What to look for
Gary
The differences between the imports and UK models are:
-Extra oil coolers, one for the engine and two the rear diff and associated gubbins
-The front spoiler is slightly different, i.e. with a different indicator/side light assembly. Also a cut-out in the offside of the spoiler.
-Kenwood cd-stacker fitted to all UK cars
-They had a warranty but these will have run out now (unless extended to 5 years I suppose).
-No Xenon lights (only bad difference)
-Rear fog light (which many think looks like a carbuncle)
-Cat1 alarm/immobiliser
-Different ECU and no speed restrictor
There may be other small differences I have missed.
There will always be some dodgy cars about, be them Ford Escorts or Rolls Royces. I have not heard of any cut-and-shut Skylines but you never know - people do crash them.
More of a worry (with an import) is that the car may have been stolen in Japan. Such cars are normally brought to the UK via the Middle East. If you do buy such a car, it could be repossessed! You can run checks on VIN numbers though (bit like an international HPI)
Generally, the cars are very reliable up to reasonable states of tune and somewhat less so the further you go. A standard or stage 1 tuned car should be 100% reliable if looked after.
My stage 1 tuned UK car is 5 years old and has never left me stranded. In 3.5 yrs, I have only had one thing that could even have been called a problem with the car, and that was of a peripheral nature and was sorted cheaply. In fact, it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned, and I've owned a few....
Incidentally, my car's for sale (see the For Sale forum).
Chris
