Fresh Import or Tried and Tested??

[tonyfazer]

Just wanted to get an idea of as many people as possible with VR4's of which way is the best to go, Fresh Import or Tried & Tested example??


Importers say Fresh Import but what do you guy's think??

Cheers Tony

[miller]

Always budget in near £1000 extra on service and maintenance for a fresh import as generally they will have little or no history. Whereas a car thats been in the country and especially owned by a member has the chance of all the big work alread done. Like cambelt, gearbox flush etc etc

[Nick Mann]

Swings and roundabouts. There are good and bad imports and good and bad examples on here. For me, wanting a very clean facelift with a moonroof and a manual box means importing. I am being too specific to find one in the UK. I'm also not worried about service history, I'd do it all myself anyway.

The massive advantage with a club car is that you can be sure the owner knows what this club tends to recommend. The service history and type of owner can often be read on here publicly too. Now you are on this site, you will know that a service history provided by someone recognised on here is potentially worth far more than a couple of dealer stamps and infinitely more than badly translated sketchy Japanese history. Equally, an importer is going to at best drain a couple of fluids and put cheap stuff back in, to say he has serviced the car. What's he put in? I can bet a lot of money it isn't an expensive high quality fully synthetic!

[TAR]

I don't think either is 'better'.

Any car can be a pup, it pays to do your homework wherever you decide to buy.

Good luck with your search and if you want any advice on a specific car just post up and someone will undoubtedly offer to look at it with you.

:happy:

[Rambaud]

For me, I would prefer to go for a Club car with known history etc.

[statham234]

yes club car then oils & belts would have been changed

[Nutter_John]

I tend to agree with Tar , eyes wide open regardless

[tonyfazer]

Thnaks for the info guys....just gonna keep scanning the web and this site and go look at some cars soon

Tony

[andyleaves]

I tend to agree with Tar , eyes wide open regardless

:iagree:

[andrew38]

To get a good import you are going to be paying big bucks at the moment due to the exchange rate, cars already here will be a lot cheaper I paid Yen 500000 for mine three and half years ago for a mint 28k mile 97, which was £2040 inc shipping and auction fees and £2600 all taxes paid. Same car now your looking at £3700 shipped ex taxes. Even club owned cars are worth nothing like that unfortunately, can't see it getting any better anytime soon.

[bradc]

Most of the ones that have been in the UK for more than about 5 minutes seem to have been ruined by rust unless they have been protected by heavy underseal.

For that reason alone I would stay away from just about all cars in the UK.

[chris g]

Most of the ones that have been in the UK for more than about 5 minutes seem to have been ruined by rust unless they have been protected by heavy underseal.

For that reason alone I would stay away from just about all cars in the UK.

Rather a broad generalisation and I don't recall members or others who have viewed UK cars commenting on the ruination of UK cars by rust...

Or a UK generalisation that I have heard is that imports are dodgy as they have been tuned up the ying-yang as jap owners play the BHP game...

[bradc]

Pretty much every car sale that I see here makes some mention of rust in the arches, or if they post up pictures of the underside there is quite a lot of rust all over the place.

[kinkyafro]

I got mine as a fresh import but if I were buying another right now I'd be looking at owners club cars. As it stands the way I see it...

Owners club
Usually in a better state of known service
Better value for money then importers

Import
Generally lower milage
Not exposed to uk weather/salted roads often garaged less likely to rust

Edit:
Oops the rust argument broke out while I was typing this (Ducks)

[chris g]

Rust in places maybe, ruined...?

Trying to put people off buying UK cars...?

Buying Members cars...?


Not a useful generalisation at all...

Like saying autos are always breaking...

[Nick Mann]

A looked after car or a recent import wiht one UK owner should mean the rust issue is not a major issue.

I looked at a car on saturday that was a fresh import and it was rustier than some UK from new cars I have seen. It all depends on how they have been looked after.

It is probably fair to say that on average UK cars are rustier than fresh imports, but it's a trend, NOT a rule.

[bradc]

I did say "most", not all and why would I be trying to ruin the sales of UK cars Chris?

Don't make me go through the posts in the FS threads and look for cars with rust in them, because that will upset people!

[Pugme]

rofl, i do love the UK vs Aus banter on here :D

to stick my 2 pence worht in, i did buy a car from here but it was from a guy who had pretty much signed up to sell his car, it had been in the uk since Oct 09 (i bought it a month ago) it has been undersealed and no obvious rust was visible (it'll be up on a ramp soon for a decat so ill find out for sure) the previous owner had no idea what oils were in it and seemed unsure about service records for cambelt etc etc, so i bought everything required except the umm whats that £100 tensioner? and my mate who knows what he is doing is doing the full service for £200, shame the materials cost £530!! but thats for all amsoil oils water pump, belts etc etc.

hope that helps.

