RX8.......wait.....i already have one.....

^^I think that car parked to the right of your rx-7 looks pretty badass :D

My FD is worth less than 15k. What car could I buy in that price range that could compare? Nothing comes close. If I sold the FD for a down payment, it would still be hard to find a replacement. Not that I don't think about it every F'n day. A list of potential candidates?
G35 coupe with the intention of adding a turbo. S2k a distant maybe. An ugly ass Evo RS...you have to admit it would be fun. A lotus Elise? Might as well keep the 7. Lately I'm thinking the 2008 TT would be sweet, but my semisignificant other would have a shit fit if I spent that much on a "car." From a technical standpoint a Boxster S would suit me fine, but I'm not in love with the UFO body. Anyone have anything better? Convince me.

I don't plan on selling my fd, as goodfella said, too much blood, sweat and money, IF i did sell, i would get an NSX.

I did and got a C6 Corvette.
Best sports car I ever owned in stock form.

Can't ever sell the FD. Love it too damn much.

I would have to get an very high offer to consider selling the FD. we are talking 22-23k. (after it is finished of course)

and then I would take that money and put a down payment on a Lotus.

In this order, but I'd keep the FD... too much Money and Blood sweat and definitely tears in it... to sell for less than what I have in it... $50+K

1) Ferarri 308 GTB ($25-35K)
2) TVR Sagaris ($70-90k)
3) 90's Viper ($30-50k)
4) Ariel Atom ($35-45k)
5) Lotus Exiege ($35-40k)

Prices are roughly what they can be had for...

No supra i owned has ever exceeded 3450 pounds. and no supras are 3600 lbs.

I drove a coupe last summer. I was very skeptical of it at first, but came away really impressed. I still don't like the sound of the motor and the panel gaps make the car look cheap to me. With that said, it is probably what I would buy if I got rid of the FD. The other car I like is the Z4M roadster.

I'm with you on #2 -but they're basket cases in their own right.

e30 m3's are niiiice

Ariel Atom will be amazing, but id need a nice daily driver to have that car. early 90's vipers (Rt/10, or Coupe) were the nicest vipers ever made...but give me a 360 modena and i should be damn happy. Cant beat Ferrari sound.

^ Word.

And what I would buy,depends. Over here, Id get an EVO I/II/III, Pulsar GTiR, autozam AZ-1, GT-R, or a really nice S13 silvia. I realize that all of these cars but the GTR are in totally diffrent classes, and do not stack up to my car in almost any way, but theyre all about in the same price range, and Id like to experiance something new. When I get back to the states, its gonna be MS3, EVO 9, M3, or a nice FB.

Hey Sled Driver do you have a larger pic of your avatar? For a second there I could've almost sworn I saw a Carrera GT...

Oh and I would never sell my FD, much too unique of a car.

Another FD :)

+1 especialy about the new 911 turbo, 500 ft. lbs. of tourque unnder 2000 rpms :)

Weight with driver maybe? I know I've seen 3600 pounds posted many times. Regardless, at 3450 it still weighs 850 pounds more than my FD. I could stuff three fat chicks in my FD and still be lighter than you, lol :eek: :inlove: :op:

That would be my first choice, however I didn't think cars that were illegal in the US were eligible. ;)

The turbo'd lotus elise or exige would probably be my first choice for another toy car. c6 zo6 would also be nice, but out of my price range.

Exige = Not bad
 

http://images.consumerguide.com/cmsi...xige-2_600.jpg

https://www.edmunds.com/media/il/fea...e.lead.340.jpg
http://www.diseno-art.com/images/lotus_exige.jpg
http://members.fortunecity.com/freec...s_exige_02.jpg
http://www.econ.kuleuven.be/public/n...ge-05-1024.jpg

Rob, you like the Exige? When you get back, lemme know, and we'll go over to the Chick Filet meet in Dulles Town Center. One of the guys who goes there regularly has an Exige. It's pretty nice, but for some reason I'm not crazy about it (like I am over FDs).

