I have had my eye on getting a RX7 from canada, and trying to figure out how much it would cost to register it here in Washington.

If anyone has some insight that would be great.... I've done some research and know it can be done legally, just wondering if it is worth the cost or not.

 

What's your research say? First I've heard that it can be done legally without crash testing a few and redoing the glass/bracing/emissions/etc.

 

Rhd or lhd?

 

rhd

 

Bump

 

I want a left hand. What's the process?

 

from what i have read since they are legal cars in the US, it will pass the safety inspection. I just dont know if it will have to be subject to the inspection or not. Which costs money. It needs to pass an emission test as well. And be registered. I just dont know what all the costs will add up to.

Am I missing anything else that it will have to go threw to be street legal?

 

Here's the main link: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

Here's the list of non-conforming vehicles eligible for import (Mazda RX-7 1987-1995 is listed): http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig100111.pdf

From when I looked into it (for Diesel Toyota trucks), you were technically supposed to go through a registered importer, blah blah. BUT, people have simply gone up, bought cars, driven them back, and plated them. Granted, it was a long ordeal and/or just finding someone at a DOL that didn't realize what they were doing, but it's possible.

~T.J.

 

that doesnt sound exactly legal lol. I am sure you would be screwed by insurance in the event of a accident.... but they are almost 25 years old than they can be collectors vehicles

 

From what I have researched and talked to importers. Getting one will either be way too costly or not worth it. You are allowed to import for racing (no title and stuff). A legal import from 95 and up will need to be crash tested or shadily re vinned with a 93 spare title... A regular 93 to 95 fd will need an importer to convert the non vin number from Japan into a unique ID which can be used for licensing vins. Easier to just buy a smashed fd take the title and revin an import from canada. or Just buy a rhd fd clip and have a shop drop in on a US rx7...

 

The NHTSA.GOV page has all the info on this subject as far as procedure. I have not read up on the cost yet. This excerpt comes from here on the first page:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/impo...da03262010.pdf
_______________________
VEHICLE IMPORTATION GUIDELINES
(Imported from Canada)
March 26, 2010
Importing a Canadian-Certified Vehicle as a Conforming Vehicle under Box 2B
To be imported free of restriction, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must be originally
manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS)
and bear a label certifying such compliance that is permanently affixed by the vehicle’s original
manufacturer. A motor vehicle that bears a label certifying compliance with all applicable
Canadian motor vehicle safety standards (CMVSS), but not with the FMVSS, can still be
imported as a conforming motor vehicle under Box 2B on the HS-7 Declaration form to be
presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) at the time of entry if the following
requirements are met:
 The vehicle is being imported for personal use and not for resale;
 The vehicle is not a salvage vehicle, a repaired salvage vehicle, or a reconstructed
vehicle;
 The importer obtains a letter from the vehicle’s original manufacturer, on the
manufacturer’s letterhead (and not that of a franchised dealer), identifying the vehicle by
vehicle identification number (VIN) and stating that the vehicle conforms to all
applicable FMVSS except for the labeling requirements of Standards Nos. 101 Controls
and Displays and 110 Tire Selection and Rims or 120 Tire Selection and Rims for Motor
Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, and/or the specifications of Standard No. 108
Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment, relating to daytime running
lamps.
_______________________________
It would seem that if it has the FMVSS label it would be very easy to do.