[Wodjno]

Pretty much every car sale that I see here makes some mention of rust in the arches, or if they post up pictures of the underside there is quite a lot of rust all over the place.


rofl, i do love the UK vs Aus banter on here :D



I agree /yes Bloody Aussies :D

/popcorn

[Pugme]

couldnt resist!!

[chris g]

I did say "most", not all and why would I be trying to ruin the sales of UK cars Chris?

Don't make me go through the posts in the FS threads and look for cars with rust in them, because that will upset people!

"Most of the ones that have been in the UK for more than about 5 minutes seem to have been ruined by rust unless they have been protected by heavy underseal.

For that reason alone I would stay away from just about all cars in the UK."

The post speak for themselves Brad...

You dont see that your post puts a question against all UK cars for sale, "ruined by rust" and "stay away from just about all cars in the UK."

If you want to trawl for posts mentioning rust and point out where car has been ruined...

That's up to you

[miller]

BradC strikes again.....

Brad your comment kinda goes along the line of....

European guy '' so where are you from''
NZ guy '' Auckland''
European guy ''ah G'Day mate, I love Australia''

[bradc]

Emphasis on 'most' and 'just about'

Sounds perfect to me.

[chris g]

You just cannot see it Brad can you...

So those words are innocent...

Not likely at all to affect sales of "Most of the ones that have been in the UK for more than about 5 minutes..."

And I would suggest that regarding VR-4's for sale"...just about all cars in the UK"...and prospective buyers pass through this site...

So most of your words about just about all cars for sale have implications for this site...

[mattnz]

I too have looked at cars for sale in the UK and thought, "I would never buy anything that rusty."

Probably because we're used to no rust whatsoever. A well looked after car that has been driven regularly on salted roads still looks a lot worse than one that has not.

I realise that most of it is probably superficial, but those little rust spots around bolt holes and wherever really don't do it for me, purely because I'm used to being able to get a car without them.

[Nutter_John]

Ok I have looked at loads and loads of VR4's over the last 5 years , so far I have only seen one that has ever had a comment from an MOT about excessive rust , this car had lived by the sea most of it's life and was pure grott .

The rest of the cars with bad rust have never really been so bad that they can not be saved with some hard work and a good does of Dinotrol

[bradc]

Ahh well Chris, it gives the owners in the UK for something to strive for then.

[chris g]

Well whatever does it for you Matt is not an issue or whether rust is more visible in the UK, this is about careless and prejudicial comments about cars in the UK and for sale here at CVR4...

[bradc]

It wasn't careless. It was well intended to help the original poster to make a good decision.

[chris g]

Something to strive for...?

What the hell does that mean...?

Strive for a car well undersealed or as available in NZ, rust free...

Whilst your comments have no effect whatsoever as you see it...

[chugg]

Most of the ones that have been in the UK for more than about 5 minutes seem to have been ruined by rust unless they have been protected by heavy underseal.

For that reason alone I would stay away from just about all cars in the UK.

Thats just a stupid comment, (I know your not stupid brad, I've read alot of your other posts!) but it's like saying: 'dont buy an import because it will need a respray because the paint pigment will be bleached because of all the hot sun those lucky foreign sorts get'

Or

'Don't buy a car from New Zealand because it may have skidded off the road on all that sheep spunk thats all over their highways'

I think kinky afro sums it up nicely:


I got mine as a fresh import but if I were buying another right now I'd be looking at owners club cars. As it stands the way I see it...

Owners club
Usually in a better state of known service
Better value for money then importers

Import
Generally lower milage
Not exposed to uk weather/salted roads often garaged less likely to rust .

Mine has been in the UK since 2007, and is still rust free, it was underseadled as soon as it got here though here's a pic:
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=36393&d=1280093806

just underseal/waxoyl it and keep it clean and robets your mothers brother, and it will out live most of the other cars on the road.

[chris g]

Tell him to look out for rust in certain places or certain problems is being helpful to prospective buyer to help them make a good decision...

Posting what you did IS careless, unhelpful, scare-mongering and possibly damaging to sales of cars on this site...

Your rep goes down on here with that sort of post!

[bradc]

What about a pic underneath chugg?

[chris g]

What does asking for a picture do to help this thread...?

