Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: Import shop were all doom & gloom about Aristos
Hey all,
I went to see some people who do import cars (name not included) and they were all doom and gloom when it came to Aristos.
They made out that Aristos were just to much work always having worn front suspension components and crapped out water pumps.
Now just like anyone I will agree that Aristos do wear front suspension bits and water pumps are quite hard to find, but when they began saying it would be over $2K to get the suspesnion right and almost $1900 for a water pump I could see they were just being silly.
I came away realising they were very against personal imports because it means the cars in their yard aren't selling. _________________
I'm very responsible, when ever something goes wrong they always say I'm responsible.
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: Import shop were all doom & gloom about Aristos
Andypants wrote:
Hey all,
I went to see some people who do import cars (name not included) and they were all doom and gloom when it came to Aristos.
They made out that Aristos were just to much work always having worn front suspension components and crapped out water pumps.
So this company imports cars or does compliance? Or both?
Andypants wrote:
I came away realising they were very against personal imports because it means the cars in their yard aren't selling.
When someone offers an opinion on something - anything - you have to first ask what their motives are for saying what they are saying. You point out that they appeared to be against personal imports, and tried to justify their stance by saying that Aristos were nothing but trouble. I assume they meant nothing but trouble for the individual.
You hinted at their motive when you said maybe the cars they have imported aren't selling.
Now, I've been nothing but amazed at the price of Aristos in WA. Either you guys are getting the top of the range units with Auction Reports "to die for", or they are significantly overpriced (for whatever reason). Why are your Aristos $22K, $23K? when good ones are available for a bit more than half that on the Eastern seabord. There was a really nice one with sunroof, leather, exhaust, suspension and stereo going for about $15K here privately.
Or is it the hot sun, and your used car salesman don't wear the white bowling hats and sunnies they wear over here (not forgetting the gold chain of course )
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: Import shop were all doom & gloom about Aristos
Andypants wrote:
Now just like anyone I will agree that Aristos do wear front suspension bits and water pumps are quite hard to find, but when they began saying it would be over $2K to get the suspesnion right and almost $1900 for a water pump I could see they were just being silly.
There is some partial truth to what they say I guess. But that would be like saying that the 2J engine is a POS because it suffers valve stem seal failure at low kms & then blows smoke.
Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 4010 Location: Perth, WA
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject:
To be honest, i'm more than impressed with the quality of the cars coming from the company he is speaking of...
They polish them to bugger, repaint if they have to, full clean everything etc. I don't personally believe it's worth the >$20k they want for them, but I can see where the extra money goes.
He is particularly anal about getting everything working right before selling, unless of course there's something really screwed with it (like Jay's one he picked up with the dud engine)
He will still do your compliance mate, and assuming it isn't too much of a hassle he will be cool with it. But be prepared to cop it on the ear a bit if ur suspension is worn to shit and he has to replace it. Be prepared for that to cost heaps too =p cos it does.
It's simply not worth it for them to do all the work they need to do to these to cover the compliance requirements over that of like a skyline which is nice n easy. _________________
1994 Black JZS147 Aristo - RIP. Went swimming
New 1992 Aristo Project
Its not just WA thats charging a mint for aristo's have a look at some of the queensland prices, there's a couple that are really taking the piss with there prices.
As for the water pump well mine was $1480 from toyota so add labour too that and its definatly up there.
I will flip if my suspension componants are warn out as I had a pre ispection on the car and the amount of stuff that has so far been missed by the mechanic is wofal, rule number 1 don't take it to a mechanic that the sales yard knows or wants you to take it too.
To be honest, i'm more than impressed with the quality of the cars coming from the company he is speaking of...
Don't get me wrong here either as I believe this company are excellent at what they do, and the quality of cars they have is great... However as this is the business they choose to be in I felt they would be a little more upbeat about the whole process.
After all for those of us who do choose to personally import, I'm sure we are all fully aware of the implications of buying a car "sight unseen." _________________
I'm very responsible, when ever something goes wrong they always say I'm responsible.
Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 4010 Location: Perth, WA
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:
I think you'll find most of the compliance they do is on SEVS cars rather than their own imports. I've even seen some actual "personal imports" come through him (like, non-SEVS, like a spanking new Lexus from the UK i saw there the other month)
Just he can't be assed with Aristo's man. He's had enough of the amount of work involved with them. If you get a good one it's fine, but day-in-day-out complying pieces of shit brought over by sub-par import shops would get to me as well hey. _________________
1994 Black JZS147 Aristo - RIP. Went swimming
New 1992 Aristo Project
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject: Fix it
Rusty P wrote:
It's simply not worth it for them to do all the work they need to do to these to cover the compliance requirements over that of like a skyline which is nice n easy.
Easily fixed - get out of the business and go and do something else, and stop complaining. Let those who want to do the job and take pride in their work do it.
You and I, Joe Public, do not owe these people a living. [And I'm speaking generally here, not specifically the company alluded to in the original thread].
Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 4010 Location: Perth, WA
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject:
They don't wanna do it :p
They are a 'specialist Soarer shop'... but they paid for their license to do Aristo's, and so they do them to cover the cost and earn a living. Just they'll prefer to do other cars.
