I heard someone say that all said and done, they cost a little over 10k to be imported. Can anyone get more info on this? I'd love to have a Cosmo, and it's 1/3 the price of the RX8, and RHD!

 

I think its a lot more than that. I think the price is 10k just to get it here, shipping, customs etc. You may have misunderstood? plus you have to buy the car. 3rotor who often posts in the NW section has one, one of only about 2 or 3 in the US. You can ask him for more info. If they were only 10k every one would have them.

CJG

 

Importing a JC Cosmo under current legislation and DOT rules is next to impossible. Note that I said next to impossible, not impossible. Anyone with enough money can do whatever they want. My formal request (a time intensive process) was categorically denied. They are not historically significant enough, blah, blah, blah. The problem is that since the car was never cleared by the U.S. importation would require proof to the US DOT that they are crash worthy. This would require one car to be crashed - $10,000 plus. It is very unlikely that it would pass. You would then need to hire a qualified engineering firm to study and produce a plan to get the car to pass the next crash test. Car #2 would require the retrofit - I have no idea how much that would cost, and then it would have to be crash tested - another $10,000. Assuming it passed, you would then have the rights and the know how to import and legally retrofit them for use on U.S roads. However, you may need a third crash car - or even a fourth, etc. There are a very few JC Cosmos on U.S. Soil that came through under different importation rules and have been granfathered and allowed to stay. Mine for instance has all of the proper documentation and is legally registered and insured as what it is without any monkey business on the VINs. What I have described above is the legal route. I am sure that someone with enough underworld or criminal connections could find some way around it - I don't have those sorts of contacts
As Rotortuner suggested if it were that easy then everyone would have one and the supply of them would decrease demand and price. The cars themselves can be found in Japan for a very reasonable amount of money. My research on Yahoo Auctions in Japan show that running cars can be had for as little as $3500, nice ones for $7500 to $10,000. It is getting them legally into the U.S. that is the sticking point! Hope this helps.

 

How did you get yours in brad? Because i didnt think yours was grandfathered because you just got it last year? Didn't they finally say yes you can bring it in and then how did you get the official ok that its safe? Also how much do customs cost and a container etc. Brad do you have any idea how i can eventually get my savanna RHD licensed? I have no title, only a bill of sale and the contained number and reciept for when it originally came over in the early 80's. It has never been titled in the US and was brought over as ""parts"" ehhe not quite, it ran and was totally complete but it did the trick.

CJG

 

I heard if you remove the engine and tranny it can be brought over as parts or a kit car, that could be an alternative....

 

My car has been in the U.S. since it was practically new (1989 or 1990). I am simply the third owner. While I have only had it a year, it was not I that did all the leg work to get it here or to get it legal. I am simply the beneficiary of all of their hard work. It is the same as if I were to sell it. Whoever would buy it from me would get to drive it, re-title it, and re-register it as if it were any other car. I honestly don't know anything more about the issue. I don't want to pretend to know and give out a bunch of bad info. My suggestion to anyone who lives in Washington is to get to know some of the nice people that work at the your local mom and pop licensing outlets. They want their fee, so it is in their best interest to help you get your vehicle squared away. Just a thought...