Import Dealer Car

[gersfan]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at a car at a dealer at the moment and I decided to ask if he could tell me the auction grade from Japan.

Now I realise he has no need or reason to tell/show me the auction grade but I figured if it was of a good standard he would have no problem.

When I mentioned it he started telling me every place grades them differently and that they don't mean anything and thus did not tell me. Is this true? Would he have the auction grade and de-registration papers from Japan?

Now he seems like a nice guy, he let me look at the car without hassle and took me for a drive too, and maybe im just being suspicious because I don't know all the facts 100%.

Anyway I'm wondering what you all think on the matter, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Rohan.

[R DIRTY 3]

The car is here in Perth, you can see it and touch it...the auction grade probably doesnt matter.

If you are happy with the car, then purchase it. If you are suspect then maybe get an independant workshop to give it a once over (small cost for piece of mind) but keep in mind that its hard to tell the condition of every part in the car. Turbo/gearbox/diff etc may let go after you drive it for a week or so but thats part of the risk of buying a secondhand car...it sucks but it happens....it can happen with anything with moving parts.

Get the car checked by a mechanic for all mechanicals and for further piece of mind get the car on a wheel alignment machine to see if there is any major damage from a previous crash.

Also, you didnt mention what sort of car it is or the KM it has traveled. Maybe with a few more details a few members here can tell you what to look out for. eg Coilpacks at 60-70000km, clutch anywhere from 80000-100000km depending on how it has been driven, radiator around 120000km, 100000 service due etc etc etc Gtr's tend to spin bearings around 100000km?

Very few imports are 100% perfect. All you can do is look at it as hard as possible and if you decide your happy with it, buy it.

[gersfan]

black r34 tiptronic & non turbo

77k kms

But yeah I was just wondering if others had recieved or been told auction grade or other information about the car from Japan when they purchased it.

[R34]

I've always brought in my own cars from Japan

The grading process in Japan is reasonably consistant and accurate.

If the car was a grade 4 or above I'd imagine the dealer would be happy to show you.

The de-reg papers may also confirm if the kms are genuine.

[R32 Driver]

Yes and no

I mean you can inspect the car here so papers really dont matter

get a vehicle inspection and for 250-300$ to put your mind at least as there are dodgy dealers out there

ps different auction houses have different grading systems too

a 4 at one might be a 3 at another

Edited June 3, 2009 by R32 Driver

[Pattygtst]

tiptronic an non turbo have you thought about going for a r33 gtst instead be cheaper. The non turbo's are weak as piss and you will want a turbo on it not long after owning it.

[Brandon]

I've got mine from the dealer but its a little different from your case. I bought the car as I was very happy with the condition and requested for the documents AFTER payment. He provided me with auction sheet (its a print screen from the auction site) and all the import approval papers. The only reason why they wouldnt have such documents is when the car isnt imported by them (they bought it off someone else and resell it). So if the car is being imported by the dealer, I personally would expect them to provide you with it as there's nothing to hide (unless they've got like a grade 3 or 3.5 and do it up for resale). I've got this worry when I was buying mine as they're a compliance workshop as well which means they COULD probably pass the vehicle easier. But when before the purchase, he's already told me its an auction grade 4 (the thought of requesting for documentation kinda slipped my mind at that time).

In any case, either get someone thats experienced to go with you or get a 3rd party mechanic to check it. That would be the best.

[gersfan]

tiptronic an non turbo have you thought about going for a r33 gtst instead be cheaper. The non turbo's are weak as piss and you will want a turbo on it not long after owning it.

Yeah I've been thinking about it all day and I think this is what I'll end up doing, Auto and non/turbo really goes against the idea of having a skyline. At the time Black 34 with kit was just ...

So if the car is being imported by the dealer, I personally would expect them to provide you with it as there's nothing to hide (unless they've got like a grade 3 or 3.5 and do it up for resale).

This was my conern as I asked if he purchased it at an auction and the answer was yes. But then went on for ages to rubbish their value. This is what made me suspicious.

thanks for the replys, I'm not going to purchase this particular car