Buying Local Or Importing

[godsize]

Just looking for some info...

Is it better to buy a local (private or dealer) for no fuss R34 GTR

OR

Go through an Importer and see what deals I can get.

A friend of mine got a S15 Imported/Comp/Rego VERY cheap and it had only 30,000kms.

Has anyone been through the process with an R34 GTR?

Cheers

[godsize]

Import FTW

www.prestigemotorsport.com.au

[Marlin]

Local absolutely, and preferably a private sale.

I couldn't spend 34 GTR money on a car I couldn't feel and touch and thoroughly inspect.

Ones that have been owned here are typically better cars because all the little bugs have typically been ironed out.

[Brandon]

Unless you're after a rare variant, import. If you can find a bargain, import. Or else, buy local. Its not worth the hassle and risk.

Having said that, how do you know for sure 100% if the mileage are geniune? Ask yourself that question. Even if they have logbooks, you'll never know for sure. So long as the motor's healthy and everything's sweet, I dont see why you shouldnt get a car with higher mileage.

[krzysztof]

imo its a buyers market here atm and if someone needs to sell they'll sell for whatever they can get.. i think you'll find a better deal buying locally.

[Iron Chef]

Definitely a buyers' market for R34s locally.

Verifying the kms is everything though - there are plenty of crap taxis masquerading as mint low-km examples, that applies to private sales too. Anything with sub-50km should look and smell like new.

Having said that, I still import them in reasonable numbers, mostly for people wanting to spend big money and be assured that they're going to get something in mint condition with genuine low kms.

Edited July 20, 2010 by Iron Chef

[Mr Eps]

*eps chimes in*

haha sorry didnt want to answer cos has been covered many times now. but itsup to you. yeah its a buyers market. thats obvious. but doesnt mean you cant save money importing. importing is under the SEVS rule.

that means.. Specialist and enthusiast vehicles. That means. If you want something special. If you want one thats awesome. If you want something truly unique. Importing is for you.

If you just want cheap. Then buy local. But... The few hundreds saved buying locally can cost thousands in service updates when you find out your 43xxxkm car has actually done 160xxxkm.

Also saving that $400 at a dealer on that white stock R34 could mean splurging on te37's later on, whereas importing you can get your hands on a black r34 s3 with logbooks and SSR professor sp1.

A friend of mine had an R34 gtsr east bear demo car till last weekend... Sold it last week. I bet he'll regret that!

[Mr Eps]

to summarize. Buying locally you may (or may not)save a bit of money. And you get the car that day. But as for better deal in the long run. Import import import!!!

[Beer Baron]

Definitely a buyers' market for R34s locally.

Verifying the kms is everything though - there are plenty of crap taxis masquerading as mint low-km examples, that applies to private sales too. Anything with sub-50km should look and smell like new.

Having said that, I still import them in reasonable numbers, mostly for people wanting to spend big money and be assured that they're going to get something in mint condition with genuine low kms.

yeah agreed. recent R34s i've imported have been special cars for buyers who wanted to buy at the top end of the market (like a VS2 Nur with 40,000kms with books and full owner history, 1 owner).

as I just posted in another thread. there are so many R34 GTRs here now that it's really a buyers market and good buys can be had with some patience and some haggling. but if you still want something really special or rare I would import.

[CHRIS AUSSIE]

i say import one with low k's

[DaveO74]

yeah agreed. recent R34s i've imported have been special cars for buyers who wanted to buy at the top end of the market (like a VS2 Nur with 40,000kms with books and full owner history, 1 owner).

as I just posted in another thread. there are so many R34 GTRs here now that it's really a buyers market and good buys can be had with some patience and some haggling. but if you still want something really special or rare I would import.

Is that the grey one we were talking about at UAS Richard with the big brakes etc etc?

That was a nice ride!!!!!!

[Noy]

I'm currently going through the process of importing an R34 GTR..

Looked locally but nothing took my fancy, bare in mind if you import one you can be up for a long wait depending on how fussy you are.

I was very happy with the service i have received, Geoff @ Prestige Motorsport was a very patient man.

There are plenty of import brokers that can help you, Prestige Motorsport, Iron Chef Imports, J-Spec Imports

Contact any of them and i'm sure they will help with your search

Just looking for some info...

Is it better to buy a local (private or dealer) for no fuss R34 GTR

OR

Go through an Importer and see what deals I can get.

A friend of mine got a S15 Imported/Comp/Rego VERY cheap and it had only 30,000kms.

Has anyone been through the process with an R34 GTR?

Cheers

[choyda]

Apart from the importer you deal with, from what I went through and was told, it also comes down to the supplier on the other end.

I got my car via my importer from Global Auto:

http://www.global-auto.ne.jp/ and was very happy. Everything was as per their specs.

[kimbod]

You will get a better car from Japan as long as you are happy for the right one to come up at auction and can wait for the formalities. Look at the threads of people who have used Iron Chef or other brokers on here and they are all happy

[vspecIInur]

I'm happy with my R34 GTR via importing and I only waited 7 weeks fully complied and on road. Look hard and you get quality

[mxfly]

I'm one of the exception of importing a good gt-r. Maybe it was a once off bad experience but the car I got wasn't up to scratch. Looks a million dollars from the untrained eye but was not as good as I wouldve wanted it. So instead, I sold it off locally and found a much better example that was already in the country.

So you have both good and bad points of importing and buying locally. Just have to weigh it up. Personally i'd try and find one already here and if nothing tickles your fancy, then seek the Chef and he'll dish you up a superlative car.