(This thread was split from https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=712156)

Hey guys,

I've got a 95 Efini Type R here in the states...

I broke the center vent accidentally. Anybody know where I might have some luck finding a new one for a RHD car?

Also... I suppose i'll be needing a Right hand A-pillar gauge set as well.

Appreciate your input.

 

Are you sure that thing is legal? I was almost positive that there were no legally imported RHDs in the states...

 

There are several legal RHD in USA.. I've seen couple of them already in person.

 

I see, what does he do to get them registered here though? Whats the full selection of cars and all that good stuff? I'm interested if it can be registered legally and all that.....also how is the insurance set up?

 

The cars are fully legal. They are titled in Florida (who will title n e thing) and then from there you can register them anywhere. It only has the short JDM Vin number but that's enough. The car is insured as a 95 Mazda RX7 so it's not a problem getting it insured they don't know or care about the difference of which side you drive on.
My car even passed Virginia inspection.

Honestly... as long as it has a U.S. car i can register it as... for example the Eunos Roadster has the Mazda Miata, Toyota Aristo has the Lexus GS etc... it's not a problem. And then cars like the Skyline and Silvia are still doable but not as easy to go about. Still, once you buy the car, it's titled and ready to go. And I have people for insurance on the cars too if you want it for a skyline or other non-u.s. counterpart car... the rx7 is insured through geico.

 

Sweet, I might think about finding a JDM RX7. I was looking at an S15 if I could find one but Id definitely go for the JDM car.

 

This has been discussed many times. These cars are not legal and you may get a nasty surprise if you try to register them in another state. A state title means nothing - you need DOT/EPA and NHTSA paperwork certifying federalization through a Registered Importer.

Most of these illegally imported cars seem to be registered in Florida or other southern states with loose registration laws. The sellers always have the same story: the car has a state title so is legal - which is false.

 

I've been trying to read the documentation to understand this process myself. What I can tell, US customs requires that a car be imported with documentation to show it's in accordance with both the EPA (Clean Air Act) requirements and NHTSA theft and crash standards. It seems that to meet these requirements fully and legally your only option is to get letters from Mazda USA stating the JDM model fully meets those requirements, which it doesn't. (The pre-cat being one such item).

Some states, if you choose to first register in that state, *double-check* this documentation. Some states do not. If it gets thru port it can be registered in the looser states, and you may or may not be in violation of state laws. You could get full paperwork. It then may be easier to transfer that out-of-state title to a stricter state and not need to produce proper importation documentation. Basically there is no standard on how states determine what is legal to register/title.

But you've still got a car that was imported fraudulently, and if the right authority came around they can seize it and charge the importer. They could also charge you with conspiracy to commit fraud or something similar as well. Trouble is, I'm not sure which agency is responsible to find these folks, and the lower levels of gov't (police or states) may not bother to prosecute or report such things. But as you know with US border protection getting the higher levels of attention, this kind of stuff is not taken lightly.

I'm still trying to learn more but so far this is the picture I'm forming. I cannot guarantee accuracy (I'm not a lawyer, and even they don't guarantee anything) so take it FWIW.

Dave

 

you want a rhd fd..move to countries with rhd system

 

I'm also not a lawyer, but I think a few things are relatively clear.

The 'standard' way of legally importing a non federalized car involves hiring a Registered Importer. This RI will import the car and modify it to ensure that it meets all appropriate federal standards. This is a costly and time consuming process that involves dealing with (at least) the DOT, the EPA, and the NHTSA. It also involves giving the NHTSA two cars to crash test (and destroy) to verify that they do in fact meet federal safety standards. The EPA must also be kept happy so the car's emissions system may have to be upgraded.

If the RI is successful, they can then import the cars, make the necessary safety and emissions modifications, and sell to consumers. The car will come with all necessary DOT/EPA and NHTSA paperwork. (I find that if you ask a seller for this documentation they usually either respond with a line of bullshit or disappear - and sometimes delete their FS thread.)

The entire process is expensive for the RI (north of $100k) and there is no guarantee at the start of the process that they will be successful in federalizing a car. Cars will obviously have to be sold at a premium by the RI to recoup their investment.

I can't see why an RI would ever do this for an FD. Apart from the rather nice Spirit R, the differences between USDM and JDM cars are tiny and I doubt consumers would be willing to spend $50k+ for a JDM FD.

 

He already has one...

 

Thanks Dave for the good Info but I have seen JDM Silvia's in Maryland and its nice to see. I hear that they rate the car equivalent to something it resembles like the S15 Silvia is registered as a S13....I just don't understand that but it has its JDM vin registered.

 

yeh i read it but it seems its a pain in *** to get it legally