My future is looking BRIGHT again!

You know, you might find a Gen 1 for sale here in the US.

Do some searches, internet wise, look up some dealers, and if you find one, you would spend much, much less in flying to where the car is, and driving it home.

 

To ship a non-US model is very involved and expensive. You'll have the car costs, shipping costs plus total modification costs to bring it up to specs. plus you have to put a bond (1-2K $) to ensure that the work is done. Then you MAY have to return to port to verify the work is done. A huge package can be obtained from the DOT detailing all the ramifications. After all this there may still be issues with the State DMV!

 

My suggestion would to put things on hold so you can cool your jets! In another thread, you titled it "Why is my luck so bad?"...well, to be blunt, it seems like you're creating a lot of it. I assume the wrecked G1 prius was your first car....from what I've gleened, your dad then got you a GenII prius, then two GenIIIs, and then continued to wreck his credit by trading a new GenIII for a used GenII for you. You say he won't let you keep this car, so I'm assuming you've moved out of his house.

Your dad meant well, but I wouldn't lead by his example. Don't be impulsive and continue to say "Oh, what's $1,000 here or there...I need such and such a car". If you have a $3000 budget, then there's nothing wrong in getting a used ICE. It looks like you're not factoring enough of a budget for a used Japanese import, though. When I look at the links you sent, the prius that's a lower mileage is $2000. Estimated shipping to a California port is $1800. Then there's the registration fees and taxes....then whatever adjustment costs for passing inspections. The least you're going to spend is $5000. So if you have that to spend, why aren't you comparing them to used US priuses for $5-6000? They're the ones that are comparitive to what you're looking at, plus you don't go through the aggrevations of figuring out how to pass US inspections, then trying to get used to a right sided car.

 

go for it man! when i was your age, the rumor was, you could fly to germany, buy a benz, ship it home and the money you save would pay for your trip. that was my dream for a long time. and while i did go backpacking in europe for the summer, i never looked into the benz, didn't have the bucks. i hope you can make it work, sounds like a great project and a lot to be learned about life!:rockon:

 

Maybe, but luggage restrictions are much tighter than they used to be.

 

except on southwest! (not sure they go to germany, germany, arizona maybe.)

 

OK, cool off and try to take it from our perspective You've been on every forum here saying look at my Gen1 prius, then gen2 prius, then gen3 prius, then a "don't hate me" thread in which you said you traded the gen3 prius for a gen2 (because YOU prefered the gen2). On that thread, you said that your dad had the loans on these cars and that Brad cosigned. Then I see these threads about a crashed gen1...how are we supposed to know and give informed advise

I don't know you, your dad, or Brad. I just have to infer from what's given. Sounds like both your dad and Brad have been risking their financial credit for all these cars.

Yes, Brad is taking a legal burden from your dad...who is still responsible for your previous cars. Whatever happened for you to move away is your own business....but as someone who does have good credit and likes to give financial advice, I felt obligated to make sure you don't get in the same trap if you're now starting off with YOUR own car history.

Sorry if I sound like a buzzkill....but I am sincerly trying to give sound financial advice. If you are going to consider comparing gen1 priuses, do it in a fair manner. The Japanese imports may only appear to cost $2000....but when you add import/inspection charges, that then goes up to at least $5000. By that point, you may find a sound used US prius for that. If you have a tighter budget, then don't discount a used ICE...since servicing for an old hybrid is still uncertain (not much history and not as many salvage parts).

OK, I'm done with my spiel...sorry if it sounds like I've been on a soapbox, but I'm trying to be helpful

 

I used to import cars individually. The amount of hassle you must go through with the DOT and EPA compliance requirements and the paperwork and followups and inspections, not to mention the costs involved are just not worth your time. This is before your state DMV inspection. Plus, finding the right shop that can do the job correctly and safely is another story. Why make your life more complicated? It also takes a long time as you are not in control and is at the assigned inspector's personal schedule. It took me 8 months to get a car to comply and the cost far exceeded the value of the same US version car sold here.

 

Try convincing the inspector and customs of that.

How do you know? Is it because you read it on the internet? Did you take measurements? Compare part numbers? I think you're assuming that this is much much more simple than it actually is.

 

I think the best advice I can give you is to go for it. This should be a great learning experience. One caution: Use your own money, not somebody elses. When somebody else pays your bills, it is not satisfying, nor is it a real learning experience. FINI.

 

And I'm sorry if it felt like I was grilling you:tea:

Well the bright side is that you have been in every generation prius, and you don't have any financial burden from the previous cars. BTW, in another thread, I noticed you posted a vid of a GenIII being raced in WV. Were you borrowing another relative's car? Maybe you can still borrow it for any meetups. Even if you weren't to show up in a prius, one thing I'm noticing about this group is that they're still willing to talk to people who are considering a prius for their future Plus you have a lot to input since you have been in every generation prius.

So for now you can focus on getting your first, very own, car! Looks like you're willing to go up on your budget if you're considering importing a Gen2 prius. Instead of guessing what might be the best deal, I'd first make sure what your biggest budget might be. Perhaps you're willing to see if you want to start a credit history now....a car loan for a used car is a lot less risky then getting your first house, etc. Maybe you have a current relative or friend to cosign for you to get a loan to get a used prius (and you can meet the payments with a temporary job or anything).

Just promise us that once you do wind up with YOUR own car, keep it until it really dies...keep whatever car you have until it's fully paid off and you can afford the next great car. That's the best financial advice! :thumb: