RHD FD's will soon hit our shores...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
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From: Hagersville Ontario
RHD FD's will soon hit our shores...
Just curious what everyone's opinion is on it.
I personally think its going to be the way I end up owning an FD seeing as (from what Ive seen thus far) they are fairly in-expensive. And yes Im aware of the "pay for what you get" addage.
Ive seen some comments in random threads about "the importing will bring down the avg. cost of our FD's" but I don't think that will be the case. If anything - the LHD FD's will go up in price because to a potential new buyer he's goign to have to make the "comprimise" of buying a RHD for less or buying an already here, already licenesed LHD FD for a little more.
Discuss.
I personally think its going to be the way I end up owning an FD seeing as (from what Ive seen thus far) they are fairly in-expensive. And yes Im aware of the "pay for what you get" addage.
Ive seen some comments in random threads about "the importing will bring down the avg. cost of our FD's" but I don't think that will be the case. If anything - the LHD FD's will go up in price because to a potential new buyer he's goign to have to make the "comprimise" of buying a RHD for less or buying an already here, already licenesed LHD FD for a little more.
Discuss.
For sure I think that is going to be my path to FD ownership, I don't think the market will be flooded either, it will likely mean some kid who has wanted one will go buy one blow the motor, and want to resell it and might take a hit; but I am a negative thinker.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
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From: Hagersville Ontario
Yeah, that was another point I'd hear thrown around:
"This will make it easy for a 17y/o to buy an FD and then beat the **** out of it"
Again (like you mentioned) I don't really think that'll be the case. At this point in my life with zero tickets (that had points), Driver's ed, etc. etc. I pay WAAAAY too much for the TII. If some 17 y/o wants insurance on a 2dr twin turbo sports car - his daddy's going to put the kaibosh on it simply because of the insurance costs. This may not be the case for some but I think that most young-n's will be deturred from ownership because of the cost of insurance alone.
"This will make it easy for a 17y/o to buy an FD and then beat the **** out of it"
Again (like you mentioned) I don't really think that'll be the case. At this point in my life with zero tickets (that had points), Driver's ed, etc. etc. I pay WAAAAY too much for the TII. If some 17 y/o wants insurance on a 2dr twin turbo sports car - his daddy's going to put the kaibosh on it simply because of the insurance costs. This may not be the case for some but I think that most young-n's will be deturred from ownership because of the cost of insurance alone.
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From: above ground
Here is my 0.02$
I don't think the price of the LHD FD will vary by too much. It will open up a "low end" market for FDs with the auction block japanese ones. Look at it this way, currently, most of the "new" FD's to canada in the last few years have been from the US, and the cost of a good LHD FD in Canada reflects that -- most FD's for sale in canada are sitting at about the price it would cost to buy, modify, and ship a US FD.
Now, consider this -- the border to the US is impermiable to RHD FD's, but not LHD ones -- so if the price of FD's drop's dramatically in Canada, the LHD ones will dissapear to the US -- and ther aren't alot of LHD's in Canada, so they'll only become more and more rare, thus driving the price up? But not more than what they'd cost from the states, which is about what they're at now .
Over the next 10 years, you'll see canada open up to -- what? Potentially a hundred thousand rhd FDs? I'm not sure how many they made in Japan but probably a lot more than the 14,000-15,000 LHD ones that got shipped to North America.
So, If you want a LHD rx-7, after some initial exodus of our cheaper LHD FD's, you're going to have to go to the states to get one, unless you're willing to settle for a RHD, which would keep us tied to the US market for LHD FD's and tied to the Japanese market for RHD FD's, which due to RHD being a major pita in the US, can't influence each other.
So basically, the price of the RHD FD's will continue to drop, as the prices from Japan drop over the next decade, but you'll always be able to sell your LHD at whatever the going rate is in the US, which won't be affected by JDM cars at all.
This will, unfortunatley, open up alot of shady crap as ppl buy cheap RHD's from Japan, drop in LHD components, and grey market them to the US for a profit, assuming that the LHD depreciation in the States is less than the RHD availability in Canada.
I don't think the price of the LHD FD will vary by too much. It will open up a "low end" market for FDs with the auction block japanese ones. Look at it this way, currently, most of the "new" FD's to canada in the last few years have been from the US, and the cost of a good LHD FD in Canada reflects that -- most FD's for sale in canada are sitting at about the price it would cost to buy, modify, and ship a US FD.
