Japanese import questions...

Stephen7287

I'm 21 years old and I'm looking to buy my first car. I've had my heart set on a Toyota Corolla AE101 for years now but it seems like you can't actually buy any in Ireland. Instead I'd have to import one overseas from Japan. This leaves me with some problems.
- Will I (a 21 year old male) get insured on a 1.4l 1994 Japanese import?
- Can I get insured on any car older than '05? (Import or not)
- Are Japanese imports easily stolen? (I've heard from a lot of people that they're the easiest cars to get stolen)

Would I be wasting money on importing this car? (I'd happily pay €10,000 to get it into the country) Should I just buy a Nissan Micra and let my dreams die?

grogi

No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

wotzgoingon

You'd pay 10 grand on a 1.4 import. Your crazy.

But still my first car was Honda civic import but I was paying a lot to insure it though.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I doubt anyone would insure you on a Japanese import. Secondly you’ll find it extremely difficult if not impossible to get insurance on such an old car. I’m driving 30 years full NCB, full clean licence all my driving life and even I couldn’t find anyone to insure me on an older car (21yr old car) It’s absolutely ridiculous but that’s the country we live in.

kermitpwee

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I doubt anyone would insure you on a Japanese import. Secondly you’ll find it extremely difficult if not impossible to get insurance on such an old car. I’m driving 30 years full NCB, full clean licence all my driving life and even I couldn’t find anyone to insure me on an older car (21yr old car) It’s absolutely ridiculous but that’s the country we live in.

would axa not insure you?

projectgtr

Good luck even getting one in Japan i havent seen any AE101`s at auction in a while, none on tradecarview as of today either. Where as i see them for sale over here. You will struggle to insure it due to age of car , age of you and the fact its an import but its not impossible , i was driving a Civic SiR import when i was only a learner on my own policy. As for them being easy to steal you need to factor in the cost of a good alarm and a good installer and you will be fine. I fitted mine with a clifford with multiple immobilizers and a few hidden extras. As for spending 10k i think thats mental there are a lot more interesting jap cars you could have for a lot less, but if its what you want go for it.

Do you know the full costs involved in importing from japan?

millington

You won't get insured. Simple as that.

Why would you want to spend 10k on a 1.4 Corolla saloon? You'd get one here for far less, even a mint 20v hatch would be half of that.

Doltanian

You'd be better off to spend the money on something as new as possible to get Insurance easier, new good old bad is the new mantra for insurance. I was recently quoted far less on a 152 plate car compared to a 97 quote for a 21 year old car.

I'm sure you can get insurance just expect to pay stupid money, the Insurance cartel Federation are obliged to quote but will just quote insane money to get you to fob off.

Why not a Lexus IS200 or E46 like the rest of the boyracers nowadays?

corks finest

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I doubt anyone would insure you on a Japanese import. Secondly you’ll find it extremely difficult if not impossible to get insurance on such an old car. I’m driving 30 years full NCB, full clean licence all my driving life and even I couldn’t find anyone to insure me on an older car (21yr old car) It’s absolutely ridiculous but that’s the country we live in.

I'm insured on a Japanese import last 2 yes,liberty,Honda insight

wotzgoingon

corks finest wrote: »

I'm insured on a Japanese import last 2 yes,liberty,Honda insight

So am I but 1998 is their limit this year. I seen a 1997 Jap import last week and tried to get a quote and their online system did not allow it.

ourheritage

Stephen7287 wrote: »

I'm 21 years old and I'm looking to buy my first car. I've had my heart set on a Toyota Corolla AE101 for years now but it seems like you can't actually buy any in Ireland. Instead I'd have to import one overseas from Japan. This leaves me with some problems.
- Will I (a 21 year old male) get insured on a 1.4l 1994 Japanese import?
- Can I get insured on any car older than '05? (Import or not)
- Are Japanese imports easily stolen? (I've heard from a lot of people that they're the easiest cars to get stolen)

Would I be wasting money on importing this car? (I'd happily pay €10,000 to get it into the country) Should I just buy a Nissan Micra and let my dreams die?

Let your dreams die. You will get a 2010 Corolla for just under the €10000 price bracket. Just checked on Done Deal, and there a handful in main Toyota dealers. If decide to go for one, and if you look after it well, get it serviced yearly it should serve you a good 10 years.
If want something smaller, you can actually get a 141 polo for the €10000 price bracket from a main Vw dealer. I like Polos because they are extremely strong cars.

EPAndlee

Is it the Ae101 Levin your after? Haven't seen one of those on the auctions in a long time. They do pop up here. If you don't want to let your dreams die I'd keep an eye out here one and keep it till you can get classic insurance on it.

tedpan

My mate sold his ae101 Levin four years ago for a grand. It needed some work but was decent. Can't believe they're in such big demand now..

Cee-Jay-Cee

tedpan wrote: »

My mate sold his ae101 Levin four years ago for a grand. It needed some work but was decent. Can't believe they're in such big demand now..

They’re not.

projectgtr

wotzgoingon wrote: »

So am I but 1998 is their limit this year. I seen a 1997 Jap import last week and tried to get a quote and their online system did not allow it.

Im insured with Liberty on a 95 Civic SiR, guess i wont be letting my insurance lapse so, though i am thinking of trying for a classic policy since i now have a run around.

EPAndlee

projectgtr wrote: »

Im insured with Liberty on a 95 Civic SiR, guess i wont be letting my insurance lapse so, though i am thinking of trying for a classic policy since i now have a run around.

Had an absolute nightmare trying to get insurance on a Glanza off them