Has anyone imported an FD from the US recently?
 

My last import, which was not an RX7 was in November of last year and my last imported RX7 was over 3 years ago. I remember that I wasn't hassled at all at Canadian Tire when they did the federal inspection. However, I've noticed that RIV's process is somewhat revised, where they won't even issue the inspection form until the recall clearance from Mazda USA is sent to them. Thankfully, the recall clearance letter came quickly and the wheels are in motion but it's different even from November of last year. Also, if anyone has imported an FD, do you know of a place that may not dig as deeply to inspect whether the bumpers meet Canadian standards? Lights are not an issue, but bumpers are more of a PITA. On my last RX7 which was a vert, I actually swapped the bumper components because I had the parts, but I don't feel like doing it on this car, especially when the guy at CT said they never check anyway. Anyone with recent experience?

I think the 15 year rule applies to US cars the same as JDM cars, so if the car you're looking at from the states is still over 15 years old now, you don't have to do the RIV crap?

Yeah I think tim is right on this one, but if you are trying to get a FD from the states this year than it won't be 15years old yet and you will have to deal with bumper laws. I personally haven't imported a car from the US. Are you sure that you need to replace the bumpers in the FD's. Since you have imported cars before you probubly know about the www.riv.ca webiste that lists each car and tells you what needs to be replaced to make them legal here. You might want to ask around locally for info on shops that won't be as pciky with the inspections. The only thing with that is that only certified shops can do OOP inspections, so your chances of finding a shop that won't dig too deep isn't as good. But still possible.

Thanks guys. The car was built in 3/94 so it will be a little while before the rule applies. I got the recall letter with all the federal requirements and it boils down to child seat tethers (go figure), daytime running lights (no brainer) and bumpers. I think I'll head over to Canadian Tire and ask them what type of things they'd need to verify that the bumpers are in compliance. Like I mentioned, last time I went in and had gone through the hassle of swapping bumper parts, the guy looked at me as if I was insane.

I brought mine in last year to Ontario from the States and had no problems at all. No bumper changes, no trouble at all at CT for the inspection. I was road legal within a week from the border.

Go to mazda and buy the rebar , take the receipt in with you to CT to show that you bought the part and say "you" had installed it yourself. Car passes, take the rebar back to mazda, get hit with a 15% restocking charge. done.

if it's over 15, you need to pay taxes and you're done.