Purchasing R34 Gtr V Spec

[IMACUL8]

Hello Guys

Was hoping people who have recently purchased R34 GTR's (sewid, wrxhoon, tommyk, etc) would be able to share some insight, experience and advice with me.

Did you guys import yourselves, or did you use someone to do it for you?

Where was your car sourced?

Is it worth buying one here already - or do they tend to be fixed up cars?

Need to find out who are the respected professionals in the field as I want this to be a smooth process and am not looking to deal with lackies.

If anyone can add anything helpful I would greatly appriciate it.

Thanks guys.

Daniel

[MFC05]

Contact me on my signature

check us out at www.boostimports.com.au

theres a bit of information about importing

Regards Jack

[sewid]

Well I guess you could say I did both, I imported myself but I went through Prestige Motorsports as a broker. I got onto their auction list and waited until a GTR came up. I was seeing about 6 - 10 per week. Some cars grade R some cars grade 5 some in between.

I reviewed auction sheets and set my bid limit and eventially got my car at a USS Tokyo auction.

For an R34 GTR it is still advisable to buy in Japan. You will save money over buying one locally. Local examples for sale seem to be either pricey or of questionable history.

Some of the guys have gone to Japan to select the car themselves but this requires someone in Japan to escort you into the auctions and you'd need to organise it.

My advice is:

- Be prepared to spend 4 million yen for a good car

- Do not settle for a non-vspec

- Avoid cars from from the northern regions of Japan

- Buy a stock car

- Avoid cars with factory GPS this is useless in australia and clutters the dash with unuseable features

- Avoid Kiwi line shipping, use NYK etc

- Chase the bill of lading and dereg papers as soon as you can, chase your buyer up for this

- Use a customs broker, take a couple of days off work to ensure you are chasing everyone who needs to be chased when the car lands

- Pick it up from the docks yourself, be early, docks open 7.30am

- Drive the car to the complier yourself or pay good money for a flatbed who will not destroy your front lip

- Do your homework on the compliance situation, use a complier who will not destroy your xenon lights in the compliance process

- At the RTA they will tell you that you've been selected for a "random" numbers check and that you must book an appointment for an inspection. If the date they choose is more than 5 days away you are entitled for an interim rego label so you can legally drive the car until that is done

[IMACUL8]

Thanks sewid - exactly the advise im after.

So 4,000,000 yen (say approx $46000-$50000AUD) will buy a imacul8 2000 or newer V spec??

Also - most buyers ship their cars over parked on the boat (exposed), now Im looking for something alittle more secure - does anyone know how much is it to have the car put into a container??

Daniel

[sewid]

Cars do not sit on top of the boat exposed, they are inside the hull strapped down. Container shipping adds only slightly more, 500 - 1500 on top + decontainering fees at customs at this end.

You are best off looking at recent past auction prices to get an idea of what you can get for 4million.

[SS8_Gohan]

got a great price on R34 compliance if you're interested.

anyways, good luck with the search! awesome cars

[wrxhoon]

Thanks sewid - exactly the advise im after.

So 4,000,000 yen (say approx $46000-$50000AUD) will buy a imacul8 2000 or newer V spec??

Also - most buyers ship their cars over parked on the boat (exposed), now Im looking for something alittle more secure - does anyone know how much is it to have the car put into a container??

Daniel

4 Mil will not buy you an immaculate car it will buy you a decent 99-00 ( ser I ) car . If you are looking for a very good car buy a S II V-Spec II for about 5 mil . I have seen fine examples bring about 5.5 mill .

I totaly agree with sewids comments and have to add if you have the time take a 2 week holiday in Japan and buy the car while you are there .

I did it myself in 2004 and ended up with a fine examle a 10/2001 rare M-Spec and i'm very happy with my decision to go there for a holiday and buy the car and lots of parts while there .

You have to choose the raw as soon as you buy the car, they have to apply for an import approval on your behalf .

DON'T buy an R rated car or a rusty car, you may get rejected and then you have to either destroy or export .

If you want to calculate the total cost allow extra money for brake pads and if above 4.2 mil jpy luxury tax, dont take the brokers estimate as the final figure, it will cost you more . Dont forget it must be totaly stock when complied so any aftermarket stuff you will have to remove and replace with stock items .

[IMACUL8]

Thanks wrxhoon

appriciate the advice.

Dan

[Tommyk]

I dont have one yet, but will be flying to japan to find myself something. SOON!!

I imported my 33 gtr myself using a japanese broker and buying 'over the net'. I was happy with the way things went, and brought the car over in good nick.

I am now looking at buying a 34 and for the outlay around the 4M yen mark, I will be personally inspecting the car, making sure its up to my standard Of course I will still be using a japanese broker (60,000 yen fees). As well as this I will have a well deserved holiday in japan.

