Importing Cars

[MachNU]

I gues this is where this would go. ANyways i know this topic has come up many times before, but every one of those was for Skylines. I now that the only eligiable Skylines are the 96, 97, and 98 R33. But i am curious as to if you where trying to import a different car from Japan. I found a place that you buy them at Japans car lot price, and they also do shipping since there a dealership, so i have figured the cost so far as of getting it to Georgia, but i can tfind anywhere where i canfind out about legalizing it, or if it even needs to be. If anyone could help me with this maater would be much appreciated!

Thanks

[Kyle]

title is like $4K from what I have heard. Don't know if that really legalizes it though.

[HiPSI]

NHTSA Eligible importation list
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG010906.html

if it's not on that list then i hope you have money for crash testing a few of whatever car you wish to bring in as well as means to correct anything found unsuitable in the tests ;).

[FDslider]

Put it this way. If a cop pulls you over and you are sitting on the wrong side, I PROMISE you that they will be tearing up your car trying to figure out what the fuck is up. And once you tell them it was imported from Japan, those smart-asses will try to impound your shit as quick as possible, legalized or not.

Trust me. The police will always TRY to win.

[Tank]

Put it this way. If a cop pulls you over and you are sitting on the wrong side, I PROMISE you that they will be tearing up your car trying to figure out what the fuck is up. And once you tell them it was imported from Japan, those smart-asses will try to impound your shit as quick as possible, legalized or not.

Trust me. The police will always TRY to win.
thats a very..................dumbass statement my boy owns a r33 skyline and has been pulled over so whats your excuse now stfu if you dont have nothing intelligent to say kthxbye :2up:

[Kyle]

The cops will not give you trouble if you have a full title. If you spend $4K like I said the cops will not give you trouble. Federally you may have a problem as if you don't have a car legal on the list above they can confiscate.


ALSO CONSIDER THIS. I almost bought a R32, but I asked the guy how much does it cost to insure? He said not much, they insure it as a $7K car, the other money that was payed for importing and title are not considered. So think if anything happens and some dumbass totals your car, you are fucked! You might get $6K back. That's my two cents.

[Tank]

thats true but stil its the price you pay for having that type of car im moving there "by way of the army" and i will be picking up some toys but doing things the right way so not to have no problems im waiting to hear some good information from this thread

[1000cckiller]

I gues this is where this would go. ANyways i know this topic has come up many times before, but every one of those was for Skylines. I now that the only eligiable Skylines are the 96, 97, and 98 R33. But i am curious as to if you where trying to import a different car from Japan. I found a place that you buy them at Japans car lot price, and they also do shipping since there a dealership, so i have figured the cost so far as of getting it to Georgia, but i can tfind anywhere where i canfind out about legalizing it, or if it even needs to be. If anyone could help me with this maater would be much appreciated!

Thankswhats the website,where you found the cars.

[ultm8mind]

I am interested in this subject too, if anyone really knows help a brotha out, lol. thanks.....

[Tank]

I am interested in this subject too, if anyone really knows help a brotha out, lol. thanks.....
where you stationed at man

[MachNU]

NHTSA Eligible importation list
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG010906.html

if it's not on that list then i hope you have money for crash testing a few of whatever car you wish to bring in as well as means to correct anything found unsuitable in the tests ;).

Dam that was the answer i needed but didnt want!!!!!! But jstu curious if the car i am looking for IS on the list, then it should be no trouble getting it in and jsut a matter or getting it registered like any other car? LOL theys are the question i need to find someone to ask!

[MachNU]

Dammit HiPSI where are you with another answer!!!!! :(

[koukis14]

ALSO CONSIDER THIS. I almost bought a R32.

And you bought a VW??.......over a skyline?????? Umm ok. They both cost about the same to fix but you would not be fixing the Nissan as much.

[VTECin5th]

Dont tell me.. your importing sentra

[Kyle]

And you bought a VW??.......over a skyline?????? Umm ok. They both cost about the same to fix but you would not be fixing the Nissan as much.

No, I didn't buy the GTI instead of the R32. I am trying to sell my car to buy something else, and I was looking into an R32, but changed my mind.

[VTECin5th]

R32 as in Skyline or R32 GOLF

[MachNU]

Dont tell me.. your importing sentra

Yes, if i could i would...the imported version of the Sentra is the Nissan Bluebird! :goodjob:

[VTECin5th]

o rly

[Kyle]

R32 as in Skyline or R32 GOLF

Skyline. I figured it was way too complicated, and the possibility of feds taking my car is no good.

