IMPORTED CARS?

[MICHAEL964]

Hi I have recently noticed that a lot of cars being advertised for sale are imported from Japan. Could any one tell me if these cars are the same specification to the European spec cars? The prices do seem to be lower and realise for some other manufacturers the cars could be quite different?
I am looking to buy a 964 in the future and see these as a possibility, left hand drive can be problematic but many in the UK are left hand drive cars.

Many thanks Michael.

 

[Big Dave]

The jap spec cars are slightly different in a few areas.
The rear lights are slightly different, ie the lens colours..NOT shape.
They wont have as much underbody corrosion protection on.
The service history is all in Japanese...
A lot are LHD aswell..
They seem to come in a larger variety of colours aswell...
Some have darker tints to the windows, for the sun...
One plus point, they shouldnt be anything like as corroded as the European cars , not that they [euro cars] are corroding, you get my drift...

Im in no way an expert on this subject, just what i have picked up in conmversation + seeing them first hand...
If anybody has anything else to add, feel free...

 

[Mark Elder]

I've two friends who have each bought Japanese second hand imports and been very pleased with the bargins they got. Both non-Porsche. There's a few odd things (like Japanese writing on the dash and manual, radios that did not work on UK frequences etc) - but such a discount that they were well pleased. Number plate space is square so you need a 2-line number plate at rear.

The Japanese drive on same side of road as us.

In both cases they purchased direct from the importer.

 

[MICHAEL964]

Thanks very much for the quick reply. I will be viewing a couple of cars this week so am looking forward to the drive. I will get an inspection done as I have not any real 968 experience, when I find one that I like.

Any special areas to look for on the test drive?

I will tell you later how I get on with the inspection.

Regards Michael..

 

[Swindon_Mick]

I've got a jap import 968 - Big Dave is correct about the clear reversing lights and the radio frequencies. Not sure about the underbody corrosion protection, but mine is in pretty good condition having spent 12 years in a milder climate than the UK. Mine is indeed LHD (apparently having a LHD european sports car has more kudos than a RHD one!). The colour combo on mine is ok - metallic black exterior and classic grey inside. Also, many have air con and no sunroof. Mine also came with service history in Japenese, but a nice man at Mizwa (main porsche importer in Japan) was kind enough to translate it.

Ultimately you pay your money and take your choice - an imported car will be cheaper, but then again you'll get less for it when you sell it....

Regards

Mick

 

[Big Dave]

Make sure the cams + chain have been checked recently .
Otherwise itl cost you £££££££££££££ for new ones...Have a look on Pistonheads for some info.. Theres a thread about "the mother of all 968,s" , its a good read...+ has some good info...
See linky...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=721040&mid=0&nmt=Let%20the%20games%20begin...point%20me%20to%20the%20mother%20of%20all%20968s!

Happy hunting...

 

[ravva]

Listen to big dave! i started the pistonheads thread and am now the proud owner of a lovely 968 cs after much advise provided through forums such as this, PH and 968 UK etc.

Certainly pays to have a PPI done if you can and get the cam cover whipped off if your in doubt about the cams, chain, tensioner and tensioner pad.

 

[MICHAEL964]

Hi, Firstly many thanks for all of your inputs. Its good to get opinions from actual owners that know what their talking about!

I looked at the car today which seemed to be in quite good condition. Everything looked original and the panel fit was good. All was going very well until the test drive! I noticed when driving off a rumbling noise from the rear, best discribed as a rumbling rotational sound that was in proportion to the speed! I do not think it would be the discs but may be the transmission or propshaft? Would I get this if say the rear diff was damaged in some way?

I could get the car at a very good price but do not want to be stung by an expensive repair to get it sorted out. I was thinking of a specialist inspection but do not want to loose the 250 pounds if its turns out to be a bad one.

Any info from you guys would be great? Could it be a rear bearing? Car is an auto 1994 . How much approx would a refurb cost on a rear diff?

Many thanks Michael..

 

[pauly]

Sounds like pinion bearings, subtract ££££££££ from price.

 

[MICHAEL964]

Thanks Pauly.

Not sure how much to repair the fault but was unhappy with the ride! Some vibration and more noise in the car, I am sure normal 968 would be smooth and sure.

Regards Michael..

 

[pauly]

ORIGINAL: MICHAEL964

Thanks Pauly.

Not sure how much to repair the fault but was unhappy with the ride! Some vibration and more noise in the car, I am sure normal 968 would be smooth and sure.

Regards Michael..

It doesn't have to be a deal breaker if the car is cheap enough, may be worth the cost of an hours labour at your nearest Porsche indy to get a better idea of what issues the car has.

Paul.

 

[Big Dave]

Not sure if its the pinion bearings, BUT it does sound like something in the rear axle is worn...
Its a generalisation to just say the pinions as they are a known "weak" point...
Obviously we cant diagnose exactly what it might be without actually driving the car......We can only speculate...
But as pauly has said , it doesnt need to be a deal breaker, just make sure the car is "the right money" in the first place...Budget , anything around £500-£1000 for gearbox work, depending on where you take it....
What it it. IE age , mileage "history", colour, asking price..etc etc .???

 

[Swindon_Mick]

If the car is an auto (tip) it won't be the pinion bearing (good news []), however, it could be the rubber doughnut (bad news....[])

Mick

 

[MICHAEL964]

Thanks again for your inputs! The owner said he would take it back to an INDY Porsche workshop as he did not realise there was a big problem? I have not had any more information on it since. I am however looking at some other good examples over the next week so my fingers are crossed that I find a good example. I will keep you all posted.
Regards Michael..

 

[Neil Haughey]

This advice applies to any 968, IMHO in the current climate buy the best you can find and be prepared to pay for it. I bought a car that I knew would need some work, even though it has none of the usual problems and a massive history. I estimated it would cost me a couple of grand to get in tip top shape the reality is more like 4 to 5 grand. We always say there is no such thing as a cheap Porsche and yes I have ignored this advice myself thinking that after being around these cars for 10 years I could beat the market, doesn't work.

I don't know what underbody protection is like on Japanese Porsche's but on their own cars it can be worse then non-existent. My friends Evo 6 RS for example has no stonechip or underbody protection of any kind, even worse it is just paint on metal. My race car shell for example is paint over heavy zinc etch primer. Still though my mate has had the car nearly 4 years now and has driven it in winter and so far doesn't have a corrosion problem.

 

[MICHAEL964]

Neil, good point about the under body protection. I thaink I will see how much extra this will be in case the import that I am looking at will need that as well. Might be easier to inspect in the first place, but will add some more cost to my purchase.

Regards Michael..