2000 Toyota CROWN Althete V Estate

[axeboy]

Hey guys

I hope you don't mind me starting a thread on this, its a 2000 Toyota CROWN Althete V Estate with the 2.5 1JZ GTE turbo. My little Alto Works was sold a few months back and this was just won at auction. I'll update the thread with more info on the process as I go though it, not much will happen for a few months, most likely me just being impatient

So, the auction details of the car were:

USS Shizuoka
2000 CROWN Estate Athlete V
2500cc
Grade 3.5
Interior B
71,950km
Auto, AC, SR, AW, PS, PW, AirB
Original silver

Issues
Trim ripped and cigarette burn
Some paint peeling on the bumper

And a few photos:






I wasn't going to bid on it due to the rip and burn but in the end I put in a low bid to cover replacements and won. I also realised that it had a Sunroof later and that gave it more points . The process is being handled by Pacific Coast who have a pretty popular YouTube channel here: Pacific Coast Youtube

I've imported loads now but first time with them, so far superb. Great bunch and the regular YouTube walk-arounds are great. One will be done on my car before its shipped, I'll post it here. Both Derek and Andrew have been patient and helpful. I've ordered the usual DVLA import pack so I can sort the paperwork when timing is right.

So, usual story, once its here I'll check it over and sort:

1. MOT
2. Underseal
3. Fog light
4. Speedo converter (ordered, on the way)

So, hope its ok to post, its not that old, but I love the engine/styling combo.

[DaveEdge]

How much is it going to set you back all in mate- Or is that rude to ask?

[timmy201]

Very cool. I've seen a couple over here for sale at import dealers and thought they looked pretty like a nice wagon (The Mrs didn't share that thought though!)
www.carsales.com.au/cars/toyota/CROWN/wagon-bodystyle/

[axeboy]

Jan 25, 2018 22:23:06 GMT DaveEdge said:

How much is it going to set you back all in mate- Or is that rude to ask?

Ohh i don't mind. Just ask if you need any info, ive done a fair number now and could give you a run down of costs.

It will cost around £3500 once done, that includes the following roughly:

1. Cost of the car
2. Shipping
3. Agents fees
4. Import duty/tax
5. Transport costs to and from the docks
6. Mileage check
7. Extra shipping insurances
8. Conversion and MOT fees
9. Custom Agent
10. Registration and Tax

The actual car was 150,000yen which is around £975

[ianlea73]

Is pacific coast just the importer or did they source the car?
I've been looking on trade car view.

[axeboy]

They are the Agent, once you pay a deposit you can bid on the auctions. They translate any sheets for you etc.

[DaveEdge]

Jan 26, 2018 17:42:31 GMT axeboy said:

Jan 25, 2018 22:23:06 GMT DaveEdge said:

How much is it going to set you back all in mate- Or is that rude to ask?

Ohh i don't mind. Just ask if you need any info, ive done a fair number now and could give you a run down of costs.

It will cost around £3500 once done, that includes the following roughly:

1. Cost of the car
2. Shipping
3. Agents fees
4. Import duty/tax
5. Transport costs to and from the docks
6. Mileage check
7. Extra shipping insurances
8. Conversion and MOT fees
9. Custom Agent
10. Registration and Tax

The actual car was 150,000yen which is around £975

Thanks for the info mate.

That's not too bad at all is it, you're basically on the road for that price, I thought it would have been another 1k on top tbh especially with using an agent. I've been thinking of doing it for a long while now because of difficulty sourcing/pricing over here.

Will definitely be looking at bringing one over at some point this year so would be great to ask a few questions, will join up with Pacific coast too.

Cheers

[axeboy]

Some cars go for super cheap, others less so. It doesn't always follow what you would think of course, just being a different market. Some good deals to be had but most of the "known" and desirable cars are just as expensive or more so than here.

If you do some digging, look for rarer models, maybe accept auto instead of manual, you can get a good deal. You would end up finding certain models with great spec and engine that few people looked for, and of course, that keeps prices down.

[axeboy]

To give some examples, cars I was bidding on or looking for are below. Some more expensive than others but average price overall would be around £4500 or so.

