V70: Thoughts on Japanese imports?

[Clark]

Hey All,

I'm considering a V70R Japanese import as my next car and was wondering if anyone has purchased one and knows of any big advantages/disadvantages?

It looks like they are maintained to a very high standard and they're usually low mileage...and the drawbacks will be 'silly things' like radio/dashboard language/metric differences i.e. km/h etc.

Would it be safe to presume a 2004-2006 V70R is more reliable than a 1996 850R? It's just about on the limit before the cars became overly 'electronic'.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

[Luxobarge]

Check out the insurance costs, many companies charge more for imports, so if you intend to keep it for a few years then the accumulated additional costs could make it not worthwhile.

[Gonzobard]

Probably not hugely relevant but my 850R was a Jap import in 2006, I have owned it for two years and the import has had no bearing on anything. I’ve covered 14k miles in that time and it hasn’t let me down. I have had to work on it mechanically, which is as much a result of its 25 years. I doubt a 2004 V70 will rattle as much as an 850, the noisy interior is the only thing I haven’t enjoyed about the car.

[Gonzobard]

Oh, and there is a 2003 V70R on Collecting Cars currently that looks decent. Two others have sold on there recently, one younger, one older.

[RollingThunder]

Just bought a Jap import 850R as it happens

I've previously had a Jap import Discovery V8, and I would highly recommend them.

As you say, they are well looked after and tend to be low mileage. Their MoT test (the 'Shaken') is every 2 years and is very strict - it typically costs £1000-2000 to pass, so these older cars must be loved for their owners to keep spending that kind of money on them! (If the cars are modified they go for a different test which costs twice as much!)

As they don't use road salt in Japan, they tend to have very little rust - the exhausts for example are usually the original ones as they don't corrode. The downside is that the Japanese spec cars don't get factory underseal, so the importer (usually) offers that as part of the sale - its included in my purchase, along with registration, MoT, oil change, valet and superficial paintwork correction. You usually get a 3 month warranty too, although I'm sure there will be many get out clauses lol. I made sure I didn't go to the importer's premisies and have not seen the car yet- sounds mad, but the sale then comes under 'distance selling' regs, meaning that you can return it within 14 days for a full refund. If you go to their premises or do any paperwork there, then the sale is a normal used car sale with less rights.

The downsides are few -

1. The speedo will be in km not miles. As the MoT requires a miles per hour display, the importer usually fits a cigar-lighter powered screen mounted GPS speedo. I've bought a UK spec 850R instrument cluster that I'll be fitting so it all looks factory spec.

2. The radio will be using different frequency range, so you'll get a limited UK radio station reception. Easy enough to swap that for a UK factory spec radio, or aftermarket one if you prefer.

3. Insurance. Most insurers are happy with UK model equivalent Japanese imports. Both the Discovery and the 850R have identical UK models so I've never had a problem. Pukka JDM models (ie the ones that were ONLY sold in Japan) can be a problem and will need a specialist to insure - this is because spare parts have to be sourced from Japan or a specialist, should an accident repair be required.

4. Underseal as previously mentioned. While the importer usually offers this, I'd recommend that you also give it a thorough wayoxl (or similar) treatment yourself before the car sees a UK winter. Its likely that the importer will just give the car a quick flash coverage... or maybe I'm just cynical lol.

5. History uncertainty. Many people are worried about whether their target car has been in an accident, stolen, cloned etc. Any damage is noted on the export/auction documentation, and the identity of the car is checked before it is exported from Japan, and when it arrives in the UK. Service history can be another concern, but the better examples usually come with some/most service history even if it is in Japanese lol. One way to think of it is this - the Japanese car manufacturing industry depends upon selling x million new cars every year - which means x 100 thousand cars are exported to make room for the new cars. This export trade accounts for 100s of millions of £s every year and is a major part of the Japanese economy - if its reputation became tarnished by them exporting dangerous / stolen / substandard cars then their economy would be badly impacted - its in their interest to ensure the exported cars are as described.

So overall, I'd go with a Japanese import over a UK one any day. Some people have a different view, particularly in some circles where they're looked down upon because they weren't originally sold in the UK (Mercedes classic clubs for example), but that is their problem - I'd rather have a low mileage, rust free car

Sorry for the long reply!

[Clark]

You absolute legend mate - good to see you online again and thanks for the guidance it really helps. I'm going to view a local V70R on Saturday and hopefully take it for a test drive - at least that way I will know if I want a V70R or not. I've not driven one before (especially an auto) so who knows, maybe I won't enjoy the ride compared to my manual 850R.

Is it expensive to get the car Wayoxl'd?

P.s. I got my pass for V600 Thanks for the heads-up. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have known about it. It will be the first ever car show for my 15 month young boy (and girlfriend) haha.

[Clark]

Originally Posted by Gonzobard

Oh, and there is a 2003 V70R on Collecting Cars currently that looks decent. Two others have sold on there recently, one younger, one older.

There are quite a few for sale at the moment, at least 10 and at least one of them is a manual (but I fancy an auto now). I'm more keen on the newer models from 2006. I'm not sure if there is much difference/advantage in having a newer model or an older model (2003+)?

