Help me please on buying a import.

[skyline sean]

i just wanted some feedback on importing a skyline (just because it looks a looks a lot cheaper and would like 1 with low km. and very good condition. im a mechanic by trade so i know what looks like crap. so thats why im fussy

i have been doing my home work and have found prestige motor sport are they any good ?

what costs are hidden and what should a look out for.

thanks for your help and i look forward to next writing about improvments to my new car.

[johnbarry88]

ive been doing the same thing looking at prastige give them a ring and talk to Goeff

[Pistolpete]

yeh bro prestiege are basically the best around got an excellent rep, iv been i contact with geof for a while, probs the best around

also lookup 'j-spec' imports they also have a good reputation

[Topkart R33]

I just went through www.Importcars.com.au Had no problems and John Whiteman was very helpful with any questions I needed answering. Was my first import but he did most of the hard work for me which helps. Highly recommended!!

[Mr_G]

Im currently going through Prestige in importing my 95 model R33. I actually looked at prestige for quite sometime, and its good to also be on the email list with Geoff, as you can keep track of whats available.

You do save abit, depending what your car comes with and it also depends on the exchange rate.

Cheers

[Zagan]

Cool I'd like to know what to expect in extra costs as I want to start to import one maybe next month.

[Mr_G]

As of this point in time, these are my costs so far:

*95 model R33 GTST: 490,000 JPN YEN : $6,282 @ ($1AUS To 78 YEN)

*Telegraphic transfer for payment to Japan: $28

*Postage of MD/CD head deck & shift knob: $100 (Came with some funky Japanese catalogues, I love jap car audio )

*Geoff's fee: $1100

*Compliance cost downpayment: $1,000

So far we total $8,510 AUD

Still got to pay for:

*Rest of compliance: $3, 500

*Shipping: Aprox $1,200 (Shipping done by NYK Line from Jap - Syd)

*Customs agent fee

*Stamp duty , GST and that other b/s government stuff....

*Rego & Insurance

Should total around the 17k mark with 3rd party property insurance (Just car) and 12 months rego

Hope that helps, once I get everything paid for, ill give you an exact figure down to the cent...

Cheers

[funkymonkey]

490000Y is a bit much for an 1995 R33 innit (i'm assuming its a series 1.5)? but then again, it looks clean and you did get a fair few goodies.

Good luck on the import and welcome to the forums

sean there's not really much hidden costs with prestige n j-spec as they run a sort of transparent business where you see all their costs.

Just using this as an example and not saying that this is how it works:

*95 model R33 GTST: 490,000 JPN YEN : $6,282 @ ($1AUS To 78 YEN)

I'd say the 490,000 includes the deregistration of the car in japan, the cost to transport the car to the port where the ship leaves from, degassing the AC (as required by the new laws) and the agent fee for finding and handling the car.

When you deduct all that the actual cost of the car is slightly less. But overall it makes no change to the cost wheter you get itemised billin or a total bill etc.

[Mr_G]

490000Y is a bit much for an 1995 R33 innit (i'm assuming its a series 1.5)? but then again, it looks clean and you did get a fair few goodies.

Good luck on the import and welcome to the forums

sean there's not really much hidden costs with prestige n j-spec as they run a sort of transparent business where you see all their costs.

Just using this as an example and not saying that this is how it works:

*95 model R33 GTST: 490,000 JPN YEN : $6,282 @ ($1AUS To 78 YEN)

I'd say the 490,000 includes the deregistration of the car in japan, the cost to transport the car to the port where the ship leaves from, degassing the AC (as required by the new laws) and the agent fee for finding and handling the car.

When you deduct all that the actual cost of the car is slightly less. But overall it makes no change to the cost wheter you get itemised billin or a total bill etc.

Pretty much the 490,000 is FOB and all that you stated, however the de-gassing and regassing is actually getting done by my compliance shop, as they have a liscence to do so. And on top of the 490,000 I pay Geoff $1,100 AUD.

[funkymonkey]

the car needs to be degassed before it arrives in australia... that's the rules. and you pay his fee all up before you get the car? no 50% now 50% later business?

[Bepo]

Another Question about your import, whats the deal with all the mods, I assume they have to be replaced by standard skyline parts to meet the new compliance rules? How does that work and what did it cost you, as I would like to import something with some goodies. :wassup:

Bepo

[Mr_G]

Funkymonkey: Basically its like a steping stone, you pay each step of the way. ie when car lands in Aus, you pay for shipping, customs agent etc....

So since my car hasnt landed and got cleared, I havent payed for shipping and all the rest yet, just payed Geoff his fee, compliance downpayment, car cost and postage for my Head deck & shifter.

Car can be de & re gassed in Aus, if the compliance company has a permit to do so. I suppose you can get it done in Japan, but at your own expense. My compliance fee includes the de & re gassing of the air con. You do pay Geoff his fee all up, well I did anyway, I never considered 50/50 but hey, doesnt harm to ask...

Bepo: As for the mods, basically you have to replace them with stockos like you were saying. Ill be getting everything replaced down to stock from a work shop, well apart from the window tinting but i think window tints are ok. After compliance, gonna get my car back to the way it was...

Hope that helps

[predator]

i think a lot of people forget, that even after compliance.. stamp duty, rego, and other onroad costs can push the price up by another $1000 -> $1500 (depending on state).

also 4x new tyres I believe =~ $800 for cheapies.

All these little "extras" can soon addup.

[Bepo]

AHHH, so what your saying is that the workshop replaces all the parts, comply's the vehicle then puts all the goodies back on. How did it only cost you the rims? Do the workshops use the same standard parts for a number of vehicles?

Bepo

[Mr_G]

AHHH, so what your saying is that the workshop replaces all the parts, comply's the vehicle then puts all the goodies back on.  How did it only cost you the rims?  Do the workshops use the same standard parts for a number of vehicles?

Bepo

Workshop is actually looking for standard rims to compliance R33's so they asked me if I wanted to trade it off for unbolting the mods, replacing them with factory items, then rebolting them on after compliance. Im pretty sure the workshops will use the same standard parts over and over for compliance at a cost, however mine just costs the set of wheels which I were really only going to sell anyhow...

[Mr_G]

If you can do it yourself, and you got someone to lend you stock everything, would be cheaper but more time consuming. Going through shops will just incurr a certain cost...

[Zagan]

The law states that if the car has R12 gas in it it has to be de-gased before it comes to Australia from the 1st of April 2004, I know prestige motor sport de-gas the car for you before it is shipped as they have that on their pages.

You have to pay $1,100 for the de-gas and re-gas, you don't have to re-gas here in Australia though, but would be silly not to.

You can get around the de-gas/re-gas if you have it before a certain time or have a special deal.

Was at a complenice place today asking about the de-gas/re-gas and the girl didn't know much about it but she said they are still doing cars where they don't have to de-gas/re-gas but soon they'll have to, they also have a lic to do gassing.