has anyone imported a FD form Japan
im thinking of importing a FD but i cant seem to find the U.S customs regulations on how to bring them to the states. i know that rhd is legal in the county that im in so to regester it would be no problem. the only problem would be bringing it from the port to my house, so im wondering if anyone has done this and what was the troubles you have ran into
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Originally Posted by rx7rcer09
(Post 7709635)
the only problem would be bringing it from the port to my house
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what state?
be sure to check the laws of the state that the vehicle will arrive at... the vehicle may be subject to the rules of that state for initial registration... Thats just how I heard it is... I MAY BE WRONG!!!
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if i did bring it would go through a port at cali then get on a truck and come to ohio i can call tomm and find out
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You're going to have huge issues trying to register the vehicle. First it will have no VIN so most DMV's will not know what to do. Secondly, depending on how strict your emissions are in your state, it may not pass.
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Trust me man, I looked into this extensively when I wanted to import an EVO IV back in 1998. Bottom line, its not worth it. You need a lotta money and you have to deal with nothing but hassles. I finally found that it was way cheaper to buy a USDM car,(register and insure it) and then get a JDM front clip and connect the two cars/attach parts properly like any good bodywork man can do. Just swap out the firewall and dashboard/interior panels. I've seen one done with a AE86, looked really sweet. It'll run you way less money, time, and hassle.
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Originally Posted by drew32
(Post 7709980)
You're going to have huge issues trying to register the vehicle. First it will have no VIN so most DMV's will not know what to do. Secondly, depending on how strict your emissions are in your state, it may not pass.
there is no emission checks in ohio but i agree with you on the vin the company says they will send me the vin i thought it would be the same in japan as it is in the U.S like it starts out like JM1fd but im not sure |
As far as I can remember...and I could very well be wrong, but the JDM vin is actually a shorter sequence of numbers/letters than Canadian/US vins. I know there is definitely something different between them as it took the insurance guys a couple minutes to figure out how to register my JDM FD in Manitoba Public Insurance system.
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http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...elig010807.pdf
Here is the list of vehicles eligable for importation without going through crash testing. The FD is on there, but only up to 1995. With a little convincing, they might be able to adjust this to cover all FDs, up to 2002, provided the front end crash parts are the same. If Mazda sends them a letter saying so, then you're in the clear! For vehicles not on the list, it'll be harder to do. My friend Gabe from the Mirage Forums (username EvoRage) converted his 1994 Mirage Sedan into an Evo 3, including making it RHD and AWD. He'd be able to get you in the right direction if you want to go RHD in your car. http://www.mirageforums.net |
thanks for the tips
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Originally Posted by Akagis_white_comet
(Post 7710172)
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...elig010807.pdf
Here is the list of vehicles eligable for importation without going through crash testing. The FD is on there, but only up to 1995. Yes, the "FD is on there", but you forgot to mention the text in the first few paragraphs that reads: "All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive motor vehicles except where the initials “RHD,” signifying right-hand drive, appear in the model type column. Then that is followed by: "While there is no specific restriction on importing a right-hand drive vehicle, these may not be imported under eligibility decisions based on the existence of substantially similar U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicles."
Originally Posted by Akagis_white_comet
(Post 7710172)
With a little convincing, they might be able to adjust this to cover all FDs, up to 2002, provided the front end crash parts are the same. If Mazda sends them a letter saying so, then you're in the clear!
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What about registering it as a Kit car or custom build?
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Originally Posted by rx7rcer09
(Post 7710104)
there is no emission checks in ohio but i agree with you on the vin the company says they will send me the vin i thought it would be the same in japan as it is in the U.S like it starts out like JM1fd but im not sure
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alright thanks again but i thought they had more than 6 but i guess you would know you in japan
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Originally Posted by Kento
(Post 7710950)
Sigh....seriously, we really need a sticky about importing FDs on the 3rd gen forum...
to the OP, there are not any emissions in Columbus, but Cleveland and other cities around ohio do (it's done by county I believe), so keep that in mind if you think you'll ever move or sell. Is there any reason in particular that you're looking to buy a JDM car? Do you want it to be RHD or do you just think you'll get a deal? Remember that buying a rat FD can end up costing you WAY more in the end than just saving and buying a nice example. |
Originally Posted by kwerks
(Post 7712338)
What about registering it as a Kit car or custom build?
