Pre-purchase Inspections

Hi guys,
I am considering buyng a GTA and importing it downunder, as you may have seen from my previous thread.
Who's the best to check a car, one I have found is in Maidstone.
I am going to look up a map of good old England to get a bearing on where that is for my own interest too.
Thanks,
Chris

[stephendell]

I have arranged this before. I can usually find someone suitable to look at the car or I may even be able to go myself.

There is a 50 point inspection checklist with written report including an approximate valuation and an indication of repair costs for any major faults present. A roadtest is also included if the vehicle is in a safe condition to drive. I can also include a document check and pay a deposit on your behalf to secure the vehicle if you are not local.

All transactions can take place through PAYPAL for additional security or to allow credit card payment if required (3.4% + 20p fee)

The cost within the M25 is usually £49.95. If outside the M25 £49.95 + 20 pence per mile travel expenses.

This service also includes a voucher redeemable against future membership should the inspection lead to a purchase.

Alternatively if the vendor is agreeable I can arrange for a garage to carry out a more thorough inspection on a lift i.e. including underneath, chassis etc.

It is also possible that the vehicle may be one I (or another member)already know and/or have seen previously in which case it may be possible to give some informal advice.

Stephen,
Thanks for that.

The car in question is in Maidstone. I have no idea if that falls in the 'zone' or not.
I will hopefully be in touch with the owner in the next day or so.
I have as most always liked Alpines, and I am currently in a position to purchase one, so the temptation has really set in. It's just a pity we have already made plans to head to the US in September, we could have gone UKward and driven one before buying it, like another aussie did last year.

Regards,
Chris.

Stephen,
Which car for sale is yours just out of interest?

[stephendell]

Red 1992 GTA Atmo: Still needs work and probably too new to import to OZ..

Red 1989 GTA Turbo: Pretty much ready to go. Very sweet engine.

If you are looking for a bargain, also try David G. He has a Red GTA Turbo (that needs a little tlc) looking for a new home.

Maidstone is only about 15 miles outside the M25 so not too far!

Thanks Stephen.
Yep 1992, a little too early. Our import regs now say that Dec1988 for first rego is the cut off. The one I am considering is a 1988 turbo.
I am going to email him now, as I am not feeling the best today, and will tell him I'll call him tomorrow and chat about the car.

Chris.

[stephendell]

How did Steve K. get the 1990 Le Mans in?

Have the regs got stricter in the last 12 months or so.

probably just a poor photocopy of an old registration document might have enough ???

I believe the rules changed just recently.
I spoke to an import agent about a Peugeot 405 Mi16AWD in New Zealand, and it was a 1990 model, and he says it'd never qualify under the new laws. The late GTA's don't fall within the new guidelines either.
If it were a GTR or some other oiece of Japanese 4wd car, it'd be pretty much OK under the laws because it is a special interest vehicle?? What the?? Isn't a car that is one of less than a few thousand surviving in RHD considered special interest? Even if I decide to import a GTA there will be no more than 12(most probably less ) in Aussieland then. Compare that to every second drifter in a GTR or Lexus. I think I know what's rarer, and nicer too.
Chris

The regulations got tougher two months ago. If the car was purchased before then a rolling 15 year age applied to imports under a certain scheme. Newer cars can, and are brought in under much stricter testing, and must meet certain guidelines, regarding the type of car, but an Alpine has never been done. Of course, if I live overseas and own a car for a year, I can bring back anything. This was 3 months some a couple of years ago.

To use the older system the car must be proven to be built, or registered before 1/1/89. We do have piles of Skylines and such brought in under the new SEVS.

The first one is going to be the hardest under the new regs. A catalytic converter has to be added, strict emissions testing, new brake hoses, new seat belts, inertia reel belts in rear, all filters, coolant and oil have to be changed. I would be a little worried about getting an old engine through the emissions test. The company doing the testing would then be licenced to do more of the same type of vehicle. Along the way more money has to be paid to the government for the privilage.

You just need to find a way of conning.....sorry convincing the authorities that you owned that lovely 1990 GTA for a year and kept it at your holiday home in Britain

Isn't a car that is one of less than a few thousand surviving in RHD ..........

I've always been led to believe that there are/were only 341 RHD GTA's ever built, making them much rarer than that! Or am I mistaken? Over to you Stephen!

I had read the figures, but couldn't remember what they were, that figure was what I guessed but it seemed so low I thoguht I would be wrong. I should have trusted my failing memory. Wow they are very rare then....
Like Alan said, when one is complianced, the place that did it can apply for a licence but thats apparently several thousand $$$ which us mere mortals don't have.

Chris.
Silly really, a 88 GTA and a 90 GTA are virtually identical aren't they?

Oh well, jsut have to look at an '88 because it doesn't look as thoguh they will make the rule retrospective and progress with time.
They are trying to protect local manufacturing, and still allow a flow of old japanese stuff in

[stephendell]

Total RHD production:

Only 341 Turbo, 212 Atmo, 3 Cats, 26 Le Mans & 67 A610s

Thousands in LHD

Total RHD production:

Only 341 Turbo, 212 Atmo, 3 Cats, 26 Le Mans & 67 A610s

Thousands in LHD

It is a real pity that rarity doesn't count for anything. If they changed the law to allow only rare cars, all the GTR's in Australia would have to be exported back to Japan, and the road would once again be safe for all and there would be less brrm woosh brrmmmm woosh brrrrmmmmmm woooosh pn the streets.