Importing Cars from Japan

[xsspeed]

Hey guys, where can I look at importing a car to NZ from Japan.
Basically the prices people want in NZ for a BZ-G is excessive and I don't need one that is complied, just wanting the running gear, and will flick the rest off.
So I am looking at doing some research into importing a car to solve my woes.
Where should I look and what do I need to know? general starting point is fine. I'm not rushing into anything.

Cheers

[stalker]

Not sure where to look sorry dude, but just thought id let ya know......

Be careful when importing a car, cause even if you are only bringing it in to use as a parts car...when it arrives, if MAF dont like something about the car (and they can choose anything they like, and you cant stop them), they will say no, and they will send the car back, and you will lose ya car, and ya money to get it here and to buy the car.
Alot of the importers we deal with, can get at least 1 car per shipment that MAF will say no too.

Have ya looked at turners..co.nz to see there damaged car auctions?? (could be another way)

[sergei]

Not sure where to look sorry dude, but just thought id let ya know......

Be careful when importing a car, cause even if you are only bringing it in to use as a parts car...when it arrives, if MAF dont like something about the car (and they can choose anything they like, and you cant stop them), they will say no, and they will send the car back, and you will lose ya car, and ya money to get it here and to buy the car.
Alot of the importers we deal with, can get at least 1 car per shipment that MAF will say no too.

Have ya looked at turners.co.nz to see there damaged car auctions?? (could be another way)

Been working in the industry for ~5 years and never heard of MAF returning our vehicles, not even one.

[stalker]

huh true...it put me off setting up a (small) importers when I saw some of the cars they turn'd away.
Oh well, ignore me then lol

[xsspeed]

Thats all good its these things I need to here.
Have you got any pointers for me sergei?

Have been looking at turners damaged, but they want to charge me 200 on top of what I pay for the wreck!
My thinking here is I can get more useful stuff from a non-damaged car. Less PITA factor, though I'm not ruling out turners, that 200 fee put me off a bit.

Anyone bought through turners Damaged Vehicle Auctions?

[sergei]

If you want running gear, don't bother importing a whole car as a car.
Import just front cut as spare parts, there are a few recycling companies in Japan that can do that sort of stuff (sorry, can't remember any).
You could get a running BZG for about 5g (registered and all) in NZ (just look on trademe), you will be struggling to import a wreck at that price.

[xsspeed]

really? I was under the impression importing cars of that age would be quite cheap. Perhaps I am better off sourcing locally then. It just seems as though people are after a heck of a lot for their blacktops despite them being a 10+ year old engine.

I will do some research, but if this is the case I will stick to silvertop until I go turbo and link, then will use a black top head.

[bbq1988]

www.tradecarview.com

[sergei]

Well, it is cheap to import a car from Japan if you have deal with shipping company. If not it will cost you somewhere around $3000+ to get it here, that is just shipping/port charges. Then you will have to pay GST for it, which will add up again.

[TRD Man]

Sergei is correct. You'll buy one cheaper here today.

[ee904age]

www.tau-sales.com is a good place to start.

[deaf_rattle]

talk to my mate Ewan at http://hayatonka.com/

he can answer any questions

tell him matt gave you his details

[Emperor]

Not sure where to look sorry dude, but just thought id let ya know......

Be careful when importing a car, cause even if you are only bringing it in to use as a parts car...when it arrives, if MAF dont like something about the car (and they can choose anything they like, and you cant stop them), they will say no, and they will send the car back, and you will lose ya car, and ya money to get it here and to buy the car.
Alot of the importers we deal with, can get at least 1 car per shipment that MAF will say no too.

Have ya looked at turners.co.nz to see there damaged car auctions?? (could be another way)

Dads never had a car sent back in the whole time hes been importing, Which is my lifetime

[stalker]

I just checked with the bro-in-law (hes a usedie) and he has lost 3 cars from it....hence why i said it.
But I guess its a random thing...would be a "murphys law" though

[Emperor]

Yeah no doubt.
Mind you, dads probly had a few been told they're going back, but he's a arrogant prick and thinks MAF are assholes so probably battled them over the send backs.

I know I would.

[TRD Man]

Well, I was involved in importing from Japan when it began in '86. I've been involved ever since. I've never had a car sent back to Japan nor have I heard of one.

Before xsspeed gets totally confused I'll qualify my earlier comment.

For several years my yard specialised in Levin & Trueno BZG & BZR. We've likely imported more of this model than any other yard.
We don't import them today because they are cheaper to buy here than to import them.
If that were not the case we would still be importing them.

If you want clarification of this xsspeed, pm me.

[matt dunn]

I just checked with the bro-in-law (hes a usedie) and he has lost 3 cars from it....hence why i said it.
But I guess its a random thing...would be a "murphys law" though

Are you sure they were sent back through MAF?

I know that customs here check speedo's as we have to go down and pull them out
under their supervision and they send them away,
and the one's they determine have been tampered with,
do not end up at the dealers.

No idea where they go, but I think they either get sold thru tuners and marked as such, or tagged as not being registerable in NZ??

[Jdawg]

I would say almost all cars imported these days get the MAF check done before they leave Japan. MAF have offices in Japan specially to do this.
Another helpful link.
http://www.kiwicar.com/
Remember also, they stopped making your car a long time ago. Are there any left in Japan?

[rollaholic]

yeah i've been in the industry for four years and have never heard of MAF turning away a car.

they make you get it cleaned by specific companies sometimes, but not send it back to japan.

[Steelo]

Haha just dont search corolla levin or sprinter trueno on this site..........you will want to buy!!

www.tradecarview.com

e.g http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/detail.aspx?sid=1008839