Master list of JDM importers to Canada (3 Viewers)

[mdrive]

Master List of Importers

Maximum Overdrive Auto Importers: www.maxoverdrive.ca (BC Registered Dealer #30432)

 

[crushers]

I think we all need to have a reality check here...

blah, blah, blah...

There's nothing that indentures any seller to any buyer beyond the the seller honestly representing thier wares.

blah, blah, blah...

Peter Straub

i guess that is why some of us have higher standards than others.

 

[BURGER]

Then I guess shame on me, as I've had my BJ74 as a DD for coming up to two years now. But then, I guess I have a few items on the shelf . I stand by the statement that getting parts for JDMs will be no more difficult then getting parts for older Cdn spec landcruisers in a few short years, as Toyota is already discontinuing parts. In fact, I believe the JDM scene has done and will continue to do more for the LandCruiser scene in Canada then any FJ resurrection can ever hope to do.

I think the aftermarket will contine to grow for these trucks. The older ones really are Mr Potatoehead in many respects with items that will cross or can be made to work. Many of the parts for stuff like R151 is Ens available (though with a small wait).

All of that said, I think your words of caution are sage.

gb

I totally agree. What on my hj61 is there that I can not buy a replacement for? Body parts are the same wherever you are and most of the drivetrain is the same as was availiable in canada. I think the only trouble might be with motor parts but you can right now buy all the parts from g&s or from 4wheel auto. Do a little stock piling and what is there to worryabout in regards to a dd.

 

[brownbear]

Maximum Overdrive Auto Importers: www.maxoverdrive.ca (BC Registered Dealer #30432)

noted in the 1st post next to your name.

Please anyone else(importers) who are registered to sell cars to the public in your respective provinces, tell me your registered with the number and I will add it to the list.........

 

[wussyPup]

I think that you can replace Express Custom Trailers Mfg. with VI Custom Car Imports; same address, fax and 1-800 phone number.

-Steve

 

[CanSurf]

Has anyone used JDMcars.ca or heard of any experiences with them?

Thanks,

Wes

 

[nickw]

I don't know anything about JDMcars.ca sorry

But here is a thought. If your specifically looking for a Land Cruiser, why not try someone who specializes in them?

If your looking for a cruiser and your in Alberta try Wayne at www.luxuryimports.ca

Cheers,
Nick

 

[CanSurf]

I've looked at all the importers that are listed in this thread. I go to Wayne's site AT LEAST once per day as well as Outback's. I'm just looking around and considering options.

This thread as well as a few others has been a very good insite into the importing business.

Thanks,

Wes

I don't know anything about JDMcars.ca sorry

But here is a thought. If your specifically looking for a Land Cruiser, why not try someone who specializes in them?

If your looking for a cruiser and your in Alberta try Wayne at www.luxuryimports.ca

Cheers,
Nick

 

[hill]

wes, what kinda of JDM are you looking for? just curious.. im having a similar delimea as you...

 

[swixtt]

i have a 81 coming in April(i hope)... from Marko. I've been waiting since last June for one and finally we've got one on the way. Marko has been great to deal with and has always been available to chat about it. I guess for me i liked the way he ran his business so i've stayed with him since the beginning.
Wayne is the other guy that i would buy from too. he contributes so much to this forum not because he is a dealer but because, i believe, he is passionate about Land Cruisers.
anyway, that's my experience with this adventure thus far. i'll have more to say when i actually get one.
good luck

 

[CanSurf]

Well...I was looking at 81's to start, but since my funds are somewhat limited I was a few thousand short of being able to afford one from Outback or Luxury (I bought my Surf from Outback and would love to buy another vehicle there but...). So I started looking at 61's. I hummed and hawed over SnowKing's 61 and finally made him an offer on it...one day too late.

Then I started looking at all the other importers, but didn't really like the fact that the only source for information on the vehicle is the auction report and I would be responsible for ALL repairs once it arrived. Just seems a little to risky for me.

Then I ran across JDMcars.ca and I'm not sure what to think of them. They say that all of their vehicles go through a "quality control" process which includes:
- battery and rad check (battery replaced if necessary)
- check for damage or repairs
- engine check
- mechanical inspection
- operational check (sunroof, a/c, etc.)
- external check for rust, cracks, etc.

Now their website doesn't go into details about what this all involves, but I'm thinking that it would catch glaring things like big oil leaks, obvious rust, non-operational items, etc. So I figure that with these guys at least you have up front a reasonable amount of information to work with.

I'm sure there will be many who disagree with me, but that's my two cents so far. Still considering options.

Wes

wes, what kinda of JDM are you looking for? just curious.. im having a similar delimea as you...