Now, consider this -- the border to the US is impermiable to RHD FD's, but not LHD ones -- so if the price of FD's drop's dramatically in Canada, the LHD ones will dissapear to the US -- and ther aren't alot of LHD's in Canada, so they'll only become more and more rare, thus driving the price up? But not more than what they'd cost from the states, which is about what they're at now .
Over the next 10 years, you'll see canada open up to -- what? Potentially a hundred thousand rhd FDs? I'm not sure how many they made in Japan but probably a lot more than the 14,000-15,000 LHD ones that got shipped to North America.
So, If you want a LHD rx-7, after some initial exodus of our cheaper LHD FD's, you're going to have to go to the states to get one, unless you're willing to settle for a RHD, which would keep us tied to the US market for LHD FD's and tied to the Japanese market for RHD FD's, which due to RHD being a major pita in the US, can't influence each other.
So basically, the price of the RHD FD's will continue to drop, as the prices from Japan drop over the next decade, but you'll always be able to sell your LHD at whatever the going rate is in the US, which won't be affected by JDM cars at all.
This will, unfortunatley, open up alot of shady crap as ppl buy cheap RHD's from Japan, drop in LHD components, and grey market them to the US for a profit, assuming that the LHD depreciation in the States is less than the RHD availability in Canada.
Last edited by Crymson; Sep 18, 2006 at 12:29 PM.
Originally Posted by classicauto
Yeah, that was another point I'd hear thrown around:
"This will make it easy for a 17y/o to buy an FD and then beat the **** out of it"
Again (like you mentioned) I don't really think that'll be the case. At this point in my life with zero tickets (that had points), Driver's ed, etc. etc. I pay WAAAAY too much for the TII. If some 17 y/o wants insurance on a 2dr twin turbo sports car - his daddy's going to put the kaibosh on it simply because of the insurance costs. This may not be the case for some but I think that most young-n's will be deturred from ownership because of the cost of insurance alone.
"This will make it easy for a 17y/o to buy an FD and then beat the **** out of it"
Again (like you mentioned) I don't really think that'll be the case. At this point in my life with zero tickets (that had points), Driver's ed, etc. etc. I pay WAAAAY too much for the TII. If some 17 y/o wants insurance on a 2dr twin turbo sports car - his daddy's going to put the kaibosh on it simply because of the insurance costs. This may not be the case for some but I think that most young-n's will be deturred from ownership because of the cost of insurance alone.
I have talked to the one dealer in town here, and he is starting to import RHD vehicles, last week he just got a 91 Mitsubishi GTO (Jspec Dodge Stealth), it sold in 3 days, people around here seem to have money to burn, he also said he has rinquiries for 2-3 FD's already.
JDM FD's will open up the Canadian market to higher end japanese parts normally not worth importing due to extermely low volumes.. RE A and Anniversary parts come to mind.. personally I plan to get one, I refuse to pay the highest prices in the G8 for a FD.
owners of LHD FD's who've made an investment like it was a collector car and who are being pissy about this influx of FD's, had years to realize that in 11/91' they started production and therefor 15 years later they are eligable to be import..
owners of LHD FD's who've made an investment like it was a collector car and who are being pissy about this influx of FD's, had years to realize that in 11/91' they started production and therefor 15 years later they are eligable to be import..
Originally Posted by Crymson
Over the next 10 years, you'll see canada open up to -- what? Potentially a hundred thousand rhd FDs? I'm not sure how many they made in Japan but probably a lot more than the 14,000-15,000 LHD ones that got shipped to North America.
The availability of RHD FD's in Canada will lower the price of LHD FDs - but not all of them. It will only effect the crappy examples that have a lower value anyway. For example, if a beaten up high milage FD is on the market now for $14K, it is the only way into an FD at that price. As soon as RHD versions that are in good shape are available at that same price, the owner will have to drop the price to make it attractive. A $12-$14K RHD FD wont effect the price of a LHD FD that is in great shape and worth the $22-$25K asking price, it will only effect the FD's that will compete at the same price range.
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From: above ground
Originally Posted by Nick86
I think you are SERIOUSLY over estimating how many RHD FD's will make it to our shores. If 100,000 RHD FD's came over in the next 10 years, that would mean that over 27 cars would arrive in Canada EVERY DAY for the next 10 years! I'd be surprised if we averaged 27 cars a YEAR for the next 10 years.
