Side Hustle: Selling a 1987 W124 and other JDM Cars

dan79brooklyn · 07-14-2022, 12:23 PM

While living in Japan (12 years) I was exposed to many parts of the JDM car related scene and sales system.

Now that I'm back in the USA (Vermont) for the next 6 months to a year, I decided to venture into the Japanese car auction and exportation business more seriously.

I have some general car selling experience and knowledge about what cars might be worth buying, and some partners to invest $$.

The first car we bought was a 1995 Mitsubishi Minicab Kei Truck:

While waiting for it to ship out, I came across some news about States cracking down on Kei Class registrations, so I deviated from looking at Kei cars to the interesting subgroup of European cars, which were specified Left Hand Drive.
I bought this super low Km example of a W124...A 1987 300E(2.6) Automatic with a blue cloth interior.

Here's a recent picture in Western Massachusetts.

But before the Benz got here our Mitsubishi arrived from Japan.

I drove it up to VT where it got a ton of interest and could have sold by just driving it around town with a FOR SALE sign ! But, I think some cross-posting on Facebook Marketplace in a local group resulted in the sale. And just enough profit to keep at it...

I found some more partners and bought four more cars: a Honda ACTY Kei Truck, Subaru Sambar Van, Subaru SVX and a Mitsubishi Diesel SUV.

The Honda is about to arrive so now is the crunch time to sell both cars...

Back to the Benz...Where is the best place to list the car?
I've done Craigslist and Facebook marketplace.
It's not special enough for BAT and Cars and Bids wanted a no reserve auction.
Ebay? Lower the price ? We're trying to get $11,000 or best near offer.

Cars.com and the like seem to only deal in 'new-used'.

What's the 'Pelican' of the W124 scene in the USA?

Anyways thanks for reading about my side hustle.
I also work part time, and take care of my 8 year old son.

I am REALLY enjoying driving the Benz at the moment but hoping to SELL it sooner than later..

Any leads or tips appreciated.

Happy Summer !

Bill Douglas · 07-14-2022, 12:28 PM

Here in New Zealand we have a lot of ex Japan cars on our roads. Including a few Porsche 911s. How are the prices in Japan compaired with the US in regard to 911s, and would it be worth your while.

Also we buy ex Japan bulldozers and diggers. May be another option for you.

nota · 07-14-2022, 01:02 PM

the wagon in the MB range was always interesting
but the sedan not so much or followed

with gas so hi would the sport kei be saleable at hi prices now ?
I hear of odd DOHC TURBO kei's 2 seat exist not just trucks

ain't they all legal after so many years [25?] or did that change ?

rcooled · 07-14-2022, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nota

...ain't they all legal after so many years [25?] or did that change ?

No, that didn't change. Unfortunately for me, all those cool JDM cars are nearly impossible to register here in CA

Arizona_928 · 07-14-2022, 03:28 PM

States are cracking down on the kei trucks bc importers don't need to provide the epa and dot paperwork to cbp but the individual states they register them in. Which then can be back doored as on street registration for a newer truck.

I've imported 2 cars from Japan now. Lot of fun. Are you going through a broker or doing informal imports?

gordner · gordner's Garage

What kind of cars did you bring in 928?

Arizona_928 · 07-14-2022, 04:53 PM

96 Mazda 121 and a 95 suzuki carry

dan79brooklyn · 07-15-2022, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

States are cracking down on the kei trucks bc importers don't need to provide the epa and dot paperwork to cbp but the individual states they register them in. Which then can be back doored as on street registration for a newer truck.

I've imported 2 cars from Japan now. Lot of fun. Are you going through a broker or doing informal imports?

We're trying to do everything ourselves on this end...Unless we run into trouble then we need a broker.

Arizona_928 · 07-15-2022, 09:37 AM

Lmk if you want any tips on importing. I just did the mazda at the long Beach port & cbp on the 12th. I've used wallenius wilhelmsen on both my Imports. Relatively smooth. Some tricks on sending the OBL and CBP paperwork. Pretty much all of the online sources are incomplete on paperwork requirements and forms. CBP doesn't answer their phones or return emails either right now. �� before covid they did.