The purchase...
I Thought I would write about my experience of buying my car in japan, and getting it to these shores.
First thing you need to do is get an agent. Do lots of looking around, I signed up to heaps of exporters, but I eventually chose //www.B-Spex.com, they had a guest system to log in, and look around at the cars you can buy. They had lots of information on the site, and were very professional. I was very happy with their service, and would recommend them to anyone.
Next you need to set your budget, and what you want. I really think writing a list of your wants is a very good idea, so that you don\'t end up bidding on a car that doesn\'t have what you specifically want. After paying your deposit to your agent (so you can bid) you begin bidding! You make a bid on a car, then they translate the auction sheet for you. They then check the car over and give you a verdict. you can then adjust what you want to pay, or withdraw your bid.
I bid on 8 different cars, 9 times, over a course of a month to get the right car. The number of RX7\'s each day differed, some days there were three, and some days 80 RX7\'s to bid on. I chose ones that fit what I wanted, and went from there. The car I ended up buying, got passed over at auction, so when it came back up for auction the next week, I increased my budget, and won the auction for the car. Note that you simply put a limit for what you will pay for the car, they do all the bidding, and try to get it at as cheap a price as they can.
Of the 8 cars, I only got out bid once (on the first car I bid on) the rest of them, once I knew more about the car, I withdrew my bid, and waited for another car.
I now believe that there aren\'t that many good RX7\'s left there, you really have to take your time, and wait for a good one. There are so many grade R\'s (repair) out there that i\'m glad that I know for sure mine hasn\'t been crashed. Ones that are repaired are great, as they are cheaper, and more often than not, repaired to perfect condition. I just wanted to know that mine had never been in an accident.
Once purchased, you pay the balance of what you owe, and they de-register it, and get it ready for the boat.
Boats generally go once a month, and when I purchased mine, the last boat had just gone. So I had to wait 4 weeks, and then the shipping company was two weeks behind. This is normal, they said to me to expect at least 7 weeks from purchase. Once on the boat, it takes 5 to 6 weeks. This is completely dependant on the weather, and number of stops the boat has to do.
During this time you have time to organise your clearing agent. Again, shop around as prices differ. I went with one that my shipping company recommended. Once the car arrives, I\'ll tell you how they went! More updates soon on the arrival, transporting to my house, and registering and insuring it!
:chat
nice one and thanks for the info...you have any pics of the car and yes please keep us posted.
Quote from: RotaryguruOnes that are repaired are great, as they are cheaper, and more often than not, repaired to perfect condition. I just wanted to know that mine had never been in an accident.[/SIZE][/FONT]
From experience, cars that have been crashed do get through auctions without an \'R\' grade, it may be the extreme minority perhaps, but it does happen.
Quote from: Laeeqnice one and thanks for the info...you have any pics of the car and yes please keep us posted.
I had pics on this thread when I bought it, more will be on the way when it arrives....Finally!!
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43513 (http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43513)
Quote from: 20B_boyFrom experience, cars that have been crashed do get through auctions without an \'R\' grade, it may be the extreme minority perhaps, but it does happen.
Yeah, I\'m sure they do, I mean, I\'d still buy an R, often they put better bodykits on the car, rather than new stock panels.... cos it will then hold value better. But its nice to know that it has been crashed... you know what you\'re getting into....
Quote from: RotaryguruI had pics on this thread when I bought it, more will be on the way when it arrives....Finally!!
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43513 (http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43513)
ahhh ok i\'ve just replied to your other thread...
Quote from: 20B_boyFrom experience, cars that have been crashed do get through auctions without an \'R\' grade, it may be the extreme minority perhaps, but it does happen.
Just as here when people decide to privately repair the car and not go through insurance. Hence, you find CAT C, D cars on the road without being checked by the DVLA.
The auction sheet is set by the seller in terms of history and aftermarket parts. The condition at the given time is assesed by the auction house.
