has anyone imported a FD form Japan
#1
Sir Braps A lot
Thread Starter
has anyone imported a FD form Japan
im thinking of importing a FD but i cant seem to find the U.S customs regulations on how to bring them to the states. i know that rhd is legal in the county that im in so to regester it would be no problem. the only problem would be bringing it from the port to my house, so im wondering if anyone has done this and what was the troubles you have ran into
#2
Full Member
#3
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what state?
be sure to check the laws of the state that the vehicle will arrive at... the vehicle may be subject to the rules of that state for initial registration... Thats just how I heard it is... I MAY BE WRONG!!!
#5
Senior Member
You're going to have huge issues trying to register the vehicle. First it will have no VIN so most DMV's will not know what to do. Secondly, depending on how strict your emissions are in your state, it may not pass.
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trust me man, I looked into this extensively when I wanted to import an EVO IV back in 1998. Bottom line, its not worth it. You need a lotta money and you have to deal with nothing but hassles. I finally found that it was way cheaper to buy a USDM car,(register and insure it) and then get a JDM front clip and connect the two cars/attach parts properly like any good bodywork man can do. Just swap out the firewall and dashboard/interior panels. I've seen one done with a AE86, looked really sweet. It'll run you way less money, time, and hassle.
#7
Sir Braps A lot
Thread Starter
there is no emission checks in ohio but i agree with you on the vin the company says they will send me the vin i thought it would be the same in japan as it is in the U.S like it starts out like JM1fd but im not sure
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As far as I can remember...and I could very well be wrong, but the JDM vin is actually a shorter sequence of numbers/letters than Canadian/US vins. I know there is definitely something different between them as it took the insurance guys a couple minutes to figure out how to register my JDM FD in Manitoba Public Insurance system.
#9
Hey...Cut it out!
iTrader: (4)
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...elig010807.pdf
Here is the list of vehicles eligable for importation without going through crash testing. The FD is on there, but only up to 1995. With a little convincing, they might be able to adjust this to cover all FDs, up to 2002, provided the front end crash parts are the same. If Mazda sends them a letter saying so, then you're in the clear!
For vehicles not on the list, it'll be harder to do. My friend Gabe from the Mirage Forums (username EvoRage) converted his 1994 Mirage Sedan into an Evo 3, including making it RHD and AWD. He'd be able to get you in the right direction if you want to go RHD in your car.
http://www.mirageforums.net
Here is the list of vehicles eligable for importation without going through crash testing. The FD is on there, but only up to 1995. With a little convincing, they might be able to adjust this to cover all FDs, up to 2002, provided the front end crash parts are the same. If Mazda sends them a letter saying so, then you're in the clear!
For vehicles not on the list, it'll be harder to do. My friend Gabe from the Mirage Forums (username EvoRage) converted his 1994 Mirage Sedan into an Evo 3, including making it RHD and AWD. He'd be able to get you in the right direction if you want to go RHD in your car.
http://www.mirageforums.net
#11
2/4 wheel cornering fiend
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...elig010807.pdf
Here is the list of vehicles eligable for importation without going through crash testing. The FD is on there, but only up to 1995.
Here is the list of vehicles eligable for importation without going through crash testing. The FD is on there, but only up to 1995.
Yes, the "FD is on there", but you forgot to mention the text in the first few paragraphs that reads: "All eligibility numbers are for left-hand drive motor vehicles except where the initials “RHD,” signifying right-hand drive, appear in the model type column. Then that is followed by: "While there is no specific restriction on importing a right-hand drive vehicle, these may not be imported under eligibility decisions based on the existence of substantially similar U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicles."
Right. So Mazda will simply put itself on the hook for any and all liabilities resulting from sending an official letter stating that their crash characteristics will be the same. Nope, so solly, not going to happen in your lifetime.
#13
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Okayama - Japan
Posts: 986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nah japanese vins are different. they have only 6 numbers
#15
Long time on-looker
iTrader: (33)
to the OP, there are not any emissions in Columbus, but Cleveland and other cities around ohio do (it's done by county I believe), so keep that in mind if you think you'll ever move or sell.
