Importing Skylines to the US

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Vinyl Scratch

Vinyl Scratch

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vinylscratchp0n3
I was looking at a few Skylines that people managed to import before NHTSA meddled with our fun (again) and found this thread: http://forums.maxima.org/other-cars/354297-wonder-why-you-cant-get-r32-34-skyline-us.html

If I read it right, then it means that R33's are still eligible for importation, as long as it gets converted to comply with the US's standards before it gets registered. However, because only the R33 was crash tested, R32's and R34's are not eligible for importation. So does this mean that if somebody who had the time and money to import a cheap R34 took it to the NHTSA and had them test it, and it passed, would the doors suddenly open for importing R34's? I'd really love for this to happen, because R34's look amazing in any colour, plus I've heard they're ridiculously fast. :sly:

Also, both completely dismantling one, shipping it in pieces, building it after it arrives, and registering it as a kit car or importing one to Canada/Mexico, registering it there, then driving it in is majorly expensive, and they're starting to crack down on that.
 
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I'm sorry but this notion that Nissan Skylines are some type of Godzilla in the JDM car world is quite false. Skylines are quite the overweight girl, all of them weigh more than 3K pounds I believe, but that's another story.

There's some R33s in Chicago, there not GTRs though, and are used for drifting but hey a R33 is a R33 is a R33.

Also, that link is to a group on Facebook....
 
HELLAFLUSH240SX
I'm sorry but this notion that Nissan Skylines are some type of Godzilla in the JDM car world is quite false. Skylines are quite the overweight girl, all of them weigh more than 3K pounds I believe, but that's another story.

There's some R33s in Chicago, there not GTRs though, and are used for drifting but hey a R33 is a R33 is a R33.

Also, that link is to a group on Facebook....
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They are when you throw thousands of dollars of tuning in it... :) But then again, every car will be fast with a crapload of tuning.
 
Hate to burst you're bubble but that last time GTRs came to the states the Gov't took them up and got rid of them. They were mainly R34s as well, with a few R32s. R33 Skyline are the only ones that the DOT and NHTSA allows in the states but I've read and heard (I was one a young lad in love with R34s then I grew up) that the RB26 wont pass EPA inspections, thus the car being brought over might as well be a shell without an engine.

Unless the R34 passes the same set of rules applied to the R33 there is a chance it will. The likelihood of that happening is probably never. We're talking about a car that has been out of production for nearly 10 years almost, and was never slated for the states it would probably be too much work. It also runs into the same issue with the EPA. Also they're not starting to crack down they have been for the past 4-5 years. You can't register it as a kit car and even if you did in your state the car still wouldn't be recognized by those bodies of the Federal Gov't thus being "contraband".
 
HELLAFLUSH240SX
I'm sorry but this notion that Nissan Skylines are some type of Godzilla in the JDM car world is quite false. Skylines are quite the overweight girl, all of them weigh more than 3K pounds I believe, but that's another story.
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Last I checked, 3400 or so pounds for a car of that type wasn't particularly overweight...
 
LMSCorvetteGT2
the RB26 wont pass EPA inspections
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I heard somewhere that cars imported from outside the USA are subjected to extra tests, is that true?
 
DK
I heard somewhere that cars imported from outside the USA are subjected to extra tests, is that true?
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Depends, based on smog regulations for the area that car is coming from. Places like California have strict emissions test, thus it seems cars built for the U.S. are made to those specs. Things must be added, but manufactures importing cars to the U.S. take this into account. I'd say they get tested at the same level or at a level any car has to coming into the U.S., whether it be domestic or import.

The only reason the RB26 isn't allowed from the standard car is because it is missing key emission pieces that car meant for the U.S. during that time had. Since it doesn't have them the EPA wont let it come through.

BobbyBRAKEaNek
I know of one here in GA.
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Yes and I know of a couple in Phoenix that use to drag race out at Speedworld. Just because you own a R32 or R34 doesn't mean it is legal. People have imported those cars here before Kaito was the biggest on the west coast at one time. Yet due to EPA, DOT and NHTSA these cars were taken by the U.S. DOJ, and the same could happen to that one you just posted possibly.
 
Toronado
Registering them as a 240SX was a popular (and illegal as hell) way of getting them on the roads.
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Yeah I remember that, it worked for a time. Then it all blew up, too bad for them a state title means little to the DOT and NHTSA.
 
Importing an R33 or R34 maybe cool and all, but the financial and legal hurdles to get them are not worth it. Might as well save up that cash and get a used R35.
 
I'd imagine that the Japanese Auto Industry does have crash testing, but I've never heard anything about the tests.
 
GTPorsche
I'd imagine that the Japanese Auto Industry does have crash testing, but I've never heard anything about the tests.
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They probably do, but it has nothing to do with the US', so whatever the results are have no bearing on US law.
 
I have a friend with an R32 GT-R. Was registered in Washington state then converted to a Colorado registration. Not sure how they went about it though. The car is driven on the street from time to time, but mainly used for shows/track events.
 
Oww. You guys across the pond just need to wait until the R32 and R34 are 25 years old, then you can import them without any hassle. :lol:
 
Dennisch
Oww. You guys across the pond just need to wait until the R32 and R34 are 25 years old, then you can import them without any hassle. :lol:
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You know, in just a few years we'll be able to import R32's free of hassle.
 
astrosdude91
You know, in just a few years we'll be able to import R32's free of hassle.
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R32's started in 1989, right? Almost then! :D


EliteDreamer
Illegal importing of course! Or the remains of the imported GT-Rs from years back that haven't been seized yet.
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So, he can be driving down the road, be pulled over, and his car can be seized?
 
I was somewhat planning on waiting for the 25 year mark for a Skyline, so much easier.

Speaking of GTRs in 'Merica, an R34 Spec V here in Michigan.


R34 by E_Delaney, on Flickr
 
Nice. I see the typical weather in the background too :lol:
 
Dennisch
Are you serious? That's just wrong. Even for an illegal car.
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They more than likely crush them, or keep them inpounded then send them back overseas were they are probably sold to the public.
 
R32s and R33s can be imported here (Ontario, Canada) without a problem... since our only seriously restricting import rule is that the car must be 15+ years old. I've only heard of one instance where there was an R34 in Toronto... It was sent over in pieces, took a very long time to reassemble, and was registered as a kit car with a brand new VIN. (It was also later sold for ~$100,000...)
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There are always loop holes to infamous laws... For example tourists and visitors may import their own car, no matter its age and register it for use here without a problem.

You can also import a car if it's restricted for track use only.

Not that I support or promote finding loop holes in laws... just tossing out my two cents. ;)
 

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