Nobody disputes presence of rust on UK cars...

Seeing a picture showing rust does not prove most of cars are ruined and that a prospective buyer should stay away from just about all cars in the UK...

You just cannot see that your comments are unhelpful and damaging...

Just step back from your position of knowing a lot about VR-4's and helping many people and see that your comments in this thread are bad for CVR4...

[Wodjno]

Or

'Don't buy a car from New Zealand because it may have skidded off the road on all that sheep spunk thats all over their highways'



/woot2 /bestpostever /bestpostever /bestpostever

[bradc]

Ohhh BS they 'are bad for cvr4'

Each person buying a car and selling a car just needs to look under their car to decide if it has no rust, very minor rust, or massive amounts of rust. It isn't that hard for the buyer to figure out if they want the car or not.

[chris g]

I give up...

This is not about looking for rust if considering buying

It's YOU stating UK cars are ruined by rust and should be avoided

You are just blind to implications of your posts...

[mattnz]

So it's true, but shouldn't be said?

[bradc]

Sounds like it yes.

[chris g]

It's true UK cars are ruined...?

or

It's true some cars will have rust and when considering buying look carefully...?

Which do you think is true and should be said...?

[Pugme]

perhaps brad needs to have a look at other non import uk cars to see the rust issues are not as bad as they seem, ever looked under a uk fiesta of similar age?

[bradc]

"It's true most cars in the uk for a long period of time will have rust and when considering buying look carefully...?

[chris g]

Say what you want then Brad...

You know best when it comes to all things VR-4 and all UK cars

What is helpful and what is damaging...

And perfect judgement about the truth, the facts, where to post and when...

[bradc]

Exactly, the truth is what I post. Good to see you don't want to let a little inconvenience and niceties get in the way of the truth.

[chris g]

Yes of course Brad...

[tonyfazer]

OH this has gone of topic lol.....

[chugg]

What about a pic underneath chugg?

OK brad, just for you I have been outside and taken a few pics with my phone of underneath and some crevices for you:

[chugg]

And yes, that in the fifth pic down is droplets of what we in the Mother Country call rain.

Hey, really though, I don't think any of us in the UK need reminding that cars here will rust, I for one have spent man an hour of my youth welding some rusty old heap back together, but it can be slowed down with a bit of care and attention. Just to prove here are the bad bits under my car, worst bit is the tow eye area, and a bit on the ATF cooler pipes, and some at the back tow eye

I know my car isn't a minter or anything but is clean and presentable enough, and I know I need to clean the engine bay too!

And even more so, I took a couple of pics of my Escort in the garage, which has spent 30 odd years here in blighty and as you can see has needed the odd panel due to tinworm! I'll finish it one day....honest!




Edit: if you look at the 3rd pic down, if you look really carfully, there is actually a mk2 escort in there!

[Atik]

Sorry, but this thread just made me laugh. Arguing over rust! To be honest, if anyone took Brad's original comment literally and walked away from a car with even a tiny hint of rust somewhere on the car, then thats their loss. They are simply too stupid to make their own judgement on a car and listen to someone who is thousands of miles away! The comment, while it comes across as scaremongering, is harmless. A prospective buyer wont read one post on a forum and decide to not buy based on that.

Excellent work Chugg... looks like a very rust-free car you have there. Almost tempted to say "IN YOUR FACE, BRAD", but I wont :p

[chris g]

No, can't see the Escort in that third picture - rusted away...?

[chris g]

Atik, this is serious stuff...

Alright, too much spare time at work today and wild generalising comments that just deserved a response..

[Atik]

'Too much spare time at work' = 'too much time arguing a silly comment made by someone who should know better'.

Just leave this argument and help the prospective buyer by advising them as best you can.

[chugg]

No, can't see the Escort in that third picture - rusted away...?


Hee hee! Yes, it may have, I might be able to just sweep it away soon!

[chugg]

'Too much spare time at work' = 'too much time arguing a silly comment made by someone who should know better'.

Just leave this argument and help the prospective buyer by advising them as best you can.


You are of course right Atik, I have had alot of spare time too (at home recovering from an op) and I have been chuckling away as I type so has brightened up my day at least!

On a serious note, I still think kinkyafro's about right with what he says about simple pros and cons


Another edit: It has also highlighted to me what a disgracefull mess my garage has become. So as Bob Fossil would say :'Note to self; Must Tidy Garage'

[chris g]

I confess, responded to a silly comment...

[tonyfazer]

:curtain: is it safe to come out now lol

[chris g]

I hope so...

