RAV4 V6 - how do you go about getting one into the UK?
Discussion
I've accepted, with some sadness, that a Pajero Evolution is a daft idea for an everyday bus and started looking for something 4x4 ish and nippy and came across the RAV4 V6 but it doesn't look like it made it to the UK. I've no experience with importing anything and wondered what the options are?
Any help appreciated:-)
Any help appreciated:-)
You can either DIY it (saves money but can be a bit complicated), or use an importer such as Torque GT who will do all the legwork, find you a good example and bring it over.
Generally if you use an importer, budget about £2-3k over the purchase cost of the car to get it over here and registered... probably about half that if you go DIY and find an agent to use over in Japan.
My last 3 cars have been JDM imports, i'm never buying a UKDM car again!
Generally if you use an importer, budget about £2-3k over the purchase cost of the car to get it over here and registered... probably about half that if you go DIY and find an agent to use over in Japan.
My last 3 cars have been JDM imports, i'm never buying a UKDM car again!
Oh, I haven't overlooked the forester, it would be my first choice in an ideal world.... But sadly my girl had a relationship with a guy decades ago who had a Subaru and now they are completely off limits. Full stop.
So I accept that decision, and try to find something else that fits the bill. Automatic, 4wd and fairly nippy that isn't too precious to have a pile of junk and abuse thrown in the back of.
Audi Q3/5 and BMW X3 just seem too nice.
Jeep GC 5.7 or srt would work, but don't want to pay the daft road tax that most of then owe, so that market is extremely limited. I know I'm cutting off my nose to spite my face, but we've gotta draw a line in the sand somewhere.
There are few UK cars that fit the bill:-(
So I accept that decision, and try to find something else that fits the bill. Automatic, 4wd and fairly nippy that isn't too precious to have a pile of junk and abuse thrown in the back of.
Audi Q3/5 and BMW X3 just seem too nice.
Jeep GC 5.7 or srt would work, but don't want to pay the daft road tax that most of then owe, so that market is extremely limited. I know I'm cutting off my nose to spite my face, but we've gotta draw a line in the sand somewhere.
There are few UK cars that fit the bill:-(
Fair enough, I had the same dilemma as you did before I got my 1st forester then again before my second foz (rings went on the first).
Other cars I looked at was a q7 3.6 tdi (which can be mapped, considered the v12 tdi but decided the 3.6 was a better suited car) or porsche cayenne (potential big Bill's if some of the common faults hadn't been addressed).
I felt that only the q7 and the foz facelift sg9 still looked modern.
Not sure of your budget but all the above are less than 10k
Other cars I looked at was a q7 3.6 tdi (which can be mapped, considered the v12 tdi but decided the 3.6 was a better suited car) or porsche cayenne (potential big Bill's if some of the common faults hadn't been addressed).
I felt that only the q7 and the foz facelift sg9 still looked modern.
Not sure of your budget but all the above are less than 10k
What about a Nissan Murano as was sold over here, couldn't you get them with a fairly hefty engine? In Japan they are available with a 3.5l https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/NISSAN/M...
All I've gone for on this JDM only site is 4x4/SUV type cars with bigger than 2L engines.
Mazda Proceed Marvie https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/MAZDA/PR...
Nissan Terrano Widebody https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/NISSAN/T...
Mitsubishi Airtek https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/MITSUBIS...
Toyota Kluger https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/TOYOTA/K...
All I've gone for on this JDM only site is 4x4/SUV type cars with bigger than 2L engines.
Mazda Proceed Marvie https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/MAZDA/PR...
Nissan Terrano Widebody https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/NISSAN/T...
Mitsubishi Airtek https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/MITSUBIS...
Toyota Kluger https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/TOYOTA/K...
Have you considered the Mazda CX7 (?) - it had the Ford 2.5 turbo engine (from the Focus ST iirc), quite nice inside but only the drivers side got an electric seat.
