Any one know how to import a car to the US or find a place where they already sell imports.?

Question

I was thinking of importing a 2001 Nissan Silvia Spec R or a Skyline R32-R34. But i dont know how much hassel with paper work and registeration, or where some one has imported it and is selling it

Answer 1

Talking to a few folks from the skyline owners forums from the US they have told me that each state has its own ruling on these type of cars,Examples are the car can come straight in just alot of paperwork and a long wait but no mods needed,another job which is for the R32 is a bar added across the rear due to the petrol tank being close to the rear passengers,further mods are usually emissions being set up,and the car being moved to LHD but thats not everywhere.
So they told me the best place is to ask your Department of transport for the laws on this car.And these are for road use.
Links they have given me and i have found are.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=105699

http://rbmotoring.com/gallery/album141
some for sale on there with US papers
also try ebay for GTS-T nad GTS models.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/graymarket_RI_list010807.htm

http://www.motorex.net/skyline.html#
Handy site for info.

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/index.htm

http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars/FAQ.htm

http://www.azines.com/linked_cars.asp?pid=55

http://drifttuners.com/?id=usa

http://www.turbomagazine.com/features/0612turp_nissan_skyline_gtr_r33/index.html

http://www.ridejudge.com/ridedetails.asp?RideID=10271

Answer 2

The Nissan Silvia and Skyline are very popular models for "Tuners". Here is the down side to trying to get one in the U.S. All imported automobiles must meet the U.S. Emmissions and Safety standards for the model year of production. More simply, 5 mph bumpers, DOT autoglass, and so on. The list can be quite extensive, plus very expensive. Now, you can buy and ship anything you want to the U.S. But, at the port you must provide the paperwork and/or parts to make the car compliant. If I may make a suggestion, the modern automobile model normally shares some portion of it's frame, subbody, powertrain, and so on with other models in the line up. If the powertrain and or suspension make these two nissan models so special, would these not be functional on a U.S. model, like the Altima or Maxima? I do not know, but you can order the parts and have them imported.

Answer 3

If they meet U.S. import requirements you should be able to order them from any Nissan dealer. If they don't meet specs you won't be able to bring them into the country under any conditions.