What are the advantages/disadvantages of buying an imported car and which website?

Question

I am considering buying a new car and I have been told that there are disadvantages of buying cheaper imported cars on line. Is the insurance more, is the selling price less when need is required etc? The on line companies that sell these cheaper priced cars state that the vehicles are sold as British recommendation.

Answer 1

Look at the replacement parts price. Fuel pump for US car about $160, import about $400 and the list goes on and on. Imports usually last longer and get better mileage, but the cost of repairs is worse. My 95 Civic cost 2x the amount for insurance also. More people like to steal them.

Answer 2

Buying An Imported Car

Answer 3

There used to be big savings on imports but now brokers like me can get you a new english car from a main dealer for about the same price.

Imports are always worth less when you sell them have different warranties and some main dealers wont take them in px.

5 years ago imports were worth the trouble, now check out www.IntroCars.co.uk we are a brokerage based in Essex, you can get an instant online quote on any make and model.

Please note we only suuply Uk NEW cars so if u insist on imports we cant help you.

Answer 4

I identify with your sentiment about US automakers, buying American made goods and possible import restrictions. But even my beloved Mercury Mountaineer and Dodge pickups (yes, I have 2) are loaded with imported parts. The Dodge Dakota engine is a Mitsubishi I believe. Who can say whether or not your defective paint and rust proof coatings were imported as well? I really make an effort to buy American. But the so-called Big Three automakers have outsourced a lot of their parts to foreign plants. I am still on the side of the rank and file auto assembly line worker here though. The big thing that is ruining our economy is the foreign ownership of US securities, banking and financial institutions. Foreign governments and institutions are buying up big chunks of venerable names like Morgan Stanley and Bank of America. They hold a lot of our bonds and other government securities. They also own a lot of our real estate. This gives them control over our economy they would not have otherwise because we are a debtor nation. Our dependence on imported oil is another big factor in the declining US economy, and feeding US made gas guzzlers like you and I both own is not helping matters improve. But we do need to enact some form of import tariffs to protect US production capabilities and our jobs. Otherwise, who is going to buy all of this "stuff", and what will there be left to invest in?

Answer 5

Just be careful yes they are cheaper, but take a tip, if you buy the car abroad tax exempt for eventual importation into UK then buy it just as you go on vacation drive it around in Europe for over 2 months and you save a large lump of car tax and VAT as well.

Answer 6

I don't know all the answers, but I do recall seeing a "60 Minutes" article on TV about cars bought out of country having to be retrofitted to meet US safety standards. It wasn't cheap.
All I'm saying is do investigate before spending that kind of money.
The other possibility for concern depending on the car is parts availability.

Answer 7

buy a mazda bongo the best mpv around. import from japan no rust 2.5 litre turbo diesel but so versatile look on ebay for prices range from £4000 upwards with caper conversion you will pay more. Had mine for 4 months and its the best "car" i have ever had and very easy to drive

Answer 8

Big advantage is likely to be cost and lower mileage. You will probably get a better car for cheaper when importing direct from Japan.

I imported my Subaru with aretcars.com and was pretty happy with the car, price and they're very helpful.