Remove at the request of the thread starter
Thanks
Stu / Grinder
very nice:mmmm
if you need help sorting things out then give us a shout
My company has been importing cars from japan for over 12 years now. All I can say is in that time period I have had some very good cars and some very bad cars. Buying from Japan is a gamble and you have to budget for any eventuallity.
My agent, a very good friend of mine has been had one or two times by the people he works with over there, as the Japanese can be just as dodgy as any English person. (Forget all that nonsense about honour etc)
These are some of the recent examples of what i\'ve bought over there and what i\'ve ended up with:
Bought supposed:
1996 Grade 4 Driveable RX7 with 48K km on the clock.....
Got:
1996 Grade 0 Non-driveable RX7 with blown water seal and blown rotar. (been sat in Japan for at least 6 months according to Pip as engine was siezed).
Bought supposed:
1997 Mitisubishi Pajero 2.8 TD LWB Grade 4 Driveable with 50K km.
Got:
1997 Mitisubishi Pajero Grade 0 Blown cylinder head (cracked on every cylinder) complete with drilled thermostat to make appearence that it wasnt overheating.
Bought supposed:
2001 Toyota MR-S Grade 4.5 with 20k km on the clock
Got:
2001 Toyota MR-S Grade 0 non-driveable with gearbox blown, damage to floor pan at rear, 4 bald tyres and numerous other items.
These are just a few examples of vehicles that have come over from let me stress different suppliers in Japan over the past year.
If you fancy doing an import yourself go for it, it\'s definately an experience, however there\'s no one to cry to when it all goes wrong. At best you\'ll be offered a small amount of credit with an auction house that\'s not worth bothering with.
My advice would be if your going to spend aload of your hard earned money, then do it on something you can visibly see and drive, paying the extra to an importer (i.e most of the time we only take £500 for doing the whole thing) is alot less hassle and heartache than if you get it wrong yourself where it ends up costing you £000\'s to put right.
Check your own auction sheets provided by the agent and have someone look over the car. Also, dont pay more than £350 to any agent wanting to buy the car for you. The £350 will include, all the buying costs, transportation costs, de reg costs, cost of port loading, port storage and getting the car to the road etc etc.
Thanks for the comments Kevin and Freddy! although i\'m a little nervous about mine now!!:3Confused
Well, since its a few days away from Landing, I\'ll soon find out won\'t I!!!:Thumbs-up
I had a really good Agent in Japan, and we searched hard. But you never know! The photos above are it in Japan, so it looks good......
Stay tuned!!:D
Just a little tip, when you go to the dock to pick the car up, insist that you check the oil and coolant level before the monkey dock workers go ahead and try to fire it up. (I had an FTO that they tried to fire, as I went over I heard it knocking...... it had only a few ml of oil in it!!!)
Are you driving it home from the docks or transporting it?
If your driving it, once you\'ve got the car started and know that the engine fluid levels are ok, let the car idle till it\'s warmed up, and check for any leaks before you set off. Most importantly keep your eye on the temp gauage when driving home, if it looks like it\'s going anywhere above the half way point, then switch it off.
Other than that, fingers crossed for you mate!
Quote from: KevinJust a little tip, when you go to the dock to pick the car up, insist that you check the oil and coolant level before the monkey dock workers go ahead and try to fire it up. (I had an FTO that they tried to fire, as I went over I heard it knocking...... it had only a few ml of oil in it!!!)
Are you driving it home from the docks or transporting it?
If your driving it, once you\'ve got the car started and know that the engine fluid levels are ok, let the car idle till it\'s warmed up, and check for any leaks before you set off. Most importantly keep your eye on the temp gauage when driving home, if it looks like it\'s going anywhere above the half way point, then switch it off.
Other than that, fingers crossed for you mate!
Wish I could go to get it, but I\'m having it transported. It was started and put onto the boat, so assume it should be ok. I\'m abit more worried about someone taking it for a joyride! Does that happen?
Quote from: RotaryguruWish I could go to get it, but I\'m having it transported. It was started and put onto the boat, so assume it should be ok. I\'m abit more worried about someone taking it for a joyride! Does that happen?
