We are in the middle of a massive market shift right now, the car import market and prices are changing faster than at any time in the last 20 years and things will never be the same.
Demand for vehicles is like nothing we have ever seen before, and we are absolutely flat out sourcing cars and answering enquiries.
There are a range of reasons for all this but one main factor is the global Covid-19 lockdown which has left people unable to spend money on overseas holidays and looking for a distraction such as a car or boat to keep them busy at home.
In just the last 3 months alone we have seen price rises of 30% to 100% on some vehicle models in Japan and we have already stopped sourcing a range of models for which Australian buyers have been well and truly priced out of the market.
We only had 3 months of viable buying on the Subaru Forester STi for those that got in early – in the last 6 weeks import prices for those have increased by $10,000 with the new price range moving to $27,000 – $34,000 complied and rising every week.
Forester STi’s have DOUBLED in price in Japan since the start of this year, and EVO 9 wagons are also much more expensive thanks to fresh demand from Australia.
R35 GTR prices are up as well with import pricing pushing close to local secondhand prices to a point where viability is questionable.
There are a still few models left that work but come 2021, we expect most classic models will no longer be viable for import to Australia.
In particular, we recommend you buy right now if you have your eye on an Aristo JZS161 TT, R32 GTR, R33 GTR or the Cappuccino, Beat or AZ-1 kei cars as all these models are still affordable at the moment but are about to go bonkers next.
Worldwide demand for these cars is simply insatiable.
Aristos with the 3L twin turbo Supra motor are still amazing value in the 700,000 Yen to 1.1 million Yen range, but prices are already rising week by week. Just the value of that motor alone is worth most of the car price, so they have a long way to rise yet.
It will not last long !
Probably just a few weeks to a few months left to buy most models.
Good R32 / R33 GTR’s can still be imported for $60,000 to $70,000 plus on roads. Based on R34 GTR prices jumping 50% in Japan in the last 3 months, give it to the end of 2021 and we would expect local prices to be pushing $100,000 for the 32 and 33.
So, to be super clear to the rock dwellers out there that like to complain after the fact – if you want a classic vehicle out of Japan, now is the time to buy and don’t say we didn’t warn you !
Want something to play with over the Christmas holidays ?
The next couple of weeks are the last opportunity to import if you want your car to be on road by Christmas 2020.
Get in touch if the model you want is still on our order list, and we will make sure you get a top quality example before it’s too late.
PLEASE – be very cautious if you see Japanese exporters advertising deals that look too good to be true.
Japan is one of the biggest car marketplaces in the world. You’re swimming with the sharks that do this day in – day out, so you’d better make sure you know what you’re doing or have someone on your side that does. There is nothing cheap in Japan without a good reason and there are many tricks and traps for the first time importer.
If you are looking at local cars imported in the past, be sure to history check them first for false km and past repairs so you know what you’re buying.
How direct import works
Research market pricing and availability for any model
Read about the New Vehicle Import Regulations for Australia here
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