Import Questions
04-14-2014, 10:48 AM
#21
New Member
Information: it's too expensive to be worthwhile
Opinion: don't do it
Look up the info yourself if you don't want personal opinions included. Lazy mutt.
04-14-2014, 11:59 AM
#23
New Member
04-14-2014, 01:14 PM
#24
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did my research bud, was coming here in hopes of getting information/answers, not sass, especially from some random. I'll take personal experience over google.
04-15-2014, 04:00 AM
#31
Like stated before, no matter what your post here you're going to get opinions. If you take it to heart, then you are the little boy, not us. You asked about importing a 350z. We told you what we know and what our opinions are. If you did more research on your own you wouldn't get flammed so badly.
All jokes aside, if your willing to spend as much money and time importing a 350z you'd be better off finding something better like a skyline. Importing a vehicle is a pain and risky. I admire your determination to do so but to fork over thousands on just delivery and then more money on inspecting and such for the US and on top of it just buying the car. If it's used you run the risk of having issues with the car, once again more money to put into it. What if it's a part you can't get in the US, even more money to locate the proper parts from Japan.
All jokes aside, if your willing to spend as much money and time importing a 350z you'd be better off finding something better like a skyline. Importing a vehicle is a pain and risky. I admire your determination to do so but to fork over thousands on just delivery and then more money on inspecting and such for the US and on top of it just buying the car. If it's used you run the risk of having issues with the car, once again more money to put into it. What if it's a part you can't get in the US, even more money to locate the proper parts from Japan.
04-15-2014, 07:18 AM
#32
New Member
Who's the random? I haven't seen you around before, puke-stain.
07-14-2014, 12:33 AM
#34
I know this is an old thread, but give my 2 cents since I brought my 350Z from USA to Germany.
First, driving a RHD in a LHD country is stupid. What are you going to do at toll booths (yes, ok i-pass or equivalent will work), drive thru, parking ramps, etc? I was going to drive to the UK until I thought about those issues!
I was able to drive my car in Germany for a year before having to convert her to EU standards. Luckily they were minor changes. Had to replace the rear left blinker assembly to include a red fog light (replaced the white reverse light) and added a switch inside. Had to add some rear reflectors (or could have replaced both tail lights assemblies). The Xenon's had to be tilted down a bit. (DOT requirements are not as strict as EU's.)
I would expect converting Japan to USA standards will be worse than my experience. For example, your digital display will be in KPH versus MPH and perhaps your speedometer will only display KPH. (if so, you will have to replace it.)
Mechanics always have to double check part numbers, to make sure the German number is the same as the American number. If they are different, why and will the German part work or do they have to import an American part. You pay for that research time.
In hindsight, I should have sold the car and bought an equivalent rather than importing and converting. (and I am very very attached to my 350Z!)
First, driving a RHD in a LHD country is stupid. What are you going to do at toll booths (yes, ok i-pass or equivalent will work), drive thru, parking ramps, etc? I was going to drive to the UK until I thought about those issues!
I was able to drive my car in Germany for a year before having to convert her to EU standards. Luckily they were minor changes. Had to replace the rear left blinker assembly to include a red fog light (replaced the white reverse light) and added a switch inside. Had to add some rear reflectors (or could have replaced both tail lights assemblies). The Xenon's had to be tilted down a bit. (DOT requirements are not as strict as EU's.)
I would expect converting Japan to USA standards will be worse than my experience. For example, your digital display will be in KPH versus MPH and perhaps your speedometer will only display KPH. (if so, you will have to replace it.)
Mechanics always have to double check part numbers, to make sure the German number is the same as the American number. If they are different, why and will the German part work or do they have to import an American part. You pay for that research time.
In hindsight, I should have sold the car and bought an equivalent rather than importing and converting. (and I am very very attached to my 350Z!)
07-14-2014, 04:18 AM
#35
This kind of reminds me of those guys that import shitty late 80s model civics and random ugly azz toyotas and paying out the azz to do it, just because it's "JDM."
What's more annoying is the importers on FB that post pics of cars like that acting like it's sweet. No it's not sweet. It's ghey!
What's more annoying is the importers on FB that post pics of cars like that acting like it's sweet. No it's not sweet. It's ghey!
07-14-2014, 07:58 AM
#36
other than being RHD, theyre the same cars, basically. and no, you dont need to use 100 octane in a JDM Fairlady. they use a different system to grade their gas (ron), but their highest octane is our 91-93. no difference. i think they do sell higher octanes at most stations but a stock Fairlady will run on premium, its what it was designed to do.
its like people saying they imported a JDM VQ35. the engines in these cars were built in Japan, so were the cars. so there really is no difference...just save the money and buy a car already here.
its like people saying they imported a JDM VQ35. the engines in these cars were built in Japan, so were the cars. so there really is no difference...just save the money and buy a car already here.
07-15-2014, 03:15 AM
#37
Registered User
Given that the newest "350Z" was produced in 2009 and that Japanese cars are subject to a rigorous government inspection every three years, I doubt that you'd have much of a used market left in Japan for second-hand "Z's". No matter how nice the car, passing the inspection becomes so expensive, the average Japanese buys a new car every three years. Logically used cars have no value and are usually exported to other right-hand markets like New Zealand and the UK. Only exotic cars are retained by owners and a "Z" is not in that category in Japan. Therefore, you'll get car very cheap, but the selection will be limited. Secondly, the US government regulations covering the import of non-us spec cars are very strict -hence the lack of a gray market cars as exists in other countries like the UK. An imported car would have to comply to both DOT and EPA standards and that can be very difficult and expensive - only a few special shops doing this exist. When you're done getting it out of US Customs, you will have paid as much as two new 370's. BTW, the US Government require a person importing gray market cars to post a huge bond just to get it certified (by DOT and EPA) and without certification one cannot register the car. It's far easier to import the car parts than the entire car, so why not go that route?
07-15-2014, 03:22 AM
#38
Registered User
P.S. I drove a left-hand drive car in Tokyo for four years and it's not fun. Try passing another vehicle (like a truck) on a busy two-lane road. One has to cross the center line just to see if it's clear and that can be very stressful. Also, things like toll booths and parking garages are challenging.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lt_Ballzacki
Brakes & Suspension
39
08-06-2021 06:19 AM