Monthly Archives: May 2016

Interior

Shoes strictly prohibited.

Leave a comment

I love looking through a Japanese import to see what the previous owner(s) left behind when they moved it on.

Both Skylines had a couple of things left behind: The (I presume anyway) first petrol receipt dated around the time of first registration in Japan, coins and a couple of Picachu type stickers.

The Elgrand has so far given up the following:

  • Japanese SatNav DVD (absolutely useless outside of Japan)
  • an unknown remote control, possibly for a TV or multimedia gadget installed somewhere in the bus. Again, next to useless over here
  • a small clear plastic case
  • a small red feather with a sticker on it
  • two pairs of white cotton gloves
  • a roll of white packing tape
  • several yellow stickers inside the doors and steps saying ‘Shoes strictly prohibited’

Shoes strictly prohibited SatNav DVD Plastic Case Remote Control Gloves & Tape

Edit to add that my Son found a Japanese MiniDisc in the head unit with some cool Japanese tunes on!

Loading

Interior

Now wash your hands.

2 Comments

I managed to get some time with the bus tonight, having a good poke around inside it to see if any pockets were hiding anything interesting. Nothing really, apart from a non standard remote control and a red feather. Oh and a couple of pairs of white cotton gloves and a roll of white packing tape (?).

After having a good look around, playing with the switches I don’t understand and then with the seat configurations I thought I’d have a look at the rear cabin filter to see if it had been changed recently. I’ve already bought a new on in case it needs changing.

At this point I’m struggling to find the best words to describe the ‘filter’ I pulled out. I say filter, but I doubt the A/C was pulling any air through it at all. It was absolutely fucking minging. Stiff as a board. I have no idea how long it’s been in the bus.

I took a couple of pictures of the front and back but then thought it might be good to show the contrast by cutting it in half so both sides are next to each other.

It’s obvious that the ‘white’ side (lol) is the inside, the brown side is the incoming air side.

Rear Filter

Smoke. Nasty cigarette smoke. I’m ordering a front filter now.

Loading

Buying

It’s here, and it’s mine! And I can sleep.

Leave a comment

It’s exhausting just thinking about the wait, from first seeing a few pictures of it on 18th February to it finally being delivered to my door tonight. All the time spent inspecting the pictures supplied by the garage in minute detail, the time spent tracking it on board the Mercury Ace as it made it’s way at 18 kts  from Japan to Southampton, then the final stretch when I knew it was in the country getting an MOT and it’s registration, it’s been knackering!

Not to mention the thoughts in my head about what condition it would actually be in causing me lost sleep. Would it be dented like a golf ball? Would the engine or gearbox be shagged? Is it rusty (like another one they had in stock)? These doubts were relentless as I tried to keep a brave face.

I now know what it looks like, what condition it’s in cosmetically, but mechanically? I have no idea until I drive it and have it checked over by someone more expert than me.

But it’s here now and I’m a lot more relaxed. I now know it’s been a (heavy) smokers car and wants a complete deep deodorising! I know it’s got 4 good quality Yokohama tyres with lots of tread, that it’s got nice 18″ wheels, and very importantly, the curtains work!

So, here it is sat on my drive at last. Cheers.

Arrived Arrived Arrived

Loading

Buying

Almost here!

Leave a comment

Today the garage contacted me to say that apart from the reg document not coming through from the DVLA yet the bus is ready for me. They also want me to have it as they need the space for more stock arriving this week. Hey, not really my problem but I’m happy to be getting it sooner than I thought, and delivered too (for the cost of the fuel, of course, which will save me the cost of a couple of train tickets and taxi fares).

The plan then is for them to drop it off at my house tomorrow evening. I’ll have a good look around it to make sure it’s as I was promised and pay the balance. Once I get the registration I can insure it and get plates made up and It’ll be on the road.

This is a very different way to buy a car from what I’m used to, and I’m not sure I want to do it like this again as right now I’m as apprehensive as I am excited. It’s been with them since around 19th April and it’s getting a couple of bodywork issues sorted tomorrow morning..? It may be a total lemon dumped on my yard but I’m trying not to think like that.

The garage specialise in this kind of vehicle and the Internet gives dissatisfied buyers an opportunity to make other potential buyers aware of any shenanigans, so it’s not in their best interest to try and pull a fast one. However this story plays out I’ll let people know over at the Elgrand OC.

Tomorrow does bring an amount of comfort though that I won’t have to stress about getting it insured to collect it and also there’s no travel to sort either. It can sit on my yard until I’ve got everything in place.

My finger nails are even shorter than usual.

Loading