Importing an S2000...
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From: SF Bay Area
This has been my experiences with importing cars. The newer they are, the harder it is. General rule of thumb (law that is) is any car 25 years or older you can import fairly straightforward. You do not have to worry about smog, crash, etc, etc. This is how I got my previous 1970 Austrailian Mini Cooper S here.
Cars that are newer are completely illegal to import. That is, as a whole. I'm sure there are several greymarket ways but the most legal way to get a new car here is to dissamble the engine and transmission from the car, ship all 3 items over independently, then reassemble them state side and register it as a kit car. Alot of trouble? yes, especially for something like a S2k. It would be ALOT easier just to get a paintjob done if all you like is the color. RHD cars are fun to drive over here but that alone isn't worth the trouble, tho you do get alot of double takes.
Basically the trouble to import a car from another country is only worth it if it's completely unobtainable in the US otherwise.
IMHO of course.
Cars that are newer are completely illegal to import. That is, as a whole. I'm sure there are several greymarket ways but the most legal way to get a new car here is to dissamble the engine and transmission from the car, ship all 3 items over independently, then reassemble them state side and register it as a kit car. Alot of trouble? yes, especially for something like a S2k. It would be ALOT easier just to get a paintjob done if all you like is the color. RHD cars are fun to drive over here but that alone isn't worth the trouble, tho you do get alot of double takes.
Basically the trouble to import a car from another country is only worth it if it's completely unobtainable in the US otherwise.
IMHO of course.
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From: Portola Valley
Polpstn:
Adding a bit to the complexity equation, even though I think you have been convinced to drop this idea.
When I moved back to the US from Mexico, I wanted to bring back my then brand-new Suburban. I had bought it on a dip in the currency markets... fully loaded for 18k US. Great deal, and I wanted to bring it up here to use and eventually sell for more than I had paid.
Add to this that I used to sell aluminum to the local GM plants. One of my contacts there told me that the Mexico city compliant Suburbans were made in the same plant as those for California. He added that they were identical, and in fact had identical emissions equipment as the California destined vehicles since Mexico essentially copied the California smog rules.
He mentioned however that there was a DOT sticker/reg plate that was not installed on the Mexico cars. He said that for legalizing in the US, this is all they are looking for. If it is there, then you are set. no problem to register in the US. If it is not there, you have to get it smog checked and crash confirmed etc. Mucho $$$$
So, I guess the real question is whether anyone can find the DOT certification plate on the US cars, and then, see if the Euro ones have it as well. If they do, my understanding is that aside from duties, this would be no different than an interstate transfer.
California confirmed this to me in the case of the Suburban, but since I confirmed that it did not have the sticker, I was unable to bring it home.
Dan.
Adding a bit to the complexity equation, even though I think you have been convinced to drop this idea.
When I moved back to the US from Mexico, I wanted to bring back my then brand-new Suburban. I had bought it on a dip in the currency markets... fully loaded for 18k US. Great deal, and I wanted to bring it up here to use and eventually sell for more than I had paid.
Add to this that I used to sell aluminum to the local GM plants. One of my contacts there told me that the Mexico city compliant Suburbans were made in the same plant as those for California. He added that they were identical, and in fact had identical emissions equipment as the California destined vehicles since Mexico essentially copied the California smog rules.
He mentioned however that there was a DOT sticker/reg plate that was not installed on the Mexico cars. He said that for legalizing in the US, this is all they are looking for. If it is there, then you are set. no problem to register in the US. If it is not there, you have to get it smog checked and crash confirmed etc. Mucho $$$$
So, I guess the real question is whether anyone can find the DOT certification plate on the US cars, and then, see if the Euro ones have it as well. If they do, my understanding is that aside from duties, this would be no different than an interstate transfer.
California confirmed this to me in the case of the Suburban, but since I confirmed that it did not have the sticker, I was unable to bring it home.
Dan.