Believe me it happens! With the plethora of cars there and not having to take any responsibility for them. Port guys "hey, it must have come from Japan with a dead engine"!
What port is it coming in to?
Quote from: RotaryguruWish I could go to get it, but I\'m having it transported. It was started and put onto the boat, so assume it should be ok. I\'m abit more worried about someone taking it for a joyride! Does that happen?
I\'ve seen dock monkey\'s racing peoples purchases down gravel stock yards before now and hand braking them at the end just bearly missing each other. Thats why I like to clear customs as soon as possible so I can go down and get it. Unfortunately it\'s probably already been ragged to death by the time i get there.
As it\'s a rush to get all the cars off the boats, the shipping companies tend to employ people as and when they need them, so more than likely your cars been drove off the ship by a part time smackhead. :driving
Southampton. Looks like I\'ll be making a trip out to pick it up!:(
Quote from: Kevinso more than likely your cars been drove off the ship by a part time smackhead. :driving
Well, I know how many kms are on the clock, so i\'ll know if its been driven too far. I can\'t say it won\'t attract much attention, being bright red and beautiful!!:InLove !
I\'m having it cleared ASAP, and hope to get on a transport as soon as posssible.
You should be fine mate, I wouldnt worry just enjoy driving your new purchase! (when you finally get to register it, DVLA are on go slow at christmas time, they promised me 48 hours to register a vehicle of mine, 3 weeks and 10 phone calls later it finally come through yesterday!!!). If you need any help registering it just ask.
Although there\'s nothing more than I enjoy than driving an import home from the docks!... Hello mr speed camera!! :burnout
Quote from: KevinIf you need any help registering it just ask.
Although there\'s nothing more than I enjoy than driving an import home from the docks!... Hello mr speed camera!! :burnout
Thanks mate. Am looking forward to getting my hands on it!:Thumbsup!
id like to drive ma cars home from the docs but living in scotland tiz a tad tricky, i know people say book it in for a mot and your legal to drive it, but 500 miles away? i just get mine collected fer £220 a car so im not too fussed how people do it :P.. un less theres some law that i dont know about..
Quote from: interloper393id like to drive ma cars home from the docs but living in scotland tiz a tad tricky, i know people say book it in for a mot and your legal to drive it, but 500 miles away? i just get mine collected fer £220 a car so im not too fussed how people do it :P.. un less theres some law that i dont know about..
This is what I was going to do. But I have to bring it back into London. I\'m sure a copcar would see me driving it with no plates and \'whoop, whoop\' big fine. :mad:
As much as I dont get on with my local constabulary there is a law i\'ve been told, allowing you to drive your vehicle from the docks to your place of residence. Now I think this is not so much of a law but a grey area, just depends on how much of an a55hole you get. Especially this time of year and especially seeing they didnt get there 2.5% pay rise.
I\'ve never been pulled over in all the time that i\'ve been doing this, but I only live 15 mile away from Liverpool docks and I tend to take the back roads as not to attract too much attention to myself.
Quote from: interloper393id like to drive ma cars home from the docs but living in scotland tiz a tad tricky, i know people say book it in for a mot and your legal to drive it, but 500 miles away? i just get mine collected fer £220 a car so im not too fussed how people do it :P.. un less theres some law that i dont know about..
Yes mate, trader = trade plates. :King
You are not permitted to drive it back from the docs, even if you are insured.
Unless, you are driving back on trade plates or the car is booked in for an MOT (even it that is xxx miles from the MOT garage).
I\'ve never really bothered with trade plates, my custom "SVA TEST" plate has gotten me through many years of happy motoring! LOL
Quote from: FreddyYou are not permitted to drive it back from the docs, even if you are insured.
Unless, you are driving back on trade plates or the car is booked in for an MOT (even it that is xxx miles from the MOT garage).
I\'ve been told by my local friendly police that im allowed to drive it back from docks to my garage without plates. As I said.... grey area depending on who you get.
