In the market, also some help if possible
04-30-18, 10:01 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
In the market, also some help if possible
Hi all,
It's come time to get an FD. I'm selling my NA and importing from Japan so I look forward to being more active on the forum later in the year. They've got my deposit so it's too late to back out
I'm in the UK for starters but in general I was wondering what people's experiences were with importing a dorito machine.
I won't lie - it's stressing me out, especially knowing the number of small issues that can plague the 13B TT and what it's potentially going to cost me when matey says 'yea mate it's soundo' then it get's here and compressions' in the 5's and all the bushes need replacing. etc etc.
Thanks
It's come time to get an FD. I'm selling my NA and importing from Japan so I look forward to being more active on the forum later in the year. They've got my deposit so it's too late to back out
I'm in the UK for starters but in general I was wondering what people's experiences were with importing a dorito machine.
I won't lie - it's stressing me out, especially knowing the number of small issues that can plague the 13B TT and what it's potentially going to cost me when matey says 'yea mate it's soundo' then it get's here and compressions' in the 5's and all the bushes need replacing. etc etc.
Thanks
04-30-18, 04:49 PM
#2
Hello and welcome to the forum!
I imported my FD into Canada last year and have two friends who have also imported cars (one has imported two and the other five!). So I feel I can provide some information and insight for you.
First point would be to make sure you are dealing with a reputable importer. My recommendation would be Mark Bremner at Brave Auto, but hopefully whoever you picked has some good reviews.
Regarding the car you choose bear this in mind; in Japan cars almost always go to auction right before they are due for their next safety inspection (basically a very thorough British MOT). This is important because it usually always means that you will need to pay for the following consumables when you get it: all new fluids, new brake rotors, brake pads and possibly new tyres. This has been the case for most of my friends cars – mine needed new brakes but the tyres were good.
As you are importing an RX7, I also strongly recommend making the assumption that you will need an engine rebuild. Speak to a reputable shop, get an estimate for a rebuild and a dyno tune and put that money to one side.
Speak to your importer and find out what the auction fees, his fees, shipping cost, shipping insurance, import tax/duty to the UK, soil inspections etc are. Also be sure to get a quote of your insurance, last thing you need is a 1,000 quid bill when your bank account is tapped out!
With all of the above calculated off your current “budget” you can then see how much money you have left and decide what your max bid at auction should be.
It seems a bit extreme, but you really are buying blind. It is better to have money left in your budget once the car is on the road than the other way round. If you want an example – use me! I bought my car from a very reputable and very thorough agent – check my build thread – it was a grade 4 and he even test drove the vehicle extensively and videoed it. He (Mark) is also a rotary guy and builds engines so I figure he was a great person to comment on its condition.
When the car arrived here, purely out of precaution I had the block split. Turns out even with all these checks it was still in need of a rebuild and I caught it just in time. This is no jab at Mark – he went above and beyond and I thoroughly recommend him.
In addition, I needed all new brake pads and rotors and my turbos crapped out on the dyno!
Bottom line – make sure you have a healthy reserve fund for when it arrives, at least 5000 pounds in my opinion.
Tom
I imported my FD into Canada last year and have two friends who have also imported cars (one has imported two and the other five!). So I feel I can provide some information and insight for you.
First point would be to make sure you are dealing with a reputable importer. My recommendation would be Mark Bremner at Brave Auto, but hopefully whoever you picked has some good reviews.
Regarding the car you choose bear this in mind; in Japan cars almost always go to auction right before they are due for their next safety inspection (basically a very thorough British MOT). This is important because it usually always means that you will need to pay for the following consumables when you get it: all new fluids, new brake rotors, brake pads and possibly new tyres. This has been the case for most of my friends cars – mine needed new brakes but the tyres were good.
As you are importing an RX7, I also strongly recommend making the assumption that you will need an engine rebuild. Speak to a reputable shop, get an estimate for a rebuild and a dyno tune and put that money to one side.
Speak to your importer and find out what the auction fees, his fees, shipping cost, shipping insurance, import tax/duty to the UK, soil inspections etc are. Also be sure to get a quote of your insurance, last thing you need is a 1,000 quid bill when your bank account is tapped out!
With all of the above calculated off your current “budget” you can then see how much money you have left and decide what your max bid at auction should be.
It seems a bit extreme, but you really are buying blind. It is better to have money left in your budget once the car is on the road than the other way round. If you want an example – use me! I bought my car from a very reputable and very thorough agent – check my build thread – it was a grade 4 and he even test drove the vehicle extensively and videoed it. He (Mark) is also a rotary guy and builds engines so I figure he was a great person to comment on its condition.