One of our neighbor has a yellow NSX...the wife is hinting she rather have that in the garage than C6...I guess because she drove Acura all her life...

Thinking about getting NSX and stash the 7 away...

One of our neighbors has 4 LOL. Two yellow (his and hers I presume), a red, and a new style orange metallic. All have Competch superchargers on 'em ;)

The other day while driving to school and I stopped at a light behind a G35. I said to friend "ah the G35.. I always liked that car. I wouldn't mind having one."
But then I looked over to the next lane and saw another one and then one in front of that one. Then said aloud "See that's why I'm glad I own an FD. Because I don't have to worry about everyone and their grandma driving it."

I never thought I'd be able to send you to a thread that had allready discussed it ! :D (I'll stop short of the "Search Newb" !) :rlaugh:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...35&t=28911&h=0

and

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...25849&f=35&h=0

"Where there's a will, there's a way"


For those not in the "Know" this is a Sagaris:

http://www.mcarsweb.com/tvr/sagaris.jpg

http://www.cartype.com/images/thumbs...is_reartop.jpg

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/...625111_1_7.jpg

I like the Big Chromed side exhausts... I don't know if the other CF version is a "upgrade" uption or a aftermarket add-on...

I'm sorry on My Budget I have to keep it below $100k but if we're talking fantasy ! Hell ! Vector's are Nice, Lamborghini, McLaren.... :lol: !

It looks pretty decent, well the lines are perhaps a tad busy. Chick filet meet sounds good. So whish one of our cars is going to be done first? I guess we can just roll up in our grociery getters. lol

I dont know what I'd buy, considering that I replaced my 91 Skyline GTR with the FD, so it would be tough.

Something reliable maybe, haha

Did you read the thread? That guy hasn't done anything. Its the same jiberish that the people on here talk about importing a later model FD.

Simply put, you can't get one street legal here in the USA period, until they are crash tested (and pass the other DOT requirements which they don't yet). You can get one and bring it over as an offroad car though.

BTW, I've been following that thread since it started back in 2003. ;)

2009 Skyline GTR
 

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324249896.jpg
https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324214195.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324226629.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324236472.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324255775.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324259604.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324306345.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324300907.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324310069.jpg

https://www.caranddriver.com/assets/...1324312086.jpg

Is it just me, or is there an uncanny resemblance b/w the Sagaris and the FEED Alfux Ver. V? http://www.fujita-eng.com/fd3s/img/pl_028_1.jpg

Negative. The rules have since changed, unfortunately (in large part due to Skyline owners importing the cars under the pretense of them being off-road use only vehicles, then shadily getting them state titles and using them on the streets).

From the NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...ng/Racing.html):

The following sets forth the requirements for a vehicle to be imported as a racing vehicle. A vehicle that was originally manufactured as a racing vehicle can be declared as an off-road vehicle under Box 8 on the HS-7 Declaration form that is to be furnished to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (Customs) at time of importation. Such a vehicle can be permanently imported into the United States. A motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured as a racing vehicle can only be imported on a temporary basis under Box 7 on the HS-7 Declaration form. The importer must obtain a letter of permission from NHTSA to import a vehicle on that basis. To obtain such a letter, the vehicle must be in full racing configuration at the time of importation and lack features associated with safe and practical public road use. Determinations are based on the capability of the vehicle to be used on public roads, not its intended use.



To import a racing vehicle into the United States on a permanent basis, you must:

Obtain from the vehicle’s original manufacturer a letter stating that the vehicle was originally manufactured as a racing vehicle.

File with Customs, upon entry, an HS-7 Declaration form on which Box 8 is checked, indicating that the vehicle was not manufactured primarily for use on the public roads, and is therefore not a motor vehicle subject to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper, and Theft Protection Standards.

Attach a copy of the manufacturer’s letter to the HS-7 Declaration form that you furnish to Customs.

