Offroad-Express

i sold my 91 high roof lwb a couple of weeks ago for $5,500, same as i paid almost a year ago, it was in good condition and it sold really easily... well i have been avidly looking for another daily driver in good condition, swb though. the prices are silly anything up to 20k, granted you can buy a rusty gq which needs work for next to nothing 2-3k which is fine for our projects but i wanted something nice for trips out with a tidy interior and something i dont have to spend weekends working on all the time (HAVE ONE FOR THAT ALREADY)...i now have one but it was hard to find and there isnt much choice for 5-6k and i still couldnt find a manual.

it would seem they are not going to be a cheap offroad choice before long..

maybe its just me, anyone else found this?

obviously some people will be in the right place at the right time for a bargain but i am talking majority.

Muskie, Your right on the money! My old man sold his GQ LWB in 98 for 10g with 170ks,tidy,manual and was the same price he payed for it 2years earlier, now there still 10g! I was looking for A lwb manual one but they all seem to be 10-13g and I wasnt game to spend that much when I planned on Ute Chopping it. Ended up getting a tidy SWB off the side of the road and for reasonable $$$$$, although probably owes me 9-10g now.

Its because the import regulations have changed, such that diesel vehicles need to be year 2000 or 2002 (can't remember which) or later to import. Petrol vehicle imports have changed also, but they're a different year of manufacture. This happened about 18 months ago.

The exception is for vehicles that are 15yrs or older, so we should start getting the early to mid 90's GQ's again soon.

GQTROL wrote:The exception is for vehicles that are 15yrs or older, so we should start getting the early to mid 90's GQ's again soon.

That seems a bit counterintuitive, so its ok to import really old vehicles but not old vehicles?

Vehicle prices firmed up with the introduction of emission regulations in Jan 2008. With less vehicles coming onto the market second hand, but still a strong demand to buy from a reduced supply, the price increases.

All vehicles now have to meet Euro 4 emission standards and most vehicles built prior to 2003-2003 don't meet these standards.
Its all based on the actual specs provided by the original vehicle manufacturer and not actual emission testing so you can't just 'tune' a vehicle to pass.

Older vehicles (and I thought it was pre 1989) can apply for exemption based on certain criteria. Check out the LTSA website on importation but allow plenty of time to digest.

Think its 20yrs old, can be classed as 'Classic'. Thats why you start seeing R32 GTRs being imported and complied again now. Theres farkal good old trucks left in Japan now worth Importing anyway.Usually rust heaps and there rego over there gets more expensive as the car ages so old vehicles cost heaps to own.

Just found out where all the LWB Patrols and Safaris are!!!!!!!! Towing F***ing horse floats!, past 7 on the way home from work and atleast the same amount of 80series Cruisers...

oh yes or used as lawn mowers tow wagons plumbers trucks sparkie trucks, painters cart horses, family people movers ie church , but not as a 4wd

juz wrote:Think its 20yrs old, can be classed as 'Classic'. Thats why you start seeing R32 GTRs being imported and complied again now. Theres farkal good old trucks left in Japan now worth Importing anyway.Usually rust heaps and there rego over there gets more expensive as the car ages so old vehicles cost heaps to own.

Aye, Can a R32 gtr be complied now.??

There are a few R32's starting to get complied now, but there is talk of a law change soon to prevent this

Safari's are getting hard to find in good condition at a reasonable price, which is why I got the 80 series

and the prices for second hand spares at wreckers are goign up as well.
AL

thats the one thing that gets me people pulling down repairable gq's for parts

yeah i have been on the hunt for another swb safari for my old man. doesnt really mind about other details but wants a swb, manual, modded or not getting hard to find for what i bought mine at even 2 and a half years ago.