Some questions, Be gentle I am new.

[donglethegreat]

Hi all,

Unfortunately I don’t own my dream car just yet, but I am working on it along with the future wife to let me! lol

I have some questions for all you owners and experts, if you can find the time to give me some pointers.

The model I am after is a 1997 3.2. I decided that this would be a great car in relation to condition and refinements made by Honda, plus the bigger engine and 6 gears.

At the moment I am trying to decide on importing a JDM vehicle or searching for a U.K model. (leaning towards JDM at moment)
What views to you have in regards to JDM versus U.K in relation to ownership pit falls?

My existing insurance company will insure me for a JDM 1997 at £1200 per year only 3rd party with theft excess at 2.5% of the vehicle value.

Online comparison sites are coming up with £1600 and with 400+ pounds excess.
Full U.K licence no claims ever and one speeding camera about 5 years ago.

Strangely I can own a Cayman S for £1100 according to confused.com and a 360 Modena for £1084 per year fully comp. Confused??????

Am I correct in thinking the NSX is group 20R insurance?
What are sub 30 years of age owners managing to get good insurance cover for?

Apart from that I am looking forward to becoming an owner as soon as possible!

So any advice regarding this will be great!

Thanks

[simonprelude]

Personally I would look at getting an Insurance quote on a UK car for a start.

From watching Japanese prices (assuming you would be looking at a fresh import) there still doesn't seem enough in it on a 3.2 manual to make it financially viable.
You may well have more choice, however history could prove to be non existant and personally I wouldn't be spending £25k+ on a car that I haven't seen.

Unless you are looking at a type S / R then I can't see the reason for looking at an import (well unless the car has been modified and that's what you want ??)

Sub 30 I was still insuring the car for around £700 with a DR10 on my licence.

Depending on your budget there are 2 3.2s for sale on here, a very nice Blue one and a Silver one with an interesting history courtesy of Jaguar.

Importing would probably need to be a 1997 or early 1998 due to SVA against MOT costs and the 10 year rule.

[TheQuietOne]

Sub 30 I was still insuring the car for around £700 with a DR10 on my licence.

Prices have gone up since 1998 though Simon....

[donglethegreat]

Hi thanks for the reply!


I emailed my insurance company regarding U.K insurance, will call them later. confused.com returns same quote for JDM and U.K vehicles or there about for me.

I understand the concern on spending money on a vehicle that’s not had a personal inspection and this is one of my concerns. Photo correspondence still lays a great deal of trust from consumer to importer. I was under the impression that acquiring a lower mileage vehicle is more common in Japan but full service history is also a concern as to the authenticity of miles that I share. So the only thing that was making me lean towards JDM was the word of lower mileage and possible better prices along with condition.

Can I ask what insurance company was offering you that deal?

I will be after a clean car and not the S or R variant, no modifications as if there is to be any modifications I wish to have them performed under my ownership at specialist and trusted garages.


I think I need to do a lot more research into the purchasing, I am starting to realise it’s a patient persons game when acquiring a good NSX Maybe I will look over the forum for the vehicles you mention.

I will do some more reading and digging around. Now I have joined the forum I hope to get a better knowledge before I jump into a purchase. Got to get out of this FN2 I own.

Thanks for your reply Simon

[BabyG]

Hi there and welcome

I'm 28 and paying about £1200 fully comp in the middle of London, 6 points (2 SP30s) and long no claims. That's through privilege, although I'm up for renewal and we'll see what I can sort. Can't recall the excess but nothing extortionate. My car's a bit older so prob worth a bit less than a 3.2, but may be a useful guide.

It's worth taking the time to figure out what you want, and waiting for the right one to come up. Then move quickly when someone on here sells one that fits the bill

Rich

[simonprelude]

I have just renewed with Admiral for around £350 for a 6000 mile policy.

The thing I have seen with the NSX in Japan is that they don't want to see good examples leave the shores. However with the equivalent of an MOT over there even a scratch is a possible failure which leads to cars being repaired and then sold abroad.

It might be useful to say where you live and your potential budget

[Kevin]

If you only insure the car 3rd party, to fit into a budget you are going to have a mahoosive bill should you need to repair anything.

When I was 27 I was paying £600. I guess it may depend a lot on where you live and how the car is parked. My car is older, but relative to the points in time the same as you buying a 1998 car now (ie I got a 1992 car in 1999).

Liverpool Victoria did my insurance then. Now being a (well over) 10 year old car, AON Classic does it, and it's reduced to £400.

[donglethegreat]

Baby G, you are the same age as me and the £1200ish is similer to what I was quoted, was your insurance full comp?
Not sure if my points are due off my licence but I don’t think 3 make much difference.
Gives me a better idea any way.
Thanks.

Simon, £350!!!! How long you been driving.

Ok I live in (outside of) a small town with lots of traffic lights called Stafford.

After my wedding, sale of my existing FN2 and golf Gti along with some other things I might be able to stretch to a max of 30k. However 25/7k is more preferable.

At the moment things are a wip and planning for ownership in the future.
I do however plan to keep it once purchased until they ban petrol!

The vehicle like I said would preferably be a 1997 3.2 and without the chop top.

In respects to external paint, that’s not a problem for me I can get that rectified at material cost to a very high standard. So if they fail JDM MOT on paint alone I will have one lol.
Interior trim, panel & mechanical quality must be in good condition service history is a must and no modifications!

If I imported, it would be a fresh import, not one that has already been in the country. Don’t want confusion of vehicle manufacture dates and registration dates and all that nonsense. However I also don’t want to pay over the top for the vehicle as I presume the JDM residuals are also les favourable, but if the car is exceptionally nice I don’t mind.

Any one on the forum imported direct them selves with good reports / bad ones on there experience or have recommendations for import specialists?

Is there a FAQ on import / UK nsx differences in respect to features and parts availability?

That’s one other thing that worries me regarding NSX from Japan.
Will parts be more expensive to source as they are JDM or are the U.K parts compatible to an extent?

The blue NSX for sale is lovely, I noticed it on Pistonheads and obviously now in this forum. Unfortunately right now is not a time for me to buy, or I might make the 3 hour trip to get it. Lol my preferred colour is black, red and yellow, but that blue is nice.

Thanks guys.

[donglethegreat]

Kevin, my existing insurance company will not insure me full comp on this vehicle until I am 30! not good is it. So i will not be able to use them unless i get them in a head lock!
Is the vehicle a group 20R?

I live in a small private estate outside the town Stafford and park in garage or carport. I fined it insane that online price comparisons will let me own a 360 modena for less and full comp. I think as I have learned in the past I am best calling around! Never considered the classic route……guess it still looks to modern to be a classic, but somthing for me to look into.

[Papalazarou]

When I was 27 I was paying £600.

Was that when you had the Starion?


Cheers,


James.