any experience importing with Samurai Garage?

[SnowSlide]

hello! (hello... hello... hello... that's the echo in this fledgling forum...)

I'm close to purchasing my first L300, and I've been pursuing two channels: one, a local importer that a friend referred me to, and the other is Samurai Garage. The local importer seems trustworthy, but I think I can save money by arranging the import myself.

I saw on one of the other Delica forums that someone mentioned they had gone through Samurai Garage- does anyone else in Canada have experience with this company? Or any others worth mentioning? Or direct auction experience?

I'd like to avoid paying a local importer an extra couple grand if I can, so I'm hoping for some Canadian advice here...

thanks!
Chris in Vancouver

[fj45jeff]

do they have a website?

[BCDelica]

http://www.globalcar.com/showroom/gordonlee/gallery.htm

My new one is the 4th over, upper row.

Hidehiko of Samurai Garage came well recommended. Breadman (we need to get him to cross over to this forum, Eh) bought a Delica or two, friends on the Island bought a HiAce. My second Delica has just landed in Vancouver awaiting my pickup, Hidehiko was very helpful and prompt with his replies to my emails. I am considering putting a deposit for a diesel jeep soon, I have compared shipping prices from other importers and Hidehiko is on par.

Nothing wrong with whom I bought my wife's Delica from. :D Glad to see you setup this forum Mark. Kudos'. Is another LHD vehicle in your future Mark?

Best Regards,
Kevin

[mark]

Great to have you in the forum, Kevin! I figured that a Canadian forum was well overdue. And yes, I aspire to hopefully own another Delica in the near future (I'm having difficulty converting back to driving on the left hand side!)

Your new van looks really cool -- is that ladder stock, or is it an aftermarket modification? What is the "Onboard Computer" all about?

Do you still have Delica #1? Any success with the biodiesel conversion? If so, I'd love to see some photos...

Cheers!
-Mark

:D

[BCDelica]

Hi Mark,

I hope your family's doing great. :D

Yes we still have ours, we just needed his and hers Delica's. Honestly my Delica is to be my new work van, the ladder is stock and I will be adding three more on the roof. Coolest work van ever 8) .... The onboard computer I'm not to sure about, if it's a 1991 computer I don't think I'll want it.

The van has been running superbly on 100% waste veggie oil from shortly after the purchase. I will get some pictures soon, I lost my WVO install pictures in a PC format before the new year. I had sent them out several times; either I get some copies emailed back or take a new ones. I have all the WVO converter gear waiting to install on my new van, I'll try to remember to take some pictures of that.

Cheers,

Kevin

[lost1]

I bought mine in October last year from Samurai garage. Hidehiko is a very honorable man. I am very happy with my Delica and I would recommend him.

[SnowSlide]

I guess I can now answer my own question, and my experience thus far has been fantastic.

:D

[jaime]

Does anyone know how much shipping should cost per van. I am looking at bringing in two for my family. One camper and one High roof and want to get an idea of cost before I send my deposit. The person I have been talking to at Japanese auto direct quoted me 1500-1800 for mixed container. Is that reasonable?
Thanks
Jaime

[tomanique]

That sounds about right. westcoastnewbie's site ( http://www.enviroimports.com/ ) advertises this service for $1500USD.

[MardyDelica]

You guys have to check the cost when it arrives here, if you still have to pay anything here or its included, the people who do de-stupping your car, terminal fee before you do it. try to contact first the contact person here, dont be surprise if they charge you another extra 450-600 for there work here in vancouver. Jad wont pay your charges here. so try to ask the contact company here you will be dealing & ask them first. they dont care about this over there cause they are in japan. but when they ship it its your own responsibility. you will be the one who pay it all. so just try to make sure ask the contact here. i know for sure there is a hidden charges here, they wont tell you. its not easy to do this thing as i am also a importer, its a big risk to take if you dont know this. its your money not theres :
Cheers :

[robinimpey]

I see this is an older thread and was wondering if opinions are still the same about Samurai Garage? I too am looking at importing a van myself.

Cheers!

[jaime]

I tried to import with SG but they never got back to me with any vans. I am currently in the process of bidding on vans with Japan auto direct and I will let you know how it goes. Unfortunately all the demand from Canada is driving the price of these vans through the roof and the idea of getting a mint, low kilo, van for a good price is becoming harder and harder. More demand = higher price. You might be getter off to buy from someone who has already brought one here. It sounds like Mardy has connections and insight.
I will let you know how my auction attempts go.
Good luck
Jaime

[BCDelica]

Hidehiko has been on a extended vacation and will be back this month. I don't know if he will be back to business as usual right away when he's back though.

[Ronny]

I tried Samurai as well back in April of this year and was led to believe for a couple months that he was looking for my Van only to contact follow up by phone and had him hang up on me!

I was furious as I put my trust in him only to find out I wasted all that time. Unless you know him or have done past business. Skip Samurai and spare the grief!

[BCDelica]

Funny, last year and the year before heard nothing but good reports of dealings with Hidehiko. From many different and completely on related individuals to boot. He even called my cell to tell me they had sold the Toyota motorhome, on his website, when I was just about to pay for it at the bank.

Now this year the reports are quite different, would led one to assume that he is not as interested in Canadian exports now.

Anybody have a successful dealing with him this year?

Kev