HELP! Anyone bought a Canadian car in the U.S.?

[lilmissjaclyn]

HELP PLEASE!

I live in Phoenix, Arizona in the U.S. and I just purchased a 95 Honda Civic from a Canadian resident who spends winters in the states. The Honda was manufactured in Canada and is purely a Canadian car, with the odometer and speedometer in KMH instead of MPH. Arizona Motor Vehicle department will not let me transfer this car into my name until I have it inspected, and no one will inspect it until I have specific documentation from Honda that the car meets U.S. standards for safety and emissions.

Does anyone know what exactly needs to be done? Any info is appreciated, as I have a great car in my driveway that I can't make legal in the U.S. and therefore, can't use!

Thanks in advance!

[curtis73]

Most of this is complete speculation, but I'll try to get you started:

Starting sometime around 91, most japanese imports stopped doing separate emissions equipment for different destinations. It was not cost-effective. So, the good news is your canadian honda SHOULD be 50-state legal. If it doesn't say that on the underhood sticker, then it hasn't gone through the redtape of being EPA certified.

Now it comes down to AZ law. AZ requires the following for registration of you vehicle:

• Completed, signed title application
• Emission compliance form (Maricopa and Pima counties only)
• Level I vehicle inspection
• Out-of-state title (or registration, if title is held by lienholder)
• Out-of-state license plates
• Lien clearance, if applicable
• Power of Attorney from lessor (original or certified copy), if leased vehicle
• Payment of all applicable title and registration fees

You also need to call your local MVD to see what else is required since its out of country. 602-255-0072. Don't ask me why that number is in my phone Let's just say I have a long past with the AZ MVD.

So, my guess is that you are having trouble with the Level 1 part, right? Since your main difficulty is with the EPA and safety, my guess is your best bet is a Honda dealership. Although most of the techs there (no offense intended) will only be trained in very specific areas, someone should be able to confirm that the canadian safety/emissions equipment on your car are the same as US. If Honda (or an appointed representative like your local service rep) can verify that it passes with a sworn affidavit, you can either use that to get your level 1 or convince a court of common pleas to allow complicity. Is it possible to find a Honda dealer that is a level 1 inspection station?

If all else fails, might it be possible to "lose" the canadian title and have it registered as salvage and have a new title issued? If I recall correctly, AZ is pretty easy on that.