The availability of RHD FD's in Canada will lower the price of LHD FDs - but not all of them. It will only effect the crappy examples that have a lower value anyway. For example, if a beaten up high milage FD is on the market now for $14K, it is the only way into an FD at that price. As soon as RHD versions that are in good shape are available at that same price, the owner will have to drop the price to make it attractive. A $12-$14K RHD FD wont effect the price of a LHD FD that is in great shape and worth the $22-$25K asking price, it will only effect the FD's that will compete at the same price range.
The availability of RHD FD's in Canada will lower the price of LHD FDs - but not all of them. It will only effect the crappy examples that have a lower value anyway. For example, if a beaten up high milage FD is on the market now for $14K, it is the only way into an FD at that price. As soon as RHD versions that are in good shape are available at that same price, the owner will have to drop the price to make it attractive. A $12-$14K RHD FD wont effect the price of a LHD FD that is in great shape and worth the $22-$25K asking price, it will only effect the FD's that will compete at the same price range.
And my argument is that the LHD FD's will only drop so much as to be inline with the US market, and because our dollar is strong, a good FD will be 15-20k, like theirs are, and will NOT drop to match the RHD market.
Why would you sell your car in a deflated canadian market, due to the presense of RHD FD's when you could list your car in the states and sell to their -- non RHD invaded, market.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
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From: Hagersville Ontario
OK the only thing Im not really clear on is why can't they be imported into the states? what are their laws for importing? after 20yrs? not at all? fill me in.
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From: London, Ontario, Canada
I think it needs to be recognized that only enthusiasts like ourselves are even going to realize that it is possible to import a FD from Japan. The number coming over will be essentially limited to people who are on the RX-7 forum!
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From: Kitchener Ontario Canada
Yeah I dont understand why, for example, my RHD FC cant be sold to someone in the US ?
My FC is registered and has a replacement VIN for Ontario. There is nothing different between my car and the North American FC's (besides the fact that my steering wheel is on the wrong side).
It should be no different than selling a LHD FC to someone in the US. Right?
My FC is registered and has a replacement VIN for Ontario. There is nothing different between my car and the North American FC's (besides the fact that my steering wheel is on the wrong side).
It should be no different than selling a LHD FC to someone in the US. Right?
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From: above ground
With the states, it's not a straightward deal like it is in canada.
They are allowed to circumvent their DOT or Emissions after 25 years, i think, similiar to our 15 year rule. However, that still doesn't necessarily make it legal.
The 93,94,95 's may be modifiable to import to the US, provided mazda claims they'd preform exactly same in a crash test as the LHD variant, and someone, somewhere decides that it can be modified to meet us requirements. But, it's not like canada where its "get a bumper, DRL's and km's on yoru speedo". A company, called a "Registered Importer" must do the work, and sign off on the car and deal with the gov't for you, it's not just "go get canadian tire to stamp your form 2".
Look at all the hassel the motorex had with the R34, they had to import and crashtest a pile of Skyline GT-R's, modify them, and prove they're up to use dept of transport safety stuff, and they STILL had their right to import them revoked for some reason, i think.
And you think the automotive lobby is stupidy strong in Canada? It's got nothing on the US, i'm sure you'd see heads roll if they allowed us citizens to import cheap japanese used cars.
I think in the states, any car is *POSSIBLE* to import, at any age, provided you've got ridiculous coin, but in Canada it goes from - compeletely impossible to ridiculously easy at some arbitrary point in a cars life, which isn't going to happen in the US.
I wouldn't be surprised to see alot of US citizens registered cars in Canada in the next few years so that they can have Canadian plates on them and drive them in the states.
They are allowed to circumvent their DOT or Emissions after 25 years, i think, similiar to our 15 year rule. However, that still doesn't necessarily make it legal.
The 93,94,95 's may be modifiable to import to the US, provided mazda claims they'd preform exactly same in a crash test as the LHD variant, and someone, somewhere decides that it can be modified to meet us requirements. But, it's not like canada where its "get a bumper, DRL's and km's on yoru speedo". A company, called a "Registered Importer" must do the work, and sign off on the car and deal with the gov't for you, it's not just "go get canadian tire to stamp your form 2".
