What next Jap import to get?

[AjayP32]

Hi everyone,

No matter how many times I say to myself, do not get tempted with changing cars again my browsing turns into 'I must buy'!!!!!

Currently, I have two cars,
- A Suzuki Swift Sport 2016 which is a fun car to drive but wish it had more boot space
- A Subaru Legacy Spec B estate 2005 with a 5 spd manual

I have advertised the Subaru for sale but only a few enquiries and one person who is trying to figure out how he makes time to view the car. This post is not about selling my Subaru but more about which car should I consider getting next, I fancy a change and have three very different cars in mind,

- Honda Accord Euro R - Don't see any local to me, I assume they drive similar to my Suzuki with more power and space? I can expect a better build, quality of a car.

- VW Passat R36 - Started to see these pop up with the usual importers. I use to have a Passat but the 2.0TSI which was great and had plenty of space but it was just not a sporty enough car without further modifications. It was probably the creature comforts and premium feel that's making me want another one but this time go for the R36!

- Lexus ISF - By accident, I saw one on auction and have been dreaming about one ever since. The 5.0L V8 sounds tempting but unsure what to expect around running costs through to parts etc. I'm assuming I will need deep pockets to maintain one over the other two cars and modifications will be quite pricey.

So there you have it, three very different cars but all naturally-aspirated.

Originally I was keen to get a remap with supporting modifications for the Subaru but the money I would have spent on it, it could go towards buying a different car which could be one I tick off my list of cars I fancy owning.

I am quite keen to hear from people their experiences of these cars if they have owned one or their thoughts because sometimes life is meant to be enjoyed for the experiences and memories we make with friends and family but sometimes we just want another car that goes vroom vroom, pop, pop bang pshhhhh................

[trickywoo]

AjayP32 said:

Honda Accord Euro R - Don't see any local to me, I assume they drive similar to my Suzuki with more power and space? I can expect a better build, quality of a car.

That’s some assumption. It will only be similar in that it’s a car.

As for quality Honda are way overrated imo. In terms of mechanical build quality the swift is hard to beat. The interior is cheap looking and feeling but that is very much a Japanese thing at that price point.

[AjayP32]

trickywoo said:

That’s some assumption. It will only be similar in that it’s a car.

As for quality Honda are way overrated imo. In terms of mechanical build quality the swift is hard to beat. The interior is cheap looking and feeling but that is very much a Japanese thing at that price point.

Not been in a Honda but I guess I better get in one to see and feel for myself, it could be disappointing! Don't get me wrong but the VW interior would be miles better and is not really something that you could compare to any Japanese car.

[Axeboy]

You will probably be easier waiting for a R36 here or getting a UK Passat CC with the 3.6 here, importing one isnt likely to cost much less if at all I think (although ive not checked sold prices)

ISF is a bit cheaper in Japan, you will have issues getting the Nav switched and the speedo converted unless you aren't bothered. Looking at least £11k for an ISF which is cheaper but a higher mileage UK car is maybe possible as well

Euro R - Suggest you try the engine first to see if it suits, Ive not driven the Euro R but have had a few Type R Hondas and while they are great, I always preffered turbo or higher displacement. Everyones different though. Upside is it "should" resale quite easily


You have some broad options which is good but also means I think you need to do more research so that you dont end up with something you dont enjoy

[AjayP32]

Axeboy said:

You will probably be easier waiting for a R36 here or getting a UK Passat CC with the 3.6 here, importing one isnt likely to cost much less if at all I think (although ive not checked sold prices)

ISF is a bit cheaper in Japan, you will have issues getting the Nav switched and the speedo converted unless you aren't bothered. Looking at least £11k for an ISF which is cheaper but a higher mileage UK car is maybe possible as well

Euro R - Suggest you try the engine first to see if it suits, Ive not driven the Euro R but have had a few Type R Hondas and while they are great, I always preffered turbo or higher displacement. Everyones different though. Upside is it "should" resale quite easily


You have some broad options which is good but also means I think you need to do more research so that you dont end up with something you dont enjoy

From what I have read the CC 3.6 is slightly different to the R36 and probably sounds the better choice. You are the first person to mention what the cost of and ISF is on import as the UK prices start from about £14k from what I've seen. The point you made around preferring a turbo or displacement is why I'm considering the R36 and ISF and makes sense. The 'resale' element I don't feel that works very well privately as I've not had much luck with that one, then again its the long game you have to play when selling a car!

