all I can say is that most fo what I have seen improted is in great shape, but the toyota 2lte is pure s*** and I would never recommend one to anyone
Are Mileage JDM Imports Reliable?
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crushers
post ho
all i can say is that many of the vehicles that is imported are s*** and very few are nice clean units that are worth the time and money to import.
and i agree the 2LTE are s***. we agree on that point.
and i agree the 2LTE are s***. we agree on that point.
Yes, but sometimes you get lucky. Case in point is the "parts rig" I bought for $3000. After inspecting it well all I had to was the usual import maintenance, buy tires, a new rear door window, fix a window motor and replace the hubs. I still have to fix some minor body damage on a fender. However., the truck runs like a dream - much better than the one I paid $11,500 for when I first got it. Only problem is I told my wife she could drive it and now she doesn't want me to sell it.
... still looking for a parts rig.
crushers
post ho
the value of 'used' imported RHD on Canadian soil has plumeted..
but there are those that still want very clean 'new' imports.
and there is still those bringing in junk.
but there are those that still want very clean 'new' imports.
and there is still those bringing in junk.
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I would have to say that there are very few importers who care enough to bring in only higher end, clean imports. MANY of the JDMs I see are pretty mediocre, and they are almost always brought in by sketchy importers who are into making fast money off people (uninformed suckers) who have stars in their eyes, and rose coloured glasses on.
There are a handful of importers who bring in decent cars and trucks, and just a few who are bringing in higher end units only.
The cost of the higher end vehicles is typically not that much more in Japan, but the higher end importers almost always spend a great deal of time and money making sure that what they are selling on this side of things is in top condition... and, the consumer will be charged accordingly. What the consumer gets for the (sometimes substantially) higher price is peace of mind, and a guarantee from the seller/dealer that the dealer stands behind (and not some half-baked used car warranty from a company like Lubrico).
Having been immersed in the repair/service side of this industry for several years now, I can tell you who the good guys are and who most of the bad guys are. The bad guys usually make lots of promises that do not end up getting kept. The good guys stand behind their word and product 100%.
~John
There are a handful of importers who bring in decent cars and trucks, and just a few who are bringing in higher end units only.
The cost of the higher end vehicles is typically not that much more in Japan, but the higher end importers almost always spend a great deal of time and money making sure that what they are selling on this side of things is in top condition... and, the consumer will be charged accordingly. What the consumer gets for the (sometimes substantially) higher price is peace of mind, and a guarantee from the seller/dealer that the dealer stands behind (and not some half-baked used car warranty from a company like Lubrico).
Having been immersed in the repair/service side of this industry for several years now, I can tell you who the good guys are and who most of the bad guys are. The bad guys usually make lots of promises that do not end up getting kept. The good guys stand behind their word and product 100%.
~John
crushers
post ho
well worded John
i would like to add that not all curbers are con artists and not all dealers are honest. it is the PERSON that you need to feel comfortable with, not the 'line' they are feeding you.
it comes down to gut feelings, if ANYTHING makes you feel that the seller is not being upfront and honest then walk away. it is YOUR money, YOUR investment so you need to find a seller that can fulfill your needs honestly.
plus, if it sounds too good to be true... it is.
if someone is looking for a $10K HDJ81 then they have to realize that a clean low mileage HDJ81 will be double that and if a seller says that is a fair and resonable budget he is not telling the truth.
so calculating:
$4800. purchase price of grade 3, either roll back or high km unit. (read: parts truck)
$ 200 some auctions charge a fee
$1000 finders and inspection fee
$ 500 depending on location of auction and exporters yard internal shipping adn to the dock.
$1500 ocean shipping
$1000 customs
$1000 profit for importer
on average a decent HDJ81 with under 120km is $8K - $10K +/- purchase price
<the most i ever paid was $18.9K purchase price at auction for a HDJ81>
most importers that have been in the business long enough have a good idea what clean vehicles are worth. the honest highend importers will tell the customer up front whether they can fulfill the request for the budget or not.
you have to also take into consideration the value of the JPY and the USD when looking at budget value. when we are sitting on or close to par then you get more bang for the buck. when you are sitting at a 74 JPY then you just lost 25% of your purchasing power. if the USD is sitting on par then shipping is cheaper than when it is at $0.80, now your shipping costs just went up 20%.
add to this that the customs duty cost is based on the JPY value and not the assumed Canadian value so if you bought a firetruck for 990,000 JPY when at par and you drag your heals bringing it over then 2 years later the JPY is 74 you just cost yourself an extra 26% chargable duty costs.
if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
and
never invest money you can not afford to lose.
and finally
for the difference in costs, buy the best you can afford. in the end you will be happy you did.
cheers
i would like to add that not all curbers are con artists and not all dealers are honest. it is the PERSON that you need to feel comfortable with, not the 'line' they are feeding you.
it comes down to gut feelings, if ANYTHING makes you feel that the seller is not being upfront and honest then walk away. it is YOUR money, YOUR investment so you need to find a seller that can fulfill your needs honestly.
plus, if it sounds too good to be true... it is.
if someone is looking for a $10K HDJ81 then they have to realize that a clean low mileage HDJ81 will be double that and if a seller says that is a fair and resonable budget he is not telling the truth.
so calculating:
$4800. purchase price of grade 3, either roll back or high km unit. (read: parts truck)
$ 200 some auctions charge a fee
$1000 finders and inspection fee
$ 500 depending on location of auction and exporters yard internal shipping adn to the dock.
