Is it even possible to get jdm cars in CA legally?

[Skylindrftr]

im not saying it cant be done, im just asking the usual questions that most people would when someones says they can "legalize" a jdm car...so dont take any of it personally...

[orestes]

How The Fuck Do You Get The Us Title?

[orestes]

fuck it wont let me post in all caps that time. how about this

HOW THE FUCK DO YOU GET THE US TITLE?

[Skylindrftr]

but once you get it titled out of state dont you have to get it registered in california which will require inspection?

[Skylindrftr]

damn that's some sweet shit... i wan't a 180sx now...hmm i wonder how much i could get for my 240 heheh

[AWDSR20]

Originally Posted by hazw8st

Negative, that is a very popular misconception. The DMV requires a REG34a, better known as a VIN verification by the CHP, and not the DMV, due to the fact that it is an out of state car. But, VIN verification is for novices, and is seldom done when registering gray market vehicles. Because the VIN verification is performed by an agency besides the DMV, that fact by itself complicates the registration process 10 fold.

The VIN verification is oftentimes overlooked by CA DMV clerks.

suuure my frieeeend..... tell that to ur friendly LAPD next time u get pulled over or when u insure ur car

[Skylindrftr]

Well i was looking on his posts on other forums and he apparently got a skyline registered fine so i guess that is proof enough for me!

[nissan_240sx]

mind showin the link?

[AWDSR20]

hummm..... yeah a link would be great...

[Skylindrftr]

check hazw8st's first post where it tells what forums they were on...or ask hazw8st im sure he wouldnt mind saying

[sidewayzS13]

lets put this very simple sure it can be done but if it were cheap and easy to do there would be much more JDM cars bottom line its expensive and not a easy task to accomplish

[chichihuil]

hello all. so heres my 2 cents
firstly, my expreince with registering an out of country car is from Mexico.
i brought up a 1998 240SX.
i got it over the border, and they told me to take it to inspection. there was no one there, so i drove on to austin tx to my buddies. lucky for me cuz the whole legalizing ordeal took about 4 months, and cost about $800!..
which i guess isnt THAT bad considering i sold the 240 for 10k.
(it was CLEAN w 50kmi)
anyways.
you need a representative (forget their name) to officially file the request to ahve the car legalized, and they charge about $400. you need all original docs of the car (title-equivalents) translated. another $60.
you need to pass state inspection and get the sticker. $40, takes just a sec, they just plug in the hose and hook it up to a computer.
and you need to get a police inspection. cop just made sure my car had seatbelts and wrote down the VIN to make sure it wasnt stolen.
than you wait for the rep to deal w the DOT and Customs. takes a while.
i had $100 at my disposal when i started out, that is why it took me so long to legalize. if you have all the $ than it should take maybe 2 wks.
when the rep is finished you take his docs, the stuff from state inspection, an insurance (all u need for that is a VIN, ANY vin, they really dont check. if they cant pull ur car up, most will just say, ok. if ur having trouble, there are special companies that offer insurance near the border that just need ur name and a credit card number. this is enough for the legalization, u can switch to a mainstream insurance company later).
got to DMV of the PORT SATE WHERE THE CAR ARRIVED/entered the USA with al lthe docs (i sent my friends mom w a power of attorney)
pay the fees, (like any newly purchased vehicle fees) and thats it, you get ur title and plates in the mail in 1-2wks.
now, i assume its a little diff for JDM cars, but, thats the paperwork.

when crossing the border, they just checked that the car had a DOT approved sticker on it. usually under the hood or in the doorjamb. mine had both. if ur particular car doesnt have it, take one off any same brand car, and voila (not legal advice). just makes things easier.
i drove my car w mexican plates and registration for 4months till i had my TX docs. (i was in indiana). i was pulled over once for speeding and just got a ticket. cop looked at me wierd, but he just gave me a ticket. make sure u have insurance card for car ON you.

thats basically it.
now, on to the good stuff
who wants a JDM car!
jajaja.
im currently in Osaka, but ill be back in Tokyo next week, and can start lookin for cars. older used cars sell for very reasonable prices here, cuz japanese like having cars less than 3yrs old. course, the kind of cars we like are move coveted, but still.
i saw an R32 in a lot w minor front left fender damage, out of use. that was on the train from Narita to Tokyo. i plan on going back and trying to buy it.
i will post elsewhere as well, but basically, i will be in japan for the near foreable future, and would gladly car hunt for ppl. i was in the states till just a few weeks ago and know how much i wanted an R34 than.. jajaja.
Sylvias are everywhere here btw. i see 2-3 a day. (and i havent even contacted my tuner friends yet).
so. pm me or email me. or post on my new thread.

[lordloss1984]

I'm assuming the guy in Japan is in the military, as am I. I'm currently stationed in AZ. There is this one guy, don't know him, but i've heard his story and seen the car. He has an Skyline GT-R R33 and it's registered in Missouri. I'm not all that sure what paperwork he went through to get it here, but it's here and legal. it just depends on the state, Cali, not too easy. I would love to have a Skyline or Silvia, but i'm more concerned with swapping the engine in my s13 convertible for an RB25det. I'm moving to Cali in about 3 months after I getr booted from the Air Force on a medical discharge. If anyone knows how to legally register an RB25 in Cali, meaning passing the swag inspection, "sniffer" test and visual inspections., let me know.

[chichihuil]

im not in the military. im a recently graduated japanese studies major and a photographer and just happen to be obsessed w cars.
hey, btw RW 240 can u pm or email me. if ud be interested in legalizing cars i send over, maybe we can work together to help our fellows out in gettin their dream rides.

[slideways...]

haha dude hes been banned for so long. this thread is eons old. only riceboys care about importing a car we can pretty much get here. oh but if you see a 20B you should try and stick it down your pants and bring it back with you.