Experience Importing 25+ year old Cars with GTR Garage!

[dmad]

I'm sure you all have seen the internet buzzing with tons of people wanting to get in on all the vehicles that just became eligible for import into the US this year. I know the Skylines get most of the attention here but let's not forget about the Laurels, Cefiros, Chasers, RX-7's, and countless other cars that are now a possibility here in the USA. I wanted to start a thread that documents my experience importing my 1986 Toyota Corolla Levin with Kunio from GTR-Garage. First off I KNOW this isn't a Nissan vehicle but I thought a thread like this would be useful for other people who are in the beginning stages or just have general questions about the entire process.

I'm sure a lot of you already know about GTR-Garage or have dealt with Kunio in some way or another. I approached him about a month ago after buying some items from Yahoo Japan Auctions in regards to importing a Nissan Laurel. I discussed my budget with him and he IMMEDIATELY sent me a couple options as well as some other vehicles to gauge what exactly I was looking for. I would search the auctions myself day to day and Kunio continued sending me cars that came up in my price range. A couple weeks went by and nothing really was coming up that caught my eye until Kunio sent me a Run Free AE86 that I immediately thought "This will work". After several days of back and forth with Kunio he had the details of the car sent to me as well as a VERY EASY to understand description of all fees and shipping costs involved to safely transport the car to my nearest port. After arranging the deposit and discussing my maximum bid price Kunio took over from there. I received an email at around 2:30 in the morning with the title "GOOD NEWS". So here it is....
http://i42.tinypic.com/343kdvr.jpg
I can't believe this car will actually be sitting in my garage in the next month or two. Because it is a 1986 model year it is eligible for IMMEDIATE import.

In about a week's time Kunio will have this car sitting at his lot and will perform an extensive exam about the vehicles condition as well as sending lots of pictures and video documenting everything you want to know about your new vehicle!

The BEST PART ABOUT ALL OF THIS is that Kunio can arrange just about any modifications you have ever dreamed about while the car is in his possession before it leaves Japan. He has access to new and used parts that make this entire process even that much cooler. If that's not enough you can even arrange to drive your new car on their local track in Japan before being shipped back!!!

The experience so far has been painless and the communication and customer service I have received from Kunio is top notch. I will continue to update everyone on the status of my new ride as well as posting lots of pictures for everyone!

For anyone hesitant about this entire process make sure you get in touch with Kunio at GTR-Garage!

[mad-ass]

Seems promising! In for the updates when the car arrives, and your final review.

[s14kkouki]

So was this car was sold from the get go? I saw it in their page for sale but you are saying he actually got this car just for you?

[dmad]

No this car was not sold from the get go. I was always in the market for a Laurel or a Cefiro. Kunio found this and showed me and I had to have it! These cars are getting swiped up left and right when they are available and from what I have seen they do NOT last long.

[s14kkouki]

Ok cool was a little confused there. Good luck with the car man. Seems promising.

[dmad]

Thanks-cant wait!

[mad-ass]

My friend brought back a 84 Levin in 2011 with him when he changed duty stations from Japan to Utah. From what I understood then was that it just legalized to bring back the cars from Japan, but still had hard time actually registering it.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/s720x720/303782_311524612195775_1956489419_n.jpg
^This was Oct. 2011.

Please tell us the process of registering if there are any special ways of doing it. I'm sure it'll go down the books for sure.

[e1_griego]

Oh hell yeah!

Congratulations!

How do you feel about test drives? :)

[dmad]

Mad-ass-what is your friend's name??? I spent 12 years in Misawa, Japan and ended up moving to Hill back in 2004 (around that time).

Alex-Thanks man! You know you are welcome anytime to come through!

[nicsoroka]

That's a beautiful car you have coming. It's really a great thing when u receive an email with the title on a imported car lol no more Grey market bs. Anyway good luck to you op hope you enjoy your new ride.

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[Ilya]

I am excited to see what's going to happen to the price of a 240sx with an sr20 swap. Jokers want 6-7k for their cars, well now I can pay the same and get a real silvia, not a 240sx with a Silvia engine with mismatched odometer readings. With 40-100k miles/km

[nicsoroka]

And it's straight from the factory so you don't have to worry about the ghetto rigging that goes into people's prized sr swaps lol

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[Munki]

I've been thinking about getting either a 180sx, ae86 hatch or an fc. Might have to look into these guys!

[fliprayzin240sx]

My friend brought back a 84 Levin in 2011 with him when he changed duty stations from Japan to Utah. From what I understood then was that it just legalized to bring back the cars from Japan, but still had hard time actually registering it.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/s720x720/303782_311524612195775_1956489419_n.jpg
^This was Oct. 2011.

Please tell us the process of registering if there are any special ways of doing it. I'm sure it'll go down the books for sure.

Didnt know Kaliko brought his 86 back...


OP anyways, the better question is, how much did you pay for this 86?

[fliprayzin240sx]

I am excited to see what's going to happen to the price of a 240sx with an sr20 swap. Jokers want 6-7k for their cars, well now I can pay the same and get a real silvia, not a 240sx with a Silvia engine with mismatched odometer readings. With 40-100k miles/km

You really think you're gonna get a Silvia for less than $10K? Plus, you make it sound like cars in Japan as not as beat as the cars in the states. Its the same shit over there. Finding one thats not abused/rusted to hell is hard.

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

^^ GTR-Garage listed that levin at $9,900 landed in the states.

[GTR-Garage]

Pricing is a bit inflated for the '89 Nissans that everyone wants. However, when 1990 rolls around there will be much better availability so pricing will come back down. There's basically no inflation on the AE86 because they've qualified for the federal exemptions for some time now.