Look at all the hassel the motorex had with the R34, they had to import and crashtest a pile of Skyline GT-R's, modify them, and prove they're up to use dept of transport safety stuff, and they STILL had their right to import them revoked for some reason, i think.
And you think the automotive lobby is stupidy strong in Canada? It's got nothing on the US, i'm sure you'd see heads roll if they allowed us citizens to import cheap japanese used cars.
I think in the states, any car is *POSSIBLE* to import, at any age, provided you've got ridiculous coin, but in Canada it goes from - compeletely impossible to ridiculously easy at some arbitrary point in a cars life, which isn't going to happen in the US.
I wouldn't be surprised to see alot of US citizens registered cars in Canada in the next few years so that they can have Canadian plates on them and drive them in the states.
Well as a importer of Japanese Vehicle (assisted two done one myself) i can say is that i want very few FDs coming in.. i am going to be selling them.. and as of right now all my vehicles come in from Auction but in the next 1 1/2 years i would like to move away from Auction vehicles to private sales... cause i believe that they are better qaulity and then someone i know and trust has looked at it and inspected it...
i want to see very few FDs come into Canada. why? they are a hard car to learn how to handle expensive to maintain.. this means that if we see large volumes of them coming in.. you will also see larger volumes dying (cause of the nature of the FD) either blow engines. or totally destroyed cars....
i think these cars should be brought in and only sold to a select clientele... there fore reducing the risk of killed drivers and destroyed cars.. but i am only a small guy and my bussiness if not big.. but i hope to try my best...
and (a side note) i have a 1989 Camaro for sale (imported of course) 34,000 kms orig Throttle Body injection 305, Auto (i know) interior has sagging headline and one small hole in rear seat everything else if mint inside.. i keep it clean and do not bag it. No rust etc.... very nice condition.. no bent body panels anything.. i am looking for a buyer who will take care of it.. it has to be seen to under stand why i am asking as much as i am, it is a great body for either race build or morso show build.. its LHD. and if you want any more info P.M. me.. more then happy to help...
P.M. for price.. is for the serisous inquires only.. it is in very good condition.. so i am asking a " higher" (my opinion) price
Prôdigy
i want to see very few FDs come into Canada. why? they are a hard car to learn how to handle expensive to maintain.. this means that if we see large volumes of them coming in.. you will also see larger volumes dying (cause of the nature of the FD) either blow engines. or totally destroyed cars....
i think these cars should be brought in and only sold to a select clientele... there fore reducing the risk of killed drivers and destroyed cars.. but i am only a small guy and my bussiness if not big.. but i hope to try my best...
and (a side note) i have a 1989 Camaro for sale (imported of course) 34,000 kms orig Throttle Body injection 305, Auto (i know) interior has sagging headline and one small hole in rear seat everything else if mint inside.. i keep it clean and do not bag it. No rust etc.... very nice condition.. no bent body panels anything.. i am looking for a buyer who will take care of it.. it has to be seen to under stand why i am asking as much as i am, it is a great body for either race build or morso show build.. its LHD. and if you want any more info P.M. me.. more then happy to help...
P.M. for price.. is for the serisous inquires only.. it is in very good condition.. so i am asking a " higher" (my opinion) price
Prôdigy
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From: Alberta
As a person that owns a RHD FC, will also be getting a RHD FD in November and as a mechanic that works on alot of rx7's, i can already see alot of people and hear about alot of people pre-ordering FD's. Alot of the people that are ordering them have no idea what it takes to maintain an rx7 let alone an FD. So with that happening i can forsee alot of blowing of engines and landed RHD FD's being sold for cheap. This for myself is a good thing cause the blown motors will keep myself and a few buddies busy rebuilding them 
Now, as for LHD FD's i don't think the market price will drop. I've looked at the market and seen what cars have come in and how much they are selling for compared to LHD's and the LHD's seem to hold there value if not go o up in price.
If you're interested in RHD Cars go to www.4kruzn.com. Extremely knowledgeable, happy to help you out and will help you out even after you've bought the car from them.
Now, as for LHD FD's i don't think the market price will drop. I've looked at the market and seen what cars have come in and how much they are selling for compared to LHD's and the LHD's seem to hold there value if not go o up in price.
If you're interested in RHD Cars go to www.4kruzn.com. Extremely knowledgeable, happy to help you out and will help you out even after you've bought the car from them.
