So I did a little research and I found somewhere I can get later model RX-7s delivered overseas from Japan... but I've also been told that driving them on the street is illegal (steering wheel on wrong side, etc) is this true? Is there some way to actually make it so I can drive one legally in the US legally?

Also I'm a frickin novice at car stuff in general, does anyone know what is better on a Japanese model over a U.S. one, if anything? Besides the obvious newer parts, lesser milage, etc?

 

It's not illegall to have a right hand drive car in the US. However cars from Japan do not meet certain safety requirements that the US has, like their glass and airbags. It would be like $15,000 to get it through customs and ****...it's a lot of work...

 

Okay, where could I get the customs information and the list of things I'd have to change to make it street legal?

Should have said this initially... but if I'm planning on replacing much of the body and getting a new engine anyway, what (if any) things are better in the Japanese models '96-'99?

 

$15K, by my best guess, is a conservative assumption. on top of the modifications you'll need to get it over here, you have to pay duties and taxes on the car itself. Unless you have money and time to burn, it's *really* not worth it. the differences aren't that spectacular. Maybe someone can comment on the new RS suspension and if it will or won't fit on a US spec 7.

anyone, anyone? bueller, bueller?

btw: someone did quite a bit of research on this topic and posted their findings on the forum - try searching.

 

Brian you're from Glendale too?

 

not sure about japan but i know for a fact that my friend from the Netherlands brought over several of his cars, registered them, and insured them with NO changing parts... He only paid the carrier charges to have them shipped over... inspected... and trucked to his house. If your wondering he brought 3 porches, a Testarossa, '53 corvett, old chrysler something, Grand cherokee, and a Venturi. There is hope for you.

 

Is this to or from the neverlands? Were these all cars that were already avail in our market? That makes all the difference in the world.

 

Hmmm... does Efini sell cars in Europe?

And the suspension is the only difference... hmmm... doesn't sound worth the trouble I guess. I just found a site that sold and shipped them at a somewhat decent price, but if I have to tack on 15K and a whole lot of trouble its not worth it if all I'm gonna get is a better susupension.

 

Well, i think the basic deal is that what gains they made in performance and reliability can be done to the car aftermarket here for less. The reason you'd want to do it is to get a newer car, but it's unlikely worth the price.

 

LongHaulSol,

PM Crackers here in the forum. He was looking into importing the later model FD's here into the states. I'm sure he could explain what you need to know.

 

if i had the money id buy one send it here and swap the vin from a 93 shure it aint legal but who would notice =)

 

contact www.motorex.net, they import Nissan Skylines. I'm sure can help you out.

 

Yea, they also spent the money to crash a few of them so they could import them legally (which is why the price is so high on them).

 

Check out www.rotarynews.com.....

 

I remember reading somewhere that if the car has a US equivalent it can be imported with a lot less trouble, but if a car does not have a US equivalent it cannot be street driven. And I think there's also a limit on how many miles oyu can put on the car a year...

 

Basically, from what others have found and said, EVERY car needs to be crash tested to be legal here in the USA unless it's treated as an exotic (which is limited to something like 2000 miles per year, but there are other things that classify as car in this catagory than just not having a crash test).

What was said is that the car has to be EXACTLY the same each year it's produced or there needs to be a crash test done for that year (not just the frame).

This is why newer FD's have not been imported. If it was that easy, you'd see a ton of them around.

 

This was from the Netherlands to here.
I know there is certainly no equal for the Venturi , same goes for one of his porsches, it was used for circuit racing in Europe...full cage, one bucket seat, diamond plate floorboard, gutted interior, 600+ HP and he drives it on the roads like once a month.