Importing Japanese Cars

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Bee

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Topic # 87407 28-Jul-2011 11:09

Does anyone know how to go about importing a car from Japan?

Has anyone done this recently and is it worth doing?

what times and costs are involved?

xpd

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Reply # 498858 28-Jul-2011 11:12

You can save money on the actual car purchase, but you cant guarantee what youre getting....

What sort of car are you looking at ?

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Bee

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Reply # 498869 28-Jul-2011 11:27

We are looking at a new-ish honda Odyssey.

A brief search on trade me shows mostly 2005 or older models where as I would prefer 2008-2010. There seems to be a few of these in Japan but not currently in NZ for some reason?

sbiddle

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Reply # 498878 28-Jul-2011 11:45

Bee: We are looking at a new-ish honda Odyssey.

A brief search on trade me shows mostly 2005 or older models where as I would prefer 2008-2010. There seems to be a few of these in Japan but not currently in NZ for some reason?

Late model cars in Japan cost a lot more - and for many of those importaing Japanese cars it's all about making the most $$ possible. They can pick up most of what we get in NZ literally for peanuts because nobody else wants them.

vinnieg

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Reply # 498882 28-Jul-2011 11:57

sbiddle:
Bee: We are looking at a new-ish honda Odyssey.

A brief search on trade me shows mostly 2005 or older models where as I would prefer 2008-2010. There seems to be a few of these in Japan but not currently in NZ for some reason?

Late model cars in Japan cost a lot more - and for many of those importaing Japanese cars it's all about making the most $$ possible. They can pick up most of what we get in NZ literally for peanuts because nobody else wants them.

Totally agree on this!

To be honest, you'll save roughly about 500 on a car if you were importing it vs buying from an imported car dealer. Maybe 1k on a car 10-15k. It can be a fun experience, however I wouldn't repeat it. Unless you were travelling to Japan in the next year and had a chance to check the car over yourself in person

Just wondering what the issue with a 2005 model would be? is it just the looks or are you more concerned with safety? As the 2005 model does have side curtain airbags for all seats and seems to have a good safety rating?

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=565

Compared to the 2005+ range

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=233&seriesid=385

I know when it comes to my family, I really prefer safety over looks...and if having to put 17"-18" mags on it because they have more tread/safer in the wet, then so be it ;)

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MikeB4

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Reply # 498887 28-Jul-2011 12:09

With what occurred in Northern Japan you should be very careful. There will be many many cars on the market that are flood damaged post Tsunami.

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Bee

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Reply # 498888 28-Jul-2011 12:11

the issue is really just wanting to buy the newest that we can now so that it is a longer time until we have to repeat the exercise...

Just because we can really :)

Especially with the recent earthquakes/Tsunami in Japan it seems like now is a good time to get a car before the prices go up drastically or the supply dries up completely...

But perhaps going thru a dealer will be a much more preferable way to do things?

vexxxboy

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Reply # 498896 28-Jul-2011 12:26

i would do it this year if you are thinking of it because with the new emission standards on Japanese imports from next year and a shortage of cars due to the tsunami , prices will rise as there will be less cars to choose from.

http://nzcusouth.co.nz/about-nzcu-south/latest-news-58

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scuwp

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Reply # 498910 28-Jul-2011 12:58

There's lots of hoops to jump through if you want to do it yourself, otherwise an importing agent can be used. Specifications for emissions and safety standards are tightening all the time, and new emission standards out soon will mean only the latest models can be imported.

I suggest you check this out

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/importing/index.html

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