Quote from: RotaryguruWell, I know how many kms are on the clock, so i\'ll know if its been driven too far. I can\'t say it won\'t attract much attention, being bright red and beautiful!!:InLove !
I\'m having it cleared ASAP, and hope to get on a transport as soon as posssible.
KMS on the clock will not mean much as it doesnt take long to blow a rotary.
It doesnt happen often so dont worry. The only particulars to go wrong is missing gear knobs, maybe stereo. Southampton isnt as bad as it used to be and you will not have any real problems if with YA Logistics.
If you are going to collect then take a sprak plug socket with you, spare plugs and learn the deflood procedure.
Rotaryguru - i\'ve been living in Islington, saw an FD not long ago but there arent many around.
Quote from: KevinI\'ve never really bothered with trade plates, my custom "SVA TEST" plate has gotten me through many years of happy motoring! LOL
Well we are talking legalities here not get away\'s. I suppose the things you are compelled to given the situation.
Quote from: FreddyKMS on the clock will not mean much as it doesnt take long to blow a rotary.
It doesnt happen often so dont worry. The only particulars to go wrong is missing gear knobs, maybe stereo.
Rotaryguru - i\'ve been living in Islington, saw an FD not long ago but there arent many around.
KMs on the clock, was meaning that I know if its been driven around since loading. I always hand over the keys, then write down the kms when I let someone do work on my cars.
If you look in my photos, the gearstick is already missing!!!:( I\'ve only seen one FD driving around. Mine will be all locked away....
mine come over in the container so my pickup guys always there for unloading, he checks over the cars before there started..
Also if youve had cars graded as 4`s and there coming over in that state id get a new agent as he cant be very good lol.. been doing this for 3 years now, iv also started my own business importing and the people i use are superb!.. never had a car/part yet that isnt as described.. iv had the odd boat ding tho, and yeah its always the rear quater panels lol.. but touch wood.. :P
Quote from: interloper393Also if youve had cars graded as 4`s and there coming over in that state id get a new agent as he cant be very good lol..
They\'ve all been from different contacts in Japan. I was just proving a point that it\'s always a chance buying from Japan no matter what agent you use.
A collegue of mine recently imported a collection of cars, approximately 45 I think the figure was, I helped him, along with a few other friends, when we got to the docks every single car had a problem with it. This is coming from an agent in Japan who is a family member of my collegue.
Which is my point that even Japanese people try to fleece there own.
I\'ve not done too bad in the Japanese market over the years, but there is no money in this game anymore, too many home internet importers about nowadays, prices of used cars in UK are at all time low, together with increased shipping costs, tax and duty and a general lower quality of car coming over all adds to a dying trade. The government also killed off any chance of decent new cars with the introduction of the model report, this alone put many importers out of business.
AFAIK the yen rate compensates. It\'s all in equilibrium. ;)
Not a chance, the rate of £/Yen definately doesnt compensate for lower quality cars and a flooded UK market bottoming out on prices. ;)
its far from dead bud.. the right cars in good nick will easily sale, problem with most car dealers is they just want a quick turnaround so they aint to bothered about the condiction of what there buying (just from my experiance)
Everycar iv bought i put many hours into before they go up for sale, speak to anyone who knows me and they`ll tell u that, i like to make mine stand out that little bit more and im doing very well at the mo :)
Iv usually got about 3-4 cars for sale so i can spend the time fixing problems and running them as my own car to check everythings ok with them...its a hobby for me thats turning into a nice little business.
So, she has arrived!!! Twas a dark and stormy night a few days ago, and around 6pm, the transporter turned up with a really beautiful Red RX7 on the back. I helped the guy get it off the truck, and we pushed her inside my garage. I Gave the driver a large bottle of beer for all his hard work (he had been sitting at the docks for 3 hours while they found my car).
I was really happy with my clearing agent, we got the car cleared and onto a transporter within a couple of days once the boat was unloaded. This was especially hard as it was between the Xmas and new year period!
