MRT - Fresh Import
Discussion
Ok. I've asked my local jap importer to get me a car.
MR2, GTS Turbo, hardtop. I asked for it in Light Blue. He said they're ultra-rare.
Since then I have been told;
a) He's not asking much money for it (his est £3k - for a '93)
b) They didn't make them in light blue until later, so he won't be able to get one anyway
c) It'll be impossible to sell as virtually everyone wants a Black T-Bar
[i] (multiple sources on all this information, but particular thanks to Gaz and MrFlibbles) [/i]
So.
Tomorrow I'm test driving a fresh-import MR2. It's a '92 or '93, (I can't remember).
Black, T-bar top. Comes with 1yrs MOT and 6 months tax. Not sure on the mileage. £3,500.
The questions;
1) Is it too cheap? Comparable cars on autotrader seem a lot more expensive.
That said I've visited him and he also has two skylines (both black, a 93 and a 95 GTS, one 'race prepped' on standard) that also seem to be well under-priced for the spec/mileage.
Should I be suspicious?
He openly admits that he buys them from auction and sometimes the body needs tidying, but the cars he has in at the moment look immaculate.
2) What sort of issues can I expect from a fresh import?
All help appreciated...
MR2, GTS Turbo, hardtop. I asked for it in Light Blue. He said they're ultra-rare.
Since then I have been told;
a) He's not asking much money for it (his est £3k - for a '93)
b) They didn't make them in light blue until later, so he won't be able to get one anyway
c) It'll be impossible to sell as virtually everyone wants a Black T-Bar
[i] (multiple sources on all this information, but particular thanks to Gaz and MrFlibbles) [/i]
So.
Tomorrow I'm test driving a fresh-import MR2. It's a '92 or '93, (I can't remember).
Black, T-bar top. Comes with 1yrs MOT and 6 months tax. Not sure on the mileage. £3,500.
The questions;
1) Is it too cheap? Comparable cars on autotrader seem a lot more expensive.
That said I've visited him and he also has two skylines (both black, a 93 and a 95 GTS, one 'race prepped' on standard) that also seem to be well under-priced for the spec/mileage.
Should I be suspicious?
He openly admits that he buys them from auction and sometimes the body needs tidying, but the cars he has in at the moment look immaculate.
2) What sort of issues can I expect from a fresh import?
All help appreciated...
Best I can do for a link is;
http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=11943&pageid=1
They're called Jap Sports (wow) and are located near East Finchley.
http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=11943&pageid=1
They're called Jap Sports (wow) and are located near East Finchley.
Gazboy said:
I'm only 24 - the insurance people are going to take the rest of the day off when they see me coming, even with a bog standard one...
Cheers anyway!
>> Edited by _Al_ on Tuesday 26th July 18:38
It's do-able- I was 22 when I got mine, and iirc Flibbers was 23 when he got his. F'kin ell pwig isn't even 20 and he's just bought a Dax Rush with a f'kin Cossie engine in it!
Take your wallet, with a deposit- imagine that this car is *the one*, but you have to say 'sorry mate, i need to get to an ATM pronto', only to lose the car because some scrote offered the reddies while you were gone?
Or the other side of the coin......drive car....get giddy....buy with heart not head, and end up with one that has loads of problems... (Who'd do a thing like that eh?
)Gazboy said:
If we bought our cars with our heads, we'd drive Hyundai's.... oh, hang on!
Thats at least two of us! How you finding the Getz GB?
I secretly quite fond of the Accent gsi.I like pootling about in it.The grip is so terrible its like having a front wheel drifter-slides round corners:CONFUSED: The interior is completely crap,which is good-I don't have to worry about it. Driving position is strange at best,like you were sitting on it,not in it.But the engine is really OK .
I've advertised it on Imoc already, but since then have decided to probably keep it until the end of september, let's see
1990 G reg GT spec Black T-bar.
70,000 miles
Apexi AVC-R and S-AFC
Intercooler
Apexi Induction Kit
Unknown lightweight jap 5 spokes (looking pretty pitted now and could do with a refurb/replace)
TRD front bumper
Departure 2 exhaust
recent discs and pads all round with new front calipers. Normal pads on back, Red stuff at front.
Not sure what price to put on it, was thinking just over 3k
1990 G reg GT spec Black T-bar.
70,000 miles
Apexi AVC-R and S-AFC
Intercooler
Apexi Induction Kit
Unknown lightweight jap 5 spokes (looking pretty pitted now and could do with a refurb/replace)
TRD front bumper
Departure 2 exhaust
recent discs and pads all round with new front calipers. Normal pads on back, Red stuff at front.
Not sure what price to put on it, was thinking just over 3k
The good news
*1yr MOT
*6 months tax
*Excellent rear bridgestones (V-rated)
*Worn out V-rated fronts (which will be replaced in the MOT)
*Even brake wear side-to-side
*Lots of life left in the brakes
*Immaculate interior (recaro seats)
*CD Player
*Standard wheels/air-filter/exhaust
*White sidelights in time for MOT
*Engine sweet at idle/while revving (no plates/tax etc yet so no test drive)
*No warning lights on dash
To Check
It was raining so I wasn't going to give it the full going over just yet
*Oil
*Coolant
*LSD fitted?
