Drive an unlegalized skyline in the US

  • Thread starter Thread starter skylineGTR_guy
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Az has a sticker

az2003dealer.jpg
 
I may be out of my element, but you can import those cars here legally. might cost you 10 grand to get it here and have everything said and done, but it is possible. there are a bunch of those in the states.
 
So you want a car that draws looks? Thats all good but do you put that before how well the car performs etc? :rolleyes: I rate the performance of a performance car the most important criterion, I don't get a car to pose in. I view the rarity as a proactive bonus - I don't look for it actively. If a car is rare - good, if it isn't - then fine.

And I don't think it's as easy as you put it to get a Skyline into the USA. :rolleyes: If it is, then somebody would most likely have tried it.
 
Originally posted by infinitemethod
I may be out of my element, but you can import those cars here legally. might cost you 10 grand to get it here and have everything said and done, but it is possible. there are a bunch of those in the states.
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Around $30,000 USD. I knew you can get the cars here legally what i was talking about was how much trouble i can get in if i buy the car and what i can do to prevent getting "caught".
 
Originally posted by ViperUK
So you want a car that draws looks? Thats all good but do you put that before how well the car performs etc? :rolleyes: I rate the performance of a performance car the most important criterion, I don't get a car to pose in. I view the rarity as a proactive bonus - I don't look for it actively. If a car is rare - good, if it isn't - then fine.
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I like the skyline because of it's awesome performace and great looks. Don't get me wrong, performance is great but I'd rather have a car that performs well AND looks good over one that just performs well. Rarity also adds to the mix. So as you can see the reason I like theSkyline is becasue it has everything I'm looking for in a car.

Originally posted by ViperUK
And I don't think it's as easy as you put it to get a Skyline into the USA. :rolleyes: If it is, then somebody would most likely have tried it.
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People have tried it and do use this method, Sean Morris did it himself for a little while, and a guy here in arizona does it too. It's not 100% legal since after all you did have to sneak the car into the country, but your average police officer isn't going to bother checking becasue the car does not need to be individually registered, as it is with a normal car but it is registered to a dealer so they just let it go.
 
Originally posted by infinitemethod
I may be out of my element, but you can import those cars here legally. might cost you 10 grand to get it here and have everything said and done, but it is possible. there are a bunch of those in the states.
Click to expand...

It's about 25 to 30 thousand dollars to fully legalize a skyline for use in the US. However they may be imported for show use only or race use only without the need for legalization.
 
Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy
However they may be imported for show use only or race use only without the need for legalization.
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So lets say i buy a R32 or R33 and tell the government that i am gonna use the car as a show car and then actually use it for both can they catch me and arrest me or something?
 
they will arrest you and send you to the firing squad :)
 
...why would they arrest you for driving a car without a license plate? Is there any record of somebody being arrested and having their car destroyed?

Driving without insurance would be the bigger deal. If you get caught doing that, you'll be in some trouble, although you still wont get arrested.

What would be even worse is if you hit somebody without insurance. Then you are really screwed.
 
Don't you need a right hand drive license also? I've heard to import a GT-R over here you'll have to pay its original price plus an extra 400%, which I'm not sure about. Anyway I've seen 3 of them here in Miami so far, and thats not including the shows I've been to.
 
Originally posted by retsmah
...why would they arrest you for driving a car without a license plate?
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Because if it's been imported under "show car" status and your driving it around, it has no vin number, it isn't emissions legal, it doesn't meet crash test standards and you've lied to the US government adn falisfied federal documents, plus since you are unable to insure it you are also driving without insurance.

Originally posted by retsmah
...why would they arrest you for driving a car without a license plate?
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10.7.51 of the CA. motor vehicle code:

It is illegal to remove or alter the vin # of a motor vehicle.....Should an altered vin # be
encountered (which includes method of attachment) at best the tag is seized, and a state tag will
be placed on the vehicle in place of the original (that'll really help if you ever go to sell the car).
Should the vehicle not have a secondary #, to authenticate its identity, the vehicle will be crushed.

Every state has similar laws, basically since the car can't be identified, its crushed.

I think a while ago some guys were arrested for illegally bringing over alfa romeos or something like that.


Oh and according to the NHTSA
A vehicle eligible for Show or Display may receive NHTSA approval to be driven on the highway. The odometer must not register more than 2,500 miles in a 12-month period. NHTSA approval of limited on-road use is to allow the vehicle to be driven to and from nearby displays of similar automobiles. Another reason permission is granted is to maintain the vehicle’s engine, braking, lighting, and other dynamic systems in good working order.
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Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy
Because if it's been imported under "show car" status and your driving it around, it has no vin number, it isn't emissions legal, it doesn't meet crash test standards and you've lied to the US government adn falisfied federal documents, plus since you are unable to insure it you are also driving without insurance.



10.7.51 of the CA. motor vehicle code:

It is illegal to remove or alter the vin # of a motor vehicle.....Should an altered vin # be
encountered (which includes method of attachment) at best the tag is seized, and a state tag will
be placed on the vehicle in place of the original (that'll really help if you ever go to sell the car).
Should the vehicle not have a secondary #, to authenticate its identity, the vehicle will be crushed.

Every state has similar laws, basically since the car can't be identified, its crushed.

I think a while ago some guys were arrested for illegally bringing over alfa romeos or something like that.


