"TurboSloth" (TheTurboSloth)
10/02/2013 at 21:54 • Filed to: None
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"TurboSloth" (TheTurboSloth)
10/02/2013 at 21:54 • Filed to: None | 0
| 5 |
Well, with 2014 just around the corner (couple of months), that would mean that we could import 1989 R32. But in all honesty I'd love to own one of these (pictured), instead.If you wanted to buy an imported car, where would you guys go to get one? Any reliable site recommendations? Also, would the place I buy it help with importing, or would I have to import it myself?
Also, this 25 year law on imported cars; is it just applicable to the Skyline, or does this law affect all non US spec'd cars?
GhostZ
> TurboSloth
10/02/2013 at 21:59 |
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The 25 year rule affects all non-US spec cars. But they can be imported early if they meet certain requirements in emissions and safety. This may mean that a third-party importer could have extremely high costs of getting the modifications approved, so importing the car can really expensive.
I'm sure other people here can answer your other questions in more detail.
rabbitman
> TurboSloth
10/02/2013 at 22:01 |
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Sounds like it may be easier to get them out of canada or Mexico, or Utah
http://www.modifiedcartrader.com/for-sale.aspx?…
and yes all cars but there is few lists with cars that are exempted if the are verified by the manufacture as conforming or can be converted like the 96-99 r32 but no one will do it and like the golf rallye in canada that needs little modifications. But it's a interesting read and you need a RI that does everything right.
Brian, The Life of
> TurboSloth
10/02/2013 at 22:10 |
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I hope you have a good budget because a Hakosuka GT-R will set you back. They are hard to find but super neat cars. I'd honestly troll eBay and hit up bis specialty retailers like Symbolic. Here's one listed in the UK and located in Japan. Spendy.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C329257
Bird
> TurboSloth
10/02/2013 at 22:51 |
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Hakosuka's can come in under the 25 year rule. Are you aware of how much those usually run?
Here's Goo-Net , you can search there for what dealers in Japan have. The values are pretty similar here to there, maybe a little higher here. The price they list is FOB Japan. Basically that means the cost to the rail of the ship. You pay shipping and all US side charges. That would be 2.5% duty on a car, container de-stuffing fees, transportation to you, first time registration, etc. You can hire a company to help you with just the shipping/import stuff. You can do it yourself, but there is risk involved, and it can be complex. You'll need to spend some time on the NHTSA site. Also you're buying a car sight unseen. Whatever shows up at the dock is what you purchased, and you can't return it. Undisclosed rust? Engine sounds like a freight train? Too bad.
My girlfriend and I bought a 1975 Lada 2103 a few months ago. It's still in Tallinn, Estonia where we bought it as we intend to use it for a road trip next year, then ship it back to the US. We have a little bit of foreign car buying info on our website www.restoroadtrip.com . Honestly it's more applicable to a European car search though as Japan is very different. In Japan exports are a bigger market, and you can find exporters who are willing to work with you. Hence why Goo-Net would list these cars in US dollars. You can also go to goo nets Japanese site and check what the price would be without the FOB charges to see how much they're charging.
JDM Legends is the most well known importer of Japanese classics. You should probably expect to pay a premium to the prices you see at dealers in Japan when going through any US dealer/importer. At least any importer that has sourced the car and has it in stock, landed, and titled in the US.
In Canada there are lots of middle-man car sourcing companies that will give you access to Japanese auctions. We don't have that in the US really as the import market isn't as strong. I think that will change in the coming years, but I would warn you to be wary. You'll be buying a car based on a couple webcam pics and a few notes on the auction sheet. Again, whatever shows up you've already bought. They take a fee, and you're sent a car. It can be a way to get a good deal, but you can also buy a lemon a lot easier. It really comes down to you're personal choice on the matter. Are you the type that needs the best deal at all costs no matter the risk and challenge, or do you understand the value of someone else doing the messy work. One other thing to make sure you understand, no matter how you buy, rust is very very common. Even if you buy a clean looking, expensive car, it may have some rust.
So basically there are a few ways to go about it. Direct, local middle man, or local dealer. I personally think local dealer is the best choice for someone who has no desire to deal with government red tape, and would prefer a car that they can put their hands on, or at the very least request better photos of before you send away your money.
As for the value of the Hako's, here's a real GTR with an S20 and here is a GTR replica with an L28 engine swap. You can find them for less, but in that particular car, you're paying more for the L28 swap. The cars came stock with an L20 2.0L.
Full disclosure: I don't work for any of the companies mentioned, but I will be opening an import/dealer operation after our Lada arrives. If you're looking to buy in 2014, you can buy from a Jalop!
pianomanzero
> rabbitman
10/03/2013 at 15:36 |
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Yes indeedy.
And here's where I make my obligatory plug for my favorite hometown JDM importers...
Check out JDM Legends , based out of Murray, Utah. They usually have a few cars on-hand plus the know-how to find pretty much anything you'd like to import (they specialize in imports from Japan, but I'm pretty sure they'd be able to find any kind of import you desire), the connections to quickly make the purchase (legally), and once you take delivery of the car it's 100% legal and ready to take home. They take care of the importation/transportation, taxation, etc, so you pay one fee for the car. Cars are inspected and approved before they ever leave Japan and they don't deal in "kit cars;" you buy the genuine article.
They do other stuff too, like source parts and restoration jobs; I plan on having them do a good chunk of the exterior resto (most if not all, due to the special requirements of the vert resto) on my Celica to make sure it's done right when the time arrives.