ukdavew Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Hi, Sorry if this is a daft newbie question. But in my recent browsing through pistonheads and primarily on Autotrader that there appear to be a fair number of JDM cars which aren't identified as such. Is there a guide somewhere to spotting a JDM? I've had a look through the sticky post "The Differences" and that's been really useful. There are some obvious ones such as tiptronic=JDM but I've noticed other things like square number plate brackets, but I don't know if that could be a "style" decision by the owner, oh and things like the Z from the Fairlady Z left on the left-side of the back-end, or ads that make a big deal of folding mirrors. I just wondered if there was a post somewhere that I'd missed. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 there is a post somewhere , but easiest way to tell is UK cars have headlight washers .. or from the rear end JDM cars don't have the aperture under rear no. plate for tow eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 1. Square rear number plate recess unless the bumper has been replaced. 2. And, as you say, possibly a square front number plate. 3. No headlamp washers. 4. 17" wheels and non Brembo disk brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 i was told that my car wasn't an import when i bought it from arnold clarke but didn't trust them, and the only method that fully conviced me was checking the vin number. might be worth emailing the sellers as some JDM's could be confused for UK car depending on how the pics are took etc. also RAC will tell you for about a fiver in case you see a car you might wanna buy. i'd pay it for peace of mind before forking out the cash in any doubt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Only definite way to tell is if the chassis no. starts "Z33" it's a JDM doesnt matter what bumpers or different trim has been added the chassis no. is the only way to be 100% sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1781 Just as a check why there is a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukdavew Posted March 15, 2008 Author Share Posted March 15, 2008 Thanks chaps, I did read the "difference" thread and it seemed there were lots of things, I just wasn't 100% sure of the things which might be standard on a JDM but an option over here. Not that I'm anti-JDM, I just want to know what I'm looking at. While most of the Pistonhead ads looks pretty honest there's an awful lot on Autotrader where it appears to be JDM but isn't mentioned at all. I think I need to do a lot more research to understand the pros and cons of JDM ...oh and wait for my bonus to clear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySpak Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 1. Square rear number plate recess unless the bumper has been replaced.2. And, as you say, possibly a square front number plate. 3. No headlamp washers. 4. 17" wheels and non Brembo disk brakes. 5. The ESP switch doesn't say ESP, I think it says TCM or something like that. 6. The radio might not pick up UK stations, unless its been modified or swapped out for an aftermarket unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 i don't think you'd have any regrets with either of them. the JDM's have some features which are arguably better, such as auto-folding wing mirrors, and if it's the luxury version it will have brembos and 18'' wheels like a UK car. plus you'd get a newer and lower milegae import for less money. the only reason i got a UK car was because the insurance was coming through at £3000 for JDM, or £800 for UK apparently, insurance companies work from the belief that imported cars are made to a lower quality than UK cars. there's so much room to argue that it's not worth doing but that's what they think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukdavew Posted March 15, 2008 Author Share Posted March 15, 2008 i don't think you'd have any regrets with either of them. the JDM's have some features which are arguably better, such as auto-folding wing mirrors, and if it's the luxury version it will have brembos and 18'' wheels like a UK car. plus you'd get a newer and lower milegae import for less money. the only reason i got a UK car was because the insurance was coming through at £3000 for JDM, or £800 for UK apparently, insurance companies work from the belief that imported cars are made to a lower quality than UK cars. there's so much room to argue that it's not worth doing but that's what they think. I can see that being a killer, I'd definitely be in the UK club if that's the case when it comes time to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 i don't think you'd have any regrets with either of them. the JDM's have some features which are arguably better, such as auto-folding wing mirrors, and if it's the luxury version it will have brembos and 18'' wheels like a UK car. plus you'd get a newer and lower milegae import for less money. the only reason i got a UK car was because the insurance was coming through at £3000 for JDM, or £800 for UK apparently, insurance companies work from the belief that imported cars are made to a lower quality than UK cars. there's so much room to argue that it's not worth doing but that's what they think. I can see that being a killer, I'd definitely be in the UK club if that's the case when it comes time to buy. I've just had my renewal notice from Admiral - £276 fully comp, legal cover etc. etc. JDM seems to be no problem for them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I've just had my renewal notice from Admiral - £276 fully comp, legal cover etc. etc. JDM seems to be no problem for them now. i could live