[chugg]

:curtain: is it safe to come out now lol

Course it is Tony, leap outta that closet

[tonyfazer]

I have kept my gob shut on this one cause i'm new here and dont wanna make waves......

[chris g]

You've paid yer money, open yer gob and say whats on yer mind...

[chris g]

Even though yer a rum un on wrong side a pennines...

[tonyfazer]

:runkest:
Even though yer a rum un on wrong side a pennines...



Lmao Chris. I was born in Manchester then moved to Selby with work and somehow ended up in Blackpool.


It's all been said in this post already but it did seem to go off topic as I asked for as many opinions on the original question which was Fresh import or tried and tested.

The reason for this is that I'm new to the VR~4 but have bought and sold loads of cars and bikes in my time and can see rust or other defects and work out if a car is worth buying or not.

I hope that's come across ok and I do need advice on these cars because I've never bought this particular model before.

Regards Tony

[chris g]

Tony

Its a great car, has some weaknesses as owners will know - bits that need checking when considering buying

Club known cars are a good bet

UK cars may have rust issues as well and imports may have been tuned then bits removed so look out for sticky bits where equipment may have been located in the cabin - gauges etc

Cone filter to be avoided at all costs and service history with AMSOIL is highly desirable

Brembos are good but std discs with upgraded pads are worth having for cheaper upgrade and IMO just as good

Facelift models may have Recaros and other spec varies - this is where you get into personal preferences

Manual or auto/tiptronic ? If tiptronic then AMSOIL use and history is really good

Tiptronic may have had work done to correct possible fault - check threads

AYC pump may fail eventually but temp relief can be uprated switch - available from member on here

Prob a few other things of interest when buying - check buying guide and ask on here...

Despite your Mancunian roots - blue or red by the way? - getting one of these cars and being on here is a great experience...

Chris

[Atik]

Excellent post there Chris :) Very good set of recommendations.

Already said this in another thread today but dont be scared of cars with higher mileage. These cars are very capable of getting big numbers. Nutter Johns old car did 180k+ when he broke the car two years ago and the engine is still going now! Whereas my car was at 80k and the gearbox failed and a year later the engine had to be replaced. Key thing is buying something you feel happy with. Even well looked after examples can have a catastrophic failure, point in case is Ariadne; one of the most well loved and cared for cars owned by Kieran. Only months after selling the car on, the gearbox failed. You just never know what can go wrong at what point.

Go into the purchase open minded and if the car feels right for you, buy it. Not more to really add but good luck in the hunt :)

[chugg]

:runkest:



Lmao Chris. I was born in Manchester then moved to Selby with work and somehow ended up in Blackpool.


It's all been said in this post already but it did seem to go off topic as I asked for as many opinions on the original question which was Fresh import or tried and tested.

The reason for this is that I'm new to the VR~4 but have bought and sold loads of cars and bikes in my time and can see rust or other defects and work out if a car is worth buying or not.

I hope that's come across ok and I do need advice on these cars because I've never bought this particular model before.

Regards Tony

Lmao too Chris!

And sorry to you Tony.
Really all the first few posts, before the :vogel: rambling, are very good advice on your question.
You seem to have plenty of experience with your motors and say your are scanning the web, and asking question on here etc, so are going the right way.

Treat it as any other car you've bought (eyes wide open etc), but bear in mind servicing cost are on the dearer side, and of course servicing is essential and service intervals are generally regarded as being sooner/shorter than most cars. Make sure quality parts and fluids are used as failure and rebuilds are inevetabley a bit costly.

Amsoil seems to be the top rated oils for this car (have it in mine all round, and no complaints at all) but have a search on here for opinions on oils / parts on here.

Have a look at Camskill's website for a guide on parts pricing etc, and there is Amsoil and Opie as trader on here for all you lubing needs :mask:

Also it's worth seeing if the car has had any recall work done, have a search on here for 'recall' or 'Lower arm failure'. Obviously it is difficult to check that quickly though so it depends on if the current owner/dealer has that info.
It's also worth remembering that there are a few 'extra' things to check condition of, such as the AYC, 4WD system, Invecs Tip 'box etc.
They are also slightly greedy on the motion lotion too.

Maybe keep an open mind on the import or already in uk debate and have a look at both on the web and see what you think you get for your money on both sides of it, factoring in the time/cost etc of importing but having a wider choice of your specifics and quality of cars, but of course on the other hand you can be driving a great car already in the UK within a day or two.

