ISF: From USA to Korea
10-03-11, 07:34 AM
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seoul, Korea
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ISF: From USA to Korea
Hi, guys..
It's been almost 4 months since I left Philadelphia after earning my MBA.
When I decided to go back to my country, I hadn't given a second thought about selling my 2009 ISF. My car had a long journey over the Pacific and found new home in Korea.
Just in case if you wonder, personally importing a car to Korea never makes financial sense.. Especially since Lexus Korea began selling ISF for the Korean domestic market at around $75,000. ISF has been available here since Sep 2010 as a 2011 model. But I just can't sell mine even if that means I have to pay more than $20,000 for custom and registration taxes. Yes, my ISF is that special to me.
May 16, 2011. On the trailer and ready to go! My ISF will never see the US soil ever again. Even though the fender of the trailer did flip, you can't open the door. I had to crawl out of the window. I had the front plate bracket mounted before the car goes aboard.
At the warehouse where the car will be loaded onto the container. It was not until a month and a half later that I got to have a chance to see her.
On June 23, 2011, my ISF finally came across the Pacific! In PA you don't have a front license plate. But in Korea, it is a serious offense not to have one. It was strange scene with Korean temporary license plate and all the Korean cars around.
Hmm.. Do I spot another ISF in Korea??? In fact, that is KDM 2011 ISF that my brother owns. He came from an Exige community in search of "civilized performance."
We all know that '11 ISF is different from the previous model-year cars. Here are some small differences that your car magazine never tells: (There may be KDM vs. US-spec differences, too)
1. Dashboard: Interestingly, the textures of the dashboard are not the same. '09 dashboard is more 'plasticky'; '11 is more 'rubber-like'
2. The shape of the rear headrests: '09 rear headrests are smaller and contoured into the seatback. '11 has upright headrests.
3. Exhaust sound: '11 is noticeably louder. I wonder it is because the noise regulations are different for US vs. KDM markets? I can't explain..
4. No TPMS for '11: Probably a KDM thing..
5. Power folding mirrors for '11: Definately a KDM thing. It is a neccessity, not a luxury, to have them in Korea!
6. '11 brakes don't squeal....
Cool night!
Now my ISF is legally registered (after all the inspections and things) with the legitimate license plate.
My brother thinks that my car is too black, with all the plasti-dipped emplems and JoeZ exhaust covers. I think so, too. Sharp-eyed members might notice that the license plate is placed a little bit lower than it should. That is because the Korean license plate is a tad bigger than US counterpart and the bolt holes do not align. A custom mount was required...
My brother's '11 ISF. Note that it has longer licence plate (mine has short one..) All post-2008 cars in Korea require a long, EU-like plates. However, short plates are still available for older cars and gray-import cars like mine.
Happy motoring, guys! Give me a buzz if you have a chance to come to Korea. I am going to Korean F1 GP in two weeks and I hope to see some of you there, however the chance is so slim.
It's been almost 4 months since I left Philadelphia after earning my MBA.
When I decided to go back to my country, I hadn't given a second thought about selling my 2009 ISF. My car had a long journey over the Pacific and found new home in Korea.
Just in case if you wonder, personally importing a car to Korea never makes financial sense.. Especially since Lexus Korea began selling ISF for the Korean domestic market at around $75,000. ISF has been available here since Sep 2010 as a 2011 model. But I just can't sell mine even if that means I have to pay more than $20,000 for custom and registration taxes. Yes, my ISF is that special to me.
May 16, 2011. On the trailer and ready to go! My ISF will never see the US soil ever again. Even though the fender of the trailer did flip, you can't open the door. I had to crawl out of the window. I had the front plate bracket mounted before the car goes aboard.
At the warehouse where the car will be loaded onto the container. It was not until a month and a half later that I got to have a chance to see her.
On June 23, 2011, my ISF finally came across the Pacific! In PA you don't have a front license plate. But in Korea, it is a serious offense not to have one. It was strange scene with Korean temporary license plate and all the Korean cars around.
Hmm.. Do I spot another ISF in Korea??? In fact, that is KDM 2011 ISF that my brother owns. He came from an Exige community in search of "civilized performance."
We all know that '11 ISF is different from the previous model-year cars. Here are some small differences that your car magazine never tells: (There may be KDM vs. US-spec differences, too)
1. Dashboard: Interestingly, the textures of the dashboard are not the same. '09 dashboard is more 'plasticky'; '11 is more 'rubber-like'
2. The shape of the rear headrests: '09 rear headrests are smaller and contoured into the seatback. '11 has upright headrests.
3. Exhaust sound: '11 is noticeably louder. I wonder it is because the noise regulations are different for US vs. KDM markets? I can't explain..
4. No TPMS for '11: Probably a KDM thing..
5. Power folding mirrors for '11: Definately a KDM thing. It is a neccessity, not a luxury, to have them in Korea!
6. '11 brakes don't squeal....
Cool night!
Now my ISF is legally registered (after all the inspections and things) with the legitimate license plate.
My brother thinks that my car is too black, with all the plasti-dipped emplems and JoeZ exhaust covers. I think so, too. Sharp-eyed members might notice that the license plate is placed a little bit lower than it should. That is because the Korean license plate is a tad bigger than US counterpart and the bolt holes do not align. A custom mount was required...
My brother's '11 ISF. Note that it has longer licence plate (mine has short one..) All post-2008 cars in Korea require a long, EU-like plates. However, short plates are still available for older cars and gray-import cars like mine.
Happy motoring, guys! Give me a buzz if you have a chance to come to Korea. I am going to Korean F1 GP in two weeks and I hope to see some of you there, however the chance is so slim.
10-03-11, 08:46 AM
#5
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seoul, Korea
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another option is to get an aftermarket GPS for about $1,000.. The cool thing about good aftermarket GPSs is that they tell the locations of speed traps, updated regularly!
We should definately meet. Call me at 010-8080-3499.
Last edited by huksa; 10-03-11 at 08:50 AM.
Trending Topics
10-03-11, 05:40 PM
#10
+1 Please keep us updated periodically with your USDM F and the car culture over there on this thread. The subtle differences of the KDM were very interesting. I might be in the same boat, as far as taking my F overseas in the future.
Love the picture on the bridge with the city lights in the background.
Love the picture on the bridge with the city lights in the background.
10-03-11, 07:05 PM
#12
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seoul, Korea
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll have a long date with my F here and 'll post pictures in the future!
Yes. I live in Seoul. Not surprising because almost half of the whole poluation of the country live in the Greater Seoul Area.
It was quite an experience to personally import a vehicle. I wish you enjoy the good and bad of export/import.
Yes. I live in Seoul. Not surprising because almost half of the whole poluation of the country live in the Greater Seoul Area.
+1 Please keep us updated periodically with your USDM F and the car culture over there on this thread. The subtle differences of the KDM were very interesting. I might be in the same boat, as far as taking my F overseas in the future.
Love the picture on the bridge with the city lights in the background.
Love the picture on the bridge with the city lights in the background.