When the car arrived here, purely out of precaution I had the block split. Turns out even with all these checks it was still in need of a rebuild and I caught it just in time. This is no jab at Mark – he went above and beyond and I thoroughly recommend him.
In addition, I needed all new brake pads and rotors and my turbos crapped out on the dyno!
Bottom line – make sure you have a healthy reserve fund for when it arrives, at least 5000 pounds in my opinion.
Tom
Last edited by FEED AFFLUX v5; 04-30-18 at 11:38 PM.
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skyactivr (05-01-18)
05-01-18, 02:44 AM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks a lot that's really insightful.
I've seen Brave Auto's vids on Youtube and enjoy them so it was nice to see this mentioned. Does seem like a good chap.
The company who would be importing it are based in the UK, but have their guys in Japan who scope out the car and tell whether it's a nail or not. They seem to import with Grade 4 being the lowest (Spirit R's, NSX-Rs, Nismo 400R, the special stuff).
You pick the car, they check it and send detailed photos, then you pay "60-70% of the On The Road Cost", then "no other cash is due until arrival in the UK". Included in the cost is all registration, fees, 120 point check, full service, undersealing, compression test, warranty etc etc. So that makes it a little less concerning. But like you say, there's always something dormant somewhere.
It does seem to be luck of the draw and in which case, my brain says why bother spending out for a nice one when I could pay a fraction and do everything I'd (potentially) have to do to the nice one anyway.
That's a good idea talking to Mark though I may have to send him a line.
Thanks
I've seen Brave Auto's vids on Youtube and enjoy them so it was nice to see this mentioned. Does seem like a good chap.
The company who would be importing it are based in the UK, but have their guys in Japan who scope out the car and tell whether it's a nail or not. They seem to import with Grade 4 being the lowest (Spirit R's, NSX-Rs, Nismo 400R, the special stuff).
You pick the car, they check it and send detailed photos, then you pay "60-70% of the On The Road Cost", then "no other cash is due until arrival in the UK". Included in the cost is all registration, fees, 120 point check, full service, undersealing, compression test, warranty etc etc. So that makes it a little less concerning. But like you say, there's always something dormant somewhere.
It does seem to be luck of the draw and in which case, my brain says why bother spending out for a nice one when I could pay a fraction and do everything I'd (potentially) have to do to the nice one anyway.
That's a good idea talking to Mark though I may have to send him a line.
Thanks
05-01-18, 08:22 AM
#4
FYI – the one “problem” with Mark is that because his reputation is so good he has way too many people asking him to import a car and not enough time. The import side of the business is a one man show so it can sometimes be difficult to contact him if you are not already a client.
Just a heads up so you don’t think he is purposely ignoring you – he won’t be
Sounds like an interesting setup with the company you are using. I would expect that any car they send over must be in good shape as they know it must pass an MOT before you take possession and make final payment.
My opinion on importing from Japan is that the car you want should be bought for one of these reasons:
1) Super rare and you cannot source one any other way
2) Super low mileage for a collection
3) Has a lot of expensive or rare modifications that you want and you get a heavy discount this way
4) The car is cheap and totally worth the risk
In my experience #4 is hard to find nowadays because the 90s cars are becoming eligible into the USA and the Japanese people are starting to try to prevent their car history leaving the country.
I figure if the car doesn’t meet 1-4 you are likely better to buy a car you can physically see and inspect at home. Don’t get me wrong, buying at auction is exciting, gives you a back story to the car and can land you a real gem. Just be aware of the risks and weigh up your options.
Tom
Just a heads up so you don’t think he is purposely ignoring you – he won’t be
Sounds like an interesting setup with the company you are using. I would expect that any car they send over must be in good shape as they know it must pass an MOT before you take possession and make final payment.
My opinion on importing from Japan is that the car you want should be bought for one of these reasons:
1) Super rare and you cannot source one any other way
2) Super low mileage for a collection
3) Has a lot of expensive or rare modifications that you want and you get a heavy discount this way
4) The car is cheap and totally worth the risk
In my experience #4 is hard to find nowadays because the 90s cars are becoming eligible into the USA and the Japanese people are starting to try to prevent their car history leaving the country.
I figure if the car doesn’t meet 1-4 you are likely better to buy a car you can physically see and inspect at home. Don’t get me wrong, buying at auction is exciting, gives you a back story to the car and can land you a real gem. Just be aware of the risks and weigh up your options.
