Is my car imported?

Quackles

How do I tell if my car is an import or not? Its an 03 Corolla terra.. I tried to buy parts in halfords the other day and the assistant told me that the terra is the Japanese name for a corolla so it 'must be an import'.. but I've seen them everywhere, surely if it was imported it wouldn't be so common. I just don't know

Guy:Incognito

Is terra not just a spec level?

***EDIT***http://www.toyota.ie/

If you click on the corrolla, in the drop down menu you can choose terra or strata. So it can definately be bought here, as one of only 2 options by the look of it so thats probably why theres loads fo them.

MrSinn

you will notice japanese symbols on stickers,most jap imports come with all the electrics like e/w e/m and aircon,i have had 2 imports and i noticed these things about them compared to european models of the same make

bazz26

Quackles wrote:

How do I tell if my car is an import or not? Its an 03 Corolla terra.. I tried to buy parts in halfords the other day and the assistant told me that the terra is the Japanese name for a corolla so it 'must be an import'.. but I've seen them everywhere, surely if it was imported it wouldn't be so common. I just don't know

I reckon the guy in Halfords doesn't have a clue what he is talking about. Since about 1997 the Toyota models had different trim levels with weird names here in Ireland and continental Europe.

The Corolla models were as follows:

• Linea "Terra" - base model,
• Linea "Luna" - higher spec,
• Linea "Sol" - highest spec.

UK or Jap imported Corollas did not have these names as far as I know. Another thing is that Jap import Corollas have slightly different looks to EU built models.

delly

Terra is the spec over here all right, but to be sure, is your rear number plate square or rectanguler?

Seth Brundle

bazz26 wrote:

I reckon the guy in Halfords doesn't have a clue what he is talking about.

It is a prerequisite for working in halfords or any other retail outlet!

Dilbert75

To be fair, the guys in Halfords in Wexford seem quite useful. But in this case, the "Terra" designation signifies a trim level which was indeed sold here from new.

Tony Danza

If your back number plate is square then it's a Japanese import.

Quackles

Awesome, thanks folks.. I had a feeling I sensed a little "talking through ass" syndrome in yer man. Its a rectangular number plate, looks like standard Irish basic model toyota corolla for me!! Yippee!

qwytre

check out http://www.cartell.ie/

Its gives a history of a car, just enter in the reg number, there are free reports that tell you if its imported (if I remember right)

Our man in Havana

Not free anymore. It will cost you €25.

kluivert

Imported Corrolla's from the UK are:

Base Model
T2 Model
T3 Model

T3 being the model that has all the extras.

Henry Ford III

It absolutely astonishes me that anyone can shell out their hard earned on a car without knowing it's history.

Gurgle

Henry Ford III wrote:

It absolutely astonishes me that anyone can shell out their hard earned on a car without knowing it's history.

It astonishes me that so many people think a car's history is more important than its current condition.

Henry Ford III

Gurgle wrote:

It astonishes me that so many people think a car's history is more important than its current condition.

I never said it was. Both are vitally important.

maidhc

Gurgle wrote:

It astonishes me that so many people think a car's history is more important than its current condition.

It is as important?

bazz26

In my opinion one is as important as the other.

zilog_jones

Yeah, "Terra" and all them are only used on European models (excl. UK). Importing cars from Japan of that age is not very common (probably not worth it) - they tend to be around 4-5 years old or more. And as others said, there would be stuff written in Japanese around the car e.g. the warning on the passenger sun visor about rear-facing child seats and the airbag, the FM band on the radio would be 76-90MHz instead of 87-108MHz, and the speedo and odometer will be in km/h only.

merlinsmerryman

Just look at the logbook and look at date of first licensing in Ireland.eg a 01 car that says date of reg in Ireland as 03 or whatever is an import.

heggie

there would be jap writing in glass, and beside chasis number, also, there may be a square licence plate on the back

colm_mcm

There is no way you could have a Japanese domestic model and not realise it. and if it's a "Linea Terra" model, and it's right hand drive, then it's definately 100% a Toyota Ireland car.