importing a s15 to the US?

[TXMike]

i know the big thing is to import a GTR to our measely shores but what about eh S15 spec r? im in my early 20s and dont see a skyline in my future for another 10 years with a price range of around $50k (guesstimating). Motorex said that the GTR is the only one to be imported, but why? Did i miss something on the importing laws or would the import cost be just as much? whats everyone's thoughts?

[silvia240]

i was told that motoRex imported s15's also. This one guy i meet in vegas said he got one through motorRex. He said he paid 20k for a 2000 specR

[Dousan_PG]

ah newbies...


GTRs go thru intense modification and emissions control to make them legal. motorex had to destroy 4 (i think) GTRs and Skylines to make them legal. it was a very expensive and painstaking process that took quite a few years.


no car has an equivelant to a S15 (like a skyline) in the USA, hence, unless you go a illegal route (swapping vins) legally (in anyway) it will not be allowed. maybe (MAYBE) You can get one for off road/race use only but that would require some research on your side.

so if you want a street legal one you'll have to buy probalby 4 or 5 s15s, crash test, emission control pay huge documentation and DOT fees and then buy 1 more which willl be 100% street legal. expect a 2-5 years depending on how good you deal with legal waits, lawyers, goverment officials and offices. there's a reason motorex doesnt tell their secrets how to legalize the cars. it took them MANY hours to get them where they are now.

[TXMike]

kinda makes you wonder IF and WHEN the r35 GTR to come to the states, what will happen to motorex's importing near-monopoly? ive heard it either way.

[Dousan_PG]

they have a "monopoly" cuz they busted their asses doing the leg work.

r35 will be watered down in the USA...as everything always is. even europe gets better FORD models of cars then the USA does. how sad is that?

previous gtrs and r35 are totally different. inline 6s are dead.

[AKADriver]

There is no if on the R35, only when.

But like dousan said it's a totally different car... all new styling and twin turbo VQ motor. It should blow away the R32-34's performance, we'll see if it still has the "cool factor" though.

Motorex doesn't have much to worry about until 2015 when the cars start hitting 25 years old and the regulations get relaxed. But even then they'll be fine.... the Skyline business is a sideline, a nice PR stunt, their main business as I understand it is still EXPORTING American vans and luxury SUVs to Japan!

[Foxcolt]

Motorex doesn't have a monopoly persay. I don't know much but I know of at least one other company that claims they can import you "ANY" car you'd like and have it legal in the states.

Vierd:eek:

Don't ask me what that company is as a friend is currently thinking about importing an s15. I'm sure the last thing he wants is everyone calling that company asking a bizzillion questions.:D


the Skyline business is a sideline, a nice PR stunt, their main business as I understand it is still EXPORTING American vans and luxury SUVs to Japan!

wow, I didn't know that. lol

[AKADriver]

I've heard about them. Based in Florida, their stuff is "legal". There are loopholes in Florida law, I've been trying to figure out what they are exactly. I've seen cars like an R32 GTS-t, Mazda Cosmo, and an older Lancer Evolution or two come through these Florida channels.

It might be an option for some people, but for me I'm not willing to live with the risk of a loophole getting closed and biting me in the ass. I know any unmodified JDM car would fail Maryland's required safety inspection anyway.

[Foxcolt]

ACK! and here I thought I was the hizzy for knowing the super secret way to import cars..lol.

Funny that friend i"m talking about resides in MD. He's got it all planned out, but your right, he's gonna have to find hookups on inspection and emmissions if he actually buys one.

It's just not a viable option for the run of the mill car enthusiast. And all the rich people like euro cars bastards! (akadriver: present company excluded of course):D