To import a motor vehicle into the United States on a temporary basis for racing purposes, you must:

Apply to NHTSA for a letter granting you permission to import the vehicle on a temporary basis. For that purpose, you should use the application form posted on this website.

File with Customs, upon entry, an HS-7 Declaration form on which Box 7 is checked, indicating that the motor vehicle does not comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention Standards, but is being imported solely for the purpose of competitive racing events.

Attach a copy of the NHTSA permission letter to the HS-7 Declaration form that you furnish to Customs.

To obtain such a permission letter from NHTSA, you must submit to the agency the following information in the order stated:

1. Importer’s name, address, and daytime phone number.
2. Customs broker’s name, contact, and phone number.
3. Vehicle information (make, model, model year, and VIN or identifying number).
4. A list of the racing features of the vehicle.
5. A list of the features lacking that are needed for use of the vehicle on public roads.
6. Photographs showing the following views: front, rear, side, and interior. Racing features and/or features lacking for on-road use on public roads should be shown in the photographs.
7. The name of the sanctioning body and competition class.
8. Previous race history of the vehicle (if any).
9. Schedule of racing events, including dates and locations where vehicle will compete (if any).
10. Copy of the competition-racing license of the importer (if any).

Permission to import a motor vehicle temporarily is granted in annual increments for up to three years if duty is not paid, or for up to five years if duty is paid. No later than 30 days after the expiration of the period for which permission is granted, the vehicle must be either exported from the United States or destroyed.



A racing vehicle may not be registered or licensed for on-road use. A vehicle allowed entry for racing purposes cannot subsequently be converted for use on public roads.

So those currently driving Skyline's in the US "legally" are getting grandfathered in correct?

Negative. Not even the Motorexed Skylines are safe. In case if you're not aware, there was a flurry of Motorexed Skylines up for sale in California recently, since as part of the lawsuit against Motorex (for committing fraud and not actually federalizing aka bringing into compliance many of the Skylines), the government has been on a wild goose chase, calling all the Motorexed Skylines into an inspection & testing facility. The understanding is that the vehicles found not to be in compliance will be seized and destroyed, and their non-compliance used as evidence against Hiro of Motorex in the lawsuit. Being that the lawsuit is in Cali, the Cali Skyline owners are selling the cars to buyers out of Cali in order to save the cars. It's unclear ATM whether or not the hunt will continue beyond the state borders or not. But the bottom line is, no immunity/impunity is or was ever granted to the vehicles. In fact, upon approving Motorex' license to federalize the Skylines, the government reserved the right - in writing - to come back and re-examine each and every one of the vehicles at any given time. And it looks like they're now choosing to exercise that right.

As for non-Motorexed vehicles that were brought in illegally, they're currently in the status of fraudulent vehicles, because the Customs paperwork (a federal document) shows the vehicle was brought in for either a) off-road use only, or b) as auto parts. Both clearly mean the vehicle is NOT being brought in for private use on US streets (as that's a third option on the forum). And since the government clearly stipulates that off-road and parts-only vehicles cannot EVER be converted to road-use, those vehicles are essentially in limbo. It's only a matter of time before they get caught - be it by a curious cop who notices the RHD and digs deeper, or an countering insurance agency which digs deeper after their client was invovled in an accident w/ a RHD vehicle, and they don't want to pay for repairing that RHD vehicle.

Again, that's why we've taken a COMPLETELY different approach when importing our fully street legal Skylines - we actually have a completely new and unique MSO from the DOT, so the cars are OURS, made by US, sold by US, and modified by US.

~Ramy

PS: The '09 Skyline you posted pics of looks like a$$ IMO. The Skyline has always been known for is aggressive boxy stance and defined lines. The new Skyline won't even feature an RB motor, and looks to be a glorified G35 w/ "goodies" to compete against the NSX crowd, and nothing more.

