My FD in Japan
01-28-12, 05:25 PM
#26
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
The 25 year thing lets you get the car in the country without having to pull the engine out and doing it illegally.
FWIW, even in Alabama you need DOT papers and EPA papers to register the car and get an Alabama title.
A historical plate lets you drive the car without having to pay as many taxes or having to pay insurance, or something like that.
01-28-12, 05:26 PM
#27
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
But out of curiosity (since I'm from AL), how did you do it?
01-28-12, 07:13 PM
#28
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in CA they like to seize cars though, and they go after the importer.
01-29-12, 08:33 AM
#29
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
You have to get a state title to register a car, and to get a state title you have to take it to a county inspector, who will want DOT and EPA papers before you can get a state title.
But personally I wouldn't be able to stand the thought that the feds could seize my car at any point. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not even this year, but the chance is always there unless you do it legally.
But personally I wouldn't be able to stand the thought that the feds could seize my car at any point. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not even this year, but the chance is always there unless you do it legally.
02-14-12, 04:39 PM
#30
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I may be reading this list wrong, but according here, FD's up to 1995 are eligible.
Once again, I may be reading this wrong, it might be Canada only, so give it good reading through.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig100111.pdf
Once again, I may be reading this wrong, it might be Canada only, so give it good reading through.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig100111.pdf
02-14-12, 09:18 PM
#31
Thanks for the link. I've done the extensive research and it is in fact legal to bring it over as long as it's registered through a gov approved RI. I have the list of things that needs to be converted on the car and it does not seem like a whole lot has to change on the car. Years 87-95 non US model are able to be imported as long as the proper modifications are made. If anyone wants the paperwork I have it saved to my computer as a PDF. With that said ill keep you all posted on things like cost for conversion and registration once everything is put in motion.
02-14-12, 09:53 PM
#32
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I have the paperwork to prove otherwise that's why it's allowed to be shipped to the US. If you want I can post it later in picture format when I get home?!
02-15-12, 04:43 AM
#42
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Who cares if that car is legal, it's legal to bring it over federally..... So all this changing the subject to what was originally said about bringing RHD rx7 over is really wasting my time I got better things to do then to prove you wrong although my last post reveals what I was originally saying. Which in the end makes you wrong buddy. Go find something you can argue and win about.
02-15-12, 05:09 AM
#43
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Alot of people that have rhd are swapped and the ones that aren't swapped are probably registered as something else I know that's what alot of the skyline guys do.
Awhile back I heard if its in more then a certain amount of pieces when shipped over you can register it as a kit car and they give you a new vin. Might try and look into that
Awhile back I heard if its in more then a certain amount of pieces when shipped over you can register it as a kit car and they give you a new vin. Might try and look into that
02-15-12, 11:14 AM
#45
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Who wants to live in the south....just saying.
I think that its going to be more of a head ache than what its worth.
Best to buy a clean one in the states and transfer over the parts.
I think that its going to be more of a head ache than what its worth.
Best to buy a clean one in the states and transfer over the parts.
02-15-12, 03:56 PM
#46
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Kinda hoping that its not too much of a headache but if it is when the time comes then I most def will leave it here. But I still want to try 1st.
02-15-12, 04:24 PM
#47
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I can understand enjoying the things you own.
But sometimes they can be more of a hassle and a stress then what they are worth....
Yea look into it but, i think straight up you probably will have to prepare yourself for the worse case scenario.
But sometimes they can be more of a hassle and a stress then what they are worth....
Yea look into it but, i think straight up you probably will have to prepare yourself for the worse case scenario.
02-15-12, 10:55 PM
#48
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But that's just as much as an headache, finding any used car that's clean and in good shape is a crap shoot, especially a FD.
If it's in good condition, meaning it needs NO work, it will be expensive. Believe me, for the price I bought my bone stock '99, it would only be enough to maybe afford a roller with a blown motor back in the States.
I think it's totally worth it for bringing over a car that you're familiar with, even if the cost for shipping and registering totals near $5k (figuratively speaking), that'll still be cheaper than buying an FD in great condition you've maybe only looked at for a day or 2.
I had this problem with my S30, looked good in pictures, looked good in person, but after I dug into changing things the way I wanted them, there was so much shady stuff going on with that car I was pissed. Luckily it was nothing involving heavy work, but the PO was either lazy as hell, or just uneducated.
I'm not crazy about the idea of owning a RHD car in a LHD country either, but I think if you own a car for an extended period of time its a lot more comforting than buying another one hoping the previous owner was competant and didn't cut corners.
02-17-12, 09:35 AM
#49
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Just figured I would throw in my two cents. I currently own a RHD rx-7 in Florida. As many have stated there are a few states which are easier to own a RHD without too much hastle. I previously owned a Pulsar RHD and I can tell you the majority of poeple are correct in having to crash test the car, unless your specific trim and year i.e. 93' Touring, 95' R2, etc. have been tested I believe is 5 cars to have all the results needed. You can find someone who can do the title's and registration for you like mine and probebly 99% have been brought over as "grey" area cars. Which again if DOT pulls you over you better hope they like you or your car as they can take it. But for the most part regular cops do bother you. I have recieved a few tickets with no issues. I keep a picture of my title on my phone, just in case a cop wants to be a dick, have not needed it yet but have heard from some freinds who own RHD cars that some might ask. As far as the Vin goes, it can be a pain to transfer the title, only a few pllaces will touch a title without the correct amount of nimbers, and insuring the car the first time is anoying as you might have to repeat yourself 5 times when giving the vin, and if you do not have another car insured with the company they might make you come in for an inspection, good luck with that. I have used geico for years without any issues. In summary it is costly no matter how you bring it in, people who can do the title and registration are expensive. Because of this you are better off buying one that is already here, if you ever sell your car it can be a pain, you will end up anoyed by every kid in the area calling. Then you will have to drive out of you way to get any title work done. Overall its cool to have and stands out when you go anywhere, if you have the money and the time go ahead. I would never bring a car, knowing the people who can do it, I think is easier to purchase on here, bring some parts and have fun without the hastle. This is the only time I will post on this subject as it has been beat to death numerous times and RESEARCHING it should end with not having to ask any more questions on importing cars. If you have any questions you can PM me.
02-18-12, 09:56 AM
#50
The petition also does not state RHD vs LHD perhaps intentionally, but submitter does claim "identical" air bag and seat belt system; sorry but to the Fed's Identical does not include mirror image. I have no skin in this game, I just don’t want people to set false hopes or worst, get the car into the country, get it titled and registered in a state (that part is not so hard) and then one day have the Feds come by, confiscate the car and crush it up. It happens on a higher percentage than an IRS audit so don’t play the gamble, they don’t track from the individual up but from the “dealer” down.
I am not stating that we have no RHD RX-7's over here. I am stating that they are NOT Federally approved and thus illegal and thus subject to forfeiture.
