Import or Buy Local - JDM

[iggi]

Hi,

I've been shopping for a diesel LC and I'd like some feedback from Canadian JDM owners that have been through the import process.

If you had to buy another cruiser would you:

a) import another from Japan
b) buy a local JDM that's had some local experience/maintenance.

Thanks,

[bruff]

Best to have someone with the know-how or the connections. I got mine with connections here on Vancouver Island. I would do it again in an instant. Basically I got mine through and importer, that is a friend of mine.

Brad

[Diesel Weasel]

I think it really depends how fast you want your truck. I imported an HJ61 a few years ago and it wasn't too bad of a process. I had a relatively quick wait, only 3 months from the purchase at auction until I took possession. As I understand it now, the wait times are a lot longer.

I did save $2-4,000 importing myself, but in the end, I'm not sure it was worth the time. However, one bonus of importing a truck yourself is that you can be much pickier about what you're looking for.

[aabasiry]

Originally Posted by iggi

Hi,

I've been shopping for a diesel LC and I'd like some feedback from Canadian JDM owners that have been through the import process.

If you had to buy another cruiser would you:

a) import another from Japan
b) buy a local JDM that's had some local experience/maintenance.

Thanks,

Cool, one more fellow Calgarian will have a cruiser soon .. I just got mine a few weeks ago. Went with an importer from Vancouver. PM sent to you with details..
Cheers,
Ahmed

[canucksafari]

Don't import on your own unless you can afford to gamble - loose your money or end up with crap. Otherwise, go through a respected Japanese exporter (still could be a bit of a gamble) or buy through a local dealer. Don't be fooled by warrenties which only cover a few things or have a limit of say $1500. Check out the background of the importer/dealer, get any promises in writting, and get the vehicle independently inspected by someone who is qualified and cares. A decent inspection (including fuel system, compression and leak down tests) should be around $200-$300 at regular shop rates. You should count on it taking 3 hours and the inspector should run the truck at highway speeds, city speed and be flexing the suspension a bit.

I suggest you check out IVOAC foir more information. See my sig.

[80cruiserfan]

I got mine directly from Japan, but the process can be very long indeed. It took them about 2 months to put the car on a ship. That is after I had sent the full payment via bank transfer. Then another 4 months to receive the car in Haiti because it had to transit in Miami.
Where I live there is no reliable importer, so my choices were somewhat limited. I think I made a pretty good deal considering the car's condition vs its price. But it was a pretty big gamble I think.
I'd say if you can find a reliable importer locally go for it.

[crushers]

LOL!!
what would i do?
easy, give me your money and sit back and wait for your rig to arrive...
<importing units since 2001 with very happy customers>

[whosthecoolguy]

Don't import yourself.
There are enough quality importers and nice rigs showing up that you don't have to.
Just do your home work and wait until you find a nice rig. Don't be rushed.

[83bj60]

If it's your first one and you don't know anything about it and need some money back guarantee like I felt I needed for my first one, having never owned one before, using a LOCAL importer you can actually talk to is IMO the best solution.

Now, having had my truck and seeing how much money I could have saved doing it myself, and more importantly if NOT NEEDING ONE IN A HURRY, I would definitely try my hand at importing another one myself. For the several thousand dollars you can save, taking care of the paperwork and everyuthing that it implies can be dealt with in stride, as long as you aren't in a hurry to get wheels and are willing to deal with the hassles and the risk.

What was the first question again? Would we want to get a Canadian Cruiser instead after our experience? ARE YOU KIDDING?

[moon8903]

I am presently importing a 93 HDJ81VX through OUTBACK Importers out of Whitehorse and so far I am extremely happy with the service and the constant e-mails and calls keeping me in the loop. Check put their site Outback Imports. We import the finest used 4x4 Toyota and Nissan Trucks to Canada. and talk to Jesse. He is very knowledgable and read the statements from past clients. I can hardly wait to get mine.

Cheers

[lshobie]

If you buy through a quality importer like wayne you will be getting a great truck with his word behind it, and you will pay more of course for a great prep package and a truck that will need nothing done to it - no headaches. A quality importer sifts through the crap with his buyer in Japan and only gets the good ones - not just the next truck they see so they can make some quick money.

If you import yourself there are a few issues, you could get a shitty buyer who does not know cruisers, keesp your money, charges too much, buys a bad cruiser, paperwork hassles, then you get the truck here and it will need a pile of work, brakes, a/c charge, maybe a heater core, birfield rebuild, conn rod bearings, maybe an engine noise that will drive you nuts, maybe driveline problems that weren't diagnosed at the auction etc etc.

If you buy wrong then you might end up spending more than if you bought through an importer.

If you buy one that is already here then take it to someone who really knows cruisers, how to spot rollbacks and body work, mechanical problems etc etc, you might think you are getting a deal but these things are a heavy duty piece of machinery - they require maintenance and are costly to repair.

Personally I'd buy one locally if I saw the right one - if I had time and money I'd buy through a top importer.

Louis