Importing Cars

[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.