Tom
05-02-18, 04:56 AM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
FYI – the one “problem” with Mark is that because his reputation is so good he has way too many people asking him to import a car and not enough time. The import side of the business is a one man show so it can sometimes be difficult to contact him if you are not already a client.
Just a heads up so you don’t think he is purposely ignoring you – he won’t be
Sounds like an interesting setup with the company you are using. I would expect that any car they send over must be in good shape as they know it must pass an MOT before you take possession and make final payment.
My opinion on importing from Japan is that the car you want should be bought for one of these reasons:
1) Super rare and you cannot source one any other way
2) Super low mileage for a collection
3) Has a lot of expensive or rare modifications that you want and you get a heavy discount this way
4) The car is cheap and totally worth the risk
In my experience #4 is hard to find nowadays because the 90s cars are becoming eligible into the USA and the Japanese people are starting to try to prevent their car history leaving the country.
I figure if the car doesn’t meet 1-4 you are likely better to buy a car you can physically see and inspect at home. Don’t get me wrong, buying at auction is exciting, gives you a back story to the car and can land you a real gem. Just be aware of the risks and weigh up your options.
Tom
Just a heads up so you don’t think he is purposely ignoring you – he won’t be
Sounds like an interesting setup with the company you are using. I would expect that any car they send over must be in good shape as they know it must pass an MOT before you take possession and make final payment.
My opinion on importing from Japan is that the car you want should be bought for one of these reasons:
1) Super rare and you cannot source one any other way
2) Super low mileage for a collection
3) Has a lot of expensive or rare modifications that you want and you get a heavy discount this way
4) The car is cheap and totally worth the risk
In my experience #4 is hard to find nowadays because the 90s cars are becoming eligible into the USA and the Japanese people are starting to try to prevent their car history leaving the country.
I figure if the car doesn’t meet 1-4 you are likely better to buy a car you can physically see and inspect at home. Don’t get me wrong, buying at auction is exciting, gives you a back story to the car and can land you a real gem. Just be aware of the risks and weigh up your options.
Tom
I can say I'm starting to agree with that (1-4). We dont have many FDs here and the thing is I'm seeing some nice cars for sale in JDM, and still the engine willalways be luck of the draw by the sounds of it .That being said, I'm finding it harder and harder to consider giving such a premium to the importer (we're talking £4-5k added on to a £9k car for the benefits listed above), when I could pay £10k to get the car to a port here and then have £4-5k spare to do anything that's needs doing.
I have some time to weigh up my options so I'll be back
05-09-18, 12:09 PM
#7
Thank you, again very helpful.
I can say I'm starting to agree with that (1-4). We dont have many FDs here and the thing is I'm seeing some nice cars for sale in JDM, and still the engine willalways be luck of the draw by the sounds of it .That being said, I'm finding it harder and harder to consider giving such a premium to the importer (we're talking £4-5k added on to a £9k car for the benefits listed above), when I could pay £10k to get the car to a port here and then have £4-5k spare to do anything that's needs doing.
I have some time to weigh up my options so I'll be back
I can say I'm starting to agree with that (1-4). We dont have many FDs here and the thing is I'm seeing some nice cars for sale in JDM, and still the engine willalways be luck of the draw by the sounds of it .That being said, I'm finding it harder and harder to consider giving such a premium to the importer (we're talking £4-5k added on to a £9k car for the benefits listed above), when I could pay £10k to get the car to a port here and then have £4-5k spare to do anything that's needs doing.
I have some time to weigh up my options so I'll be back
If your importer is taking a £4-5k premium you need a different one.
Mark at brave auto charges approx 100,000 yen as his fee (~£700), regardless of the auction price. Obviously you pay shipping, insurance, import taxes etc same as with any other agent. To put your mind at ease, Mark knows FD's and will give it a good look over prior to bidding, for example this video:
Then after purchasing the car from auction, he cleans the car inside and out and the engine bay, then does a full test drive, see this video:
And to top it all off, if after a test drive he discovers that it is a dud; he will help you re sell it in Japan to try recover your money, if you sell at a loss that's your issue, but if you make a profit, you keep the money!
Check out his you tube channels, its fun just watching him drive around the auction lots lookign at cool cars!
Anyway, as you mentioned, I would keep that money in your pocket to spend on the car
Last edited by FEED AFFLUX v5; 05-09-18 at 04:20 PM.
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