[swampy442]

Of all those I'd have the IS-F personally. Bullet proof reliabillity, M5 go, if you can afford it get the facelift 'blue F' cars as they have the LSD as standard.

[Rooted]

If I didn't need the practically of an estate I would go for the 4wd variant of the Lexus 460 which was JDM only

[AjayP32]

Rooted said:

If I didn't need the practically of an estate I would go for the 4wd variant of the Lexus 460 which was JDM only

Now you have done it, I've never seen one of these and need to know more!!!!! Assuming it has the same engine as the ISF? I've not seen any around and assuming the size and engine puts people off?

[TommoAE86]

Sounds like you need to get yourself over to goo-net and spend a long time having fun. It's how I found my Crown instead of the more mundane euro-rubbish we're inflicted with.

Anyway, the Lexus: https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/LEXUS/LS...



edit: oooh there's a LWB one:
https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/LEXUS/LS...

[AjayP32]

TommoAE86 said:

Sounds like you need to get yourself over to goo-net and spend a long time having fun. It's how I found my Crown instead of the more mundane euro-rubbish we're inflicted with.

Anyway, the Lexus: https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/LEXUS/LS...



edit: oooh there's a LWB one:
https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/LEXUS/LS...

OOOOOooooo if Goo-net had a forum or was a physical bar, I would be there all the time!

To be honest I was not aware of LS460 and that white one above is nice.......

[300sl-24]

That's a shame I just purchased a 2006 3.0 Legacy Estate spec B manual last Saturday, never saw yours for sale.

Great drive though aren't they. Is yours not a 6 speed manual?

[TommoAE86]

Goo-net is dangerous, 10 car garage is not enough for me now as I would love to have all sorts of random Japanese stuff, e.g. Nissan Leopard anyone?

When I sold the Skyline I didn't know what I wanted and nothing here took my fancy. So I just clicked into "saloon, Toyota, 0-60 under 7 seconds" and went through all the adverts until I found something I liked and handed my money to Torque-GT and this turned up a few months later;


One day I'll own the current gen Crown

[AjayP32]

300sl-24 said:

That's a shame I just purchased a 2006 3.0 Legacy Estate spec B manual last Saturday, never saw yours for sale.

Great drive though aren't they. Is yours not a 6 speed manual?

5-speed manual JDM import. I posted it on Gumtree and FB market place, along with most of the Subaru groups and UK Legacy group. Does drive nice especially on the motorways and get you in trouble if you fancy watching the speedo go past 180KM mark, lol.

[AlphaQuail]

I've not driven any of the above I'll admit but I've been looking at the Euro R myself recently (CL7 and CL1).

The other thing thats caught my eye is a Mazda 6 MPS, AWD but it comes with a turbo so doesnt quite fit with the above. Im leaning towards the Mazda though

[AjayP32]

Mazda 6mps was an option previous (UK model) but I just weren't feeling the interior. On paper it looks great but picking up a 55 plate is going to be difficult.

It's a shame they never continued the MPS

[AlphaQuail]

AjayP32 said:

Mazda 6mps was an option previous (UK model) but I just weren't feeling the interior. On paper it looks great but picking up a 55 plate is going to be difficult.

It's a shame they never continued the MPS

If interiors a factor you could look at Jags from a similar era, XJ etc.

[TommoAE86]

And roll the dice with reliability not mention they are not setup to hustle. I had an S-Type and compared to the Crown it's like night and day, with the Crown winning on everything except NVH, but even then it's not that far behind - both were £35k cars when new and roughly the same size.