Someone on the MX5OC imported an ultra rare white R-Limited from them (100 made) that had had some daage at sme point, and someone had fitted custom frp wings to. Graham Berry were very up front about assessing the repairs, taking photos etc. Then they fitted a good set of new tyres FOC. The car cost about £2500 landed, including a hardtop. Bargain.
The Japanese don't really take care of their interiors; lost count of the number of Roadsters I've seen with fag burns all over the interior, lus leather interiors get down graded o auction grading (though Grahm Berry doesn't really use the auction grading system).
An importer tells me he prefers Grade 3-3.5 cars; usually means the paintwork has been sorted in Japan, and if the car has been in a serious shunt, will come with a repair report, which he can use to see if the car has been well repaired. Grade 4-4.5s can be iffy; auction houses are starting to try it on, and are advertising cars that really need a respray at these grades.
carsensor.net is a good way to assess the state of the Japanese domestic maret (be aware though, only dealers can sell used cars there). Plenty of As for 200000-400000 JPY.
A selection of interesting finds on Carsensor:
Nice showroom!
And this is what your 180,000 yen Roadster looks like; not too bad:
And some NC/NBs:
NB Mazdaspeed:
And a Monocraft Coupe, your for 3 million yen:
http://www.carsensor.net/CSphoto/bn/W/060511/37/H002897370101010101B0001005L.JPG
http://www.carsensor.net/CSphoto/multi/W/058/W00675805827_3.jpg
http://www.carsensor.net/CSphoto/multi/W/058/W00675805827_5.jpg
When you get past the front, you realise this is a pretty boring conversion; stock tiny wheels, stock interior and rear end.
Grab these images while you can' they're likely to disappear soon.
