jap import specialist insurers
Discussion
The latest installment in the "I'm going to get an MX5" saga...
Does anybody know of insurers that specialise in japanese imports and aren't the sort to make silly stipulations...
eg with direct line I get a very reasonable quote for a UK car but they won't insure me at all on an import, because I'm under 25.
Do insurers that aren't bothered by imports exist? If I could afford the insurance on an import I could get an early 1.6 import and that'd be ideal as the car would be that bit cheaper (I'm a student).
Does anybody know of insurers that specialise in japanese imports and aren't the sort to make silly stipulations...
eg with direct line I get a very reasonable quote for a UK car but they won't insure me at all on an import, because I'm under 25.
Do insurers that aren't bothered by imports exist? If I could afford the insurance on an import I could get an early 1.6 import and that'd be ideal as the car would be that bit cheaper (I'm a student).
not sure i'd bother with the hassle of an import mx5 when you can get a uk one for just a bit more. it's not that special enough over a uk mx5 to justify all that pissing around!
try keith michaels tho (google for the contact details). also adrian flux (were £100 more expensive for me)
try keith michaels tho (google for the contact details). also adrian flux (were £100 more expensive for me)
iaint said:
You could try the likes of A-Plan - they have a specialist dept for imports...
Not personally used them, but have heard excellent reports of decent import quotes tho.
If you use the PH search(this forum), back a month or two, there is a list of 'friendly' import insurers,iirc the headline was to do with skylines.
tuttle said:
You could try the likes of A-Plan - they have a specialist dept for imports...
Not personally used them, but have heard excellent reports of decent import quotes tho.
If you use the PH search(this forum), back a month or two, there is a list of 'friendly' import insurers,iirc the headline was to do with skylines.
They're pretty decent, partic if you're in a high-risk area. They also discounted our new car by 60% to match my NCB on the Rex...
MrFlibbles said:
Cost is pretty high, but seemed like the best of a bad lot - they are quite happy with mods too
I'd been meaning to ask you about that... How much exactly, if you don't mind me asking?
It was only last week that I first got a quote under £1,600 (a lot less if I say I'm 25).
I still really want one but it looks like I'm going to have to wait till I'm 25 at least (11 months or so).
_Al_ said:
Cost is pretty high, but seemed like the best of a bad lot - they are quite happy with mods too
I'd been meaning to ask you about that... How much exactly, if you don't mind me asking?
It was only last week that I first got a quote under £1,600 (a lot less if I say I'm 25).
I still really want one but it looks like I'm going to have to wait till I'm 25 at least (11 months or so).
YHM
Jap imports are usually £££ more than UKDM models, like-for-like. Dunno why, guess it's parts costs.
If you're buying an old MX-5, and plan to keep it for a couple of years, get a UK one:-
1) It'll be easier to re-sell when time comes to offload it.
2) If you factor depreciation not purchase price, the difference will be negligible, making the insurance saving on the UK-model worth considering.
3) If you DO end up having a bump (and it does happen), the UKDM will typically be quicker to repair.
4) You won't know all the history, including whether the mileage is genuine.
If you were talking a Skyline, Supra etc., then I'd say JDM is worth a look...but for an old MX-5, don't take the chance.
If you're buying an old MX-5, and plan to keep it for a couple of years, get a UK one:-
1) It'll be easier to re-sell when time comes to offload it.
2) If you factor depreciation not purchase price, the difference will be negligible, making the insurance saving on the UK-model worth considering.
3) If you DO end up having a bump (and it does happen), the UKDM will typically be quicker to repair.
4) You won't know all the history, including whether the mileage is genuine.
If you were talking a Skyline, Supra etc., then I'd say JDM is worth a look...but for an old MX-5, don't take the chance.
havoc said:
Jap imports are usually £££ more than UKDM models, like-for-like. Dunno why, guess it's parts costs.
Parts are EXACTLY the same apart from the rear number plate surround, windscreen, seats, and a couple of other inconsequentials.
The difference in price between MK1 MX-5s and Roadsters has become negligible now, and in some cases JDM is more expensive.
