I am looking at getting a car from Japan. No not a Skyline becasue the US doesnt like them. Theres some others I have my eye on but need help with the process. Ive alread ruled out that I cant do this myself. I was wondering if anyone on here knows of a company that will help me take care of all the legal stuff. For example, cars brought into the US must pass a crash test. There are companies that spent the money to do the tests and I need to know what the companies are called or any specific names that I can trust to help me with this.

Other than that, I would like to know if those companies take care of the VIN # for me or if there is another process I have to do to get one. If I have to do it, does anyone know how?

Thanks

Addictuned S2k

 

Are you looking for suggestions on what kind of car to import or recommendations on which company can help you import?

 

Toyota Chaser please.

 

Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
Toyota Celica GT4
Mitsubishi Evo 4-6
Toyota Soarer
Suzuki Cappuchino
Honda Beat


Those are what i would want...

 

I would contact Art Vandelay. He can also help if you wind up needing to export anything (he does both).

 

Off the top of my head, without getting into details, these are the ways I know to import a non-federalized car into the US:

1. 25-year-old rule. If the car is 25 years or older, it's a breeze. By far the best way to do it. Find something interesting like a 60's Cosmo or 70's Skyline and be done with it.

2. Newer than 25, on the NHTSA list of non-comforming vehicles eligible for importing: Not too hard. Car must be converted to DOT regulations by an approved importer (about 15 shops nationwide). Only problem is that other than the R33, Escort Cosworth and the exotics, the list is pretty boring as most cars can be bought here anyway.

3. Newer than 25 NOT on the list: Forget it. Get ready to crash test them (more than just one), smog them, convert them, get a letter from the manufacturer saying their non-Fed cars are safe enough for US roads (good luck on that one), etc etc etc. You better be a millionaire. But there's still hope:

4. "Show and display" only. Import any car of significant history and/or rarity and you can register as a "show and display only" without worrying about EPA regulations, crash tests, or DOT compliance. In other words, you don't have to modify anything on the car. There's a 2,500 mile limit per year and car can only be driven to car events or to have it serviced. You must submit an application to the NHTSA, who considers "show and display" cars on a case by case basis. Probably the best way to bring in a car newer than 25 years. Details here.

5. Kit car rule. If your car has enough different parts from original, it can be considered a kit car and you can register it as such. Bringing in a stock Skyline in boxes and putting it all together once in the US is NOT a kit car, but an early Elise with a K20 can be (Sun International used to legally do this).

6. Race or off road use only. No EPA or NHTSA headaches. You'll still have to deal with customs on this one but it's fairly easy. Don't even THINK about driving it on public roads. Get caught and you can go straight to jail and have the car impounded on the spot and crushed.

7. Finally, lie, cheat and steal. Sneak the car in without telling the Feds and register it in your State only (easy in FL). Or swap the VINs with a similar US model. Or call your car a kit car when it's not. DON'T DO THIS. It sucks going to sleep every night not knowing when the Feds will knock on your door with their handcuffs and flatbed ready.

 

I know the car that I want. Its a Toyota Celica GT4. They were sold here in the US just not as "Rally" cars. I know I would have to change the lenses to plastic and I will have to get a car older than 1996 because NY State requires OBD II for Inspection. Japan cars do not have OBD II. Guess if all else fails I can just get the older skyline and wait 10 years before I can get my Celica.

Now how do I get ahold of this Art Vandelay. Is he a member on S2ki?

 

Shouldn't you be able to yank the drive train out of the car and ship the car and the drive train separately as "parts"? What's known as "gray market" cars.

 

 

i just want to point out in this post that the reason no one has a honda beat, is because the headlights and taillights are not DOT approved and fail DOT's approval testing ( whatever that may be). thats all i know on that subject


i would consider cars such as

98-00 civic type R
98 spec integra R with yellow recaro seats
pulsar GTi-R is cool
vw polo
2008+ vw scirocco
70's nissan skyline
toyota soarer is kinda cool
honda civic mugen RR
Ford Focus RS
Aussie spec Ford Falcon
mitsubishi FTO
Honda S600 coupe or conv.