Speedometer swaps...

[NSXGB]

Hi gents, great site you have here, I've picked up loads of very useful/interesting info so far, long may it continue....

I'm on the look out for an NSX here in the UK & I have a question:
I have found one for sale which happens to be a Jap import, not a major problem to me but if I buy it I would like to change the Kph speedometer for a Mph one.
Therefore, can anyone tell me if I have to buy a set of new clocks, or, can I for instance buy a white dial kit & recalibrate the speedo as detailed in the FAQ section?

Thanks in advance...

 

[CRX B16B VTEC]

Any import dealers can change the speedo for you.
There are 3 methods.

Change just the face. About 10-20 Pounds in parts.

Attach an electronic unit to change the speedo pulse (if the speedo is elec one) About 120 pounds in parts.

Attach a gear converter to change the speedo calibration.

You should be able to buy any of the above.

Personally I wouldn't go for Japanese import NSXs. (Other cars are OK, I am an import trader myself). The reason being NSXs are more expensive in Japan, so if you found one cheaper than UK models, it is highly suspicious.

I have been involved in helping stolen Japanese cars from Japan returned to owners. And NSX is one of the cars that are popular in stolen lists.

In Japan, cheapest NSX you could buy is probably automatic model 1990-1992. Goes for around 2500000 Yen. (even trade)

5 speed models always fetch 3500000 Yen atleast. 3000000 Yen examples are very poor.

Shipping is around 500 pounds. And Duty + VAT is (10% + 17.5%) which is chargeable on price of the car AND on the shipping cost.
So, quick calculation for auto model, is atleast 18000 Pounds. On top of this dealers will charge transport fee etc.

If you really want one from Japan (the Japan only models like Type R) then I could help you get one. (Only if you collect from the ports)

 

[NSXGB]

Thanks for your reply.

I have found a Black/ivory, manual, r/h/d, 65k miles on sale from a dealer for £19995. From the comprehensive photo's that he sent me, it looks in excellent order. There is a point for slight concern however, which after what you have said has aroused concern in that it's a '91 motor on a '94 GB plate. The story behind it according to the dealer is:

The vehicle is actually registered as a 1994 L registration, as it was firstly owned by Honda in Japan and spent four years as a show car at the Suzuka Grand Prix circuit, without being road registered. Honda then sold the vehicle to a Japanese lady who brought the car with her when she emigrated to England in 1998.


Would you trust that? I'm suspecting a keen price because of this, but if it was underhand, why would the dealer highlight the fact, especially if he would be responsible for any comebacks?

Are there any other reasons that you would not recommend a Jap import?

 

[CRX B16B VTEC]

That sounds like a story just made up.

If it is a show car / marshall car for racing, I don't think it will be sold on to someone. And chances of that person bringing it over here is slim isn't it?

I actually help Japanese people who come here to work import cars. Stuff like Prelude, Impreza, Altezza are popular.

Get the Vin number off the guy, and get a copy of Japanese document. (De-registration form, or MOT equivalent) I could probably trace the history. You can actually ask Honda to do this too. Check the car too, is the Vin number all in the right places?

Actually, reading your post again, it is unlikely it could be exported without first being on the road in Japan. Nor is it possible to import a car into the UK properly without proper paper work.

Likely scenario is, it was obtained in Japan (stolen, or other reasons - I'll explain it in a sec) Smuggled in a container. Then either ringed (just chassis number attached from a UK car and same number plate as an existing car - so there could be another one in the UK) What is the number plate?

This year alone, I have been offered dodgy NSXs from various dealers in Japan. They varied in prices from 3000 Pounds to 6000 Pounds. All has problems. Not the car, the car is perfect, but there are few situations in Japan where cars could be dodgy. 2 of those cars have been black one. One of them had white leather.

* stolen : obviously

* finance prob : the money lender seized it

* most likely one is, the owner couldn't afford to pay for it anymore, and sold it, then have not returned the money to the lender. This still has finance outstanding, and is technically owned by the money lenders. But cos they can't find the car, they can't find it. But if they did, they will take it off you.

Where is it? I can come and tease them with you!

I am sure it is already done, but make sure the speedo limiter is removed. All Japanese cars are limited electronically to 112 mph.

Speedo should have been done though, in order to register a car that is less than 10 years old you must put it through SVA test. One of the test is speedo calibration. (in MPH)

 

[NSXGB]

I was in the process of getting the Vin No. as the car is for sale in Cheshire. It is: NA11000149 & reg no is: L7 NSX.

It was reg'd & used in Japan before it was imported - alledgedly.

The dealer has got all the Jap documentation to go with it as well.

....what do you think?

 

[NSXGB]

I was in the process of getting the Vin No. as the car is for sale in Cheshire. It is: NA11000149 & reg no is: L7 NSX.

It was reg'd & used in Japan before it was imported - alledgedly.

The dealer has got all the Jap documentation to go with it as well.

....what do you think?

 

[CRX B16B VTEC]

Get them to FAX you the Japanese document, and import docs.
I help you look through it.

The L7 NSX does exist, so may be it is alright, (need to make sure there are only 1 car with this plate)

If it has been in the country since 1998, it will have some results from HPI check, so do that.

Still, if the woman brought it over here, why didn't she take it back with her? If the dealer is selling for under 20K, she must have got something like 13 to 15k for the car. She could easily take the car back to Japan and sell for a lot more.