Why? Well, for one, most JDM cars have not had to contend with 12+ years of salted roads, and two, they are usually a much higher spec. (air-con, leccy windows, bilstien suspension, bbs alloys....)
There is also the slight problem that the UKDM 1.6 MX5 (post '94) had an 88bhp powerplant.
Now the compromise is that you are likely to have little or no history, however when was the last time you bought a car over ten years old on a service history rather then condition?
There are dogs of both kinds out there, just as there are some real "bobby dazzlers". Just make sure you buy with your eyes wide open and try to get as much advice as possible from: www.mx5ocforum.co.uk look in the buying advice section.
benjc said:
...and two, they are usually a much higher spec. (air-con, leccy windows, bilstien suspension, bbs alloys....)
There is also the slight problem that the UKDM 1.6 MX5 (post '94) had an 88bhp powerplant.
Now those two points make a difference. Spec doesn't surprise me, difference in engine power (from same lump) does.
D_Mike said:
so if I get a pre '94 1.6 it will have the same engine as the import 1.6s? This is one of the reasons I was wondering at an import as I really don't want the really slow one. How common are pre '94 UK cars?
A UK pre '94 car will have the full fat 116 bhp engine, and they are very common.
Only the British and Phillipino markets (IIRC)got the 88bhp lump, so no 1.6 imported from Japan will have that engine. (Unless it originated from the Phillipines)
The other problem with the post 94 uk car is that you are severly restricted with what tuning parts you can get from the aftermarket.
Insurers are getting better with imports, but going to pay a 10% premium for owning a JDM car.
www.mx5nutz.com/4sale.htm How about this one?
I know the car well, and it is a minter.
D_Mike said:
The latest installment in the "I'm going to get an MX5" saga...
Does anybody know of insurers that specialise in japanese imports and aren't the sort to make silly stipulations...
eg with direct line I get a very reasonable quote for a UK car but they won't insure me at all on an import, because I'm under 25.
Do insurers that aren't bothered by imports exist? If I could afford the insurance on an import I could get an early 1.6 import and that'd be ideal as the car would be that bit cheaper (I'm a student).
Try Graham Sykes. I recently joined them, as they were a few hundered less than anything else around - that was for an FTO though... then again they also cover my modifications, and gave me unlimited milage.
If you belong to the owners club, they can drop the premium quite a lot.
benjc said:
so if I get a pre '94 1.6 it will have the same engine as the import 1.6s? This is one of the reasons I was wondering at an import as I really don't want the really slow one. How common are pre '94 UK cars?
A UK pre '94 car will have the full fat 116 bhp engine, and they are very common.
Only the British and Phillipino markets (IIRC)got the 88bhp lump, so no 1.6 imported from Japan will have that engine. (Unless it originated from the Phillipines)
The other problem with the post 94 uk car is that you are severly restricted with what tuning parts you can get from the aftermarket.
Insurers are getting better with imports, but going to pay a 10% premium for owning a JDM car.
www.mx5nutz.com/4sale.htm How about this one?
I know the car well, and it is a minter.
At a 100k+ miles how much life would ther be left in it if it was used everyday, assuming it was pampered and looked after properly??
ProPlus said:
D_Mike said:
so if I get a pre '94 1.6 it will have the same engine as the import 1.6s? This is one of the reasons I was wondering at an import as I really don't want the really slow one. How common are pre '94 UK cars?
A UK pre '94 car will have the full fat 116 bhp engine, and they are very common.
Only the British and Phillipino markets (IIRC)got the 88bhp lump, so no 1.6 imported from Japan will have that engine. (Unless it originated from the Phillipines)
The other problem with the post 94 uk car is that you are severly restricted with what tuning parts you can get from the aftermarket.
Insurers are getting better with imports, but going to pay a 10% premium for owning a JDM car.
<a href="www.mx5nutz.com/4sale.htm">www.mx5nutz.com/4sale.htm</a> How about this one?
I know the car well, and it is a minter.
At a 100k+ miles how much life would ther be left in it if it was used everyday, assuming it was pampered and looked after properly??
Another 100kish......2nd hand engines are £600 if you can't be arsed to do the decent thing with oil changes
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