New Driver needs MPV!

bigjl

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Please let us know how this goes would you, its something i wish to do in the next couple of years to get a totally rust free underbody (and properly maintained) 3.0 Outback 2005 ish, with cloth/velour upholstery, the combo of which i have never seen here, as you probably know its the rear subframes that suffer most.
I believe if the vehicle is over 10 years old, it makes testing and duties a lot less painful, plus avoiding the after March 2006 £500 VED stinger as a bonus.

It's finding the right contact in Japan, any help/info you could give should you do this would be much appreciated.

I bought via IBC Japan, takes minutes to register then you can look on iDirect for the cars you are interested in.

I personally stick with stuff over 10yrs old as it only needs clocks changed to MPH and a foglight, then an MOT.

You can set a price CIF (Cost Insurance & Freight if I remember correctly) then you have to pay vat and import duty, I had traders Insirance the last time I imported cars from Japan, drive some back from Southampton with the chassis number displayed front and rear, I think Tesco Insurance allowed you to insure on a chassis number easily enough.

I used to guesstimate the price on the road in the UK as the CIF price x1.40.

The condition of the cars is unbelievable. Value is not a good as in years gone by due to the exchange rate over the last few years.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Vive la difference.

RichardD1970

Bewar3them00n wrote: »

Thank god we don't all have the same tastes! How boring life would be!

Quite agree, like I said, personal taste.

Being a Citroen driver you will always get people commenting on the fact it French so will suffer from (mainly) electrical problems or the fact mine's a seven seater (which apparently is just a marketing ploy and no one needs one ).

If you're happy with it and it fulfils your needs then that is all that matters. :beer:

gilbert_and_sullivan

bigjl wrote: »

I bought via IBC Japan, takes minutes to register then you can look on iDirect for the cars you are interested in.

I personally stick with stuff over 10yrs old as it only needs clocks changed to MPH and a foglight, then an MOT.

You can set a price CIF (Cost Insurance & Freight if I remember correctly) then you have to pay vat and import duty, I had traders Insirance the last time I imported cars from Japan, drive some back from Southampton with the chassis number displayed front and rear, I think Tesco Insurance allowed you to insure on a chassis number easily enough.

The condition of the cars is unbelievable.

Thanks bigjl, i shall investigate IBC and iDirect, i have been looking on tradecarview, which is probably a similar thing.
Have no problem picking it up, i can trailer it back from So'ton meself.

Presumably you can register it after paying the necessary duties but before MOTing it.

10 years plus confirmed then, much obliged to me learned friend. :T

AdrianC

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Presumably you can register it after paying the necessary duties but before MOTing it.

No, you need to MOT it before registering.

Import.
NOVA.
Insure on VIN.
(If under 10yo, CoC or IVA)
MOT.
V55/5.
Plates.
Drive.

bigjl

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I generally like Citroens, I have a C4 Grand Picasso and will replace with a newer one when needed/finances allow.

The Cactus I had was brand new, 800 miles on the clock, don't know what spec but the steering was very light and offered no feedback, the engine felt well, just crap and the gear box imprecise and woolly!

As for the interior, didn't like that one bit seemed cheep and tacky, especially the big info screen that looked like it had just been stuck on willy-nilly with no attempt to integrate it into the fascia.

We also had a new C4 Picasso as well the following week and loved it. Again don't know the spec but it felt so much nicer, with a "proper" auto box and was a pleasure to drive.

Does the new C4 Picasso have a proper Auto? I thought it still has the single clutch automated manual effort?

RichardD1970

bigjl wrote: »

Does the new C4 Picasso have a proper Auto? I thought it still has the single clutch automated manual effort?

Yes, the EAT6.

gilbert_and_sullivan

bigjl wrote: »

Does the new C4 Picasso have a proper Auto? I thought it still has the single clutch automated manual effort?

So did i, and its a horrid box, the previous model you could get a proper auto but only with the rare petrol engined captain's chaired version called Lounge.

Confess the latest C4 Pic is a nice looker, Citroen always make better looking cars than the Pug equivalents, but that's only my opinion and one mans meats etc.

bigjl

AdrianC wrote: »

No, you need to MOT it before registering.

Import.
NOVA.
Insure on VIN.
(If under 10yo, CoC or IVA)
MOT.
V55/5.
Plates.
Drive.

Little point mentioning NOVA as your import Agent will deal with all that, you simply turn up, pay the balance and sort the paperwork.

Perhaps I am not up to speed why would you need a CoC with a vehicle from Japan?

If it's under 10 years you will be renting a model report and doing an IVA.

You can drive with just chassis number displayed, personally I booked all mine in for an MOT and drove straight there.

Chuck on a foglight and temp switch at the MOT station, the clocks get an MPH sticker and a little gearbox attached and bosh.

Some people sell Jap Imports without the speedo converted, so obviously some MOT stations don't look that carefully.

bigjl

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

So did i, and its a horrid box, the previous model you could get a proper auto but only with the rare petrol engined captain's chaired version called Lounge.

Confess the latest C4 Pic is a nice looker, Citroen always make better looking cars than the Pug equivalents, but that's only my opinion and one mans meats etc.

Yes the new C4 Picasso is greatly improved over the previous generation.

A new found boldness in the Citroen design department?