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The 15 year rule applies to all cars even in the states. Most 1993 USA FD's have a production date of 1992 on the door jam. This means you can pass through the Registar's Imported Vehicle's process!! Just pay GST and duty at the border. No bumper mods, hadlights, teather anchrage are required.
As for the market, I think that domestic FD's might go down in value. The reason why I consider a JDM Fd is beceause of the lower miliage, condition and price. If you compare with domestic FD's, the JDM FD is a better car.
As for the market, I think that domestic FD's might go down in value. The reason why I consider a JDM Fd is beceause of the lower miliage, condition and price. If you compare with domestic FD's, the JDM FD is a better car.
Last edited by 1sicsol; Sep 26, 2006 at 09:26 AM.
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I have been investigating the importing process for over a year now. Another thing that is not brought up in this thread is the actually process, more spacificly the risks that are associated with importing form Japan. The importing companies won't tell you this. I highly suggest to anyone that is seriously interested in importing read every thread on the GTR forums. THere is an entire mess of problems that can and will occur.
As I have stated in my other thread, problems could occur with shipping theft and damage, shipping delays, storage fees, customs denial for modified cars, inland shipping theft and damage, OOP inspection failure and local ministry registration problems.
It's like a gamble with a lot of risks. First, you truely have no idea what condition your car is really in. Then there is all the problems stated above.
As I have stated in my other thread, problems could occur with shipping theft and damage, shipping delays, storage fees, customs denial for modified cars, inland shipping theft and damage, OOP inspection failure and local ministry registration problems.
It's like a gamble with a lot of risks. First, you truely have no idea what condition your car is really in. Then there is all the problems stated above.
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From: N/A
Shipping theft and damage
All your gauges, cd players, stereo, anything electronic have a high risk of being stolen from the shipping company and Japan people in the shipping yards. In fact, all the importing companies are suggesting to have these parts taken off seperatly and shipped to your door in a box. THe theft is that bad. Second, there are many horror stories about cars being damaged from container shipping. As mentioned in my other thread, one guy had $2000 damage done to his car and no one would claim responsibility. THis is common, so "RORO" type shipping is recomended (Roll On, Roll Off) If your battery is dead in this case, they will boost it everytime it needs to be moved charging $50 per boost (and probably blowing your computer)
Shipping delays
But get ready to wait for RORO, there is a 6 month delay for a spot on the ships. New cars have presidence over space on the ships.
Storage fees
Customs charges $15 per day, and they take an unestimated amount of time to process your car. YOur guess is as good theirs as to when the car is done thier process.
Customs denial for modified cars
Customs is now denying cars for being modified. They are claiming that they are not origional, and therefor they are not truely 15 yeras old because of the modifications. There is 3 legal skylines that were denyed entry into Canada. As far as I know they had a roll cage and racing seats. The importing company had to get a lawyer and appeal the decision, because if your car is not accepted it has to be crushed under supervision of customs, and you dont get any money back. In this case, these three cars have been held for over 6 months...imagine the storage fees and the thought that you could loose your car and money..yikes.
All your gauges, cd players, stereo, anything electronic have a high risk of being stolen from the shipping company and Japan people in the shipping yards. In fact, all the importing companies are suggesting to have these parts taken off seperatly and shipped to your door in a box. THe theft is that bad. Second, there are many horror stories about cars being damaged from container shipping. As mentioned in my other thread, one guy had $2000 damage done to his car and no one would claim responsibility. THis is common, so "RORO" type shipping is recomended (Roll On, Roll Off) If your battery is dead in this case, they will boost it everytime it needs to be moved charging $50 per boost (and probably blowing your computer)
Shipping delays
But get ready to wait for RORO, there is a 6 month delay for a spot on the ships. New cars have presidence over space on the ships.
Storage fees
Customs charges $15 per day, and they take an unestimated amount of time to process your car. YOur guess is as good theirs as to when the car is done thier process.
Customs denial for modified cars
Customs is now denying cars for being modified. They are claiming that they are not origional, and therefor they are not truely 15 yeras old because of the modifications. There is 3 legal skylines that were denyed entry into Canada. As far as I know they had a roll cage and racing seats. The importing company had to get a lawyer and appeal the decision, because if your car is not accepted it has to be crushed under supervision of customs, and you dont get any money back. In this case, these three cars have been held for over 6 months...imagine the storage fees and the thought that you could loose your car and money..yikes.
