Well hope it works out for you, personally what I think is stupid, is your (with the 6k potentially having to be spent) paying 20k for an older stock fd than you would find in the states just to have a rhd car. For 20k you could have bought an already heavily modded lhd and not have had to worry about any of the red tape. But to each his own. Me personally I like to know my money is going for something useful not just an jdm wannabe image.

 

Again (sigh...), you're completely confused here. You're referring to DOT standards, which mostly deal with minor details like lights, bumper height, 5 mph bumper guards, etc. FMVSS Crash test standards can't be written off with just a "list of modifications that need to be done to the car to bring it up to par"; NHTSA needs to see written proof-- as in testing by an approved crash test facility-- that the car meets FMVSS standards. The federal government isn't going to put itself on the hook for any and all liabilities resulting from not establishing that the car meets minimum crash test standards.

Well hell, that's easy enough, isn't it? Just find another steering rack, complete wiring loom that isn't weathered and falling apart (a new one will set you back serious $$$), ABS system, and all the other components that are necessary for the switchover, then find a shop to do the switch, spend $$$$$ to get it done, wait for them to finish the job, hope that it's done right....then do that all over again?

Oh really? Show us the link that shows how to bypass the NHTSA importation approval list and FMVSS crash standards...

Again, just because he has supposedly imported all these cars, that doesn't mean it was done in an absolutely legal manner. Sure, you can get a car onto U.S. soil; getting it completely 100% U.S. legal isn't as easy.

 

I read some of the link (importable car listing) Kento posted, and while I don't want to take sides on this, it, IMO, reads like having an official letter from Mazda saying the non-US, RHD vehicle is "substantially the same" as the US LHD vehicle clears most of the hurdles to be overcome in the importation, as long as the required upgrades are performed. It did not appear to say anything, IMO, about having to convert it to LHD.

But, since I didn't read it extremely carefully, take this for what it cost you (nothing).

Dave

 

This is the same situation that I was describing in the previous post, only it would put Mazda's neck on the line for any and all liabilities resulting from not proving that a RHD car will meet FMVSS crash impact standards. Not going to happen.

 

Well whether or not "it would happen" is certainly not in my meager bank of knowledge. At this point I defer to those with actual experience in the field...

Dave

 

Obviously I cannot predict what Mazda corporate will and will not do. But when the federal government (especially NHTSA) asks for a letter stating anything on a corporation's word, you can bet it will go through their legal departments' intense scrutiny before it ever sees the light of day. That in my opinion puts some pretty heavy odds against it happening.

We're still waiting for all these other individuals who have posted over the past few years spouting about their future JDM FD and how easy it will be to provide this letter that is so easy to obtain...

 

I have read several situations where people have tried to get letters from mazda and it never happens. Most of these cases were related to the years past 95 that were not available in the U.S. I believe it boilded down to was, sure the car was the same frame, crash test, etc as the previous 93-95 but mazda gains nothing by sending a letter stating such. The only thing they can gain is the responsibility that could accompany that letter should something happen. They have nothing to gain and alot to lose by such letter. Personally if I were mazda and someone was wanting said letter I think I would send them one that said, so sorry buy a rx-8.

 

Agreed. They would do nothing but increase their legal liability, and the US is the last country on earth that any sensible company would do that in.

 

...which is basically what I was saying in this post...like I said: not gonna happen.

 

Speaking of facts, "from what you hear" isn't what I call factual.

I'm quite well aware of this letter idea, and the fact is Mazda has not and probably will never issue such a letter. They have everything to lose and nothing to gain. The only companies I know of that issue such letters are imports that don't have a US equivalent model.

So now you expect to pay $3000 for importing, plus whatever money and time it takes to convert from RHD to LHD and back to RHD? That's just silly.

Dave

 

It's been said before and still means something. These are grey market imports, meaning that somebody brought them in illegally. Importers who do this usually set it up so that the customer is the one signing the papers fraudulently, not them. If you were in that business, wouldn't you?

This is worse - if something gets caught up, it's not the importer who's legally responsible, it's you.

Dave

 

Guys, it's OK...this guy obviously knows way more about these cars than we do. I mean, he's heard things from people...how can we compete with that?



Have fun with your paperweight.

 

....... Why do you think i said i heard it? I didn't just say it implying that it was a fact.... I said i heard.... w/e lol. I'm not saying know more about these cars or anything in that general direction. I'm saying that its not impossible to import these cars so they are legal. Mazda told me to call their import / export monday. I'll give a update on how that go's. If it cost more then 7 or 8 grand to import then I'm just going to go with a LHD American rx7. The only reason I am going threw this much trouble to import this car is because I really just want a RHD car, not to be a ricer, not to be OMG I HAVE A CAR FROM JAPAN!!!!! non of that lol. If it cost more then the conversion would then I'll just convert one.

I'm sorry for being suck a dick about the whole thing, it just gets annoying told I can't do something from people on forums (not saying you guys don't know anything) but I get told another from another person. And you guys have posted things that prove the car is aloud to be imported but at a cost, I'm just willing to find out what exactly that cost would be. If its not to much then cool, I have my fd RHD if not then I'll still get one and convert it. Anyways, I'm sorry for being a dick on some parts, but I don't seem to be dealing with the nicest people on these forums in this thread.

