Importing Skylines to the US
- Thread starter Vinyl Scratch
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- 22,551
- Arizona
- HamiltonMP427
Finding them isn't hard, go on to Auto trader or craigslist and you'll see a few that you could buy.
- 746
- dukie827
I know of one here in GA.
He's selling it. Or he sold it. Didn't keep up with the FS thread on the site he sold it on.
I just want to see an R34 registered in California.
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- astrosdude91
Ibonibo
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The GTR's ATTESA 4*4 system beats nearly every other 4*4 system (Audi, Sti and evo's included). Especially the V-spec models from the R33 onwards featured the Pro system with an electronic rear differential (way better than mechanical systems)
That's on the AWD point.
Now the RB26 engine can't be compared to nearly anything of that time (the Jz engine beeing the exception). bear in mind that these engines were built to compete in the Japanese Touring Seriers and not for road use. The engines found on the road going version were just restricted not even massivly cut down.
Sure FF and GT made these cars popular in the western hemisphere. but if you buy a GTR because it was in FF you have some serious problems.
- 557
- ColoradoSprings
- Bottoz
Not a fan of Electronic-Diffs. They use brakes to control wheel spin, similar to any stability control program available in almost any new car. When brakes control wheel spin, brakes heat up. Brakes heat up = brake fade. Brake fade on a track = bad. Give me a mechanical diff over an e-diff any day. I don't want to be surprised by brake fade while on track because the e-diff is working overdrive to control wheel spin. I want my right foot and a mechanical diff to control wheel spin, and my right and/or left foot to control my brakes. E-Diffs are good for the average user, not good on a race track.
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- 41,008
Considering the expense that is required to import a GT-R and do it legally compared to buying a used STI, don't really think it matters that much.
What about the VG30DETT? C30A?
- 2,266
- GTP_Thatman/Thatmanthere
- A Man Hamster
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig100111.pdf
I thought I would share what cars are legal to import, oddly enough I was talking to someone on FB and they gave me this link.
I thought I would share what cars are legal to import, oddly enough I was talking to someone on FB and they gave me this link.
- 9,058
- Murica
- BasedAckbar
Wouldn't the R33 and R34 models be legal around the years 2020 and 2024? The 25 year old loop hole?
ROAD_DOGG33J
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- holyc0w1
- holyc0w
CodeRedR51
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- United States
Nice to see I could import an FC RX-7 with no issues. 
Downhill Dino
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- DownhillDinosaur
Safety rules in which they do not fulfill. Plus emissions.
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Thatman
Well the r33 is legal to import and the r32 will be legal in two more years. All thats left is the r34 which would have to be demonstrated to meet crash standards by a wealthy person or importer. Waiting for the 25 year loophole would be kind of obsolete.
- 22,551
- Arizona
- HamiltonMP427
R33 is legal, the engine isn't.
Yes.
All of this was explained by me and a few other on pages 1-3 so just go ahead and read back and you'll be up to date.👍
- 746
- dukie827
I've seen an R32 in California. But it had Florida plates on it.
I've seen that car before too! Well, it might not have been the same car but it was an R32 with Florida plates at Formula Drift Long Beach.
I'm talking about a California-plated R34 GT-R. Never seen one, probably never will.
Eric.
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- GTP_Eric
- Ebiggs
Newsflash. New STIs are faster than a ten year old (or 25 year old) GTR.
- 3,202
- Murcie LP710
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- astrosdude91
I think part of the reason why the pre R35 Skylines are so popular is because they weren't sold here. So they obtain this mythological status among American car enthusiasts. I mean if you look in just this thread, we're trading stories of stateside Skyline spottings (try saying that three times fast 
). So the STi may be a much better choice for us, but it's not a Skyline.
). So the STi may be a much better choice for us, but it's not a Skyline.
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- SAVAGE_388_
astrosdude91I think part of the reason why the pre R35 Skylines are so popular is because they weren't sold here. So they obtain this mythological status among American car enthusiasts. I mean if you look in just this thread, we're trading stories of stateside Skyline spottings (try saying that three times fast
Agreed. The skylines are the holy Grail for US jdm enthusiasts because that they were neither sold here nor are they easy to import by any means. So whether or not they are the fastest things out there people will defend them and want them more than cars that would otherwise be an easy choice. I'd take a stockish r33 over a shiny new sti any day.
- 22,551
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- HamiltonMP427
The Skyline might be the holy grail for you guys, but I'd say the Toyota Chaser X100 or Toyota AE86 (JDM import) are the holy grail for me.
ShobThaBob
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- 2,651
- rosooftw
Buying a fully JDM one isn't really a difficult thing to do. Just gotta set up buying one and shipping it over. There has been a slow trickle of RHD Corollas into the US since 2011.
- 5,812
- shmogt
I live in Canada and have seen "lots" of skylines over the years although they are not sold here. What about the R35 tho how tough is it to import? I have seen a few over the past year here and one that was super amazing with Matte black paint and some script writing that was in chrome over the door that continued onto the roof.
With every car and pretty much everything in the world all that matters is money. I'm guessing everyone in here is not the wealthiest person around and therefor can't bypass any of these laws. If you do have the money than anything is possible. For example Ashton Kutcher is not an astronaut or has any training and yet will be going to space soon since he paid $200,000 for a new test flight.
With every car and pretty much everything in the world all that matters is money. I'm guessing everyone in here is not the wealthiest person around and therefor can't bypass any of these laws. If you do have the money than anything is possible. For example Ashton Kutcher is not an astronaut or has any training and yet will be going to space soon since he paid $200,000 for a new test flight.
ShobThaBob
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- 2,651
- rosooftw
Canada has a 15 year rule regarding legality of non-domestic car sales. That's why they're so numerous.
Also, if you wanted to get an R34 into the US legally, you would have to go to a Registered Importer, offer them an obscene amount of money, buy an R34, import it, have the RI test it and figure out what it would need to pass all federal regulations, then crash it to make sure it conforms to US crash tests. If it does, you're fine, if it doesn't, they'll have to develop modifications for it to pass, then buy another one and crash that one to insure compliance.
Then you can pick out an R34, import it through that RI, pay them to do all the modifications for it, then you're good to go.
The problem is that people who have that kind of disposable income likely would just go to a country where they're already legal, buy a house there, and then drive the car there. They'd still possibly be saving money.
Also, if you wanted to get an R34 into the US legally, you would have to go to a Registered Importer, offer them an obscene amount of money, buy an R34, import it, have the RI test it and figure out what it would need to pass all federal regulations, then crash it to make sure it conforms to US crash tests. If it does, you're fine, if it doesn't, they'll have to develop modifications for it to pass, then buy another one and crash that one to insure compliance.
Then you can pick out an R34, import it through that RI, pay them to do all the modifications for it, then you're good to go.
The problem is that people who have that kind of disposable income likely would just go to a country where they're already legal, buy a house there, and then drive the car there. They'd still possibly be saving money.
