Hi everyone, been a regular visitor to the forum for nearly a year. First post though. I intend on buying a zed sometime before the end of the year and just want some opinions on importing through 15 year rule or buying local. It seems almost crazy how much you "appear" to save by importing, but then again you are running a few extra risks with not being able to get the car checked out prior to purchase etc How many people here have bought a zed in through the 15 year rule? and what are your thoughts?I beleive Blipman is associated with J-Spec so am sure you have seen both the happy customers and the horror stories? I've had some brief looks at car yards here in Perth but everything seems way over-priced for the condition of the cars (bald tyres, faded paint, average interior). Have not seen any private sale zeds though, i still haven't even driven one yet!! :-0I pretty much know what i'm after (Black 2+2, Targa, TT, Auto, Leather) and this seems to be a very common combination anyway..What kind of condition would you expect from an '89 import for around 15 - 16k after compliance? From what i'm lead to beleive on the import sites, you should be able to have one on the road for 11 - 12kBy the way, if anyone uses MSN or Icq you can contact me there aswell: MSN: electro_beats@hotmail.com Icq: 18072049Later,Kurt
Holy Toledo!!! Sorry about the korny catchprase, It's just that there seems to be a lot of people in WA buying zeds at the moment. You probably saw the opinion post on Auto Japan. Regardless of what was said I found that fauser (the owner)was fantastically helpful and we still keep in contact. I'd start by paying him a little visit. He has stock coming in all the time. I don't know about you, but I would rather pay a little more and be able to see, hear, inspect and drive the car that I'm buying.... This is my stance on importing, but it'll vary depending on the person you talk to. If you wanna have a chat, feel free to give me a call. Cheers Paul
Well --- I have a black TT coming in a few months that I purchased under the 15 year old rule. Should be on the road for under $9000. You can save $$$ importing but you have to be patient and trust your importer. There are some real bargins to be had in Japan. I guess I'll see if it was worth it in a few months. CHEERS MICK
Not import! I bought my 92 manual NA about 3 months ago and paid $17500. It was immaculate but I think I paid far to much. There were many mechanical defects all fixed for >$3000. It is a "grey" import and that means that comprehensive insurance is going to cost me $1200 per year. And even though I am 51 and a rating one driver I can only find 3 companies that will insure it, "Just car", "Unique", "Shannons" In S.A. we have a weekly classifieds paper called the "Trading post". There were eight z32's in it this week. If you have such a paper in WA then that will be the best source of local cars. My impression is that private sale cars in SA are advertised for between $12-$19000. There are a few cheaper (wrecks?) and a few higher that are advertised for months.My recommendation for what it is worth is a locally delivered car. You can personally inspect it and maybe get insurance. Also non turbo - less problems.
I thought it a risk worth taking and I haven't been disappointed. I brought my car in through Prestige Motor Sport - very helpful and knowledgable. I bought my TT 2+2 auto last year before the 15 year rule changed and so I got it when it was just over 14 years old. Since then the prices have climbed a bit but not too much. Whilst there is a risk in buying a car sight unseen there are some clues that might help you with your decision. Firstly I went for an auto 2+2 because I felt this type of car would not appeal to the Japanese boy racers and chances are it hadn't been thrashed. Secondly I looked at one that did not have fading or perished trims which probably means it was garaged. I also went for a car that was stock standard with no aftermarket bits at all. Sure there's risk involved - just depends on whether you feel like taking it. Hope this helps Kurt. Feel free to email me if you need any help.Cliff
Good logic behind those choices, Candu:YD> With your great purchase price, you can afford to pour some maintenance money into it and prolong the satisfaction ...[image]http://members.optusnet.com.au/markfield/bomb.gif[/image]
Thanks for the opinions>> I think this point is one of the reasons importing appeals to me so much. Even if you did end up with a car that needed a bit of work, by the time you have had it done, it would probably be running better than one you have paid a much higher purchase price for locally and possibly have money left over. For example if Mick (above) says he should have his car on the road for $9,000 imagine what he could do to it by spending another $9,000 on it }) and that would still only equate to $18,000 which ive seen local cars going for this price which are nothing special.:YD
Just keep in mind > a rebuilt engine = around $6K, a rebuilt auto/man = around $4K... your margin can be spent pretty quick.PS: I know they can also go on a local car you just spent $20K on too ...
When you see something like this... ...for that price, it's hard to resist importing!http://www.prestigemotorsport.com.au/?/au/stock/details.asp?StockID=2395
i bought mine in perth i bought mine in perth at a dealer early last year got it for $17 000 with 3 year warrenty new pearl paint full 3 inch stailess exhaust aftermarket turbo s mines ECU bovs PHAT 18s stereo tint pretty lucky for me to pic it up cheap...i was lookin for months in quakka,auto trader every were till it found me...its always better if you can see it and test drive it cause then you know what your buying...importings cheaper but you could also buy something thats gonna be hastle or something you dont like about it...just keep lookin till its what you ve wanted...[image]http://gallery.evolutionm.net/data/500/4762chriszed.JPG[/image]">
or this.... http://www.prestigemotorsport.com.au/?/au/stock/details.asp?StockID=2369 Bought this a few months back, took a bit of a risk, but the way I see it you take a risk in buying a car locally as well, and as people have already said you generally get a lot more car for the money by importing (or an equivalent one is a lot cheaper). The other thing you have to be prepared for when importing is the wait ! It's been 3 months for me so far and at least another 6-8 wks before she's on the road Matt.
Dont import :thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown: you are just going to kill the price of our cars even more....they are already a bargain at $20k and for $9k thats just stupid...why bother fixing them or keeping them sweet. for 9k just park the nose against the wall and do burnouts till it blows up, then buy another one. brand new it was an $88k car in aus dealers...its just sad. :sick::sick::sick:
this is an old topic I have since decided importing is the way to go. And Ben from J-Spec is taking me through the process I don't understand why you would *want* to spend $20,000+ on one though? How is that logical when you are still going be buying a 15 year old car (or close to it) :unsure::unsure::unsure:
The answer lies in how much you trust the importer! If you can find a reputable importer that has a good buyer in Japan then you will most probably get a good car. They see thousands of cars and know the quality of the vehicle. So essentially they are your eyes and ears and it is your trust in them that is the most important factor. Any car can give you grief so if you can get a bargain then go for it. My Z leaves Japan next week and will arrive in Fremantle in a copule of weeks. I will let you know how it turns out. Certainly there is an extra element of excitement when you buy a car you have not seen... Kind of like a Christmas present! :thumbsup:
or this hang a sec this isnt a ghost car was it? if it went for this price ....I'm crying now http://www.prestigemotorsport.com.au/au/stock/details.asp?StockID=960 shadow
i think what he is tryin to say is..... it is better to by a good condition slightly pricer (not really considering its orginal price) which will probably last longer with lower K's on it, imports always have risks, which is up to the induvidual, if they are willing to take it. I personally went for an Aus model NA, and the power is enough. With a few minor mods it has a nice kick, plus it has the advantage of a good record of its history. No probs so far and its been bout 2 years. personally i thought the NA a good pick and im sure others on the site will agree (althought there is a certain atraction to a turbo which i suffer from also). But if you do go for an import, pick sopme one well known, they are less livkly to stuff you around.
