Is it worth buying a Jap import?

Yakult

So I have been looking at an Honda Intergra 1.6l import for around the 8000 mark. In perfect nick and what not.

but what Im worried about are parts? I heard from my friend he was waiting 6 months for a certain part for hes levin which he must get from Japan, and he said that I would have to import parts for my Integra too? Is that true or is their an alternative in Ireland?

Atomic Pineapple

it is true but it depends on the part, most of what you'll need can be got here easily enough, theres also plenty of them around and alot of parts in scrap yards etc.. theres a guy near banbridge that specialise's in honda parts too, i drive a ukdm integra type r so its the european version but parts are virtually the same as the jap equvialant and i never had any trouble spurcing parts

Caveat

Beware of insurance costs - insurers don't tend to like Jap imports. You might want to think about an immobiliser too (which may not be standard)

Atomic Pineapple

Caveat wrote: »

Beware of insurance costs - insurers don't tend to like Jap imports. You might want to think about an immobiliser too (which may not be standard)

yeh make sure your insurance know its an import as it will cost more to insure and have an alarm waiting to be installed as jap imports normally come with no security and are at high risk from being stolen

JHMEG

At that kind of money you're not far off Type-R prices. The 1.6 is absolutely nothing special. It's somewhat the same as a Civic Coupe 1.6i LS.

Parts are not a problem. Common stuff can get gotten in motor factors or breakers, and the rest can be had from Honda. The absolute longest you'd be waiting is for a couple of weeks for some oddball part that has to come from Japan.

Yakult

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yeah theirs an immobiliser and alarm as Im aware of sobs trying to rob cars.

Caveat: You were saying about insurence companys not too keen on Japs. Would it make any difference Im 18? I have a full liecense.

B00MSTICK

Have a look on quinn-direct.ie, I couldnt get a quote off the online system till this year (I'm 20 full license) on a 98 1.6 not imported.

This doesnt mean they wont quote you over the phone but you will pay the premium for it being jap and a honda.

Would you consider getting your mother insured on it and you as a named driver? With most companies you'll get a discount if you have more than one policy with the same company. (Hibernian do anyway)

Atomic Pineapple

B00MSTICK wrote: »

Would you consider getting your mother insured on it and you as a named driver? With most companies you'll get a discount if you have more than one policy with the same company. (Hibernian do anyway)

your not insured as the main driver then and insurance companies will cop on to this

Yakult

B00MSTICK wrote: »

Would you consider getting your mother insured on it and you as a named driver? With most companies you'll get a discount if you have more than one policy with the same company. (Hibernian do anyway)

I was thinking that, but I have a slight feeling they will know a 50 year old woman wont be driving a Jap Integra much haha.

Well, I have 3000 max for insurence if I must get insured myself so.

B00MSTICK

Not if you buy online, once it quotes you they have to honour it afaik.

Theres a €400 difference for me with hibernian, It would be nice to start my full NCB (not "as a named driver") but I think I'll stick with a small engine till insurance is actually affordable.

EDIT: Give it a try, what have you got to lose? You can claim she was one of these grannies from Top Gear! Not implying your mam is a granny btw!

2nd EDIT: tried it myself on Hibernian just now €1500 In my own name V.S €930 under my mother with myself as a named driver.

Yakult

B00MSTICK wrote: »

EDIT: Give it a try, what have you got to lose? You can claim she was one of these grannies from Top Gear! Not implying your mam is a granny btw!

2nd EDIT: tried it myself on Hibernian just now €1500 In my own name V.S €930 under my mother with myself as a named driver.

I went on, and I got my dad to enter details and what not.

€1350 was the quote. Im thinking thats very cheap no? (I found a integra for 6500 thats not a jap so I used that as the example)

msg11

draffodx wrote: »

yeh make sure your insurance know its an import as it will cost more to insure and have an alarm waiting to be installed as jap imports normally come with no security and are at high risk from being stolen

Also, another tip I picked up, was change the square number plate on the front and back, this is an absolute landmark for the scum.

Changing them over too the long plates, would suggest that the car is Irish and is fitted with stable anti theft devices... But be SURE to get some, and some proper security, I hear to often out TYPE R's going "missing", and just on that note. If your car is "missing", don't expect it back with an engine.

R_H_C_P wrote: »

So I have been looking at an Honda Intergra 1.6l import for around the 8000 mark. In perfect nick and what not.

but what Im worried about are parts? I heard from my friend he was waiting 6 months for a certain part for hes levin which he must get from Japan, and he said that I would have to import parts for my Integra too? Is that true or is their an alternative in Ireland?

Parts for the Integra are very easy to come by, some parts are crosses, some CRX parts will do the intergra for different years. I have a 92 ZX, not Vtec or anything, but sort of rare, its a DC1. I have no problem with parts...

I would also suggest, getting a type R . Your not far off asking prices, just be carefull with type R's theres a few iffy looking motors .

R_H_C_P wrote: »

I was thinking that, but I have a slight feeling they will know a 50 year old woman wont be driving a Jap Integra much haha.

Well, I have 3000 max for insurence if I must get insured myself so.

Dont worrie about that mate, insurance companys are not out to get you, they will quite happly insure you, once everything seems above board. If a 50 year old person wants to drive a high powered car. Then so be it, sure some people this age, are driving around in extremly powerfully cars!

metzengerstein

ive a rare jap import which i have never seen another one in the country ,honda also ,i get my parts from e.p mooney on the long mile road
sometimes a bit long but mostly have been very quick most ive waited was 3 weeks and that was a part that had to be made in japan ,but sometimes they have them quicker if they come from uk or brussels,and also you have all the other places that where mentioned above

as for insurance i looked at 123.ie today and got a great quote for a 2ltr

id recomend havin a look

Muckie

Like the jap import models myself, they come with better spec

than your euro models. Parts wise i find the internet great, plus a lot

more motor factors are better at ordering in parts. Go on, go Japanese!.

Snowie

8k for an integra 1.6 is a lot of money you can find better deals then that and probably better cars for cheaper.

JHMEG

A lot has happened in the car market in the 19 months since this thread was started!

Atomic Pineapple

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

8k for an integra 1.6 is a lot of money you can find better deals then that and probably better cars for cheaper.

JHMEG wrote: »

A lot has happened in the car market in the 19 months since this thread was started!

its not worth importing from japan now unless your after something special

Alanstrainor

I'm going to close this one lads, it's over a year and a half old! Start a new thread if you want to discuss the craziness of importing from Japan these days.
Closed