To import yourself or go through a UK company??

[Harris25]

Hi there bit new to the forum but found a topic i cant really find on the searches.

Ive been shopping round now for about 3 month for my first supra. I know what i want and im not going to be stupid and rush into a purchase. The way it looks at the minute is that importing is the way to go but there are obviously pros and cons to doing it your self.

 

There are about 7 auction sites that i can get access to and over the past weeks a TT manual under 80,00km 93-96 will sell for between 500,000 and 1000000 YEN which is between 3500 - 6500 GBP but that is of course FOB (fee on board). Then of course you have to pay shipping and paperwork etc. So as long as you have no problems that need fixing e.g tyres the car will cost you between 5k and 8k to get on the road over here.

 

Now here we get to the point of the thread, has anyone done this themselves and what problems have they come across?

 

If you buy over here or through a UK company its gong to cost 8-10k but 99% of the time you will get a car that is of high quality.

 

So is it worth it?

[DSK]

Persoanlly I have visited a few import places and found their cars to be below par and personally I would never present my car were it for sale the way some do (Jap Performance, WRC etc).

 

However, there are several forum members that highly rate Jurgen @ JM Imports (see the traders section), where by they have been very happy with the service and quality of the cars. I'd personally contact Jurgen, have a word and take it from there.

[Jurgen-Jm-Imports]

i will do excatly what you are going to do but our fee is £750..

 

but you will get my guy to check car over and we will get it ready for you etc etc...

 

we know supras and their small issues so we can be a safe bet..

 

and there is then no risk to you..

 

 

cheers

[jon5698]

I for one can highly recommend Jurgen, I imported my last car myself and it was a right ball ache. For the fee he takes and the service he provides he is second to none

[RobSheffield]

I can vouch for Jurgen too, bought my car from him, top guy

[Guigsy]

if i was ever going to import a car it would be via jurgen. just flicking through his site at the cars he has imported shows you he doesnt import crap

[SupraAyf]

My Supra is just about as unique and as specialist as they come and I for one would not have touched it if it was not for Jurgen and his team controlling the import, inspection and quality control processes for the vehicle.

 

If my car had turned out to be a dog then my financial outlay would have spiraled in to many thousands for repair bills alone, therefore, the 750 quid to Jurgen was a very reasonable fee for bringing total peace of mind to what could have been a bloody nightmare situation:Pling:

 

 

Personally speaking, I looked upon the GBP750 factor as more of an insurance policy than a charge for services. It's a bit like your annual road insurance bill where you don't think you get value for money until you come a cropper.

 

As a footnote but don't forget that 'good' cars in Japan are not cheap at the moment due to the hard exchange rate so most of the GBP3500-6500 TT 6-speeds are not likely to be the pick of the crop;)

[Guest blueangel]

i too would use jurgen if i was going to import his cars always look top notch

[Geo]

If i Ever buy a car again it wont be from any UK Dealer. It will be imported from Jurgen, well worth it in my Opinion.

[Scooter]

I'd still trawl the private ad's here as well, they've never been cheaper here and as has been said they are more from japan now than in the past.

 

For me it would be Jurgen if you want a unique car or specific spec, if you just want a good solid car then you can get them over here and get better value for money.

[Angarak]

I was absolutely delighted with my JDM I got from Jurgen, as stated above, he doesnt import crap as it would be bad for the reputation he has built up, plus he knows the in's and out's of the importing process. For his fee you get peace of mind.

[Dave]

is this the jurgen fan club

 

if i was importing i would get jurgen to do it

[Mas]

I imported my MR2 turbo and the supra mself, def recommend you buy one from japan direcly, shipping is not going to be too much, back 4 years ago I think I paid around £500 for the shipping and ofcourse you pay 10% TAX (on value& shipping)+ VAT.

 

I imported my cars back then because I didn't know Jurgen yet though, I would happily pay the fees and get someone who knows the job well do it for me

[SteveR]

Jurgen got me my first Supra and I contacted him when I was looking for more, he's the best chap you'll find to find you a Supra from Japan. I rarely recommend anyone's service/product but IMHO Jurgen can't be beat.

[Harris25]

well where do i get my pom poms and start the cheers lol

 

No thanks alot much help. I have been going through the classys but not many manuals pop up, however patience is a virtue. I will speak to Jurgen

[Pete]

I was going to do this many years ago, but it's just not worth the hassle and fear of buying a lemon.

Do yourself a favour and use someone with contacts like Jurgen. The cars I've seen him ship have been great, well described, checked out by technical people in Japan at buying time etc.