Importing a 97'-02' FD3

[McClure]

So I've been looking around the internet at some really sweet 3rd gen rx-7s in japan and a bumnch of my military buddies have them cause they're stationed there. I really fuckin want one man and I wanted to see if anyone here has ever done it or has any info on cause everything I've found is confusing.

P.S. i know this isn't the right the place to ask this seeing as this forum is about tech but I couldn't figure out what forum would work lol I don't mean to spam this one :dunno:

[RETed]

If you're talking destination USA, forget it.
It's either next to impossible or obnoxiously expensive...


-Ted

[speedjunkie]

Last I heard several years ago was that they would require a crash test, even though they are the same model as what we have here. And I'm pretty sure no one is willing to bring one to the US just to crash test it. I know I wouldn't be. I do want a Spirit R something terrible though.

[Kman Art]

Can you go through Canada? I know they have a lot of RHD cars over there.

[Fendamonky]

If you're talking destination USA, forget it.
It's either next to impossible or obnoxiously expensive...


-Ted

This is about as good of an answer as you're going to get, and it's condensed! :D


The USA is an asshole when it comes to importing them, just get a good USDM model for a fraction of a price, the motors are the same and you'll be able to go through a drive-through without looking the fool (not to mention you'll be MUCH better able to see oncoming traffic when you're driving on single lane roads).

[RETed]

Can you go through Canada? I know they have a lot of RHD cars over there.

Border patrol knows of that "trick."
If you get caught, they will confiscate the vehicle...

If the federal DOT catches you with the car in the USA, they will confiscate the vehicle.

I understand that this ends up being a "until I get caught" situation, but there are BIG fines and JAIL TIME involved, since this is a federal offense.

The hard part is getting the vehicle to look LEGAL in the USA paperwork / registration.
Since this is a state-by-state jurisdiction, there is a hand-shake agreement between all the states that a vehicle's registration is legal and valid...
So, if you can get the car reg'd in one state, you're pretty much home free...

Another problem is getting the car insured...
Most of your big auto insurance companies have red flags for the most notorious import vehicles.
Most states (if not all) require some kind of no-fault insurance.
Try to explain to them why your vehicle does not come in the (VIN) database, or the year and model does not exist???
Your ass is black flagged after that.

Now, for the exceptions...
I've heard of Nissan Skyline GT-R R32's being reg'd as "240SX", but the federal DOT has them listed as a non-importation model.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 is actually designated as OK to import into the USA, only if certain additions to the front and rear bumpers were made - this was done by the now defunct MotorEx back in the day...
This is the federal DOT procedure which requires THREE identical models to be submitted for CRASH TESTING (they will crash test, total, and dispose of) for the R33 only.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is illegal in the eyes of the federal DOT.
Now, this all basically became moot when Nissan brought in the GTR R35...

I've seen RHD S30Z's running around down here in Hawaii - these were brought in my military folks who moved from Japan.
These are technically ILLEGAL, but the paperwork went through, since there were LHD 240Z's imported into the USA from 1970 - 1972.
It's a bit easier for this kinda paperwork to get stamped and approved, since 1) military paperwork isn't as highly scrutinized, and 2) there exists a very similar model and year already imported into the USA - basically, the only difference is the RHD versus LHD, and this was pre-CAFE emissions of 1972.

Some states have a "vintage" model rule, where they relax tight (usually) emissions restrictions and sometimes crash testing requirements.
I've seen an eBay auction from Florida that claimed a RHD FC was allowed to be imported and reg'd due to being over 25 years old...
Some states are like that - I can't confirm this is true or not.
Whatever the case, you still got another 10+ more years to get your FD?
Probably doesn't apply in this case...


-Ted

[reddozen]

RETed:

Section 8 (25 years or older is legal federally. State requirements / restrictions still apply.)
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/faq%20site/pages/page2.html

[RETed]

RETed:

Section 8 (25 years or older is legal federally. State requirements / restrictions still apply.)
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/faq%20site/pages/page2.html

Okay...

8. Importing a vehicle that is at least 25 years old.
A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS. Such a vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form to be given to Customs at the time of importation. If you wish to see that form, you may download a copy from our website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import. You should note that the 25 year period runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture. If the date of manufacture is not identified on a label permanently affixed to the vehicle by its original manufacturer, to establish the age of the vehicle, you should have documentation available such as an invoice showing the date the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that the vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago. Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle could be used.

Looks like the 25 year old rule is a federal one.
Thanx for the correction.


-Ted

[McClure]

yeah i looked at all the regs and....its depressing. i found a spirit r type a for sale and now i cant get it. im military and i know friends that have gotten some back but the y used the excuse that it would be a temp mode of transport till they got a legal car. its been awhile since they got back ad theyre still driving them lol i know theres some type of loop hole that makes them "legal". i just dont know it cause they all got stationed somewhere else

[McClure]

technically you can get them to Canada but the issue is getting them into the states from there. another issue that most states have is the RHD. it hasn't been proven to be an unsafe set up but it is up to the descretion the the inspector to say whether its good to go or not

[Fendamonky]

technically you can get them to Canada but the issue is getting them into the states from there. another issue that most states have is the RHD. it hasn't been proven to be an unsafe set up but it is up to the descretion the the inspector to say whether its good to go or not

You realize you can make a USDM FD just as good (and much better) as a RHD one for a fraction of the cost... right? Hell, you can make a LHD replica of the Spirit R's (with authentic stuff) for a fraction of the price. AND you won't need to be constantly worried that your toy is gunna get grabbed and crushed.

Having driven my LHD FD in England (where RHD is prevalent) I can tell you from personal experience that it is NOT fun to try driving around on the street when you're sitting on the outside of the lane, visibility for oncoming traffic SUCKS!!! That, if nothing else, makes it potentially dangerous to turn across the incoming lane of traffic.

The ONLY reason I can really see for a stubbornly deep seated desire for an RHD FD is because you think you're about to be cast in F&F.

[Prodigy]

The ONLY reason I can really see for a stubbornly deep seated desire for an RHD FD is because you think you're about to be cast in F&F.

what about buying a nearly bone stock (only Mazdaspeed cat back) FD for under half the cost that a LHD woukd go for?

If you guys really really want a rhd on the states, buy one, swap all the lhd stuff in, and have a legitimate rhd swapped car that big brother can't say boo about...

I will warn anybody who wants to try this...

it will be alot of work... (understatement)


J.

[neit_jnf]

-buy a 93-95 USDM stripped chassis with clean title
-buy 2002 Spirit R
-swap all parts
-register as 93-95
-be happy

[McClure]

lol i see your point. i just wanted the spirit r they had for sale. i'd prefer LHD anyways. i would rather but one in the states but its hard to find any near me that aren't insanely overpriced

[RETed]

Yeah, most of your special editions can be easily out-performanced by your typical upgrades...

If there is a restriction on attaining a special edition, I'd suggest to go move there if you're really fanatical to own one.
Else, there's usually someone who can import all the badges and labeling...


-Ted

[chibikougan]

Badgers?! We don't need no stinking badgers!

[McClure]

I'm probably going to end up just buying one here in the states and moding it. There's to much ass pain to import one