Last edited by 1sicsol; Sep 26, 2006 at 10:00 AM.
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Inland shipping theft and damage
Once your car arrives in Vancouver, you need to ship it to your home. I found some disturbing horror stories about this process when a member of GTR forum messaged me..
<TABLE class=forumline cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=row1 vAlign=top rowSpan=2>1sicsol
GTRC Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2006
Location: Toronto
</TD><TD class=row1 vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postdetails>
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:33 am</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postbody vAlign=top><HR>Hey guys,
How much it cost to ship from Vancover to Toronto. Anyone know of a good shipper with reasonable rates?</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=forumline cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=row2 vAlign=top rowSpan=2>1sicsol
GTRC Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2006
Location: Toronto
</TD><TD class=row2 vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postdetails>Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:31 pm</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postbody vAlign=top><HR>I have read that a few guys have gone with searail; the rates seem pretty good. Was there any damage to your car form riding in a train, anything stolen? How long did it take?
Do you know where their rail way drop off port is in Ontario?</TD></TR><TR><TD class=genmed vAlign=bottom height=40></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=row2 vAlign=bottom noWrap>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=spacerow colSpan=2 height=1></TD></TR><TR><TD class=row1 vAlign=top rowSpan=2>______________
GTRC Member
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
</TD><TD class=row1 vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postdetails>Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:53 pm</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postbody vAlign=top><HR>its on HWY 7, near Jane St. between Keele.
Forgot the exact name of the road. Try their website?
I only had bad experiences with SeaRail though. PM me for more info.
PM "Searail stole some rims that I had in the rear trunk/rear seats and transported my car with the windows down. It ended up messing the whole interior and needed a full steamwash and powerclean, which cost me another $300. This all happened in early December. They also managed to put a huge dent on the rear quarter panel.
Their insurance is useless as they will not do anything. I atleast tried to get them to cover the steamcleaning, but they refused to help at all.
The first skyline I used with them, they damaged the front bumper while unloading, ripped it right off the car as it was coming off the trailer.
Try using LHF, I heard good reviews about them only."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Once your car arrives in Vancouver, you need to ship it to your home. I found some disturbing horror stories about this process when a member of GTR forum messaged me..
<TABLE class=forumline cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=row1 vAlign=top rowSpan=2>1sicsol
GTRC Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2006
Location: Toronto
</TD><TD class=row1 vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postdetails>Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:33 am</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postbody vAlign=top><HR>Hey guys, How much it cost to ship from Vancover to Toronto. Anyone know of a good shipper with reasonable rates?</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=forumline cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=row2 vAlign=top rowSpan=2>1sicsol
GTRC Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2006
Location: Toronto
</TD><TD class=row2 vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postdetails>Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:31 pm</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postbody vAlign=top><HR>I have read that a few guys have gone with searail; the rates seem pretty good. Was there any damage to your car form riding in a train, anything stolen? How long did it take? Do you know where their rail way drop off port is in Ontario?</TD></TR><TR><TD class=genmed vAlign=bottom height=40></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=row2 vAlign=bottom noWrap>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=spacerow colSpan=2 height=1></TD></TR><TR><TD class=row1 vAlign=top rowSpan=2>______________GTRC Member
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
</TD><TD class=row1 vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postdetails>Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:53 pm</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=postbody vAlign=top><HR>its on HWY 7, near Jane St. between Keele. Forgot the exact name of the road. Try their website?
I only had bad experiences with SeaRail though. PM me for more info.
PM "Searail stole some rims that I had in the rear trunk/rear seats and transported my car with the windows down. It ended up messing the whole interior and needed a full steamwash and powerclean, which cost me another $300. This all happened in early December. They also managed to put a huge dent on the rear quarter panel.
Their insurance is useless as they will not do anything. I atleast tried to get them to cover the steamcleaning, but they refused to help at all.
The first skyline I used with them, they damaged the front bumper while unloading, ripped it right off the car as it was coming off the trailer.
Try using LHF, I heard good reviews about them only."
