Japanese import?

[Tigercubrider]

Looking for a new (second hand) estate car about £10k.
One dealer locally specialises in imported Japanese cars, including European models
I am not looking at Japanese domestic market only cars

A girlfriend had a Japanese imported Honda civic and it was great

Ay issues that I should be wary of? I know that (on hers) the bulbs were harder to get. Is insurance likely harder?
Her fuse box was in Japanese which made life interesting

TIA

 

[Burnerman]

Several years ago I was involved with the repairs and service of the Mazda Bongo - aka the Ford Frendee. Several of these (3!) came my way.
Superb build quality - much better than UK stuff
Little rust proofing but good underbody paint
Service parts available from a local motor factor, no problems with tyres but screens had to come from Japan (I actually sourced one from Dubai)
More elusive stuff came via the owners club, including body panels
Insurance not available from the Compare sites but NFU covered them - again, more help from the owners forums for alternatives
Electronic diagnostics could be a problem
Getting rid of it could be a problem, auctions only.
For me it would have to be Honda or Toyota.......streets above anything else.
Good luck with your search!
John

 

[ericmark]

Interesting if the indicator stork is on right or left? Japan drive on same side as us.

 

[Mottie]

Interesting if the indicator stork is on right or left? Japan drive on same side as us.

One of the things I don’t like on our new Tucson is that the gear selector stalk is on the right of the steering column. Okay, you have to be stopped with your foot on the brake to select gears but it doesn’t feel normal and takes some getting used to. Damned Koreans.

 

[ericmark]

What side of the road do they drive on? The old Kia had the indicators on the right, so assume they drive on the left, same as us?

 

[carmanmemoranda]

One of the things I don’t like on our new Tucson is that the gear selector stalk is on the right of the steering column. Okay, you have to be stopped with your foot on the brake to select gears but it doesn’t feel normal and takes some getting used to. Damned Koreans.

View attachment 399445

No different to Mercedes. Different control but it's on the right

 

[Brigadier]

Interesting if the indicator stork is on right or left? Japan drive on same side as us.

A mate had a Toyota Corolla in the late 80's IIRC, and the indicator stalk was on the right.

Whenever I drove it, I kept flicking the wipers on

 

[Tigercubrider]

Cheers
I’d probably keep the car until it’s worthless.
I was looking at Toyota/Honda or Volvo and maybe Audi.

I understand about the lack of underseal, the Japanese don’t salt the roads,
They are apparently anal about servicing and spec very highly.

My girlfriend’s Honda was opposite indicator /wipers to my Volvo . I also had a Nissan before then but can’t remember the levers orientation.

 

[Burnerman]

Standardised these days, as far as I know!
John

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Standardised these days, as far as I know!
John

Kia, Merc disagree to name just 2

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

One dealer locally specialises in imported Japanese cars, including European models
I am not looking at Japanese domestic market only cars

I once bought a second hand Toyota Celica, a Japanese import. It's engine had been almost wrecked, I found a local company, which imported emissions failed engines from Japan, to resell, bought one, and had them drop it in, because I was too busy. 'Drop it in', they did - I spent several weekends, redoing properly, much of the work, they should have done!

The Japanese, drive on the left, just like the UK, but their emissions standards were much tighter than ours. That car proved to be a great little car, but eventually, kids forced me to find something with more space.

 

[Koolpc]

I always have driven Corgi cars. Very reliable...

 

[jj4091]

I always have driven Corgi cars. Very reliable...

I heard they were all old dogs

 

[Koolpc]

I heard they were all old dogs

Reported

 

[carmanmemoranda]

The biggest drawback to the grey imports is the availability of parts sometimes.

My suggestion is. If it's a car that you need to rely on daily then be careful. If you can afford for it to be off the road occasionally then they can be ok.

As always, look at it in detail before buying