Is there any reason in particular that you're looking to buy a JDM car? Do you want it to be RHD or do you just think you'll get a deal? Remember that buying a rat FD can end up costing you WAY more in the end than just saving and buying a nice example.
#18
Sir Braps A lot
Thread Starter
naw im good in the U.S thanks im thinking about it now i want a lhd but there expensive and so hard to find in ohio. i know some people will say im crazy because importing is harder. but it just seems so much eaiser and cheeper i can get a 92 fd with 80,000 km for only 4500 us dollars but o well. hopefully soon enough ill have a Fd but untill then ill keep dreaming and wanting to drive and own a rotary rocket
#19
2/4 wheel cornering fiend
naw im good in the U.S thanks im thinking about it now i want a lhd but there expensive and so hard to find in ohio. i know some people will say im crazy because importing is harder. but it just seems so much eaiser and cheeper i can get a 92 fd with 80,000 km for only 4500 us dollars but o well.
The rest of the federal hurdles involved with trying to legally import a RHD car that isn't on the NHTSA approval list has been discussed a thousand times on this forum, with hundreds of threads on the subject.
#20
Total Balance is Key
iTrader: (14)
I love how much misinformation there is in this thread. How many of you have imported a FD or know anyone who has? I agree that I would never import one but a very close friend of mine has his JDM 1992 FD here registered and titled. Anything is possible, im not one to say that its the cleanest and most legal way but it is titled and registered.
#21
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (14)
Back in 80's when gray market cars were still allowed the process was not simple, but was easier than today. All it took was lots of $$$$. ... Buy car overseas, post bond with US customs in amount of full value of car plus conversion to US emissions and safety standards (kind of like paying twice and hoping for refund), ship car direct to a registered converter in US, ship car to house and then find factory decided to sell the car into US less than 2-years later. i.e. my experience with BMW 323i, 6-cyl predecessor to the M3.
I would love a Spirit R, just not worth the trouble. I believe today’s path is only to show it certified as a race car; next problem not a US legal car so racing bodies don’t want to class it.
I would love a Spirit R, just not worth the trouble. I believe today’s path is only to show it certified as a race car; next problem not a US legal car so racing bodies don’t want to class it.
#22
Senior Member
I have an easy fix here, move to New Zealand. Problem solved! The FD's are cheap and you can bring them in on your own not a prob. But I guess the other downer is that you will have to drive on the other side of the road and pay more for your gas.
I am looking at bringing in a 2002 FD for about 13-16K NZD in the next couple of months.
I am looking at bringing in a 2002 FD for about 13-16K NZD in the next couple of months.
#23
2/4 wheel cornering fiend
I never said it was "impossible", anything can be done with enough money and time. As for your close friend, good on 'im, but I'm talking about doing everything legally, not cutting corners and taking risks. Anyone is welcome to do that, but it's just as much "misinformation" to not tell a person about the legal and financial hurdles they'll encounter trying to do everything above the line, because not everyone will be able to take the same risks or use the same avenues that people with "titled and registered" JDM/RHD/AWD/LOLWTFOMGwhatever cars have done.
#24
i maybe be wrong but i remeber looking into importing about 3 years ago and when going throught all the government sites nhtsa there was something along the lines of if the car is 25 years or older it is exempt from having to go trough all the dot and customs checks. so wait until 2021 and you can have it over here no problem atleast the 96's. im pretty sure im accurate because i did some serious research into it(would go find on the nhtsa site but dont want to spend time searching)but it may apply different to RHD cars, mabe not i've also heard this to be true on a couple of skyline fourms. I believe it also stated cars would be exempt from emissions.
#25
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
I love how much misinformation there is in this thread. How many of you have imported a FD or know anyone who has? I agree that I would never import one but a very close friend of mine has his JDM 1992 FD here registered and titled. Anything is possible, im not one to say that its the cleanest and most legal way but it is titled and registered.
Dave