Stu92 Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 I've found a GTi that i'm going to see on Thursday, I've not seen the car yet since its at another branch of the dealer (not VW). The car is of high spec all standard VW stuff and the price seems to be a bit of a steal. So I have a niggling thought that the car might be an import. So i want to know:Is there an easy way (document etc.) of spotting an import?Is there any disadvantage of having an import? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyW Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 What makes you think its an import? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu92 Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 What makes you think its an import?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Its just every other car of the same year and spec if about £2k - £2.5k more. And just wanted some info on imports up my sleeve before I go and see it. If it is, I might use it for ammo to reduce the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyW Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Don't forget that GTi prices have never been particularly constant, or predictable, and while the amount you said seems a big difference, I'd not be concerned too much.I forget how you can tell an import, someone else will know. There are currently two GTi owners on this forum with cars that are technically 'imports' as in they are not UK spec cars, but as these cars were registered in the UK, they are UK cars, and won't affect they're values one bit. Infact, due to the fitment of climate control in these examples, I'd argue they are more desirable due to being so rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one litre wonder ;) Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 non-uk loops had a glove box , somebody else said that the alloys are different but i cant remember what else was different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramirez Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 The big giveaway is the stearing wheel being on the "wrong side" lolSeriously, if its an import it will almost certainly be from ireland so no issues, on resale. Also look in the log book and it will say where it came from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigz™ Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 if your worried about the price, I would be looking to see how straight it is before you start checking the log book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stig247 Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 HPI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoil Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Ur usually ok with most cars from within the EU now, as most manufacturers are starting to release as eu spec rather than uk spec!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 my car started its life in Ireland, Ive never considered it as an import though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise man Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 my car started its life in Ireland, Ive never considered it as an import though<{POST_SNAPBACK}>mine is an import...imported from spain 3 yrs ago brand new... good spec..sunroof, aircon, side airbags etc.Saved 3k on new uk price...now done 60k with absolutely no probs...love it to bits, would never sell......anyway,suppose car would be worth 3k under book for uk car 2nd hand so not worth a carrot now, but i dont really mind.has to be one of the most underrated cars on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdwindustries Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 what is it elise man? a GTI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu92 Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Ok so there is no down sounds to owning an import, but how do i spot one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdwindustries Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Well obvious things are climate control ISO air con and also the V5 will mention it as imported maybe.... ask?But as Andi (tigz) said, you should check it very carefully for accident damage and FSH etc. Lift up the boot carpet and check the panels all match in the same silver etc... its cheap for a reason! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoil Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 If they don't know or you can't tell get the chassis number and phone up VW uk, they should be able to tell you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu92 Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Cheers for all the info, seeing it tomorrow. And hopefully will be able to spot anything iffy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 There are currently two GTi owners on this forum with cars that are technically 'imports'<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Every VW is 'technically' an import, as they don't have a factory in the UK style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />If it's an EU import, I wouldn't worry. If it's a Jap import, I'd be much more wary... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdubgti Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 The big giveaway is the stearing wheel being on the "wrong side" lolSeriously, if its an import it will almost certainly be from ireland so no issues, on resale. Also look in the log book and it will say where it came from.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>thats funny, i thought the lupo gti imports were right hand drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 (edited) Mine has climate I have checked the V5 and cant seem to find anything about it being an import I would say the bloke before me must of had it put in but there isnt a bloke before me because it was brand new lol!! so how mine ended up with it is still a mystery style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" /> !! Edited June 29, 2005 by Ty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyW Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Mine has climate I have checked the V5 and cant seem to find anything about it being an import I would say the bloke before me must of had it put in but there isnt a bloke before me because it was brand new lol!! so how mine ended up with it is still a mystery style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" /> !!<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'm still pretty convince your car is technically an import. It more than likely was sourced from VW in a RHD european country by a car importer like micronet, then brought factory fresh to the UK, registered and plonked on the road. Its a uk registered new car, and so not an import in name. Instead of saying import (which has negative meaning to many), we'll start calling you and Rob's cars "Euro spec". style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise man Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 what is it elise man? a GTI?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yep a luverly silver GTI.Only mods are 16" OZ Hydra alloys and a scorpion oval back box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu92 Posted June 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 The HPI said its not an import, but the bodywork had a few white scatches that weren't deep. And should come out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdwindustries Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Hmmm seats might just mean its been retrimmed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 I'm still pretty convince your car is technically an import. It more than likely was sourced from VW in a RHD european country by a car importer like micronet, then brought factory fresh to the UK, registered and plonked on the road. Its a uk registered new car, and so not an import in name. Instead of saying import (which has negative meaning to many), we'll start calling you and Rob's cars "Euro spec". style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /><{POST_SNAPBACK}>I like the sound of 'Euro Spec' good choice lol style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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