Importing a Silvia to the USA from Australia? Hard to do?

[spray2020]

I am American, over here in Sydney on a working visa for about 3-4 years.

I bought a s13 silvia that I wasn planning to build here and at the end of my stay import the car to the usa.

However, it just dawned on me that doing so might be a quite expensive and difficult task.

In my mind, building up a car here- all the money and time spent doing so to just sell the car in the end before I go back to the states is a waste.
I'd rather just sell the car then and just save my money to build something when I get back home.

Any ideas on doing this? Can it be done or is it not worth the effort?

[Purestock240]

why not buy a 180 there? would probably be cheaper than importing from states

[spray2020]

why not buy a 180 there? would probably be cheaper than importing from states

I dont want to bring any car to australia, I want to bring a car from australia back home!

I wanted a s13 silvia coupe only, and every car over here is overpriced like crazy.

What I am asking is: How much trouble will it be to bring this car back home to the states when my stay is over?

[lude4life13]

If you live in a strict state like California it will be a PITA until it the cars older than 25 years. Even after paying for the expensive shipping fees, just driving the car here without getting in trouble will be hard. If it wasn't, we would all have authentic silvia's :).

[spray2020]

I am from the East Coast, Philadelphia. I figured that by the time I go to import the car- it will be close to the 25 year mark no? It is a 1989 silvia s13.

How much of a pain is it in other states besides California?

[KiLLeR2001]

Sell the car, buy a 240sx coupe when you get to the states, begin building from there.

Captain Hindsight awayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

[mrcahh]

the DOT and the EPA are a pain in the ass. I wanted to import one before. but from what i remember the EPA test is $2000 pass or fail and it has to pass. getting it legalized , you can find one in PA. there used to be one up there but can't remember where. So it just depends on how much you want your silvia coupe here.

[bataangpinoy]

why not simply ship the parts over?

[!Zar!]

That's what I would do.

Remove the aftermarket parts, and install them on in the states.

[spray2020]

Yes,

I have thought about bringing the parts over-

but why even do that if I can just get the parts in the states anyhow?

Shipping the individual parts to the states from australia would cost just as much as the parts themselves!

[Abstrak0ne]

You will not be able to import the Silvia into the states as of now but shoulden't be an issue come 2014 for the 89. A lot of guys here in Japan build there cars while there here and ship the parts back.

There is a push to get the 25 year rule to be changed but need about 15000 more signatures before the topic will even be looked at:
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/stop-using-homeland-security-funds-seize-imported-vehicles-and-change-dotepa-exemption-15-years/L50BZzwj

[F20cS13]

Here you go........Car Import and Export Regulations - How to import or export your car - AUTOPEDIA® (http://autopedia.com/Export/ImportExportRegs.html)

Just knowing how much it cost to send a brake speed bleeder to aus was over $50. And that was a small box. To the extent you will for all of this it doesn't seem worth it. Not only the amount of money it would cost to ship the car, but the wait. ....
I would just wait and build a car back home. Unless you find certain parts for so cheap you can't pass them up. ...or a car

[SLiDe_WaYz]

If your military over there. It isn't expensive to ship parts, body panels, ext from a US postal office.

Take off ur parts, take apart your engine if you build it and ship it over piece by piece, reassemble and install it when you get back.

[spray2020]

I wish I didn't act so quick to buy this car + spare parts over here...
too be honest I don't want to build a car to its fullest if I just have to dismantle and sell it all before I go home- it is a waste :(

But I guess it is the best bet though... unless I plan to marry someone over here and live here.

Nope, i'm not in the military- just a designer :)

[spray2020]

but what if I waited until the 25 year mark to import the car?

Would the price for importing it still be not worth it?

[Bambi]

There is a push to get the 25 year rule to be changed but need about 15000 more signatures before the topic will even be looked at:
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/stop-using-homeland-security-funds-seize-imported-vehicles-and-change-dotepa-exemption-15-years/L50BZzwj

Signed it, everyone else should do their part too.

[xBandiTx]

You will not be able to import the Silvia into the states as of now but shoulden't be an issue come 2014 for the 89. A lot of guys here in Japan build there cars while there here and ship the parts back.

There is a push to get the 25 year rule to be changed but need about 15000 more signatures before the topic will even be looked at:
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/stop-using-homeland-security-funds-seize-imported-vehicles-and-change-dotepa-exemption-15-years/L50BZzwj im spreading that link all over FB!! i wish i knew bout this as soon as it came out, imma try and get it made into a paper petion to get physical signatures! thanks for posting that link dude

[blueshark123]

im spreading that link all over FB!! i wish i knew bout this as soon as it came out, imma try and get it made into a paper petion to get physical signatures! thanks for posting that link dude

Im surprised you didnt see the other 20 threads created about this BS

[collegekid]

What part in philly are you from? I just recently bumped into some kid who has a legit s15 around my neighborhood. Ill ask him how he got it here. Give me a few days to get back to you, or just pm me if i forget

[DoobieS13]

there not "legit" there just state legal. feds can still take your car

[tricky_ab]

Yes,

I have thought about bringing the parts over-

but why even do that if I can just get the parts in the states anyhow?

Shipping the individual parts to the states from australia would cost just as much as the parts themselves!


Being closer to Japan, and a stronger Aussie dollar work in your favour, when it comes to car parts.

[onehundredoctane]

For the love of God above. These threads are annoying as the Occupy losers.

Buy a 240sx.

Do a front end conversion.

Swap the engine.

Come out cheaper.

[collegekid]

Sorry for the miscommunication, I meant legit as in, its a real s15, nothing about it being legal or anything. Also, the kid didnt really answer my question. here is the actual message sent

me -Yo dude its Apu, Idk if you remember me from your gym class at ryan. Holy shit i didnt know you were into 240's, how the fuck did you get that s15 in the US?
him- Kumarrr!

so yeah, just transfer parts

[powizzle]

If you 're here in Australia, you may as well get a S15

[WaWa]

alright you're looking at about 6g's to ship the car just to the states roughly give or take a grand or two, then you'll have to get it trailered somewhere because customs isn't going to let you drive it out of the port, then when your vehicle gets to it's destination ie your house back in the states, you'll have to get the vehicle state tested by one of the state troopers, he'll come by and inspect your vehicle and what not and he'll give you a paper of apporval saying you passed the inspection or not, then take all that bs to the DMV and see what else you need for them so you can transfer your ausie papers into US papers, it's really not that much of a deal just people are too lazy to do it or just don't wanna worry with the hassle, and look at it this way, with 6g's invested to get it here it's a lot better than paying someone who already has it in the states because buying here is way too over priced hope this helps bro :D

[Walperstyle]

Shipping the car doesn't make sense. But if you are in Australia. Pack a bag full of Motec ECU's and various parts that you can carry. Check it.