Jap Import with a Difference.

[timmy]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-500-SL-LEFT-HAND-DRIVE-CABRIO-WITH-HARD-TOP_W0QQitemZ120018653681QQihZ002QQcategoryZ9855QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have had a couple of Jap Imports, and the cars are simply nuts, but this one looks the business. Just hope some mad Japanese car freak has not messed with it too much. Will probably have neon lights somewhere and a stupid stereo system filling half the boot.

 

[stats007]

Well a stupid exhaust, bodykit & 120k miles is bad enough!

 

[GazCaff]

120,000km that is (unless the car can do 250mph)

 

[imadoofus]

Why would a customer in Japan buy a new car from California?

What the heck is all that gubbins bolted to the top of the dash?

PJ

 

[mercs600]

Looks like the trackings out - judging by the wear on the inside of both front wheels!

 

[wallingd]

That's one HELL of a Corolla estate !

 

[big x]

 

[Doodle]

Why would a customer in Japan buy a new car from California?

What the heck is all that gubbins bolted to the top of the dash?

PJ

Back in 1991, a black Mercedes was de rigeur for your average high-ranking Yakuza. European cars were, and to a certain extent still are, a prized status symbol. If it was LHD, that made it more foreign, and more exotic.

Most of the time it would be an S-class for the company car, giving plenty of room to carry your associates, but for your own personal car, the SL was king. You've got more than enough money, so you select the ultimate.

The pod on the dash appears to be an early in car DVD/TV unit.

 

[imadoofus]

Back in 1991, a black Mercedes was de rigeur for your average high-ranking Yakuza. European cars were, and to a certain extent still are, a prized status symbol. If it was LHD, that made it more foreign, and more exotic.

Yes, but why not buy one in Japan? Just because of the LHD?

PJ

 

[Doodle]

Yes, but why not buy one in Japan? Just because of the LHD?

PJ

You got it in one...they bought LHD because they wanted to stand out even more, even though they could easily buy one from just down the road. Purely about projected image.

 

[imadoofus]

 

[Howard]

You've got more than enough money, so you select the ultimate.

Why not go for the V12 then ?

 

[stats007]

Because it's like having a very fat man sitting on the bonnet when going around corners!

 

[Howard]

Ah , but the ultimate was the 6 litre , not the 5 wasn't it ?

Pah ...... a piddley 5 litres .....

 

[stats007]

The ultimate was 7.3l - probably the only reason to buy a V12 AMG chose the V8 for the SL60 because it was that much lighter.

 

[Doodle]

Why not go for the V12 then ?

'cos in 1991, you couldn't get the V12. That didn't turn up until late 1992.

 

[Shude]

The ultimate was 7.3l - probably the only reason to buy a V12 AMG chose the V8 for the SL60 because it was that much lighter.

The later V8 weighs less than the I6 too

 

[janner]

This car doesn't make a lot of sense. It's not cheap enough given that it's LHD and you can't check the history. Has it been damaged? Is that why all the tyres are badly worn on the insides? You'll never know.
A good early UK car can be bought for around £6000 these days.
Also the whole 'pay me when the car is in Southampton, trust me I'll pay the VAT etc' sounds a bit iffy.

I'd also worry about finding small pieces of pinky finger under the seats.

 

[stats007]

I'm not sure you can get a 'good' R129 for £6k. I certainly wouldn't pay less than £10k for one.

 

[janner]

This one sold for less than £6000 a couple of weeks ago.
Early R129s are starting to look very cheap these days.