So, I have jump started her, and she sounds great! Enjoying looking all over it, and seeing what other parts are in the car. One of them is a Knightsports EBS III see this link: http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45665 (http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45665)
If you can help me!!
I am really happy with my purchase from Japan. Everything has been as described, and I got excellent value for money. My Agent was excellent (B-Spex.com) and the car has done 7km since purchase, so no one was hooning around it in the docks!
My Verdict: If you CAN wait to buy, buying from Japan is an excellent option. :chat
Photos will be posted in a few minutes.
Remove at the request of the thread starter
Thanks
Stu / Grinderom/albums/gg24/rotaryguru/Garage1.jpg"]http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg24/rotaryguru/Garage1.jpg[/URL]
Awesome mate! Glad everythings gone smoothly for you! ;)
Car looks fantastic!.... Only thing not to my taste is the headlights, but other than that the wheels/kit/spoiler looks spot on!
Happy rotaring! :D
is that a re-am :)
looking good. mine should be arriving from southampton docks today. hopefully in one piece :D
If they can squeeze its fat a$$ off the boat! :D
Did you get this BN off andy @ powervehicles cause I know he had sourced one not so long back.
lol, yeah that
nope, it was a private import from a friend of mine in japan who bought it for me and then sent it out
Quote from: interloper393is that a re-am :)
Which part?
Quote from: shafsterlooking good. mine should be arriving from southampton docks today. hopefully in one piece :D
Yeah, I hope so too mate. Did yours come over on the same boat?
soz the rear wing? re-am or knightsport i think...
Hey shafters car needs to go on the slimfast,:yes its overdid the turkey at chrimbo :P
Quote from: interloper393soz the rear wing? re-am or knightsport i think...
Hey shafters car needs to go on the slimfast,:yes its overdid the turkey at chrimbo :P
Yeah, all the goodies on it are Knightsports - So pretty pleased about that. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt in 2006, so am really hoping the previous owner had it done at Knightsports!!:2eek
Are we talking about the W-I-D-E kitted black on I saw a few photos of in Japan - is so, very, very cool. :Giggle
Quote from: interloper393its far from dead bud.. the right cars in good nick will easily sale, problem with most car dealers is they just want a quick turnaround so they aint to bothered about the condiction of what there buying (just from my experiance)
Everycar iv bought i put many hours into before they go up for sale, speak to anyone who knows me and they`ll tell u that, i like to make mine stand out that little bit more and im doing very well at the mo :)
Iv usually got about 3-4 cars for sale so i can spend the time fixing problems and running them as my own car to check everythings ok with them...its a hobby for me thats turning into a nice little business.
you will do well mate thats how i started and 6 years on we got 26 cars arriving end of jan 3 still not sold but sure will
Quote from: RotaryguruThis is what I was going to do. But I have to bring it back into London. I\'m sure a copcar would see me driving it with no plates and \'whoop, whoop\' big fine. :mad:
Bit late on this but I imported my gf\'s figaro from Japan, picked it up from Southampton docks as well. But just booked it in for an MOT local to me, I\'ve got trade insurance as well so was covered there and drove all the way back to Essex.
Noone even batted an eyelid, it\'s the great way this country\'s going, loads of cameras, no patrols what-so-ever, so while I was legal I was expecting to be pulled over a couple of times at least, but nothing at all... :Hammer :Hammer :Hammer
Nice motor there, hope all goes well with it :D
Quote from: RotaryguruAre we talking about the W-I-D-E kitted black on I saw a few photos of in Japan - is so, very, very cool. :Giggle
yeah thats the one matey. it landed at southampton docks last monday on the ship grande roma. im gonna do a couple of things to it to finish it off and get it ready for show season :)
Quote from: interloper393Hey shafters car needs to go on the slimfast,:yes its overdid the turkey at chrimbo :P
it certainly did :D
its here and ready to hit the streets. took some pics but as it was dark here and coming down with rain, they looked awful. so im taking some more tomorrow. it managed to make it over in one piece which im happy about. just a small crack on the rear bumper which should be easy enough to sort.