Make sure you thoroughly research what you want to get, what your budget is, etc. Make sure you have a raw ready to go.

Other than that, the other guys have probably answered most of your questions. I would advise you to fly to japan to purchase this thing. 60+ thousand dollars is a large sum of money

[Beer Baron]

As usual Kris's advice is sound. just one small change. With the 'random' vehichle identity check. the NSW RTA no longer offer interim registration. so if the inspection is scheduled more than 5 days away they will just say tough luck, drive it straight home, then wait for your inspection date.

[wrxhoon]

As usual Kris's advice is sound. just one small change. With the 'random' vehichle identity check. the NSW RTA no longer offer interim registration. so if the inspection is scheduled more than 5 days away they will just say tough luck, drive it straight home, then wait for your inspection date.

When did they stop offering interim rego? I thought they still do .

By the way when you go to RTA to get it registerd the first time you dont need to take the car with you, all you need is all the paperwork. They wont do the identity check there anyway , they will make an appointment for you at another registry .

Be careful when you drive the car to get it inspected, unless you have a trade plate, the car is unisured ( no 3rd party personal injury ) .

[Beer Baron]

When did they stop offering interim rego? I thought they still do .

By the way when you go to RTA to get it registerd the first time you dont need to take the car with you, all you need is all the paperwork. They wont do the identity check there anyway , they will make an appointment for you at another registry .

Be careful when you drive the car to get it inspected, unless you have a trade plate, the car is unisured ( no 3rd party personal injury ) .

i asked the same question but the monkey behind the counter couldnt give me a date, but she said approximately since the end of last year. this was just 2 weeks ago that i encountered this problem. it was a pain in the arse that's for sure.

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Crap I'll be wanting interim rego soon. Oh well thanks for the heads up Richo.

[IMACUL8]

Thanks guys

Well im offically in the market now, and boy am I excited. Will be contacting a few people/places this week.

The goal is a 2000 or newer V spec in yellow. But yellow seems to be a bit harder to get - so will probably end up with blue.

Thanks again for all your advice guys.

Let the games begin

Daniel

Edited March 27, 2006 by IMACUL8

[siddr20]

If you live in sydney area, chris at sspi.com.au imports them and does the compliance work as well.. A lot of ppl have gone thru him and he actually bought one which might be up for sale. Maybe give him a call as well and get some insight maybe.. www.sspi.com.au

cheers and good luck.. Do post pics once you buy one..

[Tommyk]

Yellow only came in series ones

[MFC05]

IMACUL8 i dont see a need to travel to all the way to Japan to inspect & import the car unless you also want to go on holiday in Japan if not personally i would either import the car myself or use an Australian Broker who would sort out all the paper work and if you wanted to know whether this car has any mechanical problems I would recommend get an mechanical inspection done by the Japs prior purchasing the vehicle.

There shouldnt be a problem finding nice clean stock R34 GTR with low kms within your price range

good luck importing mate

If you any any problems or questions just give me a PM i would be glad to help

Cheers Jack

Edited March 27, 2006 by MFC05

[Tommyk]

I would seriously advise you, on good reason to travel to japan to buy the car. unless you have a japanese broker you can TRUST to buy you a good car.

You can join me on my japanese adventures in a few months

[cowie165]

If you live in sydney area, chris at sspi.com.au imports them and does the compliance work as well.. A lot of ppl have gone thru him and he actually bought one which might be up for sale. Maybe give him a call as well and get some insight maybe.. www.sspi.com.au

cheers and good luck.. Do post pics once you buy one..

If you mean the blue one he bought late last year, it has been sold.

[R34 VSPEC]

Thanks guys

Well im offically in the market now, and boy am I excited. Will be contacting a few people/places this week.

The goal is a 2000 or newer V spec in yellow. But yellow seems to be a bit harder to get - so will probably end up with blue.

Thanks again for all your advice guys.

Let the games begin

Daniel

Dan, I own a late model 99 GTR 34 VSPEC, gunmental grey and understandably have been babying the car after spending the kind of money on one. I am thinking of selling the car due to increase pressure for wife esp after birth of second child.....damn it's a tough world!!!

Anyway , I bought the car from a good mate who imported the VSPEC himself from japan. I remembered the excitement as well as the waiting game he went through so when he wanted to sell, I knew I was onto a winning. Full history books, manuals, servicing docs came with the car and it had only 20000kms. This was back in 2004. I have had the car for about 6 months and enjoyed every drive.

Xenons, BLITZ BOOST controller in cabin, HKS t/timer, 3.5 inch full stainless exhaust with dump pipes, K& N panel filter...that's it...everything else standard.

PM me if interested as I am trying to delay advertising it as long as possible or otherwise goodluck with your quest...it's a whole new feeling to own a R34 GTR!!!!

Regards,

David

PS. I'm in Queensland.