a new member of the forum RX-OTIC seems to say here (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7781) that he has imported a black one from Japan! Discuss.


edit:his profile (http://www.rx8club.com/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=2803) says he works as a japanese import specialist. perhaps if you have the extra money you could have one before october too!

if this is the guy who runs the www.linney.org website based just outside Hertford (i think thats where we think hes from) then the picture of the car looks as though its not in the country yet. The giveaway is the Japanese writing on the back wall.

Not sure what the point would be getting an import as the spec is a lot lower and the cost would be prohibitively high.

Hi there,

All our cars are photographed in Japan by a professional, hence the give away 'Japanese writing', landscape etc....

cw007 mate i think thats a little unfair to critise our choice to bring in an 8, when you have no idea of our cars spec or our landing costs....

We have brought in new DC5 Integras, 350Z, S2000, R34's, EVO 7's, SS2's and others.... and after quite a bit of positive feedback and requests for the 8 we (finally) got one...

Huge demand for 8's in Japan with a waiting list of months. Not surprising really with rave reviews in the top Japanese and European magazines...

We believe this car has huge potiential, with backing from the likes of R Magic, RE, Mazdaspeed, Feed.. you name it.. should see a healthy battle with the Z, Mini S etc... for top spot..

Not to give too much away but i am very tempted to keep as our demo car complete with kit. But then we have Uk customers to think of who have placed deposits on the UK model, willing to cancel their holding deposit with Mazda UK, and recieve an 8 from us sooner.

I'll post some pics up soon. And i am always game for meets. (shame there wasn't an 8 @ billing)

Cheers Ben:D

Look forward to seeing some pics etc Ben :)

Ben,

I am surprised that you managed to wrestle an RX-8 from the hands of a japanese owner.

They probably only let you have it because they had bought a triple rotor, tiwn turbo 600hp Mazdaspeed version.

Chris

Ben,

didnt mean to criticise was just a comment, i like the rest of us here look forward to any positive information with as much enthusiasm as the rest of us.

Incidently i was a drolling at the piccies of your rx7's NICE!!!

Thanks guys,

No worries CW, glad you like the FD's (i usually have to turn down even better one's b/c of SVA)

hey small world, so where in Herts are you ?

Unfortunetly i won't be the first UK owner of an 8. I think another importer has a beautiful winning blue close to arrival...

Ben,

Good luck with your 8!

Please check your PM'S.

Cheers
Oilman

Ben,

Im in Watford or should i say upmarket Bushey :)

However in my job im all over Herts.

Stevenage/Ware/Harlow(essex i know)Welyn.

Although today its a complete avoid Stevenage because of Knebworth.

You can see the place i work at from the A1M. The big strange looking building with huge chimmey exhausts.

Ben has sent me this OTR 23,995 plus alarm and extra warranty

And this

So how does a JDM import deal with current/future emmisions? as it should be the full 250ps?

So who's gonna buy it??? :D

Could this end my decision of deciding between black or blue?

Wonder what the actual spec is... obviously has Nav.. and Leathers.

No emissions/power issues to worry about either...


-andy-

Originally posted by RobDickinson
So how does a JDM import deal with current/future emmisions? as it should be the full 250ps?

2005 is Euro 4 start date. That's why its annoying for us to have reduced power when mazda dont need to comply with it yet. But good for marketing.

Originally posted by sixspeed
So who's gonna buy it??? :D

Could this end my decision of deciding between black or blue?

Wonder what the actual spec is... obviously has Nav.. and Leathers.

No emissions/power issues to worry about either...


-andy-

How can you tell it has leather seats - not sure the photo's show it anywhere? Does the Japanese SatNav system work in the UK as well? I know you would have to get a different DVD but would there be any other issues. If it's the hi-power then the price is very good - if only it was Titanium!

According to Ben its high spec, so I think that would mean leather. DVD can be converted but he did not give me any indication if it was just a DVD change.

I thought I could see leather through the plastic seat covers, but its probably more a guess than anything.

Sat Nav might have menu options in Japanese, although this might be part of the DVD, so if replaced with a UK disc, might be ok? No idea really on that either.

What with the lower power of our own models, it does make it quite tempting. It's just a shame (or lucky?) that I don't have the deposit money etc sorted out yet, and won't until December anyway...


-andy-

Just to let you all know, I have spoken to Ben a few weeks ago. He owns a japanise import company, he is importing the RX8 to sell, not for his own use as he may state. Have a look at www.linney.org

Ben Imports them to my home port of Southampton. He has workshops for conversions. service, bodykits etc in the port.

His import process take about 8 weeks door to door. Ships leave roughly every 2 weeks for Southampton.

Originally posted by simrjor


2005 is Euro 4 start date. That's why its annoying for us to have reduced power when mazda dont need to comply with it yet. But good for marketing.

Yep, but 250ps was never going to pass Euro3, 240ps will (as in Auztralian cars).

Are imports somehow exempt from current emmisions?

Might be more relaxed. Not sure. They have to pass the SVA test. Anyone have details of the test?


-andy-

Originally posted by sixspeed
Might be more relaxed. Not sure. They have to pass the SVA test. Anyone have details of the test?


-andy-

Some info here http://uktoyotaestimasite.tripod.com/svatest.htm