with a quote like that. had to be very shrewd to get my insurance down to £800. turn 25 before my next renewal though, so that should help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 i don't think you'd have any regrets with either of them. the JDM's have some features which are arguably better, such as auto-folding wing mirrors, and if it's the luxury version it will have brembos and 18'' wheels like a UK car. plus you'd get a newer and lower milegae import for less money. the only reason i got a UK car was because the insurance was coming through at £3000 for JDM, or £800 for UK apparently, insurance companies work from the belief that imported cars are made to a lower quality than UK cars. there's so much room to argue that it's not worth doing but that's what they think. I can see that being a killer, I'd definitely be in the UK club if that's the case when it comes time to buy. I've just had my renewal notice from Admiral - £276 fully comp, legal cover etc. etc. JDM seems to be no problem for them now. But how old are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 i don't think you'd have any regrets with either of them. the JDM's have some features which are arguably better, such as auto-folding wing mirrors, and if it's the luxury version it will have brembos and 18'' wheels like a UK car. plus you'd get a newer and lower milegae import for less money. the only reason i got a UK car was because the insurance was coming through at £3000 for JDM, or £800 for UK apparently, insurance companies work from the belief that imported cars are made to a lower quality than UK cars. there's so much room to argue that it's not worth doing but that's what they think. I can see that being a killer, I'd definitely be in the UK club if that's the case when it comes time to buy. I've just had my renewal notice from Admiral - £276 fully comp, legal cover etc. etc. JDM seems to be no problem for them now. But how old are you? That was a low blow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 i don't think you'd have any regrets with either of them. the JDM's have some features which are arguably better, such as auto-folding wing mirrors, and if it's the luxury version it will have brembos and 18'' wheels like a UK car. plus you'd get a newer and lower milegae import for less money. the only reason i got a UK car was because the insurance was coming through at £3000 for JDM, or £800 for UK apparently, insurance companies work from the belief that imported cars are made to a lower quality than UK cars. there's so much room to argue that it's not worth doing but that's what they think. I can see that being a killer, I'd definitely be in the UK club if that's the case when it comes time to buy. I've just had my renewal notice from Admiral - £276 fully comp, legal cover etc. etc. JDM seems to be no problem for them now. But how old are you? That was a low blow. But completely relevant as it explains why yours is so low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 i don't think you'd have any regrets with either of them. the JDM's have some features which are arguably better, such as auto-folding wing mirrors, and if it's the luxury version it will have brembos and 18'' wheels like a UK car. plus you'd get a newer and lower milegae import for less money. the only reason i got a UK car was because the insurance was coming through at £3000 for JDM, or £800 for UK apparently, insurance companies work from the belief that imported cars are made to a lower quality than UK cars. there's so much room to argue that it's not worth doing but that's what they think. I can see that being a killer, I'd definitely be in the UK club if that's the case when it comes time to buy. I've just had my renewal notice from Admiral - £276 fully comp, legal cover etc. etc. JDM seems to be no problem for them now. But how old are you? That was a low blow. But completely relevant as it explains why yours is so low No argument there. But my main point is that, in my experience, getting insurance for a JDM has neither been difficult nor relatively expensive. In other words I wouldn't let that put me off buying a JDM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 No argument there. But my main point is that, in my experience, getting insurance for a JDM has neither been difficult nor relatively expensive. In other words I wouldn't let that put me off buying a JDM. but check what quotes you are getting on a specific car before you commit to buying it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukdavew Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share Posted March 17, 2008 No argument there. But my main point is that, in my experience, getting insurance for a JDM has neither been difficult nor relatively expensive. In other words I wouldn't let that put me off buying a JDM. but check what quotes you are getting on a specific car before you commit to buying it Definitely will do so. Lots of useful tips here...I was testing myself on Autotrader yesterday running through the pages of cars in my planned price range and giving myself a running commentary... "Japanese front and rear bumpers...JDM" "Indicator stalk's on wrong side...JDM" etc. I'll definitely get some quotes. Directline who I've been with forever want £426 for a UK 350z (about £14.5k value, so an 03). I've not tried for a JDM yet as I can't do it online and it means speaking to an insurance troll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 When I was getting insurance quotes there was only a £50 difference between an import & a UK car with Bell, Admiral & Elephant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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