Unfortunately? I'm glad that they finally put some 'real' regulations up. However, I wish some European car manufacturers would work a little harder to make their cars USA legal.

I think the Sagaris could sell quite well in the states. Heck people are buying the C6 Z06's. ;)

Unfortunately, b/c I would have loved to import Japanese street car or two for permanent off-road use only :(

:rofl:

Very interesting information Ramy and a good read.

Yeah I remember you saying that you hated the new Skylines. I think it has been the case that essentially every sports car that started out as boxy has been slowly rounded and curved to meet modern tastes.

At first I hated the new Skyline as you do, but somewhere along the way the design grew on me. If it ends up being a 400-450hp AWD car like they are saying I think I will be pretty impressed overall. We'll just have to wait and see what they do with it. My hope is that they configure the car with a stout drivetrain that will be able to handle susbstantial power increases. Seems like most japanese imports these days are built to the brink of driveline failure.

Fortunately, unlike the supra, the fd was designed so that you could not do this ;)

Yeah aside from it being too common, i dont see why it cant be a replacement. I mean is thats the only reason why we own our cars? Cause we feel good knowing our cars are timeless and rare? Sure its part of it but that cant be the only reason. But from what i am reading, thats all that comes out of you guys.

Like o i wont sell the FD, cause i dont want to own a car everyone has. Or i cant sell the FD, its rare and you barely see them.

I love my car being rare. Everytime i drive it, people stare like its an exotic but if i was forced to sell it for something practical, id sell it in a heartbeat. F all that i want to keep it cause its rare. That sounds like something mental.

Everyone knows the car isn't practical. But what's the big deal about keeping it as a TOY (which is exactly what it is), and owning a practical car (ie a daily driver) at the SAME time? That's what makes sense to me... :scratch:

how about an Evo for a dd? I don't care for the looks of the thing, but they are pretty quick

I'd take a WRX over an Evo any day of the week...

Unfortunately we all don't have the money for more than one car :p:

s2k anyone?

Then you obviously didnt read the original post from hardhitter ramy ;)

He said he is TIRED of the problems and wants something of equal value in terms of all his tastes.

I think the G coupe would be the best bet IMHO. He has style, relaibility, torque, a backseat, warranty, luxury.

Only thing it doesnt have is the FD's timeless style and rareness which i pointed out in the page before this.

Of course the FD isnt practical, whoever says otherwise is blinded by denial. I have my FD as a toy. Right now its running but not 100%. I dont care. I still drive it lol. I dont drive it everyday, hell i think i drive it like once every 8 days or something recently lol. I dont intend on making it a daily driver cause its nearly impossible to keep it as a daily driver. Even though some people managed to pull it off, its like winning the lottery, 1 out of 3984394893849384398 people can do it LOL. :)

The G35 has everything the FD does in the performance department?? Please do some road testing with both cars and get back to me lol...

PS. My car was one of the better everyday's I have ever owned in the reliability department. Of course I sacrificed luxury amenities for performance advantage.

Oh I read it...

Equal in value, right?

Those are features.

And therein lies the value... ;)

Not my fault if the original question and subsequent answers were flawed :p:

~Ramy

s2k ftw
aint all that fast..but it handles great looks nice and is reliable as f0ck

My FD will be buried with me lol.....

Kai, you're my hero :) We need more hardcore FD-heads like you :D

I just finished watching BMI - Vol 21, a must see for any FD owner. PM me if you want a link to download it. After watching this video it definitely triple sealed my love for the car. There is a reason the fastest track time's recorded on Tsukuba Circuit are both from RX7's (N/A and streetable). I also believe Options chose the RX7 as car of the year two years in a row. Just some thoughts and my opinion ; )

Here is a video of the N/A record in action: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1820727&q=fd3s

I'm like Kai,Or if i sell it would be for a newer FD......2002 FD JSpec...Rx7 for LIFE..
TILL DEATH DO US PART....Yes I took my VOWS TOO....