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From: SF Bay Area
Skarv,
You had a few benefits working for you despite you not being able to bring the Suburban over.
1) The car was always titled in your name... The only reason why it couldn't be brought over was because of the sticker and probably under 7500miles I would guess.
2) The car was produced at the same plant and is a model already sold here. For cars coming out of europe or japan which aren't sold here (or are but configured differently). You will be fighting the DOT, EPA and customs over several issues should you try and bring a car over 'whole'.
There has been some success bringing cars into Canada and then into the US that I've heard, but I don't know the exact details to say accurately what can or cannot be done.
Lastly, the wait just to get a car shipped over is crazy! Although if you've had bimmers or porsches ordered before, you can share some of the pain. Having something circulating in customs limbo is a PITA.
You had a few benefits working for you despite you not being able to bring the Suburban over.
1) The car was always titled in your name... The only reason why it couldn't be brought over was because of the sticker and probably under 7500miles I would guess.
2) The car was produced at the same plant and is a model already sold here. For cars coming out of europe or japan which aren't sold here (or are but configured differently). You will be fighting the DOT, EPA and customs over several issues should you try and bring a car over 'whole'.
There has been some success bringing cars into Canada and then into the US that I've heard, but I don't know the exact details to say accurately what can or cannot be done.
Lastly, the wait just to get a car shipped over is crazy! Although if you've had bimmers or porsches ordered before, you can share some of the pain. Having something circulating in customs limbo is a PITA.
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Hey people-
Interesting thread.
About the Ferraris- all Ferraris are on Individual Importation Approval or something like that- each car goes through DOT and EPA certification on a car by car basis. I think they may also be exempt from certain standards like parts of the OBDII engine management code. You can't import the S2000 in that manner- it isn't a Ferrari, to put it quite simply.
All the other methods people have mentioned to import cars are at best unethical, and at worst completely illegal. Although you may think you got away with something, sooner or later the government catches up- which is why MotoRex went through ALL the hoops the DOT, EPA, AND Customs placed in front of them. I believe there are only 17 vehicles that are certified by non-manufacturers- I think there's 3-4 different double decker buses, the Gelaendewagon, the RUF Porsches, and a couple of other strange things, the Mercedes CLK GTR, and finally the MotoRex (Nissan) Skyline GT-R. Currently there is no mention of the Lotus Elise, McLaren F1, Mitsu Lancer Evo series, or Ford Escort Cosworth (still not legal, despite what you may have heard prior).
I think the best method I told Jose was, to buy the car and have it painted by a quality body shop.
It took me two months to get the Skyline out of customs, and another 9 months to get it completely smog and DOT legal. Most of that time was spent pushing papers from one desk to another, since my car was one of the first GT-Rs in the country on USA certification status, and not racecar/showcar/Autopass status. At least MotoRex has developed a good rapport with all the agencies involved- pushing the paperwork has become much easier since my car's certification.
-Nick
[This message has been edited by GTRPower (edited November 30, 2000).]
Interesting thread.
About the Ferraris- all Ferraris are on Individual Importation Approval or something like that- each car goes through DOT and EPA certification on a car by car basis. I think they may also be exempt from certain standards like parts of the OBDII engine management code. You can't import the S2000 in that manner- it isn't a Ferrari, to put it quite simply.
All the other methods people have mentioned to import cars are at best unethical, and at worst completely illegal. Although you may think you got away with something, sooner or later the government catches up- which is why MotoRex went through ALL the hoops the DOT, EPA, AND Customs placed in front of them. I believe there are only 17 vehicles that are certified by non-manufacturers- I think there's 3-4 different double decker buses, the Gelaendewagon, the RUF Porsches, and a couple of other strange things, the Mercedes CLK GTR, and finally the MotoRex (Nissan) Skyline GT-R. Currently there is no mention of the Lotus Elise, McLaren F1, Mitsu Lancer Evo series, or Ford Escort Cosworth (still not legal, despite what you may have heard prior).
