Personal Import

[Sadio]

Hey,

Im not sure if im posting this in the correct section but regardless im jus doing some reasearch on japanese imports because im considering importing an Evo VI from japan im jus curious to know if anyone else has done this for themselves (import a car from japan, without the help of an australian dealer or whatever)
what problems you came across? if it was worth it in the end? how much money did u save in comparision to if u went through an australian dealer? ....basically a runthrough of the whole process u went through


and any recommended sites with japanese autions, so far the best ive come across are

www.tradecarview.com

and

www.jpctrade.com


cheers for the help

 

[Sadio]

...any help from anyone with some experience or knowledge would be greatly appreciated

 

[DOUGMO]

I havent done it myself but I think in the long run it is well worth going through a dealer mate so that you dont get stuck with a dud, bear in mind there is no warranty and you cant send it back. pictures will only tell you so much in the end.

 

[Sadio]

it seems going through an australian dealer will end up costing so much more than if i were to import a car myself...

yeah ur right, but there must be a way to do it, if australian dealers do it so why cant i without the extra cost's. im sure they would go though some sort of process to make sure they arnt buying a dud either... (i basically want to understand the process they (the australian dealer) go through)

..hmmm

 

[DOUGMO]

they have reliable guys that they deal with and in turn they take the risk on your behalf so if it goes pearshaped your not stuck with a total shitter that cant be registered

 

[boostboy76]

I haven't done this before, but have researched it a fair bit. At the moment, I'd probably go through a broker.

Difference between a broker and a car dealer?

A Car Dealer: adds a margin on their cars, and you never find out how much it is.
An Import Broker: charges you a set fee for the work done.

Iron Chef Imports seems pretty good, and certainly explains the process quite well:

http://www.ironchefimports.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=31

 

[Entaran]

I'd use ironchef or j-spec.com.au

Mind you, I have a close friend who's fluent in japanese but even then I still wouldn't attempt it myself. For $900 who cares on a car that's going to cost you the better part of $20-25k anyway.

 

[Jonson]

The Broker has a trusted and experienced agent that inspects the car first. Gives his opinion on what the car will reach at auction. Plus because the Agent has been doing it for a while he would get pref treatment/prices/advice/inside knowledge.

I think you could do it your self, IF you could hire a trusted inspector to look over the car.

 

[jase]

Yeah the issue is finding someone who can look the car over and be 100% on things.

The benefit of a broker is that their reputation is at stake if they buy you a dud, so for $900 it's pretty good piece of mind. Plus with the paperwork and everything, it's a hassle for a first timer.

Whoever you go through (I'd suggest jspec of ICI), be INCREDIBLY firm and detailed about what you want. Make sure you know 100% of the damage on the car, assume the km's have been wound back and remember that "landed and complied" does not include tyres, rego, stamp duty, petrol, possibly a new set of brake pads, and a heap of other servicing.

If you go ahead with it, SHOP AROUND for your exchange rate. I saved a good $2k by going through ozforex at the time.

 

[Sadio]

thanks for the advise every1...

would anyone know of any trusted inspecters in japan?

 

[Jonson]

Ring Kristian at Iron Chef Imports and ask for his inspectors name. His inspector is generally pretty good!

 

[Entaran]

I think the general consensus of this thread was to use a broker.