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Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
From: N/A
OOP Inspection
Once your car is here, it has to undergo an "Out Of Province Inspection". I can not find any information aobut who does this, and what they look for in Ontario. As far as Alberta, they are failing cars beause nothing on them are DOT standard. Apparently in Japan they dont have DOT standards, so thier headlights, windshields and tires will not comply with provincial safety standards. This is still a grey area for me so I'm not sure exactly what is expected or evaluated during the inspection.
Ministy Problems
Apparently in Ontario no one in Ministry knows how to register a Japanses vehicle, except one place in Brampton. All the Skyline guys had to go there but they still received problems. At one point the ministy suspended all registration of imported vehicles for no explainalbe reason. Apparently you can register them now, but you have to provide proof from a dealership that your car's VIN number is actually matched for the car. They have no way to verifiy this beacuse thier system only accepts 17 digit VINS, and Japan VINs are apparently 11 digits.
I wanted to write all this so that serious buyers will be enlightend with the risks associated importing form Japan. I feel that the RX-7 community needs to know this, becuase the importing companied wont tell you this stuff. It deters people from buying cars.
All in all, there are pros and cons with this entire process. Will I take the gamble? I'm considering now, because I know more about everything that could potentially happen in the process.
Once your car is here, it has to undergo an "Out Of Province Inspection". I can not find any information aobut who does this, and what they look for in Ontario. As far as Alberta, they are failing cars beause nothing on them are DOT standard. Apparently in Japan they dont have DOT standards, so thier headlights, windshields and tires will not comply with provincial safety standards. This is still a grey area for me so I'm not sure exactly what is expected or evaluated during the inspection.
Ministy Problems
Apparently in Ontario no one in Ministry knows how to register a Japanses vehicle, except one place in Brampton. All the Skyline guys had to go there but they still received problems. At one point the ministy suspended all registration of imported vehicles for no explainalbe reason. Apparently you can register them now, but you have to provide proof from a dealership that your car's VIN number is actually matched for the car. They have no way to verifiy this beacuse thier system only accepts 17 digit VINS, and Japan VINs are apparently 11 digits.
I wanted to write all this so that serious buyers will be enlightend with the risks associated importing form Japan. I feel that the RX-7 community needs to know this, becuase the importing companied wont tell you this stuff. It deters people from buying cars.
All in all, there are pros and cons with this entire process. Will I take the gamble? I'm considering now, because I know more about everything that could potentially happen in the process.
- that smiley is cool.whoever claimed that the system only accepts 17 digit vins is either lying or stupid.
How many pre-1980 cars have a 17 digit vins? Zero. Do you think if you have, say, a 1967 camaro you just can't register it anymore?
The post at the top of this page seems really biased and probably came from someone that had no idea what they were talking about. $50 per boost, probably blowing up your computer in the process?
What, are these cars shipped by monkeys that attach the jumper cables to the ECU? I'm pretty sure they're smart enough to know the difference between posative and negative, and even if they aren't, They'd figure it out when it started making all kinds of sparks. And that's why cars have a main fuse.
And since they move hundreds (at least) of cars each day, 99.99% of which that have EFI, I'm sure that if they got it wrong more than once, they'd get fired, since the car won't move again after they blow the fuse. Sportscars are nothing special, and no more suceptable to damage by being shipped. Every import car in this country was IMPORTED, I don't think that dealerships would put up with that ****, I really doubt it's all that bad to ship a car here.
Last edited by Terrh; Sep 26, 2006 at 11:36 AM.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
From: N/A
It's not all that bad, but these are potential problems that could and have occured; in fact, you can almost see a pattern developing because some of them happen frequenlty. RORO does charge $50 per boost.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
From: N/A
[img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...dedskyline.jpg[/img]
They put other cars undernieth and sometimes the cars fall on each other.
They put other cars undernieth and sometimes the cars fall on each other.
sicsol, you seem to be looking solely at RORO, which is not the only option, you can get it containerized and avoid 90% of the 'issues' you've pointed out. allot of places will just drive a car into a container and that's it.. if you choose this method then finding or working with somoene who's done this before, properly, is the best method.. you can litterally have the container , never opened by anyone other then inspectors, landed at your door step. it may cost ~$1500 extra for this service.. but it allows you to fill the car with parts for other people.. to offset those costs. if yolur nickel and diming your way through a JDM purchase of anykind then don't even bother. buy a 89' 240 and forget it till you can have the cash to do it right. Buying a JDM FD IS cheaper but you still have to spend money to get it.