Importing A Supra Tt

[Nissinja]

I'd like to import a Supra turbo. Is it possible to get one here for $15,000-$17,000?

Must be manual and I'd prefer a factory turbo car. Would prefer blue or black but not too fussed. Don't really care about mods; I'm not strictly after a stock car as long as it's in good condition and will be reliable. I'd like a 1998 VVTi but beggers can't be choosers...

What would the cheapest VVTi turbo be to import? I might be able to stretch the budget a little if a decent one can be got (again, must be manual).

[Marcus89]

For a late model one in manual and turbo your budget isn't gonna be sufficient at all

[Chris Rogers]

www.carmenimports.com.au

call him.

[99 GTT]

Just a quick idea on j-spec...

http://www.j-spec.com.au/featured/1993-Toy...a-RZ-15358.html

Or for a bit more of an idea in pricing.. I use j-spec because they give a preaty clear idea of total cost.. Here are some more.. LINK

Prestige Motorsport Supra 1999 SOLD

Do keep in mind if you look around you may find cheaper good quality VVTI models but not much under $26000 i would think..

[Iron Chef]

An early model MIGHT be possible at $17K but it would be fairly rough, you'll never see a late model one in Japan go under $25K all up unless it has done over 200,000kms...

[xALmoN]

buy local

[Iron Chef]

^^ Correct, if you can find one with genuine low kms.

[xALmoN]

i wouldn't be too bothered about the km's though, its toyota, just ensure all the usual mechanical checks are done should be sweet.

but even locally, 17k for a vvti 2jz? you've got to be REAAAALLY patient.

[limpus]

Why insist on a VVTI model? The earlier non vvti ones are just as capable and have a little more support for them...just make sure you get one with the bigger 4 pot brakes...the small 2 pot ones are poo but the 4 pots are just as capable if not more capable than the brembos that came out on GTRs (excluding R35)...

[Mr Eps]

*chiming in from me*

yeah man... as the new owner of a VVTi Soarer i can tell you now that while the VVTi engines are way more betterer than non vvt, i must say that there's not THAT much support for the vvti versions of these enignes..

the weld heat sink covers do look pretty fly though..

=)

oh back on topic - sorry mate, there's no way you'll get one with that budget.. keep in mind these cars are like the japanese equivalent of a porsche 911T. sure they don't cost as much but you get what i'm saying i hope.

just - think of it like... if you have a budget of 17 grand landed n complied.. that leaves you with about 700-750 thousand yen car cost at today's exchange rate.. this leaves you with slim options in the non vvt range, keep in mind that prices also fluctuate for these cars like mental..

with that budget i would SAY a non VVT RZ could be had.. buttttttt with that budget you can forget:

black

non smoker car

great condition car

hmm - well not FORGET but it does slim your chances down a lot..

short answer is - yeah you can have one in that budget - but i would dare say you wouldn't be able to find anything in that budget worth importing...

importing takes 3/4 months.. it's a long time to be "dreaming of your car"

also when you "get" your car - you have people that will have their jaws drop because they spent that much on an ex-demo commodore, and they will be looking to find faults in your imported car.

..and for that reason i suggest do it right the first time...

edit: to re-clarify what i mean about "looking to find faults".. i mean to say - your mates will be jealous. because they just spent 25K on an australian/aus delivered car with less features, less power, less specs, less "street cred' than your car.. and they will do things like - point out a ciggie burn, point out a scratch on the paint, point out anything they can find..

soooooooo do your best to NOT give them that inch..

in further news, you know my ex girlfriend had a go at me for importing a car the other day???

im not exaggerating. she literally told me:

"you should just buy local new cars and keep your money in australia's economy rather than sending your australian money overseas"

im not joking. people ACTUALLY ARE that retarded.

Edited October 18, 2010 by Mr Eps

[Iron Chef]

Hahahahahahahahaha

[Ten Four]

Rowan's back.... lol.

And OP, I bought a Supra TT here in Perth for above your budget, but got to see it in the flesh, drive it etc. Its a non VVTI and the VVTIs they aren't worth the massive premium imho. Oh yeah, mines got 44,300kms (ticked over today). - Looks new, smells new, inside wheel arches look like new, underside looks new (bar the flattened jacking points) etc....

