Selling 2017 Subaru Impreza for 2008 Nissan Skyline V36 GT370 JDM Import - Thoughts?

LThoughtuhadmyback on 19/05/2022 - 10:39
Last edited 19/05/2022 - 15:58

Hear me out on this one.

The $AUD is at historical highs against the Japanese Yen (90:1 versus 80:1 a few years ago). The second hand car market is hot right now. Once in a generation hot.

I'm thinking about taking advantage of these market factors and selling my Subaru Impreza 2.0-L for $23-25K (purchase price brand new $26.5K) and using the funds to import a 2008 Nissan Skyline V36 GT370 for approximately $16K landed and complied.

Pros: Take advantage of the prevailing market conditions, faster + more luxurious car, Impreza's 5 year warranty close of lapsing.
Cons: More work involved than just keeping the same car, importation risks, car will have higher kilometres, higher insurance costs.

What are your thoughts on this? Any risks that I need to consider? Does anyone have any insight into the import process.

Edit: Thanks for all your input, good and bad, its appreciated. To clarify some of the earlier points, the Impreza most closely reflects this one here on Carsales (https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2017-subaru-impreza…) with respect to kilometres (in Victoria) and originally retailed for $28.2k brand new, however I was able to negotiate it down to $26k. Noting that cars often sell for slightly less than their advertised prices, I honestly believe that $23k is achievable however happy to be informed otherwise.

Automotive

Comments

  • brendanm on 19/05/2022 - 10:43
    +14

    The $AUD is at historical highs against the Japanese Yen

    No it's not.

    • Ocker on 19/05/2022 - 16:26

      Correct - I can recall that in the early 1980's the rate was over JPY220 = AUD1

    • JDMcarfan on 19/05/2022 - 16:57
      +1

      Been over 100JPY/1AUD in the last 10 years, so don't even need to go that far back for it to have been higher.
      JPY has always been a unique currency though that has semi-officially maintained a loose peg with the USD (target range of $1USD = 100-115 JPY).
      This is not set in stone and has been broken before, and with the USD & AUD rallying hard over the last couple weeks following rate rises globally, the JPY probably still has room to fall, given that their economy is likely going to continue requiring a low-interest rate environment and thus have supressed FX rates (not going into the economics behind it).

      If you plan on going ahead with what you want to do, I personally wouldn't try and lock in an FX rate now (using HSBC or otherwise).
      Make payment at whatever the live rate is at the time and you'll probably be even better off. My 2c.
      I also personally don't think a car like that is desirable enough to be valued much here. So financially don't think its a great choice, but if its emotionally the right choice for you then go ahead.

      Also be aware that primary buyers of the vehicle you desire (its sporty and not a hybrid econobox) are likely also going to be US/Canada/Aussie or Kiwi based, and not from the indian subcontinent/africa/russia (as is the case with most small hybrid exports from JPN), and will likewise increased purchasing power when buying from auctions there (all these currencies are rallying against the JPY), so prices may be inflated across the board

    • HeWhoKnows on 20/05/2022 - 22:09

      I remember when the AUD1 was getting Y300
      What planet is OP on?

      Besides that, what car OP sells and buys is up to them

      They will be driving the car. Not us

  • Drakesy on 19/05/2022 - 10:45
    +6

    I mean you can only lose money right?!

    I'd be wary though of buying a car that's been hyped, mind you if you're happy to fork out the costs to keep a potentially flogged 14 year old car running then go for it.

    YOLO!

    Also these cars aren't exactly a collector's car, a collector car would be an R33, R34 and ideally GT-R spec etc.

    Only expect this to depreciate like a rock.

    I'd go a 350/370Z over one of these. And you don't have to import it.

  • garetz on 19/05/2022 - 10:53
    +6

    Doesn't look like a sound financial decision.

    • GG57 on 19/05/2022 - 11:03
      +2

      Look, doesn't sound like a financial decision.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 19/05/2022 - 10:56
    +2

    Hope you've got plenty of cash in reserve and are handy with the spanners, to keep it going.

    • brendanm on 19/05/2022 - 13:48
      +2

      A 370gt? It's hardly some amazing exotic, it's a 3.7 litre naturally aspirated V6, with a standard automatic.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 19/05/2022 - 13:59

        I was thinking of the peripherals. An acquaintance's Skyline needed constant attention to the plethora of sensors, and switching gear. He seemed to spend a considerable amount of time diagnosing and replacing faulty electronics.
        Maybe I should have said OBDII Scan Tool, crimping tool and soldering iron.

  • Hybroid on 19/05/2022 - 11:01
    +3

    Don't have your back on this one. Keep the Subaru. Swapping it out for a 14 year old car to get something "more luxurious" is ludicrous. It's not even the popular Skylines but the ugly one.

  • GG57 on 19/05/2022 - 11:02
    +5

    Why not do it. No-one else on here has any direct interest in what you do, so whatever we say is irrelevant.
    We will just watch out for the follow-up forum posts.