Oh and according to the NHTSA
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Thanks for clearing stuff up but lets say you resgester the car as a "show car" then actually use it for "weekly" driving how would the cops find out you have been driving the car with the exception of getting a ticket?
And you said accprding to the NHTSA you can have only 2,500 miles on the car over a 12 month period do they send some offical or some to your house and check the milage?
 
Originally posted by pimp racer
Thanks for clearing stuff up but lets say you resgester the car as a "show car" then actually use it for "weekly" driving how would the cops find out you have been driving the car with the exception of getting a ticket?
And you said accprding to the NHTSA you can have only 2,500 miles on the car over a 12 month period do they send some offical or some to your house and check the milage?
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Hell If I know, I guess they would have a way to keep tabs on you. Plus If it's a show car it has no vin# so you cant register it, if you get pulled over and have no vin and no registration, the cop will assume the car is stolen and throw you in jail then investigate and bye bye goes the GTR. Plus since you can't register it you won't have plates, how long do you think you can use the car as a daily driver before a cop notices the lack of a plate?
The 2,500 is just to keep the car in good working order, it's not meant for you to drive to the store ;)
 
Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy
I like the skyline because of it's awesome performace and great looks. Don't get me wrong, performance is great but I'd rather have a car that performs well AND looks good over one that just performs well. Rarity also adds to the mix. So as you can see the reason I like theSkyline is becasue it has everything I'm looking for in a car.



People have tried it and do use this method, Sean Morris did it himself for a little while, and a guy here in arizona does it too. It's not 100% legal since after all you did have to sneak the car into the country, but your average police officer isn't going to bother checking becasue the car does not need to be individually registered, as it is with a normal car but it is registered to a dealer so they just let it go.
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Thanks for clearing that up. It's like Vettes in this country. Common in their home country like Skylines are common in their home country but rare like anything where they aren't officially sold. I understand that rarity is a nice and tempting bonus to have but the difference you and yours truly (me :lol: ) is that I don't put rarity is a criteria. If the car is rare, great, if it isn't, then I'll live with that.

P.S. car laws in the USA suck :eek: :lol:
 
Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy
Plus since you can't register it you won't have plates, how long do you think you can use the car as a daily driver before a cop notices the lack of a plate?
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Isnt this where those dealer tags come in?
 
Originally posted by pimp racer
Isnt this where those dealer tags come in?
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yeah, dealer plates make it so you don't have to individually register (since it has no vin that would be impossible) the car and you can still insure it. But if your going to do this you might as well sneak the car into mexico on a container ship and just drive it across the border, it's not like they check.
 
Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy
yeah, dealer plates make it so you don't have to individually register (since it has no vin that would be impossible) the car and you can still insure it. But if your going to do this you might as well sneak the car into mexico on a container ship and just drive it across the border, it's not like they check.
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Ok so this is what i basicly do
1. Buy car.
2. Get car to mexico
3. Sneak car to U.S.A.
4. Put dealer tag on car.
5. Put gas.
6. Take pics to show you guys:D
7. Drive?
 
Originally posted by pimp racer
Ok so this is what i basicly do
1. Buy car
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You forgot a step, you need the money first :p

2. Get car to mexico
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Yeah, inside a container would be best, make sure it's locked ;)

3. Sneak car to U.S.A.
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No sneaking really needed, just throw it on a truck and tow in or slap some AZ plates on it and drive it across the border like you just got back from a vacation.

4. Put dealer tag on car.
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Your gonna need to find someone willing to do that for you, or just start your own dealership :p

5. Put gas.
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Premium! and buy some octane booster!

6. Take pics to show you guys:D
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Don't forget the GTP sign ;) :lol:

7. Drive?
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No step 7 is give it to GTR_guy :p
 
Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy
You forgot a step, you need the money first :p


Yeah, inside a container would be best, make sure it's locked ;)


No sneaking really needed, just throw it on a truck and tow in or slap some AZ plates on it and drive it across the border like you just got back from a vacation.


Your gonna need to find someone willing to do that for you, or just start your own dealership :p


Premium! and buy some octane booster!


Don't forget the GTP sign ;) :lol:


No step 7 is give it to GTR_guy :p
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:lol: ok nice step 7 then money no problem.
 
That car crushing crap is absolute bull****! >:(
No offence but whoever the ******** was (i assume an American) that thought of that idea he/she seriously needs a good smack around the head.

Sorry about all the swearing.
 
Originally posted by skylineGTR_guy

10.7.51 of the CA. motor vehicle code:

It is illegal to remove or alter the vin # of a motor vehicle.....Should an altered vin # be
encountered (which includes method of attachment) at best the tag is seized, and a state tag will
be placed on the vehicle in place of the original (that'll really help if you ever go to sell the car). Should the vehicle not have a secondary #, to authenticate its identity, the vehicle will be crushed.
Click to expand...

Why would the car not have a vin number? As far as I know, even if the car wasn't sold in the U.S., it would still have VIN numbers on it. Unless the VIN numbers are a U.S. only thing...
 
Originally posted by retsmah
Why would the car not have a vin number? As far as I know, even if the car wasn't sold in the U.S., it would still have VIN numbers on it. Unless the VIN numbers are a U.S. only thing...
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They might earse the Vin number from the directory or whatever.
No offence but whoever the ******** was (i assume an American) that thought of that idea he/she seriously needs a good smack around the head.
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:lol: that would be amazing if the maker of the laws could get the cars rather than destroying them.
 

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