[Keebs ð¿ð]

When i first bought my r33, I had a hand written drive off tag. Was pulled over for speedin on I75. No insurance, no tag, no proof of purchase (bill of sale) etc. The cop let me go with only a speeding ticket. He did feed me a story about how they impounded a skyline a few weeks prior for no proof of registration. I think he was just trying to scare me though because if he was serious they would've impounded mine. Since then I've been pulled over countless times. Never had any problems, never threatened to have it impounded besides that 1 incident either. So no, the cops won't bother you. Its just 90% of this forum are the people with 'I hate cops because its cool' attitude. Cops are like wasps, don't bother them, they won't bother you. And if you do get pulled over chances are you were in the wrong.

[FDslider]

now stfu if you dont have nothing intelligent to say
hmmm, double negatives there. Who is the real dumbass? I have been with a couple people in an IMPORTED car and the cops searched the car and tried to make their nights a living hell. So, where is the dumbass statement. Just cuz your buddy was fortunate enough to not get pulled over by a dick head cop, does not mean you are correct.

So you STFU, dumbass.

[2micro4u]

Bump all the hassle my plan is to just purchase a 08 Skyline and trade in my Evo. Its 100% legal with a lot of power right off showroom floor.

Yea the price is up there but for 50-60K due to the type of car it is and its history I believe its worth it. Plus if they make it too cheap then every one in their mother will have one...jus my :2cents:

[Kyle]

I have heard 70K.

[FDslider]

Oh yes. I can NOT wait until the new GT-R hits American soil. Guess I gotta get one, too! And then upgrade everything!

[FDslider]

I have heard 70K.
whatever price you hear, plan to add about 5k-10k on top.

[Kyle]

I have heard 100K

[Kyle]

Sorry I am board as shit. But I don't know about the new skyline I am sure it will be balling, I am just wondering who will be the main clientelle? Are old people going to jump on this or are they going to buy porsches. Then import enthusiast will not have the money, most of the time. Just a thought.

[2micro4u]

I have heard 70K.
hmm 70K umm its possible. I dont care if mine is just the basic one with no additional options just as long as I get one and it has Twin Turbo and its still labeled as Nissan GTR and AWD ...I will take it.

[2micro4u]

I have heard 100K
lol..lol..lol :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

[2micro4u]

Well as far as the price you know how us import enthsiast do. We allways find a way to get what we want regardless of its price. Look at the G35...350Z...Evo8 MR....STI's.....NSX's.......and the new Porshe Cayman (Even though its German). People under 30 years old will find a way to get their hand on one. Even if it take for us to wait for 1-2 years after it comes out if we want it you guys all know we like drug addicts we will get it... (smiling)

[RBpoweredSileighty]

^^^ plus 1

[Kyle]

I heard 120K plus your first born child

[chmura]

There are other options for bringing some of these vehicles in...... IE: Canada

Whatever you do.......... IT will cost u a lot more than u think and will take a lot more time than you think.....

Since I have done this before.... unless u are "independantly wealthy" find something else to play with..... this is IMO

[KidKarterA4]

IN General, the best way to import and export is to find a connection at a coastal or international port, In Miami, NYC, Coastal Cali, and etc usually have a flock of companies trying to get in on the deal of vehicle registration and importing, because there's always a market for it, Miami is usually better for European, where as Cali is better for Asian distribution, but there are always exceptions. My brothers shop in Boynton Beach, FL works out of Miami for importing their engines and parts and says that every crate they pick up, some other company says they can do it cheaper, same for front clips and such..... Just a thought PEACE

[ultm8mind]

I am stationed in Bamberg, Germany, with the 173rd STB(AIRBORNE).I want a Skyline and probably gonna get one. There are a couple guys who have gotten them while they were in Japan and brought them here, I might get one of those, but I want one, LOL, and someday I will own one!!!!!

[vintage_roadster]

There is a process and a couple loop holes that can help out the importer....but the cost added up too much for my budget after it was all planned out. Had dibs on this beauty ... and it is still for sale :cry:

http://www.wizard-motor.net/stockcars/stock/00073.jpg

http://www.wizard-motor.net/teamwizard.html

[Friggintitsman]

I have a Right hand drive prelude that is from Japan (click the link below to see it). Mine though I do know that it is street legal. I didn't ship it over here nor would I want to. That shit costs too much. I do however know how to go about getting them here, but to tell you the truth I don't know why anyone would want to go through that kind of hassle. Customs is a bitch, I had a hard time getting my American Prelude back over here from Germany when I came home.