  • MS Paint on 19/05/2022 - 11:07
    +7

    You do you

  • Jason Genova on 19/05/2022 - 11:21

    that skyline drinks petrol, and is heavy af

  • spackbace on 19/05/2022 - 11:23
    +1

    Dammit OP, you made me research what the going prices are and I just came across this monstrosity. Haven't even had my coffee yet!

    This

    Side note, $20k plus transport from Tas would get you one now, and 2 years newer

    • SF3 on 19/05/2022 - 11:26

      This(carsales.com.au)

      🤮

    • brendanm on 19/05/2022 - 13:49

      But the comments say it's a "beautiful SUV"?

  • Euphemistic on 19/05/2022 - 11:28
    +2

    There is only one reason to go ahead with this - that you absolutely love this type of car and have always wanted one. Otherwise, NO!!!

  • k-rokfm on 19/05/2022 - 11:29
    +5

    Mate you do you. If you wanna do it, just do it, don’t make us justify your existence.

    Don’t take this as a dig, cause it’s not. Cars are very subjective and personal. If you like that particular car go for it and don’t let someone on a forum tell you otherwise.

  • AndyC1 on 19/05/2022 - 11:39

    There is rick in not doing it and then there is rick in doing it. It's called gambling and sometimes you win and sometimes you loose and sometimes you stay the same.

  • Ryanek on 19/05/2022 - 11:40
    +5

    My thoughts? The Impreza is the better car

  • freefall101 on 19/05/2022 - 11:42
    +1

    This is a decision of passion, if you're looking for common sense you should already know the answer.

  • SlavOz on 19/05/2022 - 11:59
    +1

    I don't think you're going to get $23k for a car that costs $26k brand new. Unless it's in immaculate condition with <10,000km.

    Factor in the risk, insurance costs and higher fuel costs…you're going to have to make some serious financial decisions around this. Only do it if you absolutely love the car and must have it.

    • MS Paint on 19/05/2022 - 12:11

      And for the love of God do not over-rev your JDM if you proceed.

    • spackbace on 19/05/2022 - 12:32

      I don't think you're going to get $23k for a car that costs $26k brand new.

      That's what it cost OP when new, not the new price now. Checking Carsales, yeah they're asking 23k+, depending on mileage and condition

  • FoxJump on 19/05/2022 - 12:32

    Maybe sell your 2017 impreza and then buy a 2008 impreza ?

  • Caped Baldy on 19/05/2022 - 12:41
    +8

    Nissan Skyline

    Sweet

    V36 GT370

    No thanks

    • pegaxs on 19/05/2022 - 16:35
      +6

      It’s like the Skyline’s, ugly, mildly retarded, inbred half cousin. It’s like if you couldn’t afford a Skyline nor a Z350/370, so you just settled for the last girl left at the bar at closing time.

  • Bid Sniper on 19/05/2022 - 13:26

    We're now approaching our final destination: Itchy & Scratchy Land. The amusement park of the future where nothing can possi-blye go wrong. Possibly go wrong. Huh. That's the first thing that's ever gone wrong

  • Domicron on 19/05/2022 - 14:04

    Sell and find a good condition Infiniti q50/60 red sport or 370z.

  • pegaxs on 19/05/2022 - 14:17
    +3

    Lol @ thinking you are going to sell a 4yo Impreza for $1k less than RRP… good luck with that, champ. The market is hot, but not quite that hot.

    • spackbace on 19/05/2022 - 14:29

      Depends on mileage/state…

      Equivalent new now is around $31k drive away, but god knows what the wait time is

    • jackary on 19/05/2022 - 14:50

      A friend of mines elderly father recently traded his immaculate 2018 Impreza (14,000km… barely run in) on a yellow MG 3 (I know, I don’t know why either)… he got 23.5k at trade. Absolute lunacy.

      A base model Impreza was 26.5k drive away for many years. It’s now 31. I think that explains why 23.5k is achievable now for a car that was 26.5k at the time

  • Ocker on 19/05/2022 - 16:30
    -1

    Mileage on the clock for a car in Japan can be very misleading, viz it is no indication to the work an engine has done.
    For example, given the horrendous traffic in Tokyo a car may well have the engine running for an hour and only cover 3-4km.

    • bunkymag on 20/05/2022 - 08:08

      It’s really not that bad - you’re exaggerating.

      Also my experience has been cars are generally maintained far better due to the annual check and biannual inspection processes among other things.

      • Ocker on 20/05/2022 - 08:30

        I am basing my comments on my experience of living in Tokyo for 10 years

  • 2esc on 20/05/2022 - 09:23

    Generally the cars in Japan do a lot less kilometres than Australia but if they have been used mostly for daily comute it could potentially have had a lot of in traffic hours on the engine. Though other parts of the car will be less likely to be worn out.

  • afah0447 on 20/05/2022 - 11:42
    +1

    Not a great Skyline.

    Get a Camry.

  • AndyC1 on 21/05/2022 - 12:09

    OP gone AWAL!!!!!

    • Euphemistic on 22/05/2022 - 16:09

      No internet on his flight to Tokyo?

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