Buying an NA1 with unknown mileage due to Tampering

[marknsx]

What price makes this option worthy of consideration

[havoc]

For me, depends on when the tampering was done (i.e. how long ago) and how good the servicing has been since then.

- If a long time ago, treat as e.g. a c.200k miler with recent history.
- If more recent, treat as a car without history, which is to say something close to half-price.

(I'm working on the fact that if servicing's been skimped on then problems will surface sooner rather than later, and in the UK an NSX is VERY unlikely to have topped 200k even with a haircut or two...)

[goldtop]

And even after weighing that up, but before making an offer...

Imagine that you're trying to sell the car in the future: you'll face all the same worries from the other side. No matter how honest you would be then, and how much due diligence you do now, most buyers don't want cars with 'stories'.

Bonus question: can you get in touch with previous owners to work out where and why the miles went missing? (I guess one of them won't want to discuss it!)

[Dragonlady]

Do they have the MOT or tax discs as they will have annual mileage on them.

[havoc]

MOT history should do as well...but I think the point is that the history won't tell the whole story, or something will be missing, as goldtop has suggested.

Tracking previous owners is a good idea.

Selling on...agree to a degree, but depends how long you're keeping it...if you have it 5+ years and cherish it, the next buyer will be wary but have more confidence...

[marknsx]

The car is in Japan

[AR]

If it is to keep it I would not mind, but if you intend to sell it might get tricky. A bit like my NSX-R that we had records in the UK and Japan but it had a stack Dash for a while so the mileage will never be reconciled on MOT checks.

[Problem Child]

What price makes this option worthy of consideration

I suppose the price you buy it at will reflect the risk as this will be the case with whoever buys it from you, although that risk reduces if you take good care of it during your ownership and do all the major work. If its for you to drive and enjoy the risk is less...Buy and enjoy

[goldtop]

The car is in Japan

Well, it better be super cheap! To cover the unknowns and the fact the £:Yen rate has tanked since last year's height.

Because there are currently lots of NSXs of all specs and prices here in the UK already. Why not talk to Graham about the 175k red manual one? £25k is a bargain.

[AR]

Don't forget taxes etc, could be a bargain but you might not save that much in the end. Perhaps Plans or some other company can check it out for you in Japan for a fee?

[marknsx]

Thank you all. I'm talking to them at a figure of £15k plus import

[hkz286]

Thank you all. I'm talking to them at a figure of £15k plus import

so 22k ish?

[marknsx]

I was thinking under 20K total!

[nobby]

you will be doing well for under 20!
i think it will be over ... looking at importing myself and a cheaper car and my taxes etc at this end fairly bumps the price

and buying one as you likely know is ONLY half the battle ... then comes the refresh etc!

[hkz286]

I was thinking under 20K total!

hmm not sure but i think it will be more, ive just imported mine and the basics will soon add up.

for example the shipping cost is usually around 1000, plus the import duty and vat on top,

15k + 1k (shipping) = 16k

20% of 16k is 3200

10% of 16000 + 3200 is 1920

total = 21120

that's if you do everything yourself :)

dealers fees, port fees, de-registration in japan etc are small but will add up :)

the dealer should be able to give you a "on the road" price if they have experience importing cars from japan

[marknsx]

perhaps more like 12k for the car