Chris_T

On the side of importing, I'm well over 30 and sure didn't import my FD because it was the practical solution, nor even the easy solution for that matter. And really, I could have found plenty of LHD's locally with less body damage than the FD I chose in the end. My whole reasoning as being an enthusiast is: if I'm pouring my heart and soul into a Japanese car, it better be 100% Japanese, and not Cameron Diaz in a kimono.

Deals Gap Rotary Rally

iTrader: (6)

Are you saying RHD cars are 100% Japanese and LHD FD's are... Not Japanese?? This is the funniest thing I've ever heard! Have you talked to any Japanese rotorheads?? Because, LHD FD's have more advantageous for building vs RHD.

I guess all these years I wasn't a true enthusiasts.. Or because I have a RHD Cosmo I'm ok??

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

Hmm.....

I'd still bone cameron diaz in a kimono...

But saying that the lhd fd is any less japanese than a rhd fd is slightly ignorant as a statement, and slightly off as an opinion.

chrisyerkes

Wow if you think for a moment that I bought those parts off ebay you are sadly mistaken. That hood alone I paid a grand for not to mention the shipping I paid from Japan and the fenders I had shipped out here from the states and the lights also came from a company in the states. The only parts that I buy off ebay come from people who like to break their car down for no apparent reason. You would be pissed if I told you that your car wasnt worth the money you spent on it but hey I could care less what you think. But hey opinions are opinions you entitled to your own.

Deals Gap Rotary Rally

iTrader: (6)

Really?? OK... Lets continue.. Before that, lets look at the car again..



Are you sure?? Did you not shop around?? You seem like the person who does, but I guess you didn't regarding the hood... If it was a 'REAL' Scoot hood, I would of giving you props, but thats another knock off and not that good of a knock off Scoot.

My question to you at this point is... if you are planning to ship the car to USA why would you buy parts from USA just to ship the car back to USA?? Not only that, I have those cheap ebay lights.. I could of sold you those to you for 125+ shipping.. Brand new .. I'm guessing you paid ALOT more?? I forgot, money isn't an issue for you.. Just the quality..


You do know that some of the parts you bought ARE available from ebay? And when I say Ebay, I mean those vendors who sell new, knock off, cheap, readily available, dime a dozen, sometimes poor quality, made in china or Taiwan parts..
But aren't you doing what you just stated?? you bought the car less than a year ago, trying to bring back the car to USA, buying parts that you could buy here, and breaking down your car down to install these.. At this point, I still haven't seen any quality stuff that I would spend 5-10K to import the car back to US of A...

And again, for my educational sake, did you install those fake GT-3 seats in your FD??

LOL! Would I be pissed?? I probably not.. Why?? because I do do my search and I been around FD's to know I'm not buying some crap parts and think I'm building something unique.

Well said.. One advice, I know you think some of us are 'naysayers', but we are probably the ones helping you the most. You need to think beyond your ego and see we are just trying to help you save money and time... Sometime your ego has to get hurt a little.. We all went through this one time or another.. So, don't look at us just as an *** but trying to help you.

chrisyerkes

I dont think anyone is an *** on here. My intentions when I posted this thread was to get opinions and some take on the subject and some how my integrity came under scrutiny. I have goten my answers and have done the research and low and behold I got the answers I was after, I found a way to send my car back legally an now it will be the long process of getting it done. I know that ebay has some shady parts thats why I only buy used pieces I need off there. The reason I bought the parts from the states was bc I have to have DOT approved lights on the car to be legal in the states trust me they wont stay on for long lol the same reason goes for why I am buying front and rear bumpers from the states. This site is about getting hellp and opinions and I got both.

fendamonky

iTrader: (6)

Meh, let this kid do what he wants... it's his money he's wasting on a riced out abomination...

I think it's fairly obvious by now that the only "opinions" he is interested in are the ones coming from people who are equally as ill-informed as he is, and who are in love with the whole "Fast and Furious - OMGz! M4d tyte JDM y0!" scene.

chrisyerkes

No I just think its funny how guys like yourself are so quick to doubt and tell people like me, trying to do something as small as shipping a car over, that it will never happen and its not legal yada yada yada and I am just wasting money. Who cares what I do with my money, I work for my money so so what does it matter. Ill informed would be the guys telling people like me that it isnt posible without it being illegal. I have spoken to people in charge at Mazda for the safety standards and conformities that it is possible and that all I have to do is order the paperwork that the NHTSA and the DOT ask for. So this "kid" has found out the way to ship the car back. What does my age have to do with it any ways I am willing to bet you are either my age or some old fart with nothing to do with his life and always on here.

