buying from an importer

[nicholas R]

im getting IMG to import a EP3 for me. I have never bought or ordered an import car before.
Is there anything specific i should look out for? I won't be able to look at service history because it probably won't come with any.
any advice or tips will be helpful.
Thanks

[DreadAngel]

Do you know were they're going to be sourcing your car? Dealership? Auction? 'Wholesaler'? Gotta be careful because some cars sit on the dockyards for a long time waiting to be cleared out/sold so they're exposed to the worst elements [Ocean + Outdoors].

If Auction make sure you are shown the papers for it, they usually [Some auction yards have different grading system but its standard to be like this] have a grading system with 5 being brand new [Excellent], 4/4.5 being no accident [Good], 3 being minor accident [Fair] etc...

In general, beware of a cars with too little mileage [Rewind much...] Instead get one with reasonable indicated mileage [not just the odometer], the myth of the Japanese people not driving much is a load of crap. EP3Rs are anywhere from 7-10yrs old now so anything that's showing <50000km is pretty much a a warning sign unless you're that lucky.

Make sure you receive plenty of information and photos so you can make a better judgement. I'm lucky when I got my AE111 imported, it was in pretty good nick, I can't say the same for a few other friends.

[Indie]

Yeah, I was looking at R34 Skyline sedans a few years back, and some of them were showing 40,000kms with a $10-12k pricetag. "There are regulations in japan which cause them to turn their cars over quickly. Anything more than a few years old isn't worth driving over there", he said. Yeah, right. "Here's the importation certificate showing the amount of kms it had when it left Japan, and as you can see, it matches up!" No shit, so it was rewound in Japan, not here.

Basically, with any import, whether you buy it here or from overseas, the kays will probably be doctored. Good luck with your search, though.

[jdm_b16a]

The agent should send you regular updates. That is, if they are buying from the large auctions (USS, etc) the auction house supplies a sheet noting the condition and any damage.

At the auction yard your agent should be able to start the car he has his eye on for you, and report back.

When I bought my car in 2007 I got several candidates before I chose one. Make sure it is a high auction grade like 4 or 4.5. Anything less will be a little bit untidy and our customs people don't like damaged or repaired cars.

The bit about the Japanese not travelling much is not necessarily true but their tolls are high, and their taxes rise sharply as the car gets older, so it is in their interests to move them on.

Also, the Japanese pay a parking tax that is linked to the size of their car.

Good luck, it can be a nerve racking experience but when it arrives you'll either be disappointed or ecstatic. I was ecstatic as my car was everything the agent said it was.

Peter

[EKVTIR-T]

I dont believe most jdm import odometers have been clocked.

[amant02]

To be honest I thought importers where the safest way to buy imported cars. This tread has information that's shocking to me, good know cheers guys. More information on this topic would be helpful as well.

[jdm_b16a]

I didn't use an importer; that is, a shop or business that advertises in Performance Imports or online, and has cars stored here in a yard.

I used an "agent" who specialises in my brand of vehicle - he only brings in one brand. In my case it was a Toyota. He had people on the ground in Japan. His wife spoke Japanese so there was little chance of cross-communication.

I visited some Parramatta Road importers and I left them shaking my head. The rubbish they tried to tell me! One in particular was an absolute joke. The salesperson tried to tell me the car was 100% OK but I said I can smell the stale odour of tobacco - the person who drove this car must have been a chain smoker. He said they hadn't detailed the car yet but it looked polished and vacuumed to me. He said they could get rid of the smell. I said No thanks, there is no way you will ever get rid of that smell. Immediately the salesperson took big money off the sale price. I walked away.

An agent is usually hired for 12 months; that is, they will find cars to your specifications - model, colour(s), trim, options etc. they will send you photos and auction sheets in advance. They will ask you if you are interested in this car, how much you're willing to go to at auction. The big auctions are Thursday and Friday. My agent only went to the big ones - he chose to avoid the smaller ones, mainly for the number of cars that go through. The big auctions go through thousands of cars a night.

When I won my car he rang me the next Morning. The process from there was very smooth. Car arrived very quickly - not a horror story like months at sea you hear.

I picked it up from Brisbane after it had been complied and drove it from Brisbane to Sydney. That's how confident I was it was a good car.

It had under 100K and inside it looked brand new, absolutely 4.5 auction grade. It was stock standard, absolutely no options but that was my request.

Ask around, find an agent who will look after you personally not an "importer" who is after all just a car salesman dealing in foreign cars. You specify the price you are prepared to pay after you see the car; not just say "Get me XXX for $30,000".

Peter

[nicholas R]

thanks for all the information. very useful and helpful!

Peter, it feels like im getting that same service from IMG.