buds Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 Very brief question, im looking at buying an import 350, and am thinking of using a company called Bonsai Cars. Just wondered if anyone had heard of them, had any experiance with them for imports or knew someone who had. Alot of money to entrust to someone without a little prior knowledge you know! Any help appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mugwump Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 Hello and welcome..... There is a thread here about bonsai, have a read..... http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2374 I dont know them myself but a few members on here have used them so I'm sure they will be along soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds Posted August 12, 2006 Author Share Posted August 12, 2006 Ta for the help so far. Have spoken to Bonsai and they seem proficent, but hard to make a decision from words alone. I have a breakdown of costs as follows; Car paid for by customer direct to auction house in Yen £500 stg shipping paid direct by customer once car lands in uk. 10% on invoice of car + shipping for Customs Vat at 17.5% on the above price so far £695 +VAT for Bonsai fee (Option3) £700 SVA test fee etc £156 Reg fee inc 6months tax Anyone spot anything missed out from their own experiance etc? That seem like resonable costs or extortionate? Im liking the paying auction house in Yen as im a Banker, and get brilliant rates on foreign currency deals, so i'll be saving myself approx another £1000-1500 stg Ps- Just found the JDM section after i posted this so apologies if im in wrong place! if a mod should feel it needs moved, that'd be great! All help, comments welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwr Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I've just bought one from Bonsai, took 3 weeks to get on ship, now have 6 weeks to transport and 3 weeks to get on the road. I had to pay the yen price direct to auction house and Bonsai costs upfront. Only tax to pay but would have preferred to split cost incase of problems. Good website for getting reports but bought a stock car so can comment on bidding system. Exchange rate very good at the mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Ming Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I have bought an auction car in the past - not a 350Z - and was pleased with the process although it was a little slow. I have to say it is quite exciting watching the process unfold in front of you. The firm I used emailed me pics of cars to the spec I wanted and then emailed me to say what it would cost ON THE ROAD to me. I then agreed the auction bid and on the third time of trying I was successful. The other option is to go to one of the many garages that import them themselves and see what they have to offer. I did the later this time and got a very good deal from the Garage I used. I looked at the whole DIY import thing as well and spoke to a friend of mine who does the occasional car himself and to be honest for the little extra it costs I would strongly suggest leaving it to someone else. Hope this helps Ming the Zed Happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350Znismo Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 Missing is the Alarm system, SVA just needs an immobilizer so the alarm is an extra (toad is the best) £250 fitted. Also get the company to buy the mileage record guarantee (£15) this is a tracking report (like a HPI) that guarantees the mileage in Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 Ta for the help so far. Have spoken to Bonsai and they seem proficent, but hard to make a decision from words alone. I have a breakdown of costs as follows; Car paid for by customer direct to auction house in Yen £500 stg shipping paid direct by customer once car lands in uk. 10% on invoice of car + shipping for Customs Vat at 17.5% on the above price so far £695 +VAT for Bonsai fee (Option3) £700 SVA test fee etc £156 Reg fee inc 6months tax Anyone spot anything missed out from their own experiance etc? That seem like resonable costs or extortionate? Im liking the paying auction house in Yen as im a Banker, and get brilliant rates on foreign currency deals, so i'll be saving myself approx another £1000-1500 stg Ps- Just found the JDM section after i posted this so apologies if im in wrong place! if a mod should feel it needs moved, that'd be great! All help, comments welcome! MOT if its more than 3 yrs old? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 Why not buy a vehicle already in the Uk, no hidden cots and at least you can see what your buying.Also not having the 12 weeks where you dont have acar or your money There seems plenty for sale at pres at cheap prices Just my thoughts on it, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 no hidden cots I should think not either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 no hidden cots I should think not either! New lap top Sarnie,just getting to grips with watching telly and typing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds Posted August 13, 2006 Author Share Posted August 13, 2006 There are quite a few for sale, but if i've done my sums the import is gonna work out quite a bit cheaper. Basically im after an 04/05 ver-ST. Nearerst i've seen in uk atm was £16k + Bonsai actually sold a Japan Stock GT4 for just over £15k otr. Would've been a lovely car, apart from the yellow! Girlfriend will in no way allow a yellow car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 There are quite a few for sale, but if i've done my sums the import is gonna work out quite a bit cheaper. Basically im after an 04/05 ver-ST. Nearerst i've seen in uk atm was £16k + Bonsai actually sold a Japan Stock GT4 for just over £15k otr. Would've been a lovely car, apart from the yellow! Girlfriend will in no way allow a yellow car! seems a cheap price only downside ,me being an old cynic is letting somebody I dont really know lose with my dosh for 3 months, hoping they dont go bankcrupt or the ship sinks or 3rd world war breaks out ,or Japan suffers another major earthquake,or Etc Etc...I'm a worrier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds Posted August 13, 2006 Author Share Posted August 13, 2006 hehe, yeah that is kinda concerning. But 'if' the worst was to happen, i'd cry first and the get the boys with big bats to visit depending on who was too blame! Alot of trust involved in importing, and i guess thats why i was asking here first. Before i do anything i'll be making sure i have written letters re insurance of car once in transit etc, ie once i've paid the monies and its in my name! Only problem is the without a car bit! I sold my 04 Cooper S to let me buy a new car, fell in love with the Z and now gonna have to wait AGES! Just not fair! Ah well, gives me time to get my move all sorted, im moving from N.Ireland to bonnie Scotland at end of September! All for love! Well that and i cant insure the car here! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 Would've been a lovely car, apart from the yellow! Girlfriend will in no way allow a yellow car! OY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds Posted August 13, 2006 Author Share Posted August 13, 2006 Hey i actually think it would look smart! But as she is involved in the decision making, i gotta appease the demon some way!!! Hell it was hard enough to convince her to get one! Just dont tell it doesnt have back seats! OT But are there many 350z's in Scotland? Any meets or runs etc happen up there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 think there is 5 or 6 members up in Scotland. Check the member map which will point out those who have added themselves. to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 OT But are there many 350z's in Scotland? Any meets or runs etc happen up there? Welcome to the forum, buds. There are only a few of us up here in Scotland, but to be honest I quite like the fact that you rarely see a Z on the road. I didn't buy a car to be the same as thousands of other drivers. Exclusivity Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nana Moon Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I have just received my car from bonsai cars, paid 14900 pounds, it’s perfect. 1400 miles pearl white not a mark on it. Go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds Posted August 15, 2006 Author Share Posted August 15, 2006 Cheers Jim and Nana. Jim looking forward to having the 350 and not seeing many myself! Thinking of chilli red with nismo kit! And Nana, pretty sure im gonna go with Bonsai and see how it goes! Just gutted as its a japanese bank holiday! Im all set to buy once the right car pops up, money is sitting in current a/c waiting to be spent!! /me a very impatient Z owner to be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.