Deals Gap Rotary Rally

iTrader: (6)

Hmm.. Not sure if those lights are truly consider DOT legal? And I think if you think V mount and such will be consider OK by NHTSA and the DOT, then I would actually send in some pictures to them and see. My guess is that if they see non-Mazda parts, they might question you.. I say this as some states when you go from salvaged titled car to be street legal again, the require everything to be back to stock.. Any performance modification such as cat back, single turbo, upgraded IC, they will not release. So, again, you might be doing double the work or get rejected and you are stuck loosing your car.

chrisyerkes

Yep you are right about the headlights, luckily I kept the stock ones and can order the legal bulbs or get used one for cheap. As far as the engine goes I contacted the EPA and the RI's on the subject and got the same result. I do have to have the orginal exhaust or a cat that will pass so they told me get a new one and it should def pass. I have the stock twin stup back on and both agencies said they will do a few tests one will be where they sit the car in some sort of garage and will test to see how gas the car exerts in a certain time period. The other test wil be the federal emissions test wich is a little more stricter than the states emissions test but they said as long as all systems are fuctioning that is shouls pass espc. with a new cat and new emissions system on. But then again the RI said that the prices they charge are to do all the emmissions upgrades as well as the littleer things such as lights airbags bumpers and reinforcments.

RLaoFD

iTrader: (6)

still sounds like you're spending more money than what it's worth. then again its your money.

fendamonky

iTrader: (6)

You can't just order "US" bulbs for the stock headlights and call it a day. The patterning inside the housing of a RHD (left side of the road) car makes the spray pattern shine to the left, so it's not in the eyes of oncoming drivers. Didn't you ever pay attention when you got your MOT done? They check for that.

For American cars you need to aim the unit as far to the left as possible, AND add tape to negate the "dazzling" spray pattern. It would only make sense that RHD cars would have the same problem on LHD roads...

Before you call us all idiots for doubting your ability to "legally" import a RHD FD into the US why don't you do a search in the 3rd gen section on the subject. Let us know how many of those threads you find (there will be quiet a handful) end up with positive results...

I'll give you a hint (none).. legally it just doesn't happen. If you happened to find that one loop-hole then grats, I guess. Have you bothered speaking with Brandon VPC yet? They will be the first people you need to get by unless you plan on shipping the car out of pocket.


Oh yeah, and *if* you manage to get your car here, good luck with practicality... having a car with a steering wheel on the wrong side is more a bother then the novelty is worth. Why do I say this? Because I imported my LHD FD to the UK, drove it there for almost 3 years, then recently imported it back...

fendamonky

iTrader: (6)

He is, but you know the proverb... "A fool and his money are soon parted"

chrisyerkes

First of all nobody called anyone an idiot so ya nneed to get your facts right. Second you said you imprted your LHD FD out here and they had to change or check the headlights. I have never been to a MOT station abd them check my lights nevvvvvvver. I have done the research and if you had read the other posts I made I have already contacted both the DOT and the NHTSA and there is a way to do it you just need the paperwork from Mazda in Japan which I am waiting for as we speak. This will be a legal import no loopholes. As for shipping I am in the Air Force and when I spoke to TMO I do not have to use any specific shipping company. I just have to give them the destination for where the vehicle is going to get the modifications done. Maybe you are the one who shoud have done your homework. It is not a hassle to drive on the wrong side of the road as I have an american car out here as well and I have never had a problem driving it on the oads out here. It sounds like you wasted your time importing your car back and forth.

hwnd

iTrader: (4)

If I lived in Japan, I wouldn't want to deal with gathering LHD parts when I needed them.

However, for the uniqueness I'd like an H12 RZ or Spirit-R but wouldn't bother with any other car as the headache wouldn't be worth it for me. However, I would take my 20B R1 with me to another country as that car really is worth its weight... So I could understand your drive to pull this off (legally i hope).

chrisyerkes

Thanks I appreciate it, lol the 20B would def be worth the money. I am a stubburn person and so far things are panning out.

fendamonky

iTrader: (6)

I'm sure you're 100% correct on all your assumptions. Do you even know what I'm referring to when I say Brandon VPC?

Either way, you're really not worth arguing with. Show us some solid evidence once the car is in the country, legal, and chillin with a customs agent.

chrisyerkes

Lol I am not aruging I am telling you what I have been told and what I have learned since coming out here. You just refuse to listen to what I am saying. Trust me once my car is in the country in will be known. Yes I know what you are talking about with Brandon VPC. Do you even know what you are talking about with shipping with the military?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Ok, enough is enough.

chrisyerkes, when you get the car all settled when you get back to the US; PM one of the 3rd Gen moderators and we'll reopen this thread so you can post up your experiences.