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Move to Canada. We have tons of JDM yo! cars. It makes me appreciate my USDM car even more! :)
(Why can't we just be happy with what we have?) |
naw im good in the U.S thanks im thinking about it now i want a lhd but there expensive and so hard to find in ohio. i know some people will say im crazy because importing is harder. but it just seems so much eaiser and cheeper i can get a 92 fd with 80,000 km for only 4500 us dollars but o well. hopefully soon enough ill have a Fd but untill then ill keep dreaming and wanting to drive and own a rotary rocket
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Originally Posted by rx7rcer09
(Post 7715097)
naw im good in the U.S thanks im thinking about it now i want a lhd but there expensive and so hard to find in ohio. i know some people will say im crazy because importing is harder. but it just seems so much eaiser and cheeper i can get a 92 fd with 80,000 km for only 4500 us dollars but o well.
The rest of the federal hurdles involved with trying to legally import a RHD car that isn't on the NHTSA approval list has been discussed a thousand times on this forum, with hundreds of threads on the subject.
Originally Posted by rx7rcer09
(Post 7715097)
hopefully soon enough ill have a Fd but untill then ill keep dreaming and wanting to drive and own a rotary rocket
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I love how much misinformation there is in this thread. How many of you have imported a FD or know anyone who has? I agree that I would never import one but a very close friend of mine has his JDM 1992 FD here registered and titled. Anything is possible, im not one to say that its the cleanest and most legal way but it is titled and registered.
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Back in 80's when gray market cars were still allowed the process was not simple, but was easier than today. All it took was lots of $$$$. ... Buy car overseas, post bond with US customs in amount of full value of car plus conversion to US emissions and safety standards (kind of like paying twice and hoping for refund), ship car direct to a registered converter in US, ship car to house and then find factory decided to sell the car into US less than 2-years later. i.e. my experience with BMW 323i, 6-cyl predecessor to the M3.
I would love a Spirit R, just not worth the trouble. I believe today’s path is only to show it certified as a race car; next problem not a US legal car so racing bodies don’t want to class it. |
I have an easy fix here, move to New Zealand. Problem solved! The FD's are cheap and you can bring them in on your own not a prob. But I guess the other downer is that you will have to drive on the other side of the road and pay more for your gas.
I am looking at bringing in a 2002 FD for about 13-16K NZD in the next couple of months. |
Originally Posted by Turbo II FC
(Post 7715396)
I love how much misinformation there is in this thread.
How many of you have imported a FD or know anyone who has?
Originally Posted by Turbo II FC
(Post 7715396)
I agree that I would never import one but a very close friend of mine has his JDM 1992 FD here registered and titled. Anything is possible, im not one to say that its the cleanest and most legal way but it is titled and registered.
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i maybe be wrong but i remeber looking into importing about 3 years ago and when going throught all the government sites nhtsa there was something along the lines of if the car is 25 years or older it is exempt from having to go trough all the dot and customs checks. so wait until 2021 and you can have it over here no problem atleast the 96's. im pretty sure im accurate because i did some serious research into it(would go find on the nhtsa site but dont want to spend time searching)but it may apply different to RHD cars, mabe not i've also heard this to be true on a couple of skyline fourms. I believe it also stated cars would be exempt from emissions.
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Originally Posted by Turbo II FC
(Post 7715396)
I love how much misinformation there is in this thread. How many of you have imported a FD or know anyone who has? I agree that I would never import one but a very close friend of mine has his JDM 1992 FD here registered and titled. Anything is possible, im not one to say that its the cleanest and most legal way but it is titled and registered.
Dave |
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