One potential issue with JDM cars are getting parts for them as not all models are cross transferable for parts - i had a UKDM Forester 05 and now have a 05 Foz STI, both being the same age youd have thought the electrical stuff would be the same - nah, window motor, door regulators etc are all different so either parts from Japan or try and find a breaker
Though the DC5 i had, Honda stocked parts in Belgium for it and so could get parts overnight
One potential issue with JDM cars are getting parts for them as not all models are cross transferable for parts - i had a UKDM Forester 05 and now have a 05 Foz STI, both being the same age youd have thought the electrical stuff would be the same - nah, window motor, door regulators etc are all different so either parts from Japan or try and find a breaker
Though the DC5 i had, Honda stocked parts in Belgium for it and so could get parts overnight
Thanks for the suggestions guys!
Should have said it needs to be an auto because I've gotten too lazy to use a clutch, so I'd looked at the cx7 but they all seem to be manual.
Thought about q7, so need to go and have a proper look at one, and also like the look of the Toyota Kluger, ta for those!
Budget is fairly health and I'm not in a mad rush to jump.
Currently looking at putting a crate ls engine in an 80 series land cruiser, just to explore all the options:-)
Should have said it needs to be an auto because I've gotten too lazy to use a clutch, so I'd looked at the cx7 but they all seem to be manual.
Thought about q7, so need to go and have a proper look at one, and also like the look of the Toyota Kluger, ta for those!
Budget is fairly health and I'm not in a mad rush to jump.
Currently looking at putting a crate ls engine in an 80 series land cruiser, just to explore all the options:-)
Edited by ddpunter on Thursday 29th August 10:26
oooh ls swap sounds like a load of fun! Please do this 
Regarding parts, agree with the above it's abit hit-&-miss. My Skyline was fine and Nissan could get me almost anything but may take the time to find a dealer who was willing to help as one in Southampton refused to help "with that old heap"
But the others were right on it and happy to help.
Toyota the unique stuff can be "locked to Japan only" which means you'd have to find other sources, I used wikipedia to check the chassis & engine, for example my Crown is basically a Lexus GS350/450h underneath so servicing etc is totally fine.
The Kluger is the Toyota K Platform (Lexus ES/RX over here) and the 2AZ-FE engine was sold in the Avensis - though not a popular engine here.
Regarding parts, agree with the above it's abit hit-&-miss. My Skyline was fine and Nissan could get me almost anything but may take the time to find a dealer who was willing to help as one in Southampton refused to help "with that old heap"
But the others were right on it and happy to help.Toyota the unique stuff can be "locked to Japan only" which means you'd have to find other sources, I used wikipedia to check the chassis & engine, for example my Crown is basically a Lexus GS350/450h underneath so servicing etc is totally fine.
The Kluger is the Toyota K Platform (Lexus ES/RX over here) and the 2AZ-FE engine was sold in the Avensis - though not a popular engine here.
To be honest OP, i think you could do a lot worse than just buying this JDM rare as hell unicorn - Zagato Toyota Harrier.
I very nearly did so myself, then remembered that i'm supposed to be saving and not spending.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1136774
I very nearly did so myself, then remembered that i'm supposed to be saving and not spending.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1136774
Without sounding like an ass, i think she's being a bit unfair on you tbh... Fair enough if she doesn't want to own a Subaru herself but it's a bit much banning you from having one.
If her ex had the same job as you, would she expect you to change careers too?!
How about a Mitsubishi Delica? Or an Airtrek would be a shout if you want something quicker.
Also my mate is selling his Mitsubishi RVR if you are interested in that... Evo engine and running gear in an MPV.
If her ex had the same job as you, would she expect you to change careers too?!
How about a Mitsubishi Delica? Or an Airtrek would be a shout if you want something quicker.
Also my mate is selling his Mitsubishi RVR if you are interested in that... Evo engine and running gear in an MPV.
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