My wife and I are this spring shopping for a family sedan and personally I wanted to get something that we will both enjoy. As such we have basically decided that one of our options was a Toyota Aristo with the 2JZGTE engine. I’ve been looking at a few importers such as Terra2imports and a SON sponsor J-spec, but I would like to get a litle feedback from the SON folks as I know some of you have imported JDM vehicles.
So, I’ll ask, who have you used to bring in your vechicle?
What were, if any, the hic-ups experienced?
Would you use them again?
The more options I have the better, but I want the whole thing to go smoothly with as little unforseen expense as possible. My wife is usually the financial negotiator when buying used vehicles so if I’m driving this transaction I surely don’t want to get screwed!
my girlfriend has used http://www.japan-partner.com to import her cars . She just says that you must have patients . and make sure your on top of everything that going one . very important to know about the shipping ie: when its leaving Japan , what port its landing in in Canada and how you are going to receive the vehicle (having it delivered by train , road, or pick up )
Aristos are baaallleeeerrrr. I’m buying either that or a Soarer as my next car. Nothing like a sleek looking family sedan with two rappers under the hood.
Maybe I’m getting old… what the hell does that mean???
I’ve read that these cars are rather reliable as well. I’d be looking for one with max 80k on it so I’m guessing around $10-12K for one in good condition.
I drive a Lexus GS300 (toyota aristo) and I love it. Pure quality, safe and comfortable but it’s got power when you need it. I was going to Import an Aristo but decided against it. My last car was a RHD 180sx that I imported and nothing against the car itself, but its really not too practical to own a right hand drive car.
There are currently eight 93-97 GS300’s on auto trader, I’d suggest checking a few of them out. They dont have the turbo’s that the JDM aristo’s have, but with 220 horses n/a theres certainly enough power to keep you happy.
Haha, I had grown too accustomed to the overuse of ebonics on son that I thought everyone knew. It pretty much means: Dope, Pimp, Supa-Fly, Gangstuhhhh
220hp is nothing to scoff at, but a 2JZ-GTE is not just a powerful motor… it pretty much is the definition of that term. It’s pretty much the ballsiest motor in all the land of J-Pan.
They are undoubtedly nice cars and if my wife were to see this post I would get a big ‘I told you so’. I hace yet to drive a GS300, however I find them to be rather stylish and from the reviews and ratings, reliable enough for a 40km daily commuter car. I only really wanted the twin turbo’s for my own satisfaction. That’s why this transaction would have to go smoothly or else the ‘I told you’ would resound incessantly throughout the house. :lol:
I would’ve considered a car with a VG30det or dett but they have been known to not be the most reliable over time… At least that has been the opinion of friends of mine that hav had cars with VG30DET and DETT engines…
speak to gabe at japaneseimports.ca if ure serious about a RHD import…
416 9976559-GABE…tell him varun from SON240sx.ca refered u , he will get you exactly what you want in a hassle free manner…
Does anyone have any hard facts about j-specimports.ca? They seem to have the lowest prices by far, so I’m curious as to how many hidden costs there are. I can’t help but be suspicious when one company has such low prices, but nobody seems to be buying from them. Or atleast nobody here that I know.
I know he waited months and months for a spot ro-ro. They seem like really good guys the odd time i talk to them, active members on ziptied and a few of the major aussie forums. I would still rather deal with someone local, just incase something goes amiss or happens to the vehicle upon arrival.
Ah, fair nuff. I guess I need to talk to him then. I’m pretty curious as to what the “final” price works out to be, because that’s the major difference between buying a vehicle that’s already here vs. importing. I think we should have a thread that goes more in depth on importing, since it’s a viable option for many people. To kinda cover the costs involved, hassles, any suprises, etc… That and general feedback from RHD vehicle owners to give others an idea how much of a pain (if at all) owning one is. I personally disliked the idea for a very long time, just because I saw it as inconvenient to drive, but my opinion wasn’t based on any fact, just what my thoughts on the issue were. I still kinda see it that way, but the cars I want are either only available through importing (Aristo, Soarer), or MUCH more affordable through importing (Z32, FD).
its not a pain in the ass at all if you deal with the right suppliers…talk to gt ( gregg ) and heatw ( ted) and they both will tell you how easy it can be if all the right docs and paperwork are done before hand…
within the GTA-- i would for sure sugggest dealing with gabe, ive sent 2-3 guys to him for cars and no one has ever had any issues with his service…thats my 2 cents…