 

[crushers]

Wes,
too bad, Rob's truck was really nice...
cheers

 

[lowenbrau]

I'm not sure what to think of them. They say that all of their vehicles go through a "quality control" process which includes:
- battery and rad check (battery replaced if necessary)
- check for damage or repairs
- engine check
- mechanical inspection
- operational check (sunroof, a/c, etc.)
- external check for rust, cracks, etc.

I have no experience with this seller but that description is a little light.

This is no different than the average buyer would do on the test drive. Nearly all of it is visual. I'd want to see some more info. I'd hope the battery check would include a load test, the rad check would include a pressure test. (Very important on a JDM. Most have crappy cooling systems.)

"engine check"? what is that?

Bubba: "Opened the hood, yup there's an engine... check"

If I were a legit seller I'd be a little more specific about the actual testing I do.

I suspect that many of the importers are adding very little value to the import process. If they are taking very little money then that's fine but the full service importers are doing comprehesive testing and proactively replacing major components in order to reduce the odds of surprises. This is worth a lot. Be sure you are comparing apples with apples.

 

[Stone]

Words of wisdom, Bruce...

 

[CanSurf]

From the importers I've been looking at these guys seem to be a bit of a middle road. They do more than some of them and a lot less than ones like Luxury or Outback. But as we all know there are no guarantees when buying these vehicles as demonstrated by my girlfriend's hilux.

I can't go with Outback or Luxury because I can't afford their prices. My current Surf is from Outback and I'm very aware of how much work Marko and his crew put into it. What I'm trying to do is find an importer that gives me a decent idea of what I'm getting so that I'm not getting complete junk. Then when it gets here I will do some of what the big guys do to theirs before they sell them. The gamble is that I won't have to do TOO MUCH. I'm trying to spread out the costs a bit so that it's affordable.

Wes

I have no experience with this seller but that description is a little light.

This is no different than the average buyer would do on the test drive. Nearly all of it is visual. I'd want to see some more info. I'd hope the battery check would include a load test, the rad check would include a pressure test. (Very important on a JDM. Most have crappy cooling systems.)

"engine check"? what is that?

Bubba: "Opened the hood, yup there's an engine... check"

If I were a legit seller I'd be a little more specific about the actual testing I do.

I suspect that many of the importers are adding very little value to the import process. If they are taking very little money then that's fine but the full service importers are doing comprehesive testing and proactively replacing major components in order to reduce the odds of surprises. This is worth a lot. Be sure you are comparing apples with apples.

 

[lowenbrau]

Yeah Wes, I know you are an educated buyer. I climbed up on the soapbox more for the rest of the readers than for you. Personally I prefer to pay my money and take my chances. I'd do my own testing of a rig if I could save a decent buck. The dealer might have a problem with me having it on my hoist for a whole weekend while I took it apart to check it out though.

 

[CanSurf]

No worries Bruce...I like to think I'm an educated buyer, but I've bought vehicles on impluse more than once and regretted it later, so any words of advice and/or caution are warranted. Hey I emailed the guy from JDMcars.ca about what their inspection process includes and he sent back:

"all electrical equipments like windows locks etc
ac systems
power train check up
engine warm up cycle / head gasket testing procedure
fuel injection system / emission check
transmission, transfer case and differential condition

Vehicles that have mechanical problem is graded 1, our in transit vehicles are in excellent running condition with grade 3 or higher"

So he still didn't give me a lot more detail, but it's a little bit better than the last time.

I sure wish I could find someone who has dealt with these guys...I hate being first! I guess I could ask him for some references, but they always give you the cream of the crop so you never really get a good unbiased opinion.

Wes

Yeah Wes, I know you are an educated buyer. I climbed up on the soapbox more for the rest of the readers than for you. Personally I prefer to pay my money and take my chances. I'd do my own testing of a rig if I could save a decent buck. The dealer might have a problem with me having it on my hoist for a whole weekend while I took it apart to check it out though.

 

[CanSurf]

I'm starting to get a bad "gut feeling" about these guys so I think I'm just going to keep on looking. I've got a line on a 1987 61 series in SK. Maybe I'll have to go out and look at it this week sometime.

Thanks to everyone for their comments and information.

Wes

 

[CanSurf]

You can add Waves Carwash (#199, Hwy 16A) in Spruce Grove, AB to your list. He had a couple trucks sitting out front. I talked to him briefly. I'm not sure if he's registered or not, but he's selling out of his carwash so....

No website that I'm aware of.

 

[light_duty]

I stumbled across this one tonight...they're advertising in the AutoTrader.

http://silverpeaktrading.com/

It's hard to tell from their website whether they're an importer or exporter. It's a BC phone number, but the website says they're based in Japan. Couple of MINT LJs on there.

Either way, might as well add it to the list.