2012 - I was in the basement of a showroom at Jail Road Lahore. Dealer - "it is fully loaded, totally jaynein in pearl white color, only 35,000km run and for you the discounted price is only Rs. 850,000 and I will not take any commission". I sat inside and instantly felt that car is run for like 135,000km. Dealer took a last chance "let me take it out of the basement and show you in daylight"; next moment car was climbing the ramp and its silencer ejected a glass full of water. Dealer - "see how strong is the engine".
Then I received a referral from my uncle whose friend is owner of a showroom at Jail Road. Desired car was parked outside that showroom and the sales boy demanded Rs. 850,000. I went inside their office and uncle's friend (owner) told me "Bayta I have one that is parked outside, since my friend (uncle) asked me to give you special price, you can get that totally jaynein low mileage car for Rs. 900,000".
To cut the story short, I have had similar experiences at Faisal Town. Ultimately I changed my strategy and decided to import one.
There was yet another referral, the person was a doctor (yes genuine doctor) recommended by my brother in law who is also doctor. He was in the side business of importing cars and at that time had few cars waiting at a port in Japan. I selected a Daihatsu Boon 1000cc car by paying 50%, rest was payable at the time of delivery. After a month, I received a call that car has reached Karachi port but there are delays in de stuffing the container. Later there was another call "Did you see the news? Custom duties have increased so you have to pay more than the agreed price".
I replied, I know someone at Karachi customs; if increased duty is applicable on my car then I will pay the difference plus Rs. 10,000. If increase is not applicable, then I will pay him the agreed price minus Rs. 10,000. I don't know what the game was but after 2 weeks, doctor sb called me and quietly handed over the car. Tyres were totally "gunjay" and original key was lost in transit. After a week doctor sb informed me that he has a spare key and that he can have it programmed for my car just for Rs. 5,000.
Anyhow, that Daihatsu Boon is still with me and after three years it is still trouble free and giving me comfortable ride like a new car. Inspired by my car, my nephew purchased one from a car dealer at Jail road as he could not wait for two months. That car was also claimed to be jaynein but compared to my car it was scratch less and done only 20,000km. After two months, it started giving him trouble and next year its engine was breathing its last.
Stay tuned for 2016 - sharing my experience of importing again, but through a car dealer. Vehicle has not yet shipped from Japan and I will update the thread when the vehicle will start moving (InshAllah).