wanklin

iTrader: (2)

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

MisawaJason

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

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

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.

wanklin

iTrader: (2)

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

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.

wanklin

iTrader: (2)

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

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

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.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

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.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

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

wanklin

iTrader: (2)

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.

aoc007

iTrader: (5)

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

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

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.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

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...

KX500FD

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

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

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

Authentikdit

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

ManGaZeRo

iTrader: (1)

s2k anyone?

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

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.

RX7SIGN

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.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

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

~Ramy

jic

iTrader: (1)

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

KaiFD3S

iTrader: (37)

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

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

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

RX7SIGN

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

streetRx7

iTrader: (5)

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....