Japanese Imports

[RonA]

Hi All
Does anyone have experience of buying and running a Japanese import, the couple of companies I've seen adverts from claim they are less susceptible to rust compared to UK ones. They also tend to be lower mileage.
Presumably the speedo reads in KPH is this a problem or is it possible to change it for an MPH one, and finally does an import have any effect on the insurance.
Ron

 

[Jack Ratt]

The Japanese don't use salt on their roads so the underside of their cars look like new. Some Jap cars are rhd and some are lhd so I suppose they get their cars from mixed markets. I looked at one at a dealer in Middlesbro when I was on a course up there and the car I looked at was rhd and had imperial clocks. It only had 30k miles on it and was up for a bargain £6k. If I was looking for a zed at the time I would have very likely bought it but I already have two of my own.

 

[mrscalex]

It's a great and legitimate choice. Actually one of the few things in life that appear to be as good as it seems.

The Japanese selling/export market is strictly regulated. My udnerstanding is each car is given a strict 1-5 condition code by the seller and they get in biggo trouble if they flout it. So it's not to say there aren't rought ones. But ask for the condition code. I forget which way round it is. I think 4 & 5 are the best ones. These facts came straight from a specialist Z3 importer.

 

[Delk]

There is always a risk. I bought a Land Rover years ago when I was living in the islands. Someone had a go with the wiring. It ran but was never right. Several friends bought different cars and had no issues.

Because of emissions Japan require export to scrapping of most cars.

Only real downside are most are autos.

 

[Nodzed]

My old Dad bought a Isuzu Big Horn (Trooper) some years ago as a Jap import, underside was like it had just rolled out of the factory.

 

[Tracy Dee]

Many years ago I imported a Eunos MX5 loads more standard extras than a uk car mega low mileage for its year mechanical wise meticulously maintained they have strict laws about that sort of stuff.
I took it to a Mazda main dealer and the service manager said they are basically the same as uk car except for no underseal but mine was like underneath.
Had that car 4 years only had couple of oil changes and a battery great little car for reliability.

 

[137699]

A good friend of mine bought an imported 1993 Toyota Supra about 20 years ago.
As said the car was totally rust free when he bought it - he also noted that unlike UK-spec Supra's, there was no underseal applied to the chassis.

He lives on the west coast of Northern Scotland where a) it's very wet and b) a lot of salt gets used.

Because there's no underseal he says it's really easy to check the condition of the chassis so he puts it up in the air once a year or so and thoroughly cleans it & attends to any brown patches. As a result, his 27 year old car is in much better condition than any UK-spec Supra that merrily rots away behind the underseal with the owner being totally oblivious to the issue.

So in many ways, if you keep to a schedule of regular underbody inspection, a jap import could be a much better buy than any UK spec car.

 

[ljbmwz3]

Been running one for a while , 29000 miles not a mark of rust full bmw history top spec rare combo which u get on imports was £3000 less than what a uk one would fetch only thing there all autos but kinda suits the car

 

[Grumps]

My wife has had 3 Jap imports. Yes they come with KPH clocks and need fog lights fitting to make UK regs but they are cracking cars and tend to come with lots of toys. The Japanese loves their gadgets, better stereos, sat-nav etc. All ours where top condition and never had any trouble from them. We had a Toyota Lucida (Preveia) Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun) and a Toyota Hi-Lux Surf 3.0.

 

[as400]

Mine has been superb so far no issues, 3.0l auto bought cheaply from Ebay 72K. Air con seems particularly cold powerful....mechanic was very impressed with the underside when it was up on the ramp, though I haven't seen that view yet myself. Needs a new roof as the rear screen is working loose. New steering wheel arriving from Royal next week. Great value for money if you're looking for a weekend car.

Jap Import Interior

• as400
• Jun 13, 2020

Japanese Import 3L

• as400
• Jun 13, 2020

 

[RonA]

Thanks to all who responded, the answers look mainly pretty positive, I think I'll go and see what's available once travel becomes a bit easier. The two main drawbacks for me, automatic gearboxes mainly and KPH speedo I think I could live with to get a better car.

 

[Grumps]

Thanks to all who responded, the answers looks mainly pretty positive, I think I'll go and see what's available once travel becomes a bit easier. The two main drawbacks for me, automatic gearboxes mainly and KPH speedo I think I could live with to get a better car.

You can buy a MPH sticker that goes straight over the top of the KMH clock. Almost all if not all Jap cars are auto.

 

[gookah]

the other downside with the Japanese imports,
is that the clock will always read 8 hours ahead......

 

[ljbmwz3]

My wife has had 3 Jap imports. Yes they come with KPH clocks and need fog lights fitting to make UK regs but they are cracking cars and tend to come with lots of toys. The Japanese loves their gadgets, better stereos, sat-nav etc. All ours where top condition and never had any trouble from them. We had a Toyota Lucida (Preveia) Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun) and a Toyota Hi-Lux Surf 3.0.

Over 12 years old or about that ? U dont need type approval so z3 is fine u xan by overlays to get round kph speedo query

 

[Jim Ramsay]

Just bought an immaculate jap import but where can I get an overlay for the speedo and does fitting require instrument cluster strip down?

 

[Jim Ramsay]

Hi All
Does anyone have experience of buying and running a Japanese import, the couple of companies I've seen adverts from claim they are less susceptible to rust compared to UK ones. They also tend to be lower mileage.
Presumably the speedo reads in KPH is this a problem or is it possible to change it for an MPH one, and finally does an import have any effect on the insurance.
Ron

I bought 2.2i last year, showroom condition underneath, insurance low and mileage 54k. now looking for a speedo MPH overlay. Cant fault this car.

 

[Grumps]

Just bought an immaculate jap import but where can I get an overlay for the speedo and does fitting require instrument cluster strip down?

You can buy a sticker that goes over the speedo off ebay

 

[Jim Ramsay]

Many thanks

 

[jaguartvr]

Probably cheaper to buy a second hand speedo and swap out the dial plate. 4/6 cylinders are different.

 

[ljbmwz3]

Thanks to all who responded, the answers look mainly pretty positive, I think I'll go and see what's available once travel becomes a bit easier. The two main drawbacks for me, automatic gearboxes mainly and KPH speedo I think I could live with to get a better car.

you can fit overlays on Speedo £35