Buying A Track Car... Any Tips?

[GFXman]

I'm looking at buying a track car from interstate. Looks the goods but I'm not sure of the procedure I should be taking. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience to share?

here are some details.

1. It's never been registered - was imported as a track car only.

2. I can't seem to find anyone willing to go to check it out. It's located in Bathurst which seems to be too far away for all the mobile vehicle inspection people.

3. How would you recommend doing the transaction?

Gonna speak to transport sa tomorrow - see if they have any suggestions.

Any help would be great.

Cheers!

[Matty 31]

if its imported as race/rally only then dont bother with Transport SA. there will be paperwork from Customs that says that the vehicle must not be used on any public roads / road related areas

basically the only thing i can recommend (not the most practical) is to go there yourself and check it out. mobile inspection people probably wouldnt touch it anyway for the same reason (unregistered / uncomplied car)

[dangerman4]

what sort of car is it?

[CRoNic...]

You obviously know the process involved in obtaining a permit for it when you want to drive it to/from a workshop, etc?

[RubyRS4]

if its imported as race/rally only then dont bother with Transport SA. there will be paperwork from Customs that says that the vehicle must not be used on any public roads / road related areas

basically the only thing i can recommend (not the most practical) is to go there yourself and check it out. mobile inspection people probably wouldnt touch it anyway for the same reason (unregistered / uncomplied car)

Do you have friends or family near Bathurst that can eyeball the car for you. If not, fly there, check it out and while there organise some company like AutoTrans to transport it back.

Visit the other state forum and put a flag up about needing someone to inspect. Some SAU member may just be willing to check it out for you and help with getting it on a truck back here.

[GFXman]

what sort of car is it?

MR2

[GFXman]

You obviously know the process involved in obtaining a permit for it when you want to drive it to/from a workshop, etc?

No that's something else I need to find out - I know it's something you can do but not the details involved.

[chef_stagea]

+1 for auto trans. i paid 560 i rekn from bris to adelaide, depot to door. they were great! there will be fairly decent cost im assuming for trailers to and from tracks, workshops etc etc. id be looking into a toyotos/mr2 forum to see what people say to check for. at the end of the day a track car has had a hard life 1 would guess...

just out of interest... whats stopping people from stealing a car in jap, shipping it over without plates as a 'race only'?? sorry if its a stupid question but it sounds a bit too easy :S

[GFXman]

Do you have friends or family near Bathurst that can eyeball the car for you. If not, fly there, check it out and while there organise some company like AutoTrans to transport it back.

Visit the other state forum and put a flag up about needing someone to inspect. Some SAU member may just be willing to check it out for you and help with getting it on a truck back here.

Nah I don't but that's a decent idea. I don't imagine getting it transported back will be a problem - main thing is just getting it looked at to give me peace of mind

Cheers

[Damo_R34]

just out of interest... whats stopping people from stealing a car in jap, shipping it over without plates as a 'race only'?? sorry if its a stupid question but it sounds a bit too easy :S

Im pretty sure the car has to be de-registered in Japan before customs will clear it to board the boat, or something along those lines.

[AndrewJZX100]

at the end of the day a track car has had a hard life 1 would guess...

Not always true, 9 times out of 10 the only reason a car would be imported as 'track only' is because someone wants one to build one and there are no avenues to get one here via the SEVS import scheme (for road rego).

My advice about getting a track only import is make sure you really want a track only car first, and have the means to get it around BEFORE you take the plunge and actually buy one. You'll need a capable tow car and a half reasonable trailer if you want to get it around to race meets.

You CAN permit them to get around to workshops and stuff, but I'd be wary about doing it all the time. DO NOT permit the car to get it to the track you'll get raped by the 5-0

If you know that is DEFINATELY they way you want to go and you have the means to transport it/room to store it and it's related parts then go for it. It's a lot nicer to have a dedicated car that you can modify to perform how you want without having the constraints of rego requirements and keeping it streetable.

Edited March 19, 2009 by AndrewJZX100

[Sinful]

I would want to see all the paperwork of how it came into the country..Who ever brought it in has to have the correct race licence....There are some dodgy cars out there..

Is it CAMS Logbooked??

What has the car been used for??

If you do the right thing and have the permit the Cops shouldnt have a problem with you unless you dont meet the requirements of the permit obviously or being silly..

But having a dedicated track car you do need a trailer and tow vehicle to go with it..You will find it easier and less stressful!!

[GFXman]

yeah I don't plan to drive it to the track - only to the mechanic when needed.

Will have a tow car and trailer organised for it.

I'd definately rather have a dedicated track car rather than using my daily driver. It's going on 20 years old now and cant really afford for it to break as I need it every day. If the track car breaks, so be it - fix it up before the next event and it's all good.

Thanks for the feedback so far guys, much appreciated!

[Matty 31]

Not always true, 9 times out of 10 the only reason a car would be imported as 'track only' is because someone wants one to build one and there are no avenues to get one here via the SEVS import scheme (for road rego).

not completely true, some "race/rally only" imports are classed as that as there was a model commonly available for sale in australia (ie, MR2, S14, WRX)

[Sinful]

yeah I don't plan to drive it to the track - only to the mechanic when needed.

Will have a tow car and trailer organised for it.

I'd definately rather have a dedicated track car rather than using my daily driver. It's going on 20 years old now and cant really afford for it to break as I need it every day. If the track car breaks, so be it - fix it up before the next event and it's all good.

Thanks for the feedback so far guys, much appreciated!

Dedicated Track Cars are great and yes they do relieved the stress of if I break it I cant get to work..You will find that you will be working on it a lot tho

So is there any details on the car?? Havent given us much to go on..

Why a MR2?