Importing a JDM Rx7
 

OK so I've been looking around the forum for the answer to this, and I've finally decided to take it to the masses. So here it goes..... If I import an FD between the years 1992 and 1995 what do I personally have to take care of to get it street legal in South Carolina. I know it's possible because I just saw an R34 skyline at the local performance shop. Sadly it wasn't anyone that works there. There are no emissions standards/ tests here other than the national ones, there is a port nearby, and there is already crash data and EPA stuff on the model years I'm looking at. Although I'm not sure if a type R-X Bathurst is going to be considered a sub model. I'm sure that there is something I'm missing. and even if i have to put the car in my garage and sneak it our onto the streets at night I'm doing it. but I would prefer if people could see just how amazing this car really is. So all that said could we please get some serious information on this subject. please...

You do know the JDM and USDM FD are exactly the same. The only difference is the jdm one has a downpipe instead of a pre-cat. The other big difference is the JDM fd is a pain to work on. The jdm fd's steering set-up is on the same side as the turbo stuff. Look do yourself a favor, buy a usdm FD because it is easier to work on and wont cost you more money. Dont be another JDM fanboy

if you feel like spending 11grand plus the cost of the car, i know a company who does it all the time

honestly I would be all about buying a USDM Rx7 but honestly they are too rare and too expensive most of the time. The rest of the time they are completely worn out. Now there are a few that I've seen on the forum and i would love to buy them but I can't see my wife letting me fly to the west coast for one. and she is definately not letting me buy another project car ( little does she know ). But hey if anyone has an FD for sale that's not completely worked over and is actually worth the money and isn't going to charge me my soul. I'm all for it.

And besides.... how bad ass would it be to step out of a built FD that has RHD.

and you could take a job as a mailman on the side :)

It would be totally lame.


We had the exact same thread about this a few days ago. Try using the search button.

Damn right. You know the chicks dig a man with a fast car and those sexy mail man shorts. :-))

so your telling me that the best way to get a RHD FD is to buy the car and then buy another JDM model or at least a half-cut and swap it

that is what kinetic_FD3S did

just get an FD and try to do upkeep on it. these cars are a money pit

No..... He's saying staying on the left side is better than on the right side.....

Just buy a USDM one. How in the hell are you going to know the condition of the JDM one if you don't go and take a look at it? Although you could ask him to send you a real time photo, it could still be edited to look like he just took it. You should check out speedforsale.com or contact Fritz Flynn. They know a lot and do a lot.

pardon me but given the fact that FD were(are) available in US what is the fascination with RHD FD. i can see the point of bring in a car which was never offer domestically ie: R32-r33-R34 but the trouble of going through bringing in a car to US just does not make sense to me($$$$$$$). IMO.

For me it's just about being different. But I have a friend that's obsessed with the R34 skyline. I can see why you would want one but I don't think I would ever get that car because it's so damn main stream ( not the having, but the wanting ). RX7s are and enthusiast's car. it's different from the engine to the styling. Every generation has iconic style. they are something that can be passed down for generations, and will still always draw looks of admiration and the nods people who truly see an automobile as a work of moving artwork.

lame

so far i dont see any reason why you SHOULD buy a JDM FD..... theres no rhyme or reason to it..... RHD cars are played out. so what if we missed out on the RZ, Type R, Bathurst R, and Spirit R editions..... mostly modified suspension and appearance packages if you ask me.

and you're gonna "hook it up" more?
no way jose.


just buy USDM.

pmed

i worked for the post office as a temp for a couple of summers while in college, and i can tell you from first hand experience that a guy in good shape who delivers the mail and is young gets hit on a lot by some good looking girls (Ann Arbor, MI and U of M student housing area).

Anyway, back to the thread. There is no reason to buy a JDM FD other than it's JDM. It will be just as worn out, if not more worn out than USDM versions, plus it's impossible to import them to the United States unless it's imported as a show car/track car that will NEVER see the streets. If you get caught in it, they'll impound it and crush it. Don't waste your time, wait until you can actually afford a FD and then get one.

I know this subject's pretty much done..but it seems like what Im about to say was danced around, probably because its assumed obvious but...Im gonna go ahead and spell it out anyway...RHD cars were a cool commodity when the import tuning scene was still somewhat young (up until about 99-00)..but now-a-days even in shows being RHD wont score you many, if any points. The point about doing the work is VERY accurate as well...But as far as the shipping thing...You'll end up paying about an average of 3-5k more in the end trying to ship a decent condition JDM FD than you would on buying a good condition USDM FD...

Well thanks everyone. It was just an idea that I was playing around with. but i am looking for an FD. I'd prefer black or white. it seems like everyone has VR. Oh the Grey is pretty good too.

You can find the production numbers here:

http://www.fd3s.net/history.html

You'll see that the 1993 VR was the most produced year/color combination which is why you see so many of them. While it's nice to find the color you want, look for the condition of the car first. I really wanted Brilliant Black, but that's not what I ended up with. However, a FD in any color is better than no FD at all. ;)

Yeah, nothing a session in a paint booth cant fix.......

Car color should be the LAST thing you think about when buying a car.......

I'd be more worried more about the mechanical aspects of the car first and foremost with records to prove required maint was done at regular intervals.

What about yellow? I have a buddy w/a sunburst yellow 96 already imported and titled in MS right now....Titled in FL before this. R model. Only "mods" are a sparco steering wheel and a cat back exhaust...

how old are you? 16? :lol:

Oh also, it only has 40,xxx km on it. Perfect mechanical condition.

R34s have been imported into the US as you mentioned. Regarding those cars specifically, a lot had to be done to bring them up to US spec in addition to emissions related items. For example, side impact beams were added to meet strict US safety standards. Hell, even the JDM windshield didn't meet US crash standards, it was too thin. Now, I don't know specifically about the JDM FD, but I can imagine similar mods will have to be done to gain US certification and registration. The point is, do a lot of in depth research before you jump in, this could be a much bigger project than what first meets the eye.