It's not like what they say is gonna change if you and I are gonna get one or not. It's not like everyone who asks about it they go off at and tell them not to get one. The owner guy just likes to talk sometimes and will vent a little at how he doesn't like doing them
I wouldn't worry about it guys - we all know it's a lot of work to comply. He will do it still, just if you want him to do it, let him vent his frustration a little... he'll let you borrow parts etc for nothing if you do.
If you're a dick to him he could throw the book at you, like Gabor got hit with when he went thru that Qld mob. Just smile and say you wouldn't wanna do his job either. He'll get over it, do the job, and everyone walks away happy. _________________
1994 Black JZS147 Aristo - RIP. Went swimming
New 1992 Aristo Project
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: Amen
sleeperJZS147 wrote:
It's not just WA that's charging a mint for Aristos. Have a look at some of the Queensland prices. There's a couple that are really taking the piss with their prices.
Amen to that brother. There's one mob in particular that specialises in the quick buck! But what do you expect from used car salespeople.
sleeperJZS147 wrote:
I will flip if my suspension components are worn out as I had a pre-inspection on the car and the amount of stuff that has so far been missed by the mechanic is woeful. Rule number 1 don't take it to a mechanic that the sales yard knows or wants you to take it too.
Which is why most inspections done in Japan are not worth the paper they use to write it out on (or so I am told). Why would someone you'll never meet or even talk to be impartial when the used car salesperson attempting to sell you a car is standing next to them, possibly influencing his report? Doesn't make sense to me!
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject: Find me one
Rusty P wrote:
They don't wanna do it :p
The owner guy just likes to talk sometimes and will vent a little at how he doesn't like doing them
I'd love to see the percentage of people who are truly happy in their jobs! Everyone moans about their job - some people do something about it, others just continue to bellyache.
infotechplus,
I had my inspection done here, Didn't like the idea of buying a car I couldnt look at, but as it turns out I may as well have Next time I won't drop my guard and will go in with the don't trust no crunt attitude
All this compliancing stuff has me baffled.
an import yard brings the car over puts a new battery in it and new tyres and does what ever else they have to do, it passes compliance, they then take the new battery out and put the old back in, take off the new tyres and put the old set on then they put the car on the lot for sale.
My thinking is if it has to have a new battery and tyresand what ever else it should then have to be sold to the first AUS buyer with these said new items.
I assume oil leaks such as trans and steering racks have no effect on it getting complied??
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject: Compliancing
sleeperJZS147 wrote:
All this compliancing stuff has me baffled.
I assume oil leaks such as trans and steering racks have no effect on it getting complied??
You are paying for the little plate, without which you cannot register your new pride and joy! Forget all the stories about the compliancer didn't do this or that.
I've heard stories that would make your straight hair curly (or your short'n'curlies straight ) but they are only allegations. We'll never really know. If you come out the other end with your car on the road, well and good.
Fortunately most Aussies don't like being screwed over, but aren't we dealing with an industry reknowned for just that!
Given the choice of working hard and making a small profit, or taking a few shortcuts and maximising your profits, which avenue do you think most people would take? Why does a company (let's called it Company X) buy a car at the Japanese Auctions for JY425,000 and then land it here with a price of $21,500Aus on it. Where is the added value? All the import charges and duties are the same for all of us (more or less) so does it cost $8,000Aus for a full detail. Of course not, it's called a Free Enterprise Economy where you charge what you think you can get away with not what it cost or is really worth!
And, no, oil leaks etc aren't a compliance issue (AFAIK). Most cars drop some oil, some more than others.
Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 1910 Location: Perth, SoR
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:35 pm Post subject:
I think i know the company in question, I don't think its the extra work that pisses them off i think its some of the customers that think its going to cost $3 500 to get there faily modifyed car with some problems there unaware of complied and when they get the bill for 5.5k they spin out and have a sad at the company.
I think the company in question is just trying to warn you of what might happen, did they say when the car gets here they will show you what needs to be replaced if anything isnt up to scratch? _________________
Yeah I'm very happy with them, just a bit dissapointed in their disposition. Went their expecting a bunch of guys who loved their imports _________________
I'm very responsible, when ever something goes wrong they always say I'm responsible.
Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 4010 Location: Perth, WA
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 2:41 am Post subject:
^^ I think that is precisely the problem yeah.
In my experience i've found a lot of people in the industry as a whole (every step of the way) reallly hate speaking to people who don't know the process, and don't know what to expect. Newbies as it were.
Some are just plain rude about it and tell you in nice enough terms to fk off, others ignore it and just get on with it, and others yet try to imprint a little of what to expect along the way to teach the budding young importers how it really works. I personally feel these people are to be commended. In my search for answers in how to import the car i wanted, I found only a few people willing to take the time to say "this is how it's going to be. we can do something about this, but not about that." Those people i ended up going with when i imported, and I walked away happy, and with a wealth of knowledge about how it's done to boot.
Sure, i did write a letter to the commonwealth ombudsman complaining about AQIS, but that's out of everyone's hands. _________________
1994 Black JZS147 Aristo - RIP. Went swimming
New 1992 Aristo Project
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Next time I won't drop my guard and will go in with the don't trust no crunt attitude