[RollingThunder]

A few more things that I have thought about since...

1. The Japanese LOVE gadgets, so you may well find a TV, DVD or similar system in the car. My Discovery had a hugely expensive Panasonic combined TV/DVD/radio system along with quad aerials on the roof There will almost certainly be a toll road transceiver on the dash or screen - a lot of the major roads are toll roads in Japan, especially around the big cities. All these gadgets are easy to uninstall, you just have to rip the interior apart to retrieve all the wiring lol.

2. Tyres. This is a contentious issue. Everyone that I know that has had a Japanese import car (including me) has felt that the tyre compound on the imported cars has been very hard. Almost like plastic, which makes them quite tricky to drive, especially in the wet. I fitted new tyres to my Discovery within 2 weeks, and I'll be fitting the wheels/tyres from my S70 onto the 850R for the same reason. The imported tyres have all been made by Dunlop, so its not that they're a cheapo local brand - its possibly that the compound is hard due to the Japanese summers which are very hot. I've mentioned this to other people (who haven't had imported cars) and they've rubbished the idea, but I thought I should mention it, just in case.

V70R vs 850R... Well I've only had phase 1 V70Rs which are pretty similar mechanically to the 850R. My opinion on those are as follows. The 850R is a raw driver's car - it tells you what it is doing, and you can feel the road - sometimes too well as the standard suspension can be harsh. Having said that, it makes for a thrilling, involved drive, and the 850R seats are the best I've sat it. The V70R (phase 1) seemed to be a slightly more refined car - not as harsh, but ultimately not as much fun. My V70R had a Prins LPG system and that was fantastic. It only had a spare wheel well tank, so its capacity was quite small (refill every 3 days) but it actually ran better on gas. The V70R AWD was what I was expecting to be the pinnacle V70R - same torquey engine but with more grip and even more sure footed handling. But no. It was a huge disappointment. It felt like a lumbering behemoth compared to the same age V70R that I had at the same time. The non AWD version felt slim and lithe compared to the AWD and I wouldn't have an early AWD again.

My preference? Well I've just spent just shy of £10k on a low mileage imported 850R (see signature picture), which will be a long term keeper for me. I've had many many cars and the 850R was the only one that I longed for as soon as it was driven away by its new owner. The others have generally been fun, but the 850R was the only one that tugged the heartstrings for me. (But I still think the 940 saloons are the best looking and most comfortable cars ever lol).

[Clark]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

A few more things that I have thought about since...

1. The Japanese LOVE gadgets, so you may well find a TV, DVD or similar system in the car. My Discovery had a hugely expensive Panasonic combined TV/DVD/radio system along with quad aerials on the roof There will almost certainly be a toll road transceiver on the dash or screen - a lot of the major roads are toll roads in Japan, especially around the big cities. All these gadgets are easy to uninstall, you just have to rip the interior apart to retrieve all the wiring lol.

2. Tyres. This is a contentious issue. Everyone that I know that has had a Japanese import car (including me) has felt that the tyre compound on the imported cars has been very hard. Almost like plastic, which makes them quite tricky to drive, especially in the wet. I fitted new tyres to my Discovery within 2 weeks, and I'll be fitting the wheels/tyres from my S70 onto the 850R for the same reason. The imported tyres have all been made by Dunlop, so its not that they're a cheapo local brand - its possibly that the compound is hard due to the Japanese summers which are very hot. I've mentioned this to other people (who haven't had imported cars) and they've rubbished the idea, but I thought I should mention it, just in case.

V70R vs 850R... Well I've only had phase 1 V70Rs which are pretty similar mechanically to the 850R. My opinion on those are as follows. The 850R is a raw driver's car - it tells you what it is doing, and you can feel the road - sometimes too well as the standard suspension can be harsh. Having said that, it makes for a thrilling, involved drive, and the 850R seats are the best I've sat it. The V70R (phase 1) seemed to be a slightly more refined car - not as harsh, but ultimately not as much fun. My V70R had a Prins LPG system and that was fantastic. It only had a spare wheel well tank, so its capacity was quite small (refill every 3 days) but it actually ran better on gas. The V70R AWD was what I was expecting to be the pinnacle V70R - same torquey engine but with more grip and even more sure footed handling. But no. It was a huge disappointment. It felt like a lumbering behemoth compared to the same age V70R that I had at the same time. The non AWD version felt slim and lithe compared to the AWD and I wouldn't have an early AWD again.

My preference? Well I've just spent just shy of £10k on a low mileage imported 850R (see signature picture), which will be a long term keeper for me. I've had many many cars and the 850R was the only one that I longed for as soon as it was driven away by its new owner. The others have generally been fun, but the 850R was the only one that tugged the heartstrings for me. (But I still think the 940 saloons are the best looking and most comfortable cars ever lol).

Thanks again for the above things to note for the Jap imports.

Deep down I have suspected the V70R AWD be as you describe. I am expecting it to be smoother and more refined but also torquey when I put my foot down. Yeah I have a feeling the steering won't be as responsive. I also want some AWD fun with it when it snows. Looks like I may find out on Saturday if I get to road test the one I want to view.

[RollingThunder]

Enjoy your test drive