ok the real deal about importing skylines read! - Page 5

HellBent · #61 10-31-2002, 09:55 AM

WRX,

I don't want to try and stop you from importing a Skyline, but you may find it more difficult than you imagined. Especially if you plan to import it for profit. You may have a rude awakening! When I looked into it, there were a lot of hidden costs, delays, and tricky legalities such as insurance during shipping and storage. Getting a loan for the conversion is also difficult, because most banks don't have the collateral value of a Skyline in their data base. It is a lot of trouble for a huge risk, with a low chance of return.

Another thing, normally I wouldn't say anything, but ... try using the spell check or at least reading over your post before submitting.

Al

wrx_rated · #62 10-31-2002, 04:45 PM

:bandit: Check it. First of all for certain reasons the only thing that I have to pay when it comes to importing is the tax which is only like 10% of the cost of the vehicle. And anybody can import a jdm vehicle into the United States. Now the proble lies once its at customs. Thats where you either might get the car cruched or they will give it to you. I know becasue I have a buddy that works in pier 14 in yokohama. And he told me that the only thing that they require is that the car clears 6 in from the ground and has a 1/4 tank of gas. Also they have to spray the undechassis of the car with a repellant. And that is all the reqs to import a car into the United States. Well later.:silly2:

HellBent · #63 10-31-2002, 05:31 PM

I think the issues you are missing are:

1) Insurance while in transit: Lets say the ship sinks, or your car gets vandalized, or it catches on fire due to a faulty electrical or fuel system. Who pays for that? This can happen while in impound. Do you think US Customs will foot the bill?
2) Regeistration: How will you register it? Go to Motorex? (That's big bucks. How will you get financing for it?) It is difficult to get a car loan for a grey market car, with questionable collateral value. Most people have to own a home, which they use for an equity line of credit for the cost of conversion.
3) Importation Problems: Lets say for whatever reason the Customs or DOT people find a problem and deem the car not fit for import. Suddenly you are faced with shipping the car back, on your nickle all the while making payments.
4) Misc. Costs: Can you afford the out of pocket expenses such as car payments and insurance for many months while the car is in limbo? You may be talking about at least 3 months, which depending on the car, could cost over $1000 a month. That is lost money! You won't be enjoying the car or driving it, and it's only depreciating in value during those months.
5) Damage in shippment: If the car is damaged in shipment, you can no longer sell it as perfect. Take it from me, I just sold a 2001 Corvette. The type of person who buys a $50,000 car doesn't even want a car that has had a scratch repaired on it let alone major damage.

If you ask me, you are taking this too lightly. The car market is fickle, and you are playing at the limit of success. Good luck, and do your homework.

Peace,

Al

SkylineUSA · #64 10-31-2002, 11:59 PM

It sucks to be miss informed. Kids!?

Good post HellBent.

NISMO23 · #65 11-01-2002, 01:28 AM

Just thought I would put my 2 cents in on this topic. I just got done importing my gtr (sold) into the US through MotoRex. Being in the military has its advantages in importing a skyline. There are many costs that we (military peronnel) are exempt from. Such as... Insurance costs for the car in transit from japan to US. The military handles that, just have to tell them the car's worth, however, hey won't insure the car for over $20,000.00. So, yes, one is taking a bit of a risk there.

Another exemption is no 2.5% custom's tariff, free shipping from japan to US, no ladding and unladding fees. Oh, getting full coverage for a gtr in the states is a breeze and very cheap for the military. I got a quote through USAA for only 370.00 dollars every six months. Can't beat that!

As for the possible vandilism or scratches to the car inroute to the US or whatever... the car will be shipped inside of a 20 ft container by itself. Noone has access to the container except for US Customs, the importer, and MotoRex. My car was totallty fine during shipment. Also, since the US government is shipping the car, that rules out any stupid customs inspections or hold up's. The container's contents are clearly marked as "US GOVERNMENT CARGO".

Making a profit on selling an imported gtr in the states is possible, but why do it? I personnaly would never do it again. If I ever get a chance to import a gtr again, I am definatly keeping it. The only reason I sold it was because of the baby on the way and other expenses I have. Otherwise, I would have kept it. They are really great cars, and I personnally would never go with anything other than a gtr.

Again, just my 2 cents.

HellBent · #66 11-01-2002, 07:48 AM

NISMO23,

Great post and good info. I would like to hear more about your experience, and the specifics of your experience. I may be attempting this in the future if I really fall in love with the GTR. Feel free to e-mail me if you don't want to post numbers.

Al

street-legal · #67 10-07-2003, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT-R2000

ok first off motorex isnt god like some people think and there are other companise who import skylines to but on a smaller scale than motorex. and yeas im importing my own R34 skyline GT-R Vspec and then im going to legalize it my self and i can because the national board of high way safty aproved them so you dont need motorex's crash test data any more! and if for some reason i cant do it i will have my dads friend do it at cost at his company whick will be less than half the motorex cost. so thanx

a company called fuel imports will import a r34 skyline pay fed taxes convert it and do some other crap for 21k motorex will only convert it for 25k and yes there are more companies then motorex.

jonsimports · #68 10-09-2003, 06:07 AM

Well I have heard of fuel imports and its probably who I will use if I am going to legalize my own skyline. I have sold 2 skylines in the past week a white GTR on ebay and a silver 1998 GTS-T. No trouble yet importing them to USA basically i just send the paper work they pick up the car and get it legalized through whoever. People are tryin to make it soooo much harder than it really is. And soooo many guys trying to act like they know everything about the topic and skylines for that matter. NZ skylines ....

RazorGTR · #69 10-09-2003, 12:20 PM

#1. You guys can do what you want as far as I am concerned. There have so many discussion in the past on this and guys have been ripped off, lost huge money, and then piss and moan.

#2. Show proof or shut up. Jon and street you can import any car to the states. Using on the roads and or legalizing it is a different subject. You claim this and that so show proof. Omega claimed this and that, so did another compay. Guess what, neither were able to do as they claimed. One poor bastard who believed in them wound up having his car impounded in Canada.

#3. Don't dig up old threads.

You two monkeys seem to think you know it all. Well ok smart asses put up or shut up. I expect to see WRITTEN proof in 48 hrs on these boards or I'll remove you from them. How does that sound.

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