jap imports

[dave c]

I'm looking for a 964 c4 and am wondering if a jap import is a good buy.

theres a place in somerset which has two and they are 46k milers.

does anyone have any views/comments/advice


Migration info. Legacy thread was 17369

 

[warren mcbride]

If my memory serves me right when the Scooby, evo craze first started, there was a lot of talk about the "dodginess" of jap imports re these types of cars. It seems that the japanese are very keen to get rid of their cars after 1 or 2 years as the re-taxing of them gets more expensive. Therefore lots of owners aren't too bothered about servicing,maintenace etc. Thus a lot of the EVO style imports went bang after shortly arriving in the UK, or worse arrived at dover looking slightly less than pristine. Im not sure if this type of uncaring attitude applies to the P-car, but it must be worth bearing in mind. It of course helps that the cars in the UK, but are the service books/any history supplied with the car in English? I doubt it. I would tread very carefully. My 2p of course

Migration info. Legacy thread was 17371

 

[pneumatic]

There's a report in this months edition of 911&PW about a 964 jap import (p120) and the name of the chap that imports them - maybe contact him for some advice? My other half has a eunos that has never let her down, very good condition... but no paperwork! (it's for sale if anyone's interested)


Migration info. Legacy thread was 17400

 

[Used Porsche]

A friend of mine has been importing Mazda Eunos (MX5) sucessfully for a year - some issues with plastic interiors due to heat effects and they have to pass a UK MOT style test - need fog lights fitted. This test has recently increased in price a lot.
I would expect a car from Japan to cost a lot less than a UK car. Resale later could be an issue.
Manuals and paperwork in Japanese - and difficult to show ownership and service history details, and difficult to prove milage - so "clocking" must be a doddle for dodgy people in the supply chain.
Radios and satnav if fitted could be a problem if they were faulty or if satnav had no uk maps.
Thinking about all that - it would have to be really cheap!

Migration info. Legacy thread was 17424

 

[Nobby Diesel]

Dave,

Take a great deal of care here. My folks bought a Jap import Landcruiser (from an independant dealer), with less than 50 miles on it. 18 months later plod comes knocking to tell them that the car is stolen (from the owner in Japan). His insurers have paid out and are therefore the owners of the vehicle. The dealer claims innocence and now the car cannot be sold or disposed of until the insurers decide what to do. This all happened 3 years ago, and is still not sorted.

There is a total lack of control in Japan when exporting a vehicle. No proof of ownership is required to take the car out of Japan. Most of these vehicles are moved through a 'special economic tradibg zone' in Dubai, where again, there appear to be no Documentation controls.

The police advised my folks that this is an EXTREMELY wide spread problem, especially but not exclusively related to performance cars. Whilst most appear to be of Japanese manufacture, there are always exceptions.

If the Insurers in Japan decide they want their car back, my folks will be £28k out of pocket and will have to pursue the Dealer through the courts in this country. With more than 1 car involved with this dealer, he would be likely to go 'pop' and there you are, no car, no money.

Tread carefully.

Apparently, the ONLY place guaranteed to give good and clean title to a car is when purchased at auction.


Migration info. Legacy thread was 17453

 

[Fingers]

Hi

I happen to live in Japan and have shipped a few cars back to the UK - mostly for friends to be honest with you and I think you have to be really really careful. There are a lot of dodgy English blokes here who are happy to send any crap over to the UK. Most of these people go to these auctions and buy them by just looking at them. I know EXACTLY what goes on because I have been to untold auctions.

I would NEVER buy a car from an auction here because:

The cars cannot test driven

The servicing details aren't always available

Most of the people who buy and sell in the UK cannot even read Japanese!!!!

The cars are not always paid off - thus Insurance companies can give you a hard time

Most people who are selling cars to the UK don't know what to look for in a Porsche. They are used to dealing in Japanese cars and cannot be trusted.

Personally, I only buy and sell from Porsche dealerships who have plenty of experience - not every dealership is great and fully experienced.

Lastly, personally, for the sort of money these cars command I wouldn't buy a Porsche from someone who has never owned or extensively driven one!

Also, for some of my customers, I actually fly them over here for the cost of the car and take them for a test drive! Its only GBP 500 - 700 to come over here for a weekend and have a look around, couple of pints and a great chat about my favourite cars!!!

Anyone interested please let me know!

Servo Sarai


Migration info. Legacy thread was 17550