Thanks,
Snippy

 

You were just saying in previous posts that we were "dead wrong", that we need to do "more studying up"...
And we aren't either. We're just showing you the information that tells you just how difficult it is to do in a 100% legal manner, but you refuse to believe it just because some RI is telling you otherwise.
You're not looking at it from our POV. We've seen countless individuals coming on this forum over the years asking how to import a RHD FD, and you are behaving in the exact same manner. We show them the facts; they say, "No, you're wrong! Because so-and-so told me this, and I know this can be done..." We say, "OK, show us show us where we're wrong. In fact, show us how it can be done." The silence that follows is absolutely deafening.
You think it's "annoying" having people who know (and show you the facts) tell you something when you think you know otherwise?
So then go ahead and do it. Don't continually try to say the facts we've shown you are wrong.
I'm not trying to be a "dick" either, but you've got to admit that it's pretty difficult to make the effort to coddle people who refuse to listen...

 

I can't stop laughing!!!



How old are you, Snippy?
These people on the forums aren't trying to take away your dream of owning a RHD FD, they're simply trying to point you in the right direction and inform you that you are going to make a VERY costly mistake. You WILL regret your ignorance in the end, I can promise you that.

 

That information says you can import it for street use only if you get a letter from Mazda and convert the emissions. Mazda's never written such a letter, and I'm sure they've been asked numerous times.

All other importation options are either temporary or don't apply to street cars.

So therefore "at a cost" doesn't seem to be the case. If money buys you in, I think it's money spent to grease the works and do it illegally. Registered importers can bring them in either by doing something fraudulent themselves, or getting their customer to sign fraudulent papers. Which one do you think they will end up doing? They don't give a crap what happens to you or your car once it leaves their crate.

We get about one of you every month. Determined to bring a car in, misinformed on what it means to be legal, some wild notion you'll save money, and the old "I know a guy" thing in their pocket. It gets really old, and a lot more irritating than we could ever be toward you.

If you want RHD, buy a proper US FD and a JDM front clip. Swap to your heart's content. Cheaper, easier, and no risk of a felony. Just the fundamental idea of importing an FD without having personally inspected it myself represents an incredible and senseless risk to my time and money. To do it knowing it's also fraudulent is ridiculous.

Dave

 

lol, woops. that was a pretty bad typo :P, anyways. I'm 18. And like I said, I'm talking to Mazda's Import / Export department today (probably should look to see what time it is there lol) so I'll post up what they say (good or bad :P) and let u guys know. I talked to the American Import / Export department and they told me they would give me the letter but they don't have access to the JMD vins so they gave me a number to call. lets hope Japan just wants to hand me a letter lol. (not going to get hopes up since it doesn't seem to have been done b4 :P)

Anyways, I'll keep u posted.


Snippy

 

Please do.

Dave

 

with all this talk of importing and goin thru all kinds of red tape this problem has become like a nail. just get the hammer and smash it in by gettin a US model FD and move on man, believe me you'll be happy when you drive it.

 

If you don't believe us, look here:

https://www.rx7club.com/search.php?searchid=4654656

and Rynberg pretty much summed it up here...

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...&highlight=RHD


You're not the first...you won't be the last.

 

ugh reading this thread makes my head and heart hurt. People should know what they're doing before they try to import a car. And they should especially learn about the car and respect it beforehand. Love the car before you decide u want a cheap go fast mobile.

Having said that, I imported my FD from japan. Coarse, I live in Canada so it was a lot less of a headache. And i want to tell you to stick with what you're doing. If you've come this far just follow it through. If this is the car for you, don't leave it behind. I know you're understanding and knowledge with grow exponentially when you start taking care of her yourself. So enjoy it and treat 'er right. n' have fun bud.

 

Apples to Oranges. And there's nothing special enough about the JDM FD's to warrant the absolute nightmare of red tape to get the car perfectly legal here in the US. Again, not talking about the illegal legalization...talking about going through the proper channels and getting the car approved for real registration. It's nearly impossible, and not worth the hassel. If you like Rx7s, great. Get one. But do yourself a favor and get one that was made for this market.

 

I'm still curious where to get a US downpipe that fits around the RHD steering column. You need that if you want to make the car conforming for emissions.

The AWS and UIM are easy, if they'll let you conform the car using used parts. That's thousands in parts if you have to buy it brand new from Mazda.

Dave

 

yeah, thats what i was wondering as well. the downpipe.... It has to be a cat down pipe and i don't think they make them for rhd. You might be able to buy one and make it fit but if you can't (don't see why you couldn't with a good medal worker) then you would have to switch it to LHD

 

I think SR Motorsports make a downpipe with a cat for USDM cars. I think it is about $700. Car would also need the USDM ECU. As you said, the real question is would used parts be allowed. I seriously doubt it, especially for the catalytic convertors. New, a US convertor from Mazda is $1500. I think the ECU costs about the same. The emissions components would also need a new wiring harness ($800) in addition to a new UIM and solenoids and actuators. It would probably be $10k in parts and labour - in addition to whatever testing costs the EPA would charge.

If Mazda write a letter certifying that the car meets US crash standards (which is unlikely) this process is actually doable, though would only really be worth it for a Spirit R IMHO.