Self Importing of a Japanese car

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Talkiet

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#161839 21-Jan-2015 13:50

I have a very specific car I want and there's very few of them available in NZ so I am looking at importing myself. There are a few "DIY Import a Japanese car" sites around but I was wondering if anyone had any real world experience on a good site to use, or even a full service option?

I have spoken to Gullivers and they can find what I want but the only ones they have found are very low K and cost more than I want to spend. I'd really prefer to be able to search the original Japanese auctions first and then pass off my selections to someone that can bid, buy and transport to NZ. I'd then get it complied by someone locally or if the bid/buy/transport place has a reasonable option for that I'd be happy to let them do the whole thing.

So, Japanese auction sites that allow searching by non dealers?
Things to watch out for? (Surface rust underneath car sometimes means media blasting etc)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1219111 21-Jan-2015 13:55

I'll scan you some pages tonight from a magazine I have that talks about importing cars and what to watch for... is an AU mag but 90% of the things they talk about are valid for anywhere.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Batman

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#1219126 21-Jan-2015 14:09

ok i want to know too thanks

trig42

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#1219133 21-Jan-2015 14:14

I have a mate that imports a couple of cars a year for himself/family/friends.

He has a contact over in Japan that he goes through to buy the cars and arrange shipping to NZ. I'll try and get details for you.

You need to watch for rust under the body, and make sure the car you want to import meets emission standards - generally 2002 and beyond is OK - otherwise they won't get registered here.

Batman

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#1219137 21-Jan-2015 14:17

generally i found the quotes of the "deal direct" importers cost more than what i can find at the car yards! serious! the only reason to self import is if you can get by the "direct importer" (aka middleman) or the car is so rare

Talkiet

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#1219142 21-Jan-2015 14:18

Thanks guys - the car I want is a 2009-2011 Nissan Skyline Crossover with ALLLLLL the tech goodies (Radar cruise control, around view monitor, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Sport Warning etc etc etc) and I'm after something with 50-70k on it. There's 2-3 in NZ at the moment that almost meet my wishlist but none that tick all the boxes.

I'm also after the half leather seats, not full leather.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Eitsop

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#1219149 21-Jan-2015 14:22

have you checked out www.beforward.jp

k14

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#1219162 21-Jan-2015 14:43

I did this last year. Very long process but in the end very happy with the result. I knew what I wanted and stuck to my guns. All up it took 6 months but I saved ~$5k (car cost $18k all up, delivered/on the road). I looked at using the japanese based sites but in the end used a company out of Auckland called carwebs. Great to deal with and their website gives you direct access to the japanese auctions. You scroll through the lists every day and then tell them which car you want to bid for and what your maximum price is for the car delivered. They back calculate the maximum they can bid to and then you bid.

In the end I think I bidded for approx 50 cars and missed out by 1 bid multiple times.

Let me know if you need any advice but I couldn't recommend carwebs more highly.

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hairy1

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#1219172 21-Jan-2015 14:49

I've got a guy who does it all for a set commission. Let me know if you want his details. I can PM you his price and details if you like.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

MikeB4

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#1219177 21-Jan-2015 14:53

I started to investigate this myself a while back and decided the savings etc were not worth the minefield one must negotiate to do it.

graemeh

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#1219196 21-Jan-2015 15:10

I've been looking at ovalconnect.com

They appear professional but I have not used them so I can't say for certain.

If nothing else they seem to have a lot of useful information. Things like which auction houses have extra freight costs and which parts of Japan have the rusty cars.

I also wonder how you can avoid buying a car that reeks of cigarette smoke.

edit: Corrected domain name for ovalconnect

Batman

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#1219202 21-Jan-2015 15:17

Talkiet: Thanks guys - the car I want is a 2009-2011 Nissan Skyline Crossover with ALLLLLL the tech goodies (Radar cruise control, around view monitor, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Sport Warning etc etc etc) and I'm after something with 50-70k on it. There's 2-3 in NZ at the moment that almost meet my wishlist but none that tick all the boxes.

I'm also after the half leather seats, not full leather.

Cheers - N

good luck !

trig42

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#1219206 21-Jan-2015 15:26

Talkiet: Thanks guys - the car I want is a 2009-2011 Nissan Skyline Crossover with ALLLLLL the tech goodies (Radar cruise control, around view monitor, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Sport Warning etc etc etc) and I'm after something with 50-70k on it. There's 2-3 in NZ at the moment that almost meet my wishlist but none that tick all the boxes.

I'm also after the half leather seats, not full leather.

Cheers - N

Nice Wagon!

Wont all the candy be in Japanese though?

k14

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#1219218 21-Jan-2015 15:27

graemeh: I also wonder how you can avoid buying a car that reeks of cigarette smoke.

Very easily. The auction houses are fastidious in their rating system which goes to the auction sheet. Their integrity rests on the quality of the information put into these sheets. Any car with even the slightest hint of cigarette smoke will have a D rating for the interior. When I purchased I only considered B and A grade interiors.

The same goes for the exterior of the car. Anything rated above 4 (out of 5) is very tidy. Sometimes a car will be rated 4 (instead of 4.5, 5 is brand new) if there is the slightest scratch on some panel that no one can see. Their auction sheets are very reliable and I wouldn't be worried about being mislead in regards to external or internal quality of the car.

Batman

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#1219219 21-Jan-2015 15:28

ah just googled the car ... a giant juke!

graemeh

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#1219221 21-Jan-2015 15:31

k14:
graemeh: I also wonder how you can avoid buying a car that reeks of cigarette smoke.

Very easily. The auction houses are fastidious in their rating system which goes to the auction sheet. Their integrity rests on the quality of the information put into these sheets. Any car with even the slightest hint of cigarette smoke will have a D rating for the interior. When I purchased I only considered B and A grade interiors.

The same goes for the exterior of the car. Anything rated above 4 (out of 5) is very tidy. Sometimes a car will be rated 4 (instead of 4.5, 5 is brand new) if there is the slightest scratch on some panel that no one can see. Their auction sheets are very reliable and I wouldn't be worried about being mislead in regards to external or internal quality of the car.

Thanks for that info, I had heard the rating sheets were very strict but for some reason it never occurred to me to check to see how smoke is graded.

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