Considering importing from Europe, looking for some opinions (1 Viewer)

[turtlepower]

I've started doing research on Land Cruisers and am considering importing one from Europe. I found this one and am hoping for some opinions. I'd have to get it inspected over there and see some photos of the frame if I were to consider buying it.

Used 2001 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER AMAZON MANUAL DIESEL for Sale BK554531 - BE FORWARD

It has everything that I want and nothing that I don't want. Low mileage (maybe too low?). I'm not sure how big of a thing odometer rollbacks are in the UK. Looks to be in good condition from the photos.

 

[YvesNL]

Do you want a Right Hand Drive vehicle? The rest of Europe is Left Hand Drive.

 

[turtlepower]

Do you want a Right Hand Drive vehicle? The rest of Europe is Left Hand Drive.

I have a slight preference for LHD, but if a good vehicle came up in RHD then I would not overlook it. I have driven a friend's RHD a few times and found that it would not be too difficult to get used to.

 

[YvesNL]

I Understand, there are lots of Diesel HDJ100's here so there should be plenty to choose from.

Mobile.de has lots of HDJ100's across Europe, I would take a look there.

 

[JayDee]

Can you import an EU HDJ100? Or must it be >25 years old?

 

[stonepa]

Can you import an EU HDJ100? Or must it be >25 years old?

Canada is 15 years.

 

[hoser]

I've owned RHD vehicles in USA and I certainly don't prefer it. I have gotten "used" to it but it is not better, nor the same. Passing on a two-lane road is more difficult. Merging is not as easy nor is a simple right turn into in intersection with fast moving traffic.

But if I had to choose from RHD vehicles, I'd certainly do most of my searching from Japan. There are certainly junkers and ones with odometer rollbacks but a higher percentage of them are clean with (true) low mileage than any other country.

I would also caution folks buying RHD foreign 100's if they AREN'T doing their own mechanical/electrial work. Many of the parts are quite different than US market 100's. Most mechanics aren't set-up for this. If cost is no object, go for it.

 

[sigjar]

Finn.no for Norway. Rust and the general price level could be a problem though.
Some random lc 100:

Toyota Land Cruiser

Råtøff Toyota Land Cruiser 100 med 4.2 liters rekkesekser dieselmotor og automatgir. Denne bilen har gode kjøre egenskaper. God historikk på vedlikehold og reperasjoner. Det som er verdt og nevne som er gjort siste året er: Nye dempere bak iforhold til luftfjæring 2nye batterier Skiftet...

www.finn.no

 

[kgrove]

I would also caution folks buying RHD foreign 100's if they AREN'T doing their own mechanical/electrial work. Many of the parts are quite different than US market 100's. Most mechanics aren't set-up for this. If cost is no object, go for it.

I second this. The local LC / Toyota specialist here warned me that he would not touch an imported LC. He's done a few in the past, and sometimes they get part way into the repair, discover other parts that need to be replaced... hours more research, special order, expedite shipping from Australia, Japan, or UAE, etc. Then he's looking at a pissed off customer wondering why his brake job just cost $2K and the shop has had a car stuck in their bay for 4 weeks. If you import a car that isn't 100% the same as a US version, you're asking for difficulties... which is fine if you're going to do the research and work yourself and are aware it will be more involved to do many repairs. It's not fine when it hits you without warning.

 

[pugwash]

If you're looking at UK trucks, there are a lot of us cruiser boys in the UK, who are also longtime ih8mud members, know their trucks and i'm sure would be happy to check out a vehicle for you.

I've just bought a jap import ACtive Vacation VX Limited 100 Series- the only differences i can find are that the remote key works on a different frequency and a couple of bulbs seem to be different.

Partswise all the key parts of 80 and 100 series are common- any unusual stuff can be ordered from impex or partsouq

 

[hoser]

The JDM 100 might be similar to the RHD UK Amazon 100 but comparing to a LHD US 100, it is quite different. Or even an LX470... since Canada didn't received any LC100's. Anything RHD related is different including almost all the interior, side mirrors and steering components. The body panels are different. Even the window tint and electrical components can be different. And then there's the drivetrain.... There are only a handful of HDJ100's in North America. Your mechanic and body shop will not love you unless they are a bona fide cruiser specialty shop.

 

[Patassa]

I don't understand, why can't you go across the border and get a US hundy?

 

[turtlepower]

I don't understand, why can't you go across the border and get a US hundy?

I can, that's definitely under consideration too.