97 SW on ebay

[RBees]

There's a rather nice 97 SW in Coniston Green on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260210812604&_trksid=p2759.l1259

The VIN number is above any listed for a 97 model year Defender, and you can't make out the number on the LR plate on the rear of the truck, so there's no way to compare. Then again, there is a picture of the VIN sticker which seems to show the correct # - yet it doesn't fit with any sequence on the registry. Also Carfax has no records on this truck...

Any ideas if this is a scam or for real ?

[Chaucer]

it also looks like another Japanese spec 90...

[RBees]

I asked my friendly local LR dealer to look up the VIN, and they had no record in the LR dealer database, so I'm not entirely sure what that means. Were the 97 Japanese spec models produced AFTER the end of the 97 NAS models in late 97 ? Why were they imported into the US, and are there any issues with them (legally or operationally) ?

[GYM]

According to the LRFAQ, the highest numerical NAS 97 VIN is LE #300/300 ending in VA126471.

The lowest numerical Japanese 97 VIN I've run across so far (in Auto Trader, etc.) ends in VA127170.

[JimC]

Scroll down a ways:

http://www.eastcoastrover.com/INFOD90.html

[atlawson]

Well if that is a Japanese d90 then how can it legally be imported and regestered here in the U.S.?

[rover4x4]

Its the same as a NAS relatively speaking, What about those 50th anniversary editions in the UK i think they were remainging NAS trucks but the DOT made them illeagal. I think that ebay Defender must be Japan because of the side marker lights in the fenders.

[JimC]

See that sticker in the footwell? It says "This vehicle manufactured to conform with federal motor vehicle safety standards." Thats what means it can be imported. Some wise-ass figured out that Rover sold a bunch of a US spec trucks in Japan. I bet Rover just sent the intended 98's to Japan and then stopped making them. Japan drives on the right side with RHD vehicles, so Rover probably just looked for a market that would legally allow for the sale of the vehicles as-built.

Luckily, the Japanese don't usually put many mile on cars, so it obviously resulted in a group of low-mile 97's that will ultimately find their way here .

[RBees]

So in other words, these are the 'newest' Defenders that can legally be purchased in the US and as such will probably demand a premium ? According to their website they want $48,900 for this one, so the question is - is that worth it for a low mileage 'almost 98' truck ?

[JimC]

Whats probably worth it is to find one in Japan and pay the approx 15k (my estimate) it would cost to buy it there. Even with a normal 10k to import, you can still buy two for their price.

Grey market vehicles, as rule, never demand a premium over the like item sold in the states (of which there are of course exceptions). Some sellers are just capitalizing on the fact that low mile defenders will still fetch decent money over here.

[D90DRC]

Isn't Japan is right hand drive?

[JimC]

Typically, yes.