walked on and left with nasty dents and footprints to show exactly what had gone on . When i got my sc everything was fine but this time i was lucky. All this best with your car and if you look after it you shouldnt loose out. =D>

[crazylegs]

did they have problems getting it for you? how long did it take?

[David Sleith]

I e-mailed Miguel and just a week after that they bought one for stock and gave me first offers.

Just lucky I guess.