The car cost me 20,000 UK pounds on the road with 6 months
road tax, 12 months
MOT, all UK regulatory mods performed (you must mention you want
this when
ordering) and delivered to my door. You can even get an RAC/AA
inspection
if you wish but be warned the RAC/AA will only do this is you car
reads in
MPH. Mine didn't as I forgot to place this on the order. It is
not illegal
for a personal import, it is for commercial imports.
You basically specify exactly what you want (make, model, year,
maximum
acceptable mileage, colour, accept body kit or not, CD player,
TV, anything
else?) and how much you're willing to pay. The more specific the
longer it
will take to find a car that matches and the more money possibly.
Cost largely depends on the exchange rate at the time so you will
get some
variation.
Mine even came with a TV and Satellite navigation system but I
can't get it
to work at the moment (different standards etc) so I've taken it
out for
the time being. I would say it takes between 10 to 12 weeks on
average to
find and ship the car over so you need to be patient.
About 99.9% of all Jap Imports DO NOT have alarm systems fitted
so this is
an extra expense. Typically 400 pounds for a Cat1 Thatcham
approved
alarm/immobiliser.
The FOG lamp fitment is mandatory for imports to pass the MOT.
The reversing lights cost about 1 pound 50p and 10 minuets work!
Dead easy!
Bulb replacement appears to be really easy with a single 90degree
turn of
the bulb holder to release all major ones. Don't worry about
that!
Most body components appear to be identical to the UK
specification Supra.
The engine is slightly different. The block and head are the same
(same
engine model numbers) but I think ancillary equipment is slightly
different. I have Electronic (fly-by-wire) throttle control and
traction
control/ABS the UK cars only have manual (cable) throttle control
and ABS.
The interior is identical to the UK spec. It just may have
more/less
buttons on it.
Because I forgot to state KPH to MPH conversion of the speedo
this is now
up to me and I've been quoted 200 pounds. This is to change the
drive shaft
sensor to do a multiplication by 5 and division by 8 (5/8 being
the conversion factor between KPH and MPH) and
place a MPH sticker over the KPH speedometer dial. This means the
Odometer
now reads in miles so you get a certificate to prove when you
changed over.
Alternatively you could just change the speedometer (it's
separate from the
odometer) for a MPH one, I have yet to get a quote for this.
Servicing costs are approximately.....
A 100-150 pounds, every 9,000
miles (general fluid change)
B 200-250 pounds, every
27,000 miles
C 400-450 pounds, every
54,000 miles
So in summary I think you could get a comparable car for between
19,000 and
21,000 pounds. Whatever you do you can save about 7000 pounds
buying an
import, so there will have to be a lot wrong with it for you to
end up
worse off than buying a UK spec.
Remember Toyota's are very reliable and if looked after they
won't fail
you.