Obviously if you could view any cars in the UK for sale then it would also give you some comparables and if any experienced members who are nearby are available to come with you to view, I'm sure they will if you wanted.

I have absolutly no regrets buying mine (from already in the UK BTW, from a guy in Selby funnily enough)
They are are great car which are a joy to own and drive, gets the kids, shopping nad a double buggy in and can easily dust most of your Blackpool Cruise locals in their Corsa's etc!
I have absolutly no regrets buying mine, and of course there's added benefit of a great car club and forum which you already have very wisley become a member of, and literally has every job you need to do on your motor covered in the members section.

cheers mate,
Gav :2thumbsup

I just seen chris has given some other good info pointers.

[tonyfazer]

I'm looking for a lowish mileage fl model in as close to immaculate condition as poss. Tip/auto box for me as I am lazy lol. Plus may Volvo T5 was auto and I loved it!! Currenly running a Volvo T4 V40 manual and I don't like manual boxes any more

Also the only mods I want is an exhaust for a nicer note.

Read somewhere that a couple of things are prone to go wrong on th vr4.

Torque converter seals
Hydraulic lash adjusters

Any info on this would be great

Reqards Tony

[chugg]

Oh yeah, what Atik says,
and happy hunting :thumbsup:

[chris g]

And with TLC from AMSOIL, servicing intervals can be extended due to the high quality protection given by AMSOIL - works out cheaper in the longrun as well

And more recently Mitsi IIRC did extend period required for the AYC changes

Although some owners do change AYC fluid in accord with old advice - 4500 miles

[chris g]

Torque seal - yes can fail - prob higher mileages 60/80k ? but unpredictable and others will be along to give more opinion/facts/report failures

Lash adjusters - described as noisy - is it a fault ? - thread on here from AMSOIL about it and lubrication - I am not certain if new adjusters required or just desired by some owners because of 'noise'...

[chugg]

I'm looking for a lowish mileage fl model in as close to immaculate condition as poss. Tip/auto box for me as I am lazy lol. Plus may Volvo T5 was auto and I loved it!! Currenly running a Volvo T4 V40 manual and I don't like manual boxes any more

Also the only mods I want is an exhaust for a nicer note.

Read somewhere that a couple of things are prone to go wrong on th vr4.

Torque converter seals
Hydraulic lash adjusters

Any info on this would be great

Reqards Tony

Yes torque converter seal is an issue and its a box out job to replace. Usual thing, relativly cheap part, but costly labour for that. However My car is tip and fine so far (touch wood) I've done about 15,000 miles in mine since i got it. Car has about 126,000kms on it(about 76,000 miles) no idea if it has previously been done before.


Lash ajusters also an issue but more a noisy irritaion than anything else, no major lasting damage. Regular engine oil changes usually help this. It resulst from air and crud getting trapped inside them there fore reducing there travel thus making a physical contact (think I've explained that right - corrections anyone?)
There is a method of attempting to eliminate the air which is covered in the member section too.

They can pf course be replaced, think still about £160 off camskill, then of course the fitting them.

hope that helps dude

[chugg]

Torque seal - yes can fail - prob higher mileages 60/80k ? but unpredictable and others will be along to give more opinion/facts/report failures

Lash adjusters - described as noisy - is it a fault ? - thread on here from AMSOIL about it and lubrication - I am not certain if new adjusters required or just desired by some owners because of 'noise'...


Beat me to it !

[chris g]

It's a strange evening, as a Psychiatric Nurse I do NOTHING to my car except try to enjoy it...

Whe I go to the Nordschleife the only spare I take are air in the tyres and fuel in the tank...

And now I am posting details about VR-4 issues and poss problems/solutions...

It must have been that exchange of words with Brad, got me in the mood to regurgitate the stuff I know even though grease and oil never touch my hands

[chugg]

Tip/auto box for me as I am lazy lol. Plus my Volvo T5 was auto and I loved it!! I don't like manual boxes any more


Oh braddddllllleeeeeyyyyyyy..............

[chris g]

Manuals....

So many problems: worn out clutch, failed thrust bearings, swollen muscle and thrombosis in that left leg with all those gear changes...

[chugg]

Manuals....

So many problems: worn out clutch, failed thrust bearings, swollen muscle and thrombosis in that left leg with all those gear changes...

Supa lol chris! :flamed:

[bradc]

At least with a manual you get good warning of the clutch wearing and you can get a good 20k miles of warning or so. The thrust bearing is equivilant to the torque converter seal, not much in parts cost but quite a bit of labour to do.

