build/Maint thread
I decided it was time to start ticking off bucket list items. I have always wanted a 70's wagon so here we go! I started to research importers and decided to use a Canadian importer for a couple of reasons. For Those of us who have went thru the process of importing a vehicle it can be a bit confusing. Be prepared to offer a pound of flesh because everybody along the way is going to get some from you.
#1 Canadians can import trucks that are only 15 years old.
This allows you to front load the import process a bit and hunt down a little bit newer truck before they hit the 25-year mark. It seemed to me as I watched the prices of Cruisers over a year or so that once a truck hits 25 years old the price goes up a bit more just because it was now US market available. But be aware there is an extra provincial tax so this is something to be considered, it's pretty minimal but it's still another cost.
#2 check out the better business bureau ratings for the selected importer. Yes, even Canada has one and I have found over the years it's a good indicator and will also allow you to see how long they have been doing their thing. To me a red flag is having no better business bureau ratings whatsoever. Nobody who imports vehicles is squeaky clean and it's how they resolve the issues that matter. I like to deal with reasonable adults
#3 storage fee's in Canada in general seemed way less than in Japan. I'm sure if you have a friend of a friend who lives in Japan you could buck this but... I don't know anybody who lives in Japan.
#4 the importer I used had boots on the ground in Japan, a broker of sorts who could Negotiate and check things out.
I'm sure there are tons of sources but to be honest after a year of watching and surfing auctions this is the place to locate a really nice truck.
For me it was then a process of working with my agent in Japan to hunt down trucks off this list and make some offers. It seems to me the Japanese love to Politely negotiate things.
I decided it was time to start ticking off bucket list items. I have always wanted a 70's wagon so here we go! I started to research importers and decided to use a Canadian importer for a couple of reasons. For Those of us who have went thru the process of importing a vehicle it can be a bit confusing. Be prepared to offer a pound of flesh because everybody along the way is going to get some from you.
#1 Canadians can import trucks that are only 15 years old.
This allows you to front load the import process a bit and hunt down a little bit newer truck before they hit the 25-year mark. It seemed to me as I watched the prices of Cruisers over a year or so that once a truck hits 25 years old the price goes up a bit more just because it was now US market available. But be aware there is an extra provincial tax so this is something to be considered, it's pretty minimal but it's still another cost.
#2 check out the better business bureau ratings for the selected importer. Yes, even Canada has one and I have found over the years it's a good indicator and will also allow you to see how long they have been doing their thing. To me a red flag is having no better business bureau ratings whatsoever. Nobody who imports vehicles is squeaky clean and it's how they resolve the issues that matter. I like to deal with reasonable adults
#3 storage fee's in Canada in general seemed way less than in Japan. I'm sure if you have a friend of a friend who lives in Japan you could buck this but... I don't know anybody who lives in Japan.
#4 the importer I used had boots on the ground in Japan, a broker of sorts who could Negotiate and check things out.
I'm sure there are tons of sources but to be honest after a year of watching and surfing auctions this is the place to locate a really nice truck.
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For me it was then a process of working with my agent in Japan to hunt down trucks off this list and make some offers. It seems to me the Japanese love to Politely negotiate things.