Toyota Sales Rep?

[nxski]

I was just on the phone with Open Road Scion. I was hoping to purchase a Scion IQ with a standard transmission, but they only have them with CVT in North America. I was told to contact a Toyota sales rep in Japan and have them ship one over to me. I'm guessing this would be the same procedure as importing a Delica!? I'm also guessing I wouldn't be able to finance the vehicle either!? Does anyone know how to get in contact with someone over there? Would this even make economic sense or would I be paying way more than it's worth? I might have to man up and buy myself an evo instead.

[robbieg]

15 year rule, man.

I guess it would be possible to to get a Toyota IQ from Japan provided it has CMVSS markings on it. But, I don't think a sales rep from a dealership would be able to get them on the car, especially if the car is RHD.

So, in 15 years (maybe 14 now) you could import it.

You could, however, import the transmission from Japan and install it yourself. Though, it seems like a shame to do that to a new car.

[nxski]

The salesperson at Scion said he had imported a few brand new ones from Japan for his own use. He said that it can be done because the exact same model is for sale in North America. Maybe he was referring to importing one that was created for a LHD market but made in Japan? I hate the CVT transmission so much, I may just do a transmission swap. The problem is that I can only find a conversion for the 1L, not the 1.3L.

[robbieg]

Crazy! I guess that'd be a custom ordered car from Japan.

Clearly that salesperson doesn't like to make money, because if I was that salesperson I'd middle-man that for you and make a tidy profit. Doesn't he sell cars for a living? :P

Wikipedia says they're all manufactured in Japan, so I can't imagine the cost being that much higher than the usual cost.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_iQ - Assembly : Takaoka, Japan.

Do it and keep us informed! I love these little things, and would maybe consider doing the same!

[nxski]

I'll see what information I can dig up. I know when my parents bought a Mazda 3 they just specified that they wanted a manual and it was shipped over from Japan. I can't see why they wouldn't do the same here.

[psilosin]

The iQ is a cool looking car but it seems weird to be thinking of doing a custom order install swap etc on a new ecconomy car and question the ecconomics of it...of course it makes no ecconomic sence. But really buying any new car makes zero ecconomic sence if the point is to save money.

If you want true ecconomy and cheap smiles buy a 89-93 Ford Festiva instead for $500. Swap in a B6T from a 323GT and upgrade to massive 13" rims for another $500 and you are both travelling at supersonic speeds and getting 50mpg. And those cars carry a magic amount of cargo. My bro-in-law used one for his electrician business, could fit all tools and supplies and even pack a little giant ladder inside. Pretty much the only car I still regret selling since it was cheap as a scooter to run and maintain.

[nxski]

I'm looking for a car that can take at least 4 people, is as small as possible (for parking), is relatively fuel efficient, is manual and is near new so it won't require many, if any, repairs, looks good (in my opinion), holds it's value well (Toyota's tend to), is reliable (also a Toyota trademark) and is well trimmed. The IQ fits the bill perfectly, but is auto. The other downside is that the spec I want is roughly $26,000 which is quite high for a vehicle that small!

[Rattlenbang]

Hard to save money buying a $26,000.00 car, regardless of the fuel mileage. You could have a different Delica for each weekday for that kind of money, and be the envy of, well, everyone.

[nxski]

Hard to save money buying a $26,000.00 car, regardless of the fuel mileage. You could have a different Delica for each weekday for that kind of money, and be the envy of, well, everyone.

I'm not overly concerned with money initially. To modify a vehicle to this spec would be pricey and you wouldn't have the warranty or the peace of mind. I drive a ton so fuel economy is a factor regardless of initial price as well as reliability because I can't afford to be without a vehicle for even a day. With low to no interest, it makes sense to take out a loan/finance as well.

[Rattlenbang]

I'm not overly concerned with money initially.

That's a nice place to be in. Congrats on that.

[nxski]

I'm not overly concerned with money initially.

That's a nice place to be in. Congrats on that.

haha, you wouldn't say that if you were in my position, the bank account is at $0 right now and I live off loans.

[BCDelica]

I'll see what information I can dig up. I know when my parents bought a Mazda 3 they just specified that they wanted a manual and it was shipped over from Japan. I can't see why they wouldn't do the same here.

Good memories. Flush with cash from 3 summers salmon fishing deck handing of the west coast of the Charlotte's bought a new 84 Toyota van. Year I graduated high school. Needed a camper and bike carrier for racing. Because I wanted a fully windowed cargo van with a 5 speed, and proper interior paneling, one was imported from Japan for a 250/275 extra charge. Just under two months delivery and no registration problems than. The van was still much cheaper than the passengers versions and covered 380,000 km's trouble free. And all with the folding bench, and hatch, from a Plymouth Valiant put in the back, and lots of little mods over the next decade.



Google the IQ, man the copper colored one is a damn hot hot hatch (You don't see cars like that up north for some reason )