What you have to watch out for is the auto gearbox failing for no apparent reason which unfortunately happens quite a bit. Witness Atik and Kieran's experience above :)

If you are after a facelift model then UK new is probably your best bet, if you want to look for a low mileage car then getting an import is probably a better option, after all you don't want to buy a car with a rusty main crossmember, power steering line holders and rusty spare wheel well area as seen above.

[tonyfazer]

:thumbsup:
Manuals....

So many problems: worn out clutch, failed thrust bearings, swollen muscle and thrombosis in that left leg with all those gear changes...



Exactly Select "D" and away we go..... nice and simple just like me lmao



Anyone in the Lancashire are willing to give me a guided tour of their Leggie?? if so gimme a shout via pm:thumbsup:

[chris g]

And the prophet of doom but with balance and bias-free...

And who wants a rusty crossmember...?

[chugg]

after all you don't want to buy a car with a rusty main crossmember, power steering line holders and rusty spare wheel well area as seen above.

Yawn yawn.

all thats covered move along now please

[miller]

will my auto box rust?

and anyways, isnt rust natures carbon fibre?

[bradc]

No, your autobox will fail and die well before the aluminium casing rusts!

[tonyfazer]

No, your autobox will fail and die well before the aluminium casing rusts!


Brad i dont feel as your comments are relevant to my original thread and would ask you to make constructive advice on my threads or not bother commenting please.

I may be new here and dont want to rock the boat but these are my feelings on my thread and your the only one tipping the apple cart!!

Tony

[bradc]

I was just joining in the off topic fun :) Don't worry about upsetting me at all. Say what you want and do what you want, I don't hold grudges at all and don't mind a little arguing here and there :)

You seem to be a pretty smart guy, you'll figure out the way to get the best VR-4 that suits you fine.

[Pastor of Muppets]

isnt there only one way really to decide which one is right for you and thats to get in a few and drive them (drive them with heart and passion) and pick the one that makes you go WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE most!!!
the rest o it is just details there are badly maintained low milage cars and well maintained high milage cars as well as badly maintained high milage cars (best avoided) and well maintained low milage cars (like rocking horse poo). it's a lottery but good luck with the search but trust me the WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE factor is most important!!

[tonyfazer]

isnt there only one way really to decide which one is right for you and thats to get in a few and drive them (drive them with heart and passion) and pick the one that makes you go WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE most!!!
the rest o it is just details there are badly maintained low milage cars and well maintained high milage cars as well as badly maintained high milage cars (best avoided) and well maintained low milage cars (like rocking horse poo). it's alottery but good luck with the search but trust me the WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE factor is most important!!

Yes I agree been in one so far curtesy of ianturbo. Spoke to another about one this evening. And also go visit some dealers to get a laugh o sorry I mean look at some fresh imports

Tony

[PaddyB]

When I bought mine the rate was 235Y/£ (may 08) - it's now ~130Y/£. To buy the same yens worth of car now would set me back the thin side of £6k (albeit pre-recession, pre £1 ltr super **** prices - which affects the value of these cars massively). Despite that - I'd still go for an import (the recession hits Japanese 2nd values too).

It's a tough call - but whatever you decide go into it informed. Read the buyer's guide. Ask for members input (I was surprised as fook at what the folk on here could spot on 5-7 photos of a car). If possible get an "in the flesh" opinion of the car from a member. There's a good number in the NW.

As for dealers - I'd a(be)ware of the ones near you: <Cough>ly.

[tonyfazer]

When I bought mine the rate was 235Y/£ (may 08) - it's now ~130Y/£. To buy the same yens worth of car now would set me back the thin side of £6k (albeit pre-recession, pre £1 ltr super **** prices - which affects the value of these cars massively). Despite that - I'd still go for an import (the recession hits Japanese 2nd values too).

It's a tough call - but whatever you decide go into it informed. Read the buyer's guide. Ask for members input (I was surprised as fook at what the folk on here could spot on 5-7 photos of a car). If possible get an "in the flesh" opinion of the car from a member. There's a good number in the NW.

As for dealers - I'd a(be)ware of the ones near you: <Cough>ly.


Cheers paddyb not takin any money when i go visit a couple of dealers also got my eye on a car on here.....i have done loads of reading and question asking in this site and others and believe me when i tell you this i aint seen bed before 5am since i joined this site lolol when i am ready to go "buy" i will post up what it is and were and anyone who wants to come for a nosey will be more than welcome..........thanks for you input dude....


Tony:smoking: