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Cost difference Between dealer and Importing

Discussion in 'Mini Lounge' started by Dmscar, Jun 21, 2019.

  1. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    My questions goes as such, as pure costs what the biggest prices differences if we were to include a rough entirety of buying a importing a 25 year old Honda or Subaru Mini truck and paying any and all fees to get it here through the port vs the seemingly average price point between 5-7k buying one from a dealer.

    I only ask because I’m a younger guy with health issues so I try to be as frugal as possible because it seems the drs keep wanting my money. Ha I just want an awesome Mini truck to haul my dualsport to various trails here in Colorado.
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2019
  2. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    You save a lot by importing. Keep in mind the 25% chicken tax.

    For trucks, I would recommend Be Forward.jp They make it simple and you can even pay with paypal now. You can find a truck for well under $2k and then spend under $1k importing it.

    Most truck dealers buy the cheapest of cheap. I bought a dealer truck, and I also imported a Jimny myself. I'll never buy another dealer truck.
     
  3. Bobacuda

    Bobacuda Member

    I went through Pacific Coast when I imported my 1990 Sambar with AC. Cost about $3,500. Search my old posts, I posted all the costs.
     
  4. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    Yeah the “chicken tax” is pretty dumb, but it is what it is I suppose.

    I really appreciate the responses regarding the prices and how a lot of dealers buy low grade trucks. That’s good info because I was eyeing one dealer but the costs were still kinda high.

    I figured that a dealer selling at 5-6k wasn’t buying the best of the best because then they couldn’t make the best profit.

    I really want an ultra clean truck I can keep for a while.

    I’ll search those posts now, thank you sir!
     
  5. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Depending on the dealer, you can work with them to import very clean vehicles for you, and they do it often enough they know the rules and don’t get inadvertently caught up in the system.
     
  6. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    It's not that difficult. Just use a broker. A dealer will still have his profit margin so $5-7 could turn into $10k
     
  7. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    I honestly think I’ll just use a broker and bring one in. I prefer the idea of being able to bid on the ones I like the most, opposed to just picking whatever a dealer has in stock. Granted a dealer could get me what I want but I’m the kinda person where I’m more willing to spend my time researching something and saving myself money. Granted time is money so it’s all relative. Because I doubt a mini truck will be the only vehicle I plan to import. I’d like to also get a Nissan Pao at some point and dealers prices are crazy where as auctions they don’t go for too much.

    I’m thinking of starting the process in January and seeing where it goes ( assuming life doesn’t interfere ).

    I’m just happy there’s this site here where you guys are willing to answer my questions. Thank you!
     
  8. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    I would recommend Be-Forward as an export dealer ( they are in Japan but give shipped prices as all in and they are good prices ). You can view the auction sheets and their in house check sheets as well as multiple pictures for your viewing pleasure. For a broker, Davidson and Sons I would recommend 100%. You just forward them your CAP link, make sure they are on the notify party and take care of the rest. I might not buy a Nissan Pao from Be Forward, but a Kei truck is a pretty safe buy
     
  9. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    Very good to know thank you!

    Do you know if most exporters translate the registration and other documents that your receive with the vehicle so you can get it registered. I was reading somewhere recently that some do and some don’t I just don’t know how accurate that is.

    Yeah I gotta do a bunch of research on the Pao and where to get it but it’s not on my to do list currently.
     
  10. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Be Forward does a translation, I know that Pacific Coast Auto does as well. Everything other than the export certificate will be in english. The freight bill, and invoices will be in english.
     
  11. Bobacuda

    Bobacuda Member

    I give Pacific Coast a thumbs up. PCA translates everything and has a good auction website to check out the auction sheets and see photos. You will be dealing with English speakers (native) as well. They translate and provide all the paperwork, other than the stuff Davidson and Sons provides. In addition, they gave me good advice and have provided some after-the-purchase translations for me.

    If I were buying another vehicle, I would use the again. Check out their website and their YouTube site.
     
  12. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    Oh good to know. I was looking at Pacific Coast Auto and like how you can easily bid at different auction once you placed the deposit. Their site is a little easier to navigate then the Be forward so I think once I’m ready to buy Pacific will be my first choice. I think their site states you can choose from a whole slew of auctions as well which would be good.

    I know there’s a chance I could find a early to mid 90’s Blue Honda Acty truck in 4wd I would love to have. I’d be willing to wait a good bit to get one too if need be.
     
  13. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    I just realized that I’ve probably watched twenty or more of Pacific Coast Autos YouTube videos without realizing it! They helped get that crazy awesome looking 4wd RV I’d love to have.
     
  14. deshet

    deshet Member


    What is this 25% chicken tax? Are you certain that it applies to 25-year-old trucks coming from Japan?

    Thanks
     
  15. Bobacuda

    Bobacuda Member

    In a nutshell, the Chicken Tax is a retaliatory tax that was placed on trucks coming into the US in 1964 under President LBJ in response to high tariffs placed on US chicken by France and Germany. At first everyone thought it would cause taxes on all sides to be lowered, but US Automakers realized they could raise their prices (who couldn't see that coming) and still be competitive because they did not face a 25% tax. Since chickens were involved, the "Chicken Tax."

     
  16. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Yup, and yes it applies to the invoice cost. If you buy with Be Forward it would be the invoice cost of the vehicle and if you bought with Pacific then it applies to his invoice
     
  17. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    That’s good to know about it applying to the invoice I’d receive my Pacific. That’s who I plan to go through.m anyway.
     
  18. deshet

    deshet Member

    When I imported my 1987 Landcruiser last year I paid $125.
    The guy did say that he was supposed to charge me more.
    I wonder if I got taken care of because I bought it in Canada and towed it across the border myself.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    it would depend if it had a Canadian title or not. There are different import laws from Canada- USA where you might not need EPA certification/ DOT HS7 to get it through if it has a title.. There is also a $400 exemption as your allowed to have $400 of stuff duty free from Canada. I think that means the first $400 of the purchase price is exempt. A land Cruiser would be 2.5% and at $5,500k would be $127 with the $400 exemption. Not sure what you paid
     
  20. Maximal

    Maximal Active Member

    my Toyota Crown got bought/shipped privately and my Sambar through an importer, Sambar i just told him what i wanted and when i won the auction i got a envelope with all the paperwork in English, full final cost including shipping from BC to my door, and his connection for a OPI to get it to pass. no headaches, and $7k to my door/passed inspection, 40k km, rust free, mint shape was worth it

    the problem is trucks/SUV and performance cars can get bagged on and you get a lemon so its better to go through a dealer/importer, cars especially luxury cars more often than not are in good shape and its sometimes worth just hitting the auction yourself and hoping to get it for under $2000
     
  21. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    @Maximal was the truck itself and all costs included $7k or was that for the car of both?
     
  22. Maximal

    Maximal Active Member

    $7k total for the truck, shipping from Japan, ground shipping from BC to Alberta and guaranteed OPI inspection pass. he dealt with the auction and paperwork, i did nothing. my Toyota Crown was only a few thousand total but it was completely privately done hence why so cheap
     
  23. Dmscar

    Dmscar Member

    Do with your crown besides the actual auction cost of it, assuming you used a exporter like pacific coast auto or whatever, what was all you costs besides the car itself. So any companies you paid to get it to the port, shipping, broker fees, and registration.

    I’m thinking if I could keep everything under $4k I could get a mini truck but if it were to go over I may just buy a newish Suzuki Drz400s and just drive it to moab directly which would be a little rough. Ha

    I just don’t want to spend too much buying a clean example since I’ll probably need to do the timing belt and everything that comes with it which was mentioned before to be around 4-500 in parts and shipping. Not mention possible new tires as well.
     
  24. Maximal

    Maximal Active Member

    my Crown was completely private when it came over in 2007, purchased privately for a couple thousand in Tokyo by a friend of a friend in Toyko then shipped over for about $1000, couple hundred brokerage fees, etc. didnt use an exporter for it, the paperwork for vehicle importation here in Canada is pretty basic. i could have done the same and had a Sambar for $2000 shipped but its too much of a gamble since mini trucks are either clean, or ex-construction vehicles that have been bagged on and i'd rather pay more for a clean one, old man car like a Toyota Crown the odds of it being bagged on is slim. my first Sambar was a ex-steel mill truck in Tokyo and a bit rough. the paperwork for my Crown is long gone but my Sambars import stuff should be kicking around and i'll try to upload the costs

    for parts, dont go through north American suppliers unless you have to for mini truck stuff, they just bring in parts from Asia or the Middle East and jack up the price 300-400%. i got a timing belt for my Sambar for $10 and water pump for $80 shipped last week from Singapore, north American dealers a timing belt is $60-$90 and waterpump is $120-$200
     
  25. DSlag

    DSlag Member

    Hmmm...
    ...interesting...
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2019
  26. Bobacuda

    Bobacuda Member

    Who is your Singapore parts source and how do you contact them, look at their inventory, etc?
     
  27. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    The absolute best way to get parts is, go to Megazip, get the factory part number. Then go to http://niparts.com/ to get an aftermarket number. Once you have the aftermarket number, google/ Ebay it. you may find it crosses to a North American vehicle. Anything except engine parts will likely be found out of the UK otherwise... If that fails. Amayama or Impex Japan can get what you need
     
    punimog likes this.
  28. AnthonyBako

    AnthonyBako New Member

    Importing a 25-year-old Honda or Subaru Mini truck might seem costlier upfront due to shipping and import fees.
     
  29. TrevorBB

    TrevorBB New Member

    If you're aiming for frugality, checking out local dealerships with prices between 5-7k seems more budget-friendly. However, importing could give you a wider choice. Also, considering your health expenses, saving bucks makes sense. A1 Auto Transport might have insights into cost estimates for shipping vehicles. Check out www.a1autotransport.com/cost-distance-estimate/ for tips on saving when transporting vehicles. Finding that awesome Mini truck within budget while ensuring it serves your dualsport hauling needs sounds like a win-win!
     

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