For all of you that have or want a older Skyline good luck. I have heard some rumors, but don't quote me on this that they may ban those for safety reasons. Those cars are not crash tested to American safety standards. So a law may get passed that no more can come over here and the ones that are here will have to go. Like I said though it's just a rumor, but I wouldn't put it passed our government to do something like that.

[Friggintitsman]

I am stationed in Bamberg, Germany, with the 173rd STB(AIRBORNE).I want a Skyline and probably gonna get one. There are a couple guys who have gotten them while they were in Japan and brought them here, I might get one of those, but I want one, LOL, and someday I will own one!!!!!

NO SHIT??? I was stationed in Bamberg myself back in 02-04 I was in the sorry ass unit 317th. All my buddies are still there too. Try not to go down town to the Green Goose and get in any fights with those guys now. They have it bad enough as it is.

[HiPSI]

Dam that was the answer i needed but didnt want!!!!!! But jstu curious if the car i am looking for IS on the list, then it should be no trouble getting it in and jsut a matter or getting it registered like any other car? LOL theys are the question i need to find someone to ask!


if the car is on the list it just means the NHTSA acknowledges that the car is either up to US safety/emissions standards or can be modified reasonably to conform. the car still must pass through customs, then be worked on or inspected by an RI (registered importer) to get the green light from the government. it's not just as easy as getting it here and getting a title issued.

[HiPSI]

For all of you that have or want a older Skyline good luck. I have heard some rumors, but don't quote me on this that they may ban those for safety reasons. Those cars are not crash tested to American safety standards. So a law may get passed that no more can come over here and the ones that are here will have to go. Like I said though it's just a rumor, but I wouldn't put it passed our government to do something like that.


the government already pulled the plug on anything except certain R33 models because those are what motorex actually had crash tested and built parts to conform to standard. motorex got in deep shit for bringing in R32's and R34's when those models were never actually legalized. i do believe they grandfathered in cars that were already titled, but any sitting around trying to get titled would be exported/destroyed.

[Friggintitsman]

the government already pulled the plug on anything except certain R33 models because those are what motorex actually had crash tested and built parts to conform to standard. motorex got in deep shit for bringing in R32's and R34's when those models were never actually legalized. i do believe they grandfathered in cars that were already titled, but any sitting around trying to get titled would be exported/destroyed.

That sounds about right. No wonder those guys that already own them are getting anywhere from $30,000- $80,000 out of them. Sorry but that car just isn't that cool that I would spend all that money on it. Especially when I could get a Ferrari for that much.

[SR20pilot]

I owned an R33 GTR... It was taken appart in Japan before it was shipped. They had to make it look like it was a junk car. It was mixed in with several other "parts" cars and front clips. When it arrived it had to be put back together. We are talking all doors and body panels were off. Engine and drive were all out of the car. Interior for the most part was removed and suspension was off the car. The shipping containers cost around $8000 to ship from Japan to here (some places charge $8k just to ship your car). The cars are pretty cheap over there in Japan. But the shipping is the big cost. Legally Registering the car is not an option for most grey market imports. Your car may be on the approved list but will it pass the emissions? Will you get all of the paperwork correct? Will you have the correct fees and inspections? Prob not. However, there are states with loopholes that allow the cars to obtain a title and plates. I was quoted from a guy in FL $3000 for the process. Like I said you will have a title and plates but it will not be DOT legal. So, unless you get a cop that knows what a Skyline is and that it is an illegal import you will be fine. I never registered mine. I drove it for 4 months with my illegal temp plate on it and never had a problem because I never got pulled over. Tons of cops saw me on the wrong side of the car. They never looked twice. Insurance is based on stated value since your illegal import will not be in their system. So, they give you a policy based on what you say the car is worth. The premium is higher than a normal car for that reason. I picked mine up in Houston Oct. '05 for a total cost of $24K cash. 4 months later I got an offer I couldn't refuse and made $5000.00 on the deal. I miss driving it... But I don't miss all of the attention it got. Every idiot on the road wanted to race or inform me that my car was illegal.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/pilotbrian/GTRfront.jpg