I think the best method I told Jose was, to buy the car and have it painted by a quality body shop.
It took me two months to get the Skyline out of customs, and another 9 months to get it completely smog and DOT legal. Most of that time was spent pushing papers from one desk to another, since my car was one of the first GT-Rs in the country on USA certification status, and not racecar/showcar/Autopass status. At least MotoRex has developed a good rapport with all the agencies involved- pushing the paperwork has become much easier since my car's certification.
-Nick
[This message has been edited by GTRPower (edited November 30, 2000).]
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Excellent replies! Thanks alot for the insight and all the info. Heh, I guess its looking impossible then huh Nick? 
Thats ok, I can live with the Yellow I guess! Well gotta keep this short cause Im sleepy, but Moely, I meant that I could get it cheaper out of the USA than in the USA. but when you add all the taxes and all that, it might come out equal or so.
I guess I will stick with the S2K and then when my .com biz takes off, Ill race with Nick in a Skyline
Thats ok, I can live with the Yellow I guess! Well gotta keep this short cause Im sleepy, but Moely, I meant that I could get it cheaper out of the USA than in the USA. but when you add all the taxes and all that, it might come out equal or so. I guess I will stick with the S2K and then when my .com biz takes off, Ill race with Nick in a Skyline
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Hey Jose,
Err, you could try. It took me alot of trial and error to get the GT-R where it is right now...
Latest figures (yesterday) from HKS USA on their dyno for my car- 92 octane gas- 525HP, 429 ft/lbs torque, and the torque curve is flat from 5000 to redline, which is 8500. Torque curve starts jumping pretty radically from 3500 and peaks at 5000. All figures are at the wheels, and since this is HKS's dyno, I would believe that it may be slightly underrated, or spot on, but not optimistic like some dynos out there. Not too bad for a car that is a stock 240HP at the wheels, and is currently tuned for the One Lap (SUPER conservative ignition and fuel maps, conservative boost). The Signal drag race car put out 866HP at the wheels w/race gas (VP C16), with a cracked cylinder wall, and twin APEXi RX-6 turbos. Yikes!
In any case, if anyone is heading out to Pomona this weekend I'll see you there. We're going to do some preliminary testing at the strip for performance figures, and see where we are relative to before the engine build. I think the plan is to get kicked off the track with the first run both days- looking for high, high 10 seconds passes, or low 11s, in a street car without a rollcage. But then again, I can't drag race to save my life. Dropping the clutch, especially that particular HKS triple plate clutch, is not my forte...
-Nick
[This message has been edited by GTRPower (edited November 30, 2000).]
Err, you could try. It took me alot of trial and error to get the GT-R where it is right now...
Latest figures (yesterday) from HKS USA on their dyno for my car- 92 octane gas- 525HP, 429 ft/lbs torque, and the torque curve is flat from 5000 to redline, which is 8500. Torque curve starts jumping pretty radically from 3500 and peaks at 5000. All figures are at the wheels, and since this is HKS's dyno, I would believe that it may be slightly underrated, or spot on, but not optimistic like some dynos out there. Not too bad for a car that is a stock 240HP at the wheels, and is currently tuned for the One Lap (SUPER conservative ignition and fuel maps, conservative boost). The Signal drag race car put out 866HP at the wheels w/race gas (VP C16), with a cracked cylinder wall, and twin APEXi RX-6 turbos. Yikes!
In any case, if anyone is heading out to Pomona this weekend I'll see you there. We're going to do some preliminary testing at the strip for performance figures, and see where we are relative to before the engine build. I think the plan is to get kicked off the track with the first run both days- looking for high, high 10 seconds passes, or low 11s, in a street car without a rollcage. But then again, I can't drag race to save my life. Dropping the clutch, especially that particular HKS triple plate clutch, is not my forte...
-Nick
[This message has been edited by GTRPower (edited November 30, 2000).]
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