Japanese car imports

glanma · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 5:50 pm Post subject: New Arrival!!

Hi everyone

Just picked up my 2002 Toyota Estima from Southampton - it's my first attempt (as some already know!) at importing a car for my own use. By request I've added a few pics so you can see the results of my efforts - it's still to take the SVA test and get registered, but I'm almost at the finishing post now! Any comments - good or otherwise will be gratefully received.
Thanks to all the staff at Autoadvan both here and in Japan for their help and advice, and also to Barratt Shipping for theirs too. Having been my first experience of both companies I can say I would readily recommend either.
All the best, Glenn.

[img]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/860000-860999/860040_8_full.jpg[/img]
[img]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/860000-860999/860040_9_full.jpg[/img]
[img]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/860000-860999/860040_10_full.jpg[/img]
[img]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/860000-860999/860040_11_full.jpg[/img]
[img]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/860000-860999/860040_12_full.jpg[/img]

masong · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 7:55 pm Post subject:

Congrats!! Bet you're chuffed :D i'm still window shopping after handing over the initial fee.
I'm looking in on every auction day, that special one is out there somewhere!

romeo42822 · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:29 pm Post subject:

Glenn,

What can one say ! its totally spanking :D :D , I am lost for words ! - very unusual for me - but you have managed to do it ! Embarassed

Nice one mate !,

Best Rgds

Ben

glanma · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks, fellas - yeah I am pretty chuffed with it - it's possibly better than I had hoped for! The (real) bodywork is virtually immaculate, the couple of scratches shown on the auction sheet are actually on the fibreglass bodykit and so are easily remedied, and are nothing I wasn't aware of. As you can see it's lowered, nice set of wheels that have not been near any kerbs, sports exhaust, very clean interior (ok the mats nead a clean but there's no marks on the upholstery), smooooth gearbox and quiet engine - in fact I thought it had stalled a couple of times when it was actually still running! And only 9000 miles on the clock (NOT km) - so I think I did ok really. As I say, the SVA bits will be done this week, followed by the test and registration asap after that. I'm just gutted I can't drive it now until that's all done!
All the best, Glenn.

Terence · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

*drools*

That is one of the nicest MPV's I have seen.

You might want to adjust the suspension as some speed bumps are ticky. Not sure if this is the case for MPV's however.

glanma · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject: New arrival!

Hi Terence

As you can tell, I was very pleased with this vehicle - handing over that amount of money via the internet is always a worrying experience, especially if it's your first time of dealing with someone. But I will have no qualms about recommending you fellas (and girls?) as the service I received was superb, and my thanks go to all concerned. I would write a letter of thanks to you, but I know I'll take ages to get round to it so hope you don't mind this post in its place!

As regards the low suspension, I do have speed bumps at either end of my road, and if taken sensibly, the car doesn't touch them at all. I have to be a bit careful of parking close to kerbs, as the spoilers would foul if met head on, but this is a small price to pay for such a nice car!

Many thanks again, and I'll look forward to dealing with you again at some stage.

Cheers, Glenn

Guest · 0.0 Cash Points

Nice buy

masong · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:28 pm Post subject:

Nice and clean from my view. bigger wheels...bigger wheels!

glanma · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:15 pm Post subject:

I'm on the case already - negotiating for a set of 19x9's with an old work colleague who runs a wheel and tyre shop now! SVA test first though, wheels et al will follow asap after that! :D

Hammer · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject: Nice motor

Looks the bees knees mate (2.2?) how did it all go for you? I am hoping to buy my first one in the next few days so wish me luck

The Hammer Cool

glanma · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:31 pm Post subject:

Hi Hammer

Thanks for the comments - the Estima (it's a 2.4 petrol btw) is great and does get plenty of looks(not why I bought it but it does give you a nice warm glow!!!), it's garaged now 'til I get back off my hols and get the ESVA test done, I can't wait to get it registered now!
Good luck with your buy - what are you after? If you need any help at all just drop me a line - I'm no pro at this lark but I am a fast learning amateur! :D

glanma · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:39 pm Post subject: Update

Hi all

Just a very quick update on the Estima - contrary to what I said about it being close to hitting the road back in July, things conspired against me ( conflicting info re. the ESVA, new job, holidays, old car still to sell, etc.!) and so at the moment it is in my lock up waiting for it's big day! I think I have done all the required work now so keep your fingers crossed! Amongst other things, I have swopped the o/s/r light cluster for a UK one and adapted the wiring so that the included fog light works, added a speedo convertor/de-limiter chip ( and don't believe what people may tell you, it was a doddle to do!) from Elite International, swopped the tyres for UK load rated ones, etc. and am now awaiting a date for the test. When I get that through I will rent the model report and hope for the best!! Once the test is done - good or bad - I'll add another update and let you know what happened and what other non-ESVA related jobs I have done on it!
Oh, and has anyone else brought in a new toy recently?
cheers, Glenn

masong · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:25 pm Post subject:

Bringing...! not quite here yet, just received confirmation 'sometime in mid Nov' for arrival! It cant come soon enough, just waiting on some more photos to come through now.

Any joy on the test date?

glanma · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject:

No nothing yet, Masong! Good to hear you are getting there too mate, what did you buy?
cheers Glenn

Guest · 0.0 Cash Points

I have purchased a rather fetching black gtr R32! should be just over ?5k OTR, though i have spent more in my head and it not even left their shores yet... Shocked

glanma · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject: new purchase

I love the Skylines, if I didn't need to worry about carting the kids around I'd be after one too!! How about sharing the photos with us once you get them through?

glanma · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:08 pm Post subject: Next update!

Hi again

Just another quick update - the Estima is getting there slowly (famous last words!!!), there has been a slight hold up in that I sent off for the ESVA test only to have my application sent back with a note saying that the form was out of date - it was a May 2003 one (came with the rest of the paperwork for the car), the latest one is July 2005!!!! Bit more involved than the old form too, hence they sent it back. I'd also managed to miss somehow that they ask for the model report number on the form, whereas I had assumed you apply first and then supply the model report later. WRONG!!!! You will need this to be able to complete the application for the test. Bugger!!!
So now the new form is off to them, hopefully in the next couple of weeks or so I'll be reporting back with some good news - at least that's the plan! In the mean time, I'll just carry on tinkering I guess!
Oh, and sorry again to those who already knew this, but I'm still learning!!!! Embarassed

:D
Glenn
[/img]

masong · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 2:06 pm Post subject:

I didnt know that! I'm sure they make it difficult on purpose as revenge for them paying full list price.
Must be painful to see that on your drive/garage and not be able to use it!

glanma · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:33 pm Post subject: So true!

You're not wrong there Masong - and of course it's a real shame to have it sat on the drive and not be able to have the odd blast round the block in it, which of course I would never ever do! :D :D
How's yours doing, btw?

masong · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject:

We are sailing... (i hope)
Its all gone a bit quiet. The calm before the storm, and a long chance to reanalyze my finances to see what i cant afford! Laughing

No doubt it will get hectic in a few weeks!