Thinking of Buying the New Copen? Read This First
For Customers Thinking About Buying the "New Copen"
Throughout this website, we refer to the "New Copen" as the LA400 Copen, introduced in 2014.
Over the past few months, we have been receiving an increasing number of enquiries about the LA400 Copen. Thank you for your interest.
To make the process as smooth and efficient as possible for both you and us, we have prepared a number of articles that explain how we work and what you can expect when purchasing a Copen through TR imports UK.
Step 1 – Which New Copen is Right for You?
Your first step is to decide which version of the LA400 Copen best suits your needs.
Our Buyer's Guide introduces every model, including the Robe, Cero, XPLAY and GR Sport, together with the available colours, transmissions and factory options.
Once you have identified the model that interests you, we are happy to answer more detailed questions.
You may also find it helpful to read Why I Chose the LA400 Copen, where I explain why I believe the LA400 Copen is such a special sports car, together with our current Showroom page to see what is already available in the UK.
Step 2 – Understanding Your Budget
Once you know which Copen you are looking for, the next step is deciding on your budget.
Before requesting a quotation, we recommend reading Before We Import a Car, We Build Understanding.
This article explains why cars advertised on Japanese retail websites are often priced differently from those purchased through Japanese dealer auctions, and why understanding this difference is important before beginning a bespoke import.
Once you've decided which model suits you and have a realistic budget in mind, the next question is simple:
How do you actually buy one?
Two Different Ways to Buy
There are two ways to purchase an LA400 Copen through TR imports UK.
Option 1 – Buy from UK Stock
We currently keep examples of all four LA400 body styles in the UK, allowing customers to inspect and compare different models before making a decision.
Many of our cars have already been upgraded with Japanese-branded aftermarket suspension, exhaust systems or other desirable components, making them particularly attractive for customers looking for an enthusiast-owned specification.
The biggest advantage is certainty.
You can inspect the actual vehicle, drive it if appropriate, and because it is already registered with the DVLA, the purchase process is straightforward.
Before purchasing, we recommend obtaining an insurance quotation. Imported vehicles can sometimes attract higher premiums, so understanding your running costs early is always worthwhile.
If you are unsure where to start, we are happy to recommend specialist insurance brokers.
Option 2 – Bespoke Import from Japan
If your preferred colour, transmission or specification is not available in the UK, our Bespoke Import Service allows us to search Japan specifically for your ideal car.
For example, if your requirements are:
Cero
Yellow
Manual transmission
Black interior
Less than 10,000 km
...you may only see one suitable example appear at auction each month.
It might appear tomorrow.
It might not appear for another month.
Every day we monitor auction listings across Japan, waiting for the right car to appear.
Because Japanese auctions operate very quickly, there is usually only around one day between a vehicle being listed and the auction taking place.
Combined with the time difference between Japan and the UK, there is very little time for detailed discussions once the right vehicle appears.
That is why we spend time agreeing your requirements before we begin searching.
Once we've agreed on the right car, the next question most customers ask is:
"When do I actually need to pay?"
When Does Payment Happen?
This is one of the most common questions we receive.
When your chosen vehicle is successfully purchased at auction, the auction house issues an invoice immediately.
At that point, the purchase cannot be cancelled.
For this reason, we ask customers to pay a deposit before we begin bidding.
This deposit is not an arbitrary reservation fee.
It represents the amount that will be required to settle the Japanese auction invoice if your vehicle is successfully purchased.
Until bidding takes place, your deposit remains in the UK, held separately from our business operating funds.
If you decide not to proceed before any bidding takes place, we can therefore return your deposit promptly.
Of course, payment is only one part of the process.
For many customers, buying a car from another country also brings understandable concerns about what happens next.
Understanding Two Different Types of Concern
Buying a vehicle from another country naturally creates uncertainty.
In our experience, those concerns usually fall into two categories.
The first is trust.
Customers naturally want to know that their money is being handled safely and responsibly.
The second is the delivery process itself.
Once the vehicle has been purchased in Japan, customers understandably want reassurance that everything is progressing as planned until the vehicle finally arrives in the UK.
This is why we place great importance on communication throughout the entire process.
We provide regular updates and keep customers informed at every significant stage of the journey.
Our Goal
Whether you choose one of our UK stock vehicles or commission a Bespoke Import, our objective is the same.
To help you buy the right LA400 Copen with confidence, knowing exactly how the process works before making your decision.
If you have any questions after reading this guide, please feel free to get in touch. We'll be happy to help you find the right New Copen for your needs.