I'll lift this off of Supraforums where I initially put up the post...
Basically I've wanted a Supra since I was 11/12. It is and probably always will be my dream car. I don't find a wanting for a Lamborghini or Ferrari or anything, this vehicle will always take pride of place in my garage and the only additions will be a Porsche later on. ;)
One of my best mates imports cars from Japan constantly and through him this has finally been achievable. Over the last year I have set a strict set of requirements of what my next car is to be, and only once all the criteria is met would I consider it. At times I have called the search off, and back on, and I told myself that before I go to my second semester at Uni, I want to be driving or at least, owning another MkIV, the exact car I want too. I have lost count of the amount of cars I have looked at to get to this stage. Hundreds. Absolute hundreds. I recently came across a 2002 RZ, in White. With 10,000kms (GENUINE!) for sale. Grade 4A, and Dan (one of my best mates as mentioned above, known as importR) offered it to me. It wasn't the right colour, but the rest of the boxes were ticked. Only thing that wasn't, was the cash for it. Was way above my budget. I had to say no and I felt like an absolute goober for it. To come across a car like that was amazing, but that is the type of cars Dan finds, the best possible.
Not long after that...
2000/04
RZ RSP 43,806kms Grade 4B. Best bit, stock as it can be. Exactly what I wanted. A perfect car that can be considered a collectible, in my opinion anyway. Due to Dan's business setup, the car was thoroughly checked over in the owner's presence before it even made it's way to me for consideration. It's ticked all the boxes I had set for criteria. I didn't have much time to decide though. Car was in Nagoya awaiting shipping to Tokyo the following day for Auction the day after. I had to decide within the day otherwise costs would increase and I would risk not getting the car. Needless to say, I made some phone calls and contacted some people and organised what I needed to make it all happen. The deal was struck, owner's hands in Japan were shaken and the car was mine. It stayed in Nagoya and didn't make Auction. Papers were in process for my ownership.
Timeline:
Dates are in 2011...
April 12th - car inspected in person, started, thorough inspection made of mechanical components, history checked over, information sent through to me and then... deal made
April 13th - deposit sent, beginning of deregistration process in Japan April 19th - all funds sent and processed April 29th - deregistration process complete, vehicle moved to secure storage awaiting transport confirmation and shipping date May 26th - shipping date from Nagoya to Brisbane confirmed June 2nd - signed form stating I give permission for contractors over in Brisbane to take the car off of the container and put in quarantine June 9th - exportation paperwork from Japan has arrived (all in Japanese) to my door step June 12th - planned arrival date of the vehicle at Brisbane June 13th - arrival confirmed, car is sitting at Brisbane docks with customs awaiting quarantine and clearance June 17th - on the way to compliance June 20th - compliance process started June 28th - compliance completed July 22nd - custom plates ordered July 29th - custom plates rejected July 29th - custom plates re-ordered July 29th - car has been picked up by a private contractor and is officially on its way home! September 7th - finally picked the car up and in our possession
Pictures:
Auction Photos: Photos of the car: Photos from compliance: Photos before pickup in Brisbane: Photos during pickup in Brisbane: Photos once in our ownership! Auction Sheet: Import/Export Papers:
Parts fitted: CF Dash Conversion (80% fitted, need a replacement shifter panel due to mis-alignment...) TRD Strut Brace CF Bonnet Struts HKS SuperDragger Exhaust Weathershields (New!!) Three Lad's Performance CF License Plate Garnishes & Backing Plate Cusco Zero 2e Coilovers - 18/11 loading
CF Exhaust Shroud ARC Super Induction Box
TRD Speedo, Tacho and Temp/Boost Gauge
To be fitted:
18" Tanabe SSR SP-1s (in Gold) - won't clear the larger Supra 4 piston front calipers, so these are for sale!
Spinto CF Headlight Inserts Spinto Glass Lenses
Replica TRD Wing with CF Centreblade
Shine Auto Rear Diffuser in Carbon Fibre Set of RAYS lock nuts in Gunmetal Near future part plans: Titan Sway Bars
TRD Thermostat, Radiator and Oil Caps, and Valve Stem Caps. GPS Tracking, Sat Nav & Motion Sensors Later on down the track: FMIC and all the works - plan is to learn the car first and enjoy it
Cheers for reading the essay...
Paul