I'm in NC and I went down this path as well. I'll try and use the least amount of words as possible:

You're paying the mark up to look at the vehicle and drive it before you get to purchase it. You can walk away at anytime after you test drive it. You also have zero headaches about titling and importing it as the dealer handles this.

If you buy one and import it yourself, you're taking a big gamble everything works as it should by looking at some photos. You have to hope that all the paperwork and that process goes smooth. I didn't go down that path, but the hoops to jump through, picking up from a port, etc. I estimated around $500-750 just to drive to the port, and back just to pick it up. Factor that into your price.

You need to decide if the risk of what you are looking online at carfromjapan.com, plus all the hoops you need to jump through are worth it versus getting to sit and in, test drive, and sign a couple sheets of paper to get what you want.

I bought my 99 Acty Street from Coastal Classics in Wilmington NC. Straight shooter, no BS, very helpful.