importing from japan

looking to import a mid 90's rx7 from japan. the lhd version is listed in the nhtsa as being acceptable for import. im wondering what kind of modifications would need to be made in order to legalize the car in america. also what kind of structural differences there are in the car compared to the us spec. i really dont need an answer like "why dont you just buy a us spec". im importing because i want it to be rhd for the uniquness factor, and cars are much better taken care of in japan. any help appreciated.

can someone at least give me some info on the importation process

i dont really have all that much knowledge about the customs process, but im very determined. at least some info on reliable registered importers, i dont even care if it was a mazda, or if the car was even from japan, i just want to learn.

search google or buy one from the states, much easier and cheaper, LHD is played out majorly so it won't be unique. and plenty of cars here are taken very good care of

i dont doubt theyre taken care of here in the states, and ive found many for sale. Of course all the ones worth owning are 18 grand. plus, i dont see many rx7s running around with right hand drive, so one in the states would be unique. since you can pick up an rx7 with like 60k miles on it in japan for 7 grand, im thinking it might be worth it to look into importing. especially since then i dont have to go through the trouble of swapping in a jdm 13b, or am i just not thinking right?

your not thinking right

its the same motor, who cares if its JDM? those 3 letters don't mean anything.

bottom line is it will cost you a lot more to import and make legal a japanese car, especially a turbo

have you looked into this at all??

ive gone trough all the import regulations, the list of cars that are suitable for import, found the registered importer to go through, and am on the verge of having them petition the car as substantialy similar. the epa isnt as much of a problem as the dot, which has to be researched by the ri. i dont care about the jdm standing. i want to drive on the right side of the car, without having to buy a 10grand fd3s and have it converted. plus its a challenge. im just lookin for someone with experience who can give me tips

well magicweed you did ask if everyone if you were thinking the right way. Most probably would agree that you're not since you're trying to justify the cost of being different by the side you will drive on. If you truely want the jdm car just import it and go through the paperwork and more power to you.

yea to convert it would cost just as much if not more, but if you drive on the LEFT like everyone else you will save money, which you could use to make your car better, just a thought

i know the conversion process is going to cost money, but heres my idea. the cost of fd rx7's in japan is about half of what they are here, meaning they fall in right aroun 6 thousand dollars. i was looking for someone who could tell me what would need to be changed, or had experience with importing vehicles from other countries. i read an article about a land rover this guy bought and the conversion cost 8 grand. this rover was on the list of importable vehicles, so im thinking that buying a $6000 rx7 in japan and having them legalize it for $8000 or less wouldnt be that bad an idea considering all the rx7's (93+) in the us have gone for $15000 or more. in the end it would cost just as much as buying a well taken care of machine over here except with less miles on it and = or less money spent. plus then i get to drive on the wrong side of the car which i think would just freak people out.

you're forgetting a huge number in there. SHIPPING. unless you own a boat or plane big enough to pick that baby up, ur going to get the shaft right there. it costs my parents about 2000 bucks to bring in some old furniture from venezuela from when we lived there. i live in texas, and that's shipping by boat across a fairly small body of water. a car is going to be ridiculously expensive, plus, i'm not sure, but i think they put extra taxes on it to raise the price closer to U.S. car prices. otherwise everyone would buy from japan am i right?

just thought i'd add somethin. i'm not sayin not to buy it, i'm just sayin that's somethin to consider in your budget.

I'm saying not to buy it

if you do I'm gonna come slash your tires and break out your windows :)

No what would be really cool is if there was any Turbo 2s in Washington State so I could finally get one.

you could always look outside the state :)

and cars are much better taken care of in japan.


Pfft. You wish :rolleyes:

I find it funny how all used cars in japan are <50k miles.

well he's right about the new lancer evo... i'm pretty sure in japan it coems stock with variable yaw control. or something like that. however, the way it usually works out, j-spec cars will have just a little more hp because of emissions. by the time you get it to the U.S. and install parts necessary to pass emissions... you lose that tiny bit of power.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6327&item=2459953530


take a look at that. it's a second gen, but it may be what you're looking for. if you're lookin to spend 15k, buy that car, spend the rest on mods. you've got teh steering on the right, just like you wanted.