Importing Yourself

[adrian]

Hi all. I got a login to AutoTerminal.com and looked at the "IDirect" section where it appears you can bid on cars sitting in Japan: Below is a sample of what I can see. Can not view photos. Mileage (Kms) is in thousands of units. Start and Average prices are in thousands of Yen (¥) and for your info 100,000 yen is 769.41 Euro:

Yr Chassis Color Basic Info Tr Style Options CC Cond Kms Start Avg
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98 Unknown Silver FTO AT AC PS PW 0 4.0 50 350 705
97 DEZA Silver FTO AT AC PS PW 1800 4.0 9 200 455
97 DE3A Silver Mitsubishi FTO GX Sports P FA 2000 3.5 42 350 667
99 DE3A Check the car Mitsubishi FTO GX Sports PG F5 AC PW 2000 4.0 50 380 778
97 DE3A White Mitsubishi FTO GPX F5 AC PS PW 2000 4.0 64 390 691
97 DE3A White Mitsubishi FTO GP-R F5 AC PS PW 2000 4.0 68 380 700

[adrian]

I went into the "bid" type section and for the GPvR that's "averaged" at 700,000 yen I bid 800,000 yen and it told me I only had a 45% chance of buying in that auction.

I'll find out more.....

A

[adrian]

Looks fairly simple?!

I found this process page for the IDirect crowd I was telling you all about before. It looks like you can import the vechile yourself from Japan and cut out the middle man here:

http://www.idirect.co.jp/process.asp

Adrian

[CJ]

Interesting stuff. I don't know anyone who has dealt with these guys but if you get anywhere, keep us up to date. €6k for a 97 GPvR pre tax\VRT ain't too bad at all.
Be careful, its an auction so if you win, you pay!

Ciaran

[Neil]

Been along time since this thread died off the end of the the main page, was wondering has anyone or any new members have heard anything about these guys in the meantime?

The prices work out quite reasonable even after all the hurrendous taxes but im apprehensive about parting with that much cash for a car i havent physically seen, and to an overseas company to boot.

Also horror stories like this guys blown rx7 engine sure dont help - http://82.195.131.130/vbulletin/showthr ... ight=docks . The autoterminal phone number for the dublin office doesnt work either...

Any opinions?

[Dave]

the only thing is the RX-7 engine has to be re-built anyways after approx 60K.
i emailed these guys before and got very prompt replies, you'll always hear sob stories and someone who got ripped off but that is the risk. Talk to Kevin O D, he imported himself i'm sure he could give you some tips as regards agents over here and what not, basically just do as much research as you can.
i decided against in the long run but for other reasons, not for not wanting to go with these guys!

[Myfeckin FTO]

My mate used IDirect recently for importing his Evo Paj - so far/so good - he gets the Jeep next week. They were pretty clear on the condition of the Jeep and it was shipped fairly lively as well - I guess I'll know more when I go to Dublin next week to pick it up with him.

[steelroe]

I know kevin did have problems with undeclared accident damage when he bought his.
Don't think it worked out much cheaper either

[steelroe]

[Myfeckin FTO]

I know kevin did have problems with undeclared accident damage when he bought his.
Don't think it worked out much cheaper either

If you are in the market for a 95/96 FTO - then I don't think it will work out much cheaper by importing - the only positive is that the import is more unlikely to have been subject to the bad roads and crap weather than an FTO thats been in Ireland a number of years.

As mentioned before - probably the best value car you could buy would be from an existing forum member who has already done the neccessary work - My car was imported last April and I have done an amount of work on it since then so that it has got to the stage where nothing needs doing - all bushes / F & R droplinks / upgraded battery / new Bridgestone S03's / green stuff pads / RSR exhaust and De-Cat / ITG Filter / Denso Iridium plugs and a raft of cosmetic bits like the top mix splitter, Issotta interior, Clear Repeaters, Dials and dial rings as well as a trip to the bodyshop to sort out any scratches/fit splitter/sort arches etc. It has had 4 services since including all fluids changed (brakes,oil X 3, power steering etc), 8 Lights changed to Philips Bluevision, Powersteering,Alternator, Cambelt and Tensioner changed - if you add the cost of the above onto an import then you are looking at spending a lot of money to get it to a reasonable standard. My GPX is now in miles better condition than when I bought it.

There are guys on the forum who have done a lot more work than I have - these cars would be well worth buying if they come up for sale - far better value than an import and probably cleaner.

Neil - Before you import take a look around - take your time and don't rush into buying anything - maybe come to the rolling road day in Feb and take a look at some of the forum cars.

[Neil]

all noted... cheers once again lads