*Indicated age of car on seatbelt tags
*Turbo pressure
*Any sign of turbo wear
*Any 'Mayo' in oil cap/oil in coolant water
*Spare tyre, docs etc
The Bad
It was VERY steamy inside and smelled musty, implying massive leak problems (although it wasn't actually dripping in the rain).
The man said it had been left open earlier and got soaked. He said he'd dry it and when I come back for a test-drive I could hold a hose on it and see what happened.
*Front bumper had cracked paint, indicating a minor shunt.
*Terrible touch up on leading edge of front wing (only small though)
*Marks along the front wing (paint not broken but it looks nasty - any way to get rid of these?)
*Speedo/Odo both in KM/H, dealer has no intention of changing them. He sells all his cars like this (how the hell do they get an MOT???)
*Broken clip for engine lid rod (bit of wire instead).
It's the apparent leak and KM/H speedo that puts me off this car, aside from that it's great. He said the price would depend how much it took to MOT it.
He said (and I quote);
"Didn't want this car as there's no profit in them but my partner sent it anyway".
He says he'll sell for about £3k, depending on MOT bills.
So - opinions?
And how much will a speedo conversion set me back?
Cheers,
Al.
(by the way, insurance should be 700-800 quid, and I haven't even asked Dorset (via MR2OC) yet.
*1yr MOT
*6 months tax
*Excellent rear bridgestones (V-rated)
*Worn out V-rated fronts (which will be replaced in the MOT)
*Even brake wear side-to-side
*Lots of life left in the brakes
*Immaculate interior (recaro seats)
*CD Player
*Standard wheels/air-filter/exhaust
*White sidelights in time for MOT
*Engine sweet at idle/while revving (no plates/tax etc yet so no test drive)
*No warning lights on dash
To Check
It was raining so I wasn't going to give it the full going over just yet
*Oil
*Coolant
*LSD fitted?
*Indicated age of car on seatbelt tags
*Turbo pressure
*Any sign of turbo wear
*Any 'Mayo' in oil cap/oil in coolant water
*Spare tyre, docs etc
The Bad
It was VERY steamy inside and smelled musty, implying massive leak problems (although it wasn't actually dripping in the rain).
The man said it had been left open earlier and got soaked. He said he'd dry it and when I come back for a test-drive I could hold a hose on it and see what happened.
*Front bumper had cracked paint, indicating a minor shunt.
*Terrible touch up on leading edge of front wing (only small though)
*Marks along the front wing (paint not broken but it looks nasty - any way to get rid of these?)
*Speedo/Odo both in KM/H, dealer has no intention of changing them. He sells all his cars like this (how the hell do they get an MOT???)
*Broken clip for engine lid rod (bit of wire instead).
It's the apparent leak and KM/H speedo that puts me off this car, aside from that it's great. He said the price would depend how much it took to MOT it.
He said (and I quote);
"Didn't want this car as there's no profit in them but my partner sent it anyway".
He says he'll sell for about £3k, depending on MOT bills.
So - opinions?
And how much will a speedo conversion set me back?
Cheers,
Al.
(by the way, insurance should be 700-800 quid, and I haven't even asked Dorset (via MR2OC) yet.
My standard gauage doesnt show boost when in neutral.
I dont think a MPH conversion is that much (£200?)
Rod on engine bay stay no issue - get a nice hydraulic strut for £30 (I'll show you mine at RR day)
Not really qualified to comment on leak - sounds like an issue to me though.
How did it drive?
£700 - 800 insurance? Who's that with? (I pay 1350!)
If Dorset quote you anything like they did me, make sure you are sitting down. MR2 Turbo? £4800 sir!
I dont think a MPH conversion is that much (£200?)
Rod on engine bay stay no issue - get a nice hydraulic strut for £30 (I'll show you mine at RR day)
Not really qualified to comment on leak - sounds like an issue to me though.
How did it drive?
£700 - 800 insurance? Who's that with? (I pay 1350!)
If Dorset quote you anything like they did me, make sure you are sitting down. MR2 Turbo? £4800 sir!
MrFlibbles said:
I dont think a MPH conversion is that much (£200?)
The little electric converter boxes cost about £30-40max, & its,usually,only 3 wires to solder.-Getting the dash out may be a different story! Insurance.Try this: www.tradexinsurance.co.uk/
They're underwriters,no brokers to pay.
If you can't wangle trade insurance they also have an 'enthusiast' policy for drivers of the bleedin' quick
. >> Edited by tuttle on Wednesday 27th July 22:31
try admiral they'll quote for an MR2 turbo, just say Mr2 turbo import though as it gets messy if you mention GT-S as they only list GT on there site, you may have to ring them as it's an import.
or call the jap insurancers on the back of banzai magazine or something, it's what i'll be doing soon as i heard a few in there have quoted £150-200 less than admiral!!!
or call the jap insurancers on the back of banzai magazine or something, it's what i'll be doing soon as i heard a few in there have quoted £150-200 less than admiral!!!
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