Hi. Kent here, Jap-City.
I was just reading a little through the forums and found this topic, and it is my first post on this forum. Thank you Alecci for your words of confidence and I hope that your car is still going fine.
I thought I'd try to justify why the prices are the way they are, and why to buy from Japan.
Even though you may think that by importing from the UK to Sweden and not Japan-UK-Sweden you can save money, it's actually not quite true. In my 7 years of experience, you can get much more value for your money by importing from Japan-UK-Sweden. For the same money as, for example, a 1994 Nissan Skyline R33 GTT with 120,000km you might pay a total of about £4000 in the UK. For similar money, we can import, for example, a 1996 Nissan Skyline R33 GTT with 75,000km in grade 4 condition (excellent). Also, when you import through us, you see the auction grade sheet before you bid. The auction grade sheet shows the correct mileage, and any eventual accident and repair history of the car. You also get the original Japanese auction grade sheet in the car when it arrives. Great to have when you want to re-sell your car on a later date.
10 times out of 10 when I have bought a car from a UK dealer on behalf of a Swedish customer, the Japanese auction grade sheets have been "LOST" or "NEVER CAME WITH THE CAR". I know for 100% certainty, that when you buy a car from Japan, 95 times out of 100 they have been bought through auction. So, where are the Japanese auction sheets? Never shown to the customers... Why is that? Because they are hiding something. Maybe accident history, repair history, mileage incorrect... UK Dealerships will also claim that "YOU DON'T GET SERVICE HISTORY WITH JAPANESE CARS". Not true, This is available on about 7 cars in 10 from Japan. The service history shows the mileage and age, so again, you can be sure of the mileage and history.
I am in no way suggesting that all UK dealerships are crooks just out to get your money, but I am only reflecting my own personal experience. I happen to know a few very good and trustworthy dealerships in the UK who import cars from Japan.
Anyway, I hope that this has enlightened you as to why it is better to buy from Japan rather than the UK. If you buy through a UK dealership, please make sure you get the original Japanese auction grade sheet. Don't buy a Japanese car unless you can have the original Japanese auction grade sheet, or you have seen that the car has been sold through a reputable Japanese dealership.
I do speak Swedish, as I lived there for 14 years, but I find it almost impossible these days to write in Swedish, so I hope that English is OK.
Kent
PS. How do I become a sponsered member? Would like to advertise our services here. Looks like a good website