NA6: Import vs Aus delivered

[hks_kansei]

I've never had a dealer ask me for a VIN?

I've always just said "do you have an X to suit a 1999 Mazda MX5?" and they've always just looked it up on the computer, showed me the screen with the parts list to check it's the right one, and then gone to get me the part.

And that's been the case at 3 different dealerships (Brighton Mazda, Mcpherson Motors (Mazda dealer in Shepparton), and another that I can't remember)


(Ford dealers have been the same, just provide the year/model and they're happy to help)

[stilletto_rebel]

Just using a vin from an aus delivered car is easy, why does this deserve 'plenty of threads', I dont understand?

Dann

People venting for the most part. They are poms, after all.

(And before you say anything - I'm Welsh!!).

[Guran]

Fair enough. Might just be something that my local Mazda dealer does. Others may be less fussy.

[Suspense]

My local dealer (Eurocars Artarmon) was the same. I asked for some prices on a few parts and gave them the exact part numbers but they wanted a VIN. Totally pointless given they were parts for a hardtop that hadn't come with the car!

If it did become an issue it wouldn't be hard to make up a VIN based on the code format.

[Okibi]

A lot want the VIN just to make sure they're ordering the correct part, consider it part of their customer service.

My Mazda Dealer parts person is awesome she's never had a drama when I need parts for the Eunos. I suggest changing dealers if their parts person isn't passionate about Mazda and they don't know the Eunos Roadster.

[KevGoat]

(And before you say anything - I'm Welsh!!).

Sympathies ...

(And before you say anything - my mother's Welsh!!)

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk 2

[hks_kansei]

A lot want the VIN just to make sure they're ordering the correct part, consider it part of their customer service.

The problem with that kind of customer service is that it often loses customers.

I've noticed a few local businesses lately with similar things, you ask for a part/tool, they say "I'm not 100% that's the part you want" you tell them "I'm pretty sure, if it's not I'll live with it"

And they refuse to order it because it might be wrong!


Meanwhile you're sitting there thinking "for fucks sake, I just want X part, I don't give a sh*t if you can't be 100% sure, I'll take the chance it's wrong"




Pam has had this a few times with some businesses, it's got to the point that she's decided to instead just buy a fair bit from overseas, simply because the locals are so concerned about getting the right part they refuse to sell the wrong part (even if you WANT the wrong part)

[LuckyCat]

Emily, my partner has a 1990 Eunos automatic and it's a gem. No issues with insurance, servicing etc. Honestly I do not see why people would be so aggressive toward you...maybe they are the type that throw their Big Mac back at the people on the counter because it doesn't look like the one in the picture !

Both models were made in Japan..!! I think Japanese model has different ECU / mappings / ??? to the Oz model. JDM speedo only reads 180kmh. Extra sensor for catalytic converter?? Engine Heat light on speedo. Japanese instead of English writing on sun visors and in fuse box, under fuel cap etc etc. Badging. No safety flap for fuel filler? Or was that introduced later? Interestingly I note the flap has been dropped in the NC.

Air conditioning system if fitted may have R12 refrigerant in it , R12 was phased out and replaced by R134a in the 1990s? which also required replacing some parts I think. A lot of imports would have been retrofitted to comply, but a few could have got in before the laws changed?

There are small differences between the local and imported NA6 models. I would have thought an import might actually have a little more value due to its "uniqueness".

c

[emily_mx5]

^that is a very thorough list of differences (all pathetically minor) that i politely listed.
He was not interested.

Unfortunately 3 buyers fell through this weekend, very disappointing.

[Okibi]

Hang in there Emily.

[hks_kansei]

Extra sensor for catalytic converter?? Engine Heat light on speedo.

These are the same thing, the sensor for the cat is a cat heat sensor, the light is to say when the cat is hot enough to start working.


and here ends my pointless information for the day

[marty085]

They must have dropped that from NA8. My 94 roadster didn't have that.

[hks_kansei]

It may well be that it was broken, it's quite common that the sensors die and the light stays on teh dash constantly.

Rather than replace the sensor, people often just cut the wires, or take the globe out from the dash.

[LuckyCat]

the local workshop said not to worry about the "engine heat" light coming on it has no effect on the car.

But he did find something odd when he went to replace the front stabiliser bar bushes - they are fully encapsulated. on this particular car anyway.

c

[StockNA]

The only thing that I would be worried about in a jdm mx5 would be the side impact bars. From previously working in the car stereo industry I have seen inside a lot of doors, Aus, JDM, US, old and new. I have seen a fair few dodgy side impact bars, round steel tubes just tack welded in and such, but I've also seen many that have been fitted properly. Now mix that with me flipping (roof never touched the ground) a MR2 on to the drivers side and can easily said that I'm still alive due to the side impact bar (yes it was an Aus delivered SW20).

I would therefore take the door trim off and take pictures of the side impact bar, chassis rails and other common JDM problems and have them ready on your phone when someone comes round. Now if the future buyer is looking for a track car I see no issue with JDM other than a 180km limiter. Don't worry for every car there is a driver out there.