[Munki]

Pricing is a bit inflated for the '89 Nissans that everyone wants. However, when 1990 rolls around there will be much better availability so pricing will come back down. There's basically no inflation on the AE86 because they've qualified for the federal exemptions for some time now.


PM me a price on a ae86 hatch! I don't care if the body isn't in the best shape, im just looking for something that runs good and has super clean interior!

[dmad]

flipprayzn240sx hit it right on the money! I lived in Japan for 12 years and they do have there fair share of "BEAT CARS" floating around.

fliprayzin240sx Quote:

You really think you're gonna get a Silvia for less than $10K? Plus, you make it sound like cars in Japan as not as beat as the cars in the states. Its the same shit over there. Finding one thats not abused/rusted to hell is hard.

I won't go into the details of the price I paid for this but what I can say is that Kunio is offering this service at a HELL OF A DEAL. The entire process of transporting a vehicle back and forth allover Japan and delivering to the port is not cheap-not to mention import/export fees, origin fees, and documents. I've been in the logistics industry for about 10 years and I deal with ocean freight shipments on a daily basis-I can tell you straight up with all honesty that he is doing his best to keep these costs at a minimum. On top of this the customer service is top notch which goes along way-especially in this industry!

[mad-ass]

Didnt know Kaliko brought his 86 back...

Yup, He did bring it back...not sure if he still got it or not though.

[GTR-Garage]

flipprayzn240sx hit it right on the money! I lived in Japan for 12 years and they do have there fair share of "BEAT CARS" floating around.

fliprayzin240sx Quote:

You really think you're gonna get a Silvia for less than $10K? Plus, you make it sound like cars in Japan as not as beat as the cars in the states. Its the same shit over there. Finding one thats not abused/rusted to hell is hard.

I won't go into the details of the price I paid for this but what I can say is that Kunio is offering this service at a HELL OF A DEAL. The entire process of transporting a vehicle back and forth allover Japan and delivering to the port is not cheap-not to mention import/export fees, origin fees, and documents. I've been in the logistics industry for about 10 years and I deal with ocean freight shipments on a daily basis-I can tell you straight up with all honesty that he is doing his best to keep these costs at a minimum. On top of this the customer service is top notch which goes along way-especially in this industry!

It sounds like we need to raise our prices...

[dmad]

Just wanted to update this thread. I have been going back and forth with Kunio over the last two weeks about some additional parts I'd like to pick up for the AE86. I'll keep it a secret for now but I picked up a new set of shoes and some interior goods to keep everything looking healthy! Kunio offered me a great discounted price and I couldn't resist.

It's nice that GTR Garage can not only help you import a car but they're also familiar with the aftermarket/tuning side of things which is a big plus in my book. More to come for sure!

[I<3BEWBZ]

Awesome! I saw that car for sale, wish I had the cash to bring it over.

I had a JDM 1985 Levin Coupe couple years ago, it was an awesome car. I regret selling it all the time.

[Zbythegods]

This is awesome, I'm very happy for you. Once I get some extra cash I'm definitely going to get my self a beautiful r32 or an amazing FC

[dmad]

I'm not on Ziliva often at all anymore but wanted to keep this thread going with an update. After a lot of waiting and sourcing more parts the car is finally on the water en route to the US. Here is a pic of the cars prior to being loaded. The hideous yellow/black vehicle was a last minute pickup! I've never been so excited to unload a 40' container before.
http://i62.tinypic.com/2zf3hxz.jpg

[va240dude]

Nice man, hope everything works out smoothly!

[Rusker]

I can't wait to see how this turns out. Good luck!

[TheRealSy90]

What happened to the wheels? You going with a different set?

[dtyjtyjkj]

So was this car was sold from the get go? http://fashionold.com/hu4j.jpghttp://interinsurances.com/huht.jpg

[s14kkouki]

August hurry up.

[Threeplus10]

Awesome corolla!! Is the "hideous yellow/black vehicle" an A31?? :)

[ODS]

what was the cost to ship 2 cars?

[GTR-Garage]

what was the cost to ship 2 cars?

A 40 foot container forwarded to Portland via Tacoma is $2,600. However, that price can fluctuate based on fuel rates and other factors.

[Chaluska]

thats not that bad considering the weight and dimensions.

[ODS]

What would the cost be to just Tacoma?

A 40 foot container forwarded to Portland via Tacoma is $2,600. However, that price can fluctuate based on fuel rates and other factors.

[dmad]

The day finally arrived. Unloaded the 40' container in under an hour. Vehicles and parts were all VERY secure and everything arrived in perfect condition. Kunio has already sent all documents so the next steps will be registering which should be a breeze! For anyone who is thinking about doing business with Kunio have no fear. This guy is the real deal!!! More pictures to come later!!
http://i62.tinypic.com/f20d95.jpg

[dmad]

FYI for anyone interested-this container was pulled upon arrival to port for an intensive exam by US Customs. They checked EVERYTHING including a visual inspection and to make sure all documents were legal and verified. Everything checked out 100% with no issues at all!!

[ODS]

Congrats man!!! I'm excited that you got your cars without a hitch!!!

[dmad]

Final update for anyone interested!!! I walked into the DMV this morning with all the correct documents provided by GTR Garage and everything went through without any issues. 100% Federal/State Legal 1986 AE86. If anyone has any questions about the process please feel free to send me a PM.
http://i61.tinypic.com/2ngz8ch.jpg

[ODS]

That's awesome!

[tricky_ab]

Congrats my man! Now get out there and enjoy it! :)