Nissan Fuga 350GT - Basically Infiniti, looks good, over 300hp
Toyota Caldina GT4 - Good looking estate, good engine, but only a 4 speed auto
Toyota Blade Master - a 3.5v6 Auris, this was my first choice as my daily driver till I bought another car
Toyota Vanguard v6 - A LWB Rav4 with the 280hp 3.5v6
Mitsubish Airtrek Turbo R - These are quite cheap in Japan
Nissan X Trail GT - A Japan only model with the 280hp SR20VET
Aristo Vertex V300 - Bit older than I wanted but great engine
Toyota Mark 2 Blit IR-V - A rare estate version of the Mark 2 with the 1JZ-GTE Turbo
Altezza RS200 - Super cheap in Japan
Lupo GTI - As above, quite cheap for lowish miles
Honda Torneo Euro R - a 220hp Accord Type R, kinda
Toyota CROWN V8 - Old model CROWN from the late 80's with a 4.0 v8
Daihatsu Storia/Boon x4 - Storia too rare, the Boon expensive, but under a ton and 133hp and 4x4
Nissan Sunny Truck - Really really want one, but most have corrosion now, one day
Bluebird SSS SR20DET - Only seen one, bid on it, but it went for more, never seen on before, SR20DET and 4x4
Chaser or Mark 2 Tourer V/IR-V - Autos are cheap, 1jZ-GTE turbo again
NISSAN LAUREL CLUB S TURBO TYPE X - Similar to the above, RB25DET and 280hp
Subaru Legacy Turbo - All go cheap unless its a rare manual special, great value. Even the Blitzen's don't go for much
CROWN Athlete V Wagon - The one I ended up with


Sorry for the dump but it gives and idea of whats available. I have more lists, slowly working my way through the "wants".

[DaveEdge]

Looks like we have the same kind of tastes in cars and I too don't mind Japanese auto's either, they make great daily's.

I'm into rare/left field JDM cars, don't get me wrong I obviously like R32's, Supra's etc but we know what kind of money they fetch now, I've owned 2 JZS161s (vertex editions), mk1 legacy , Altezza and Caldina from the above.

I was looking for an XTrail GT before I got my MK1 Pajero but couldn't find one for sale over here, that was after looking on and off for 3 months, I'VE also considered an Airtek in the past but again on the rare occasion they do come up I'm never looking to buy.

Never heard of a Boon before though mate.

I've been considering either a RVR hyper sports gear (the mk1 with evo type bumpers) or a RAV4 with a de-tuned beams engine- both are pretty hard to find over here but seem to be reasonably cheap over there, I just assumed I'd get killed with fees and middle men but it definitely looks viable.

Thanks for the info mate.

[axeboy]

Yeah, you don't see the RVR mk1 much now, i did see some at auction and Mitsubishi's don't sell for a whole lot in Japan, certainly the non-Evo's anyway.

I never knew about the Rav4 beams, new one to me but looks good. I also looked for a Nissan Avenir GT4, never knew about those till recently. Auto only but 4x4 SR20DET.

The Boon x4 was the successor to the Storia x4. 940cc engine with 133hp and 4x4, but similar to the Storia it has great tuning capability, its on the list, some day:

[axeboy]

Short update.

The speedo converter arrived in prep for the CROWNs arrival in a month or two. Ordered as usual from www.svaspeedos.co.uk/

The car has arrived at the Agents yard, its looking so good! Ive had 100 photos and maybe 30mins of video sent to me. Once the walkaround comes on to YouTube ill post a link.

Condition looks good. The burn and tear are tiny and were my biggest concern, so that's great. It seems in really nice overall condition. It has electric back seats!

Anyways, a few pics:

[axeboy]

Some interior pics:

[axeboy]

And some engine/other pics.

Looking good underneath

[brachunky]

That looks very clean and in great condition! What would be the long term plans for it or would you just use it as is for a daily?

[SamR380]

Thanks for sharing all this info, its really helpful to anyone who has daydreamed about importing.

Looks like you've got a great car too, unbelievable how clean it is underneath!

[axeboy]

No worries, I'll go over the full process as usual, its good fun.

No real plans, its not the daily, Ive ended up ordering a Seat Leon Cupra Estate as my daily, this will just be some fun. I really want to keep it looking as is, but the power will rise depending on what my good friends at SVS can do with it

[DaveEdge]

Jan 30, 2018 12:56:25 GMT axeboy said:

Yeah, you don't see the RVR mk1 much now, i did see some at auction and Mitsubishi's don't sell for a whole lot in Japan, certainly the non-Evo's anyway.

I never knew about the Rav4 beams, new one to me but looks good. I also looked for a Nissan Avenir GT4, never knew about those till recently. Auto only but 4x4 SR20DET.

The Boon x4 was the successor to the Storia x4. 940cc engine with 133hp and 4x4, but similar to the Storia it has great tuning capability, its on the list, some day:

Ah a Boon's a newer Storia x4, pretty sure you can get circa 200bhp out of those little engines, I'm actually considering a little turbo car now, I've got my Pajero for a daily so would be good to get something stupid to have a bit of fun in and then move on.

Really clean CROWN that mate, good find, a few tweaks here and there and you should have a really nice example.

[axeboy]

I was so close to buying one, maybe £2.5k in Japan but usual taxes and shipping bring it closer to £5k, so although interesting, a little expensive 😑

[b3nson]

Great car and very interesting thread, all those cars listed sound amazing! Will be spending alot of time looking into them now. Would love a more retro J daily to replace the Alfa I have at the moment.