Buy local, KEEP MONEY IN AUS ECONOMY!

Edited October 18, 2010 by Ten Four

[xALmoN]

yeah, my written off na supra had 20,000kms on the clock.

its possible. BUT, be very very patient.

[Nissinja]

From what I've read, the VVTi Supras have much better low-end power and better response which is exactly what I want. Admittedly I haven't driven a VVTi, just a clean earlier car. I loved the instant power from stand still which you don't get in much else you can daily. Sounds like the VVTi would be the next step there. Also, all the factory figures are much better, especially handling, there must be some differences there too other than newer tyres.

And don't worry, I won't be getting an 'ex-demo' Holden. I drove an HSV 285 Clubsport hoping it'd provide the muscly, low end punch the Supra does but my god was I in for a suprise... Some, if you could call it that, power at 5-6k before you need to change. Dunno what Clarkson is on about. Poweeerr my arse.

Anyway, doesn't look like it's gonna happen over the ocean. The only one I'd get here on budget is a none-too-bad looking white thing I've found but I'm not gonna be able to gear up in time to grab it I don't think. There look to be some cars here in similar condition with the risks of buying one sight-unseen.

I'll keep looking, hopefully if I spend enough time cruising the auction sites 24/7 I'll discover some money I haven't blown going out and doing stuff...

[Shazza24]

Buy local, KEEP MONEY IN AUS ECONOMY!

And yet the biggest seller of new cars in Australia for the past number of years.......

TOYOTA!

I know i shouldn't swear.

[xALmoN]

tell, technically, toyota australia.

[Mr Eps]

...who buy cars from toyota japan/UK/china..

i think you guys were missing the point there when i said about the money staying in the aussie economy..

what i was more saying was i fail to see how getting a new australian car (namely on a car loan) you're generally paying what, 13%-15% interest??

something like that.. generally speaking you'll pay aobut 4 grand in interest - that's not money on your car. that's not money in the economy. that's money going to the BANKS.

you're getting raped on interest and what's the thanks you get for it?

well, Wesptac's way of thanking you is by outsourcing all of their back office and administration duties to offshore.. so Westpac are very happy to charge you credit card, personal loan, car loan and home loan interest rates.. but offer no jobs or skills for your australian family.

(Y) way to go for keeping your money "in australia"

not to mention - when importing a car about half your budget goes to australia anyway - not to just banks - but to AUSTRALIAN SMALL BUSINESS!!!

[Shazza24]

Probably did miss the point(that's what i get for working 12 shifts), and it was pretty easy to razz u up wasn't it?

The banks are a**holes anyway, they talk about projected lower pofits so add more costs to ATM'S, branch cut backs, etc. Then year after year they out do the previous profits(generally)

Also even though its Toyota Australia, would not all said profits go to parent company?

Edited October 18, 2010 by Shazza24

[xALmoN]

Probably did miss the point(that's what i get for working 12 shifts), and it was pretty easy to razz u up wasn't it?

The banks are a**holes anyway, they talk about projected lower pofits so add more costs to ATM'S, branch cut backs, etc. Then year after year they out do the previous profits(generally)

Also even though its Toyota Australia, would not all said profits go to parent company?

yet, being based here means the payroll largely goes to people in australia, maybe a top exec from the parent company but everyone else, is australia, so the money still stays in the country, and thats the important part, that australians are employed.

[Nissinja]

Never really thought about the Soarer come to think of it. From what I've read, which is very little, the non-VVTis don't make much power down low which would defeat the purpose for me. Is it similar to a Supra to drive?

The main reason I want to upgrade from my S14 is that whilst it's a great car and great fun to drive with plenty of power from a small turbo and a very good band for an SR20, I still find I need to be doing 80Ks before I can really use the power. What I want is the way the Supra can deliver the thrill at like 2,000rpm instead of 5,000. I read the standard VVTi makes 380nm at 1,500rpm.

I'm open to suggestions for other cars so bring 'em on. Been considering an R32 GTR as well. Any massive don'ts on a $15,000 GTR? Don't want a V8; my old man has plenty I can use when I feel like it.