$1500 ocean shipping
$1000 customs
$1000 profit for importer
on average a decent HDJ81 with under 120km is $8K - $10K +/- purchase price
<the most i ever paid was $18.9K purchase price at auction for a HDJ81>
most importers that have been in the business long enough have a good idea what clean vehicles are worth. the honest highend importers will tell the customer up front whether they can fulfill the request for the budget or not.
you have to also take into consideration the value of the JPY and the USD when looking at budget value. when we are sitting on or close to par then you get more bang for the buck. when you are sitting at a 74 JPY then you just lost 25% of your purchasing power. if the USD is sitting on par then shipping is cheaper than when it is at $0.80, now your shipping costs just went up 20%.
add to this that the customs duty cost is based on the JPY value and not the assumed Canadian value so if you bought a firetruck for 990,000 JPY when at par and you drag your heals bringing it over then 2 years later the JPY is 74 you just cost yourself an extra 26% chargable duty costs.
if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
and
never invest money you can not afford to lose.
and finally
for the difference in costs, buy the best you can afford. in the end you will be happy you did.
cheers
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That's pretty bad when Wayne is rippin' on your spelling.
Only imported engine I ever got was a 3L diesel, and the seller provided video of it running and did a leakdown and compression test.
For posterity:
Any Toyota engine starting with "2LT" is a time-bomb.
Only imported engine I ever got was a 3L diesel, and the seller provided video of it running and did a leakdown and compression test.
For posterity:
Any Toyota engine starting with "2LT" is a time-bomb.
Not true.
crushers
post ho
okay, old boy, expand on yoru post...
kevin in okinawa
SILVER Star
ok, here goes. generally speaking, japanese DO have different driving habits...slow and cautious. also, the typical LC owner in japan is wealthy, at least to where the LC might not be the daily driver. japanese are also typically a fastidious, rule-following people...meaning that they will adhere to the recommended maint schedule....because it is manufacturer recommended
. And, remember, the usual LC owner in japan has the $ to ensure it gets done.of course, these are just my personal observations (10 yrs worth) of typical behaviors and circumstances of japanese LCs and their owners. i am confident there are a few that scoff at doing maintenance, but they would be the exception, not the rule.
hope that helps. try to find an importer that has positive recommendations or referrals. i know that my friends speak highly of Dave Stedman of Japan4X4.
edit: just jumped to page 3...
1) if the RI, or importer, is shady, you can be assured that they will be able to find a $hitty LC at the auction.
2) 2LT engines suck
3) the post about the govt forcing engines to be replaced is just dumb, you were told a rumor at best
4) hi Dave. I'm friends with Larry down here in Okinawa
5) HJ61 is the king of cruisers!
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crushers
post ho
Dave doesn't like to deal in vehicles.
1) disagree, there is a lot of s*** at the auctions. the vehicles need to be inspected and never ever trust the inspections sheets.
2) agreed
3) agreed
4) cool
5) disagree, the HJ61 is a beautiful truck but the HZJ77 is the king. <insert tongue sticking out>
1) disagree, there is a lot of s*** at the auctions. the vehicles need to be inspected and never ever trust the inspections sheets.
2) agreed
3) agreed
4) cool
5) disagree, the HJ61 is a beautiful truck but the HZJ77 is the king. <insert tongue sticking out>
Kevin,
The HDJ81V is the KING of Land Cruisers!
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
James Goldsmith
LandCrusher80
kevin in okinawa
SILVER Star
i think that we are saying the same thing. the quality of character of the importer will reflect the quality of truck.
crushers
post ho
okay, i see what you are saying.
your post read, in my mind, "Cruiser owners in Japan are wealthy so the crusiers are in good shape generally"
while that is true, the trucks at auction are more crap than good.
of course this depends on whether you are looking for a wheeling rig or not.
cheers and peace.
(thanks for posting, appreciated)
your post read, in my mind, "Cruiser owners in Japan are wealthy so the crusiers are in good shape generally"
while that is true, the trucks at auction are more crap than good.
of course this depends on whether you are looking for a wheeling rig or not.
cheers and peace.
(thanks for posting, appreciated)
crushers
post ho
remember i am quoting what was said earlier...
i also am the exception...
i also am the exception...
Yeah, I realized I did a poor job of quoting...
I would have never guessed you would be an exception, especially after seeing the old Smokey!
crushers
post ho
Ol' Smokey gots its name for a reason... 340,000 km JDM when i brought it over. i bought it to prove a point, what that point was i am not sure any longer but i think it is still on the road running a chevy power plant now...
<poor truck>
<poor truck>
Okay...how about this seller...what do you think?
1992 TOYOTA HILUX SURF SSRG LOWEST KMS IN CANADA FULLY LOADED BLOWOUT
1992 TOYOTA HILUX SURF SSRG LOWEST KMS IN CANADA FULLY LOADED BLOWOUT
kevin in okinawa
SILVER Star
BLAH BLAH BLAH...lowest kms...BLAH BLAH BLAH...rarest...blah blah blah... The 2.4 turbo diesel...
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
oh yeah, i'm technically an exception too, but my LC is not new either!
