6G Celicas Forums

I understand being wary, feel free to visit once I get set up for business. We are dealing with large amounts of money, not as large as my future NSX customers, but still big enough to make sure there are no shady operations. The reason I like you guys is I bought a 6gc and this forum served as a repository of knowledge for when it decided not to run very well and I couldn't afford anyone other than myself.

The reason it is taking so long is I'm in Arkansas, my contacts for most vehicles are obviously in Japan, and my lawyers are in Texas (had to get lawyers experienced in customs). Oh, and I'm running the computer shop to pay the bills until everything gets going, so my 9-5 is largely taken. Once again, I am currently refusing orders. I can't afford mistakes. I can take a loss on everything I've invested so far, it will hurt, but once I accept an order it's another ballgame entirely.

UPDATE:
Trying so hard to get everything taken care of, I've neglected to keep everyone informed.

The business is still mired in paperwork. And will be for a short while. I have to mail things back and forth to Japan, so it can only be rushed so much. I could take a couple of filghts, but that gets expensive quickly, feel free to donate if you want to expedite the process. I'm sorry if anyone thought that there would be a jump start to this. That's why I titled this a "Feeler".

The interest from this forum has helped me get closer to realizing my vision. I had to have demonstratable interest in my services before a few people instrumental in this affair would be commited. There is a lot to do before I can risk anyone's money or reputation.

That being said, so far, there hasn't been much negative from the people that could kill the business, but suggestions have been in abundance. I feel that I could start fairly soon. Only a few hurdles are left. Last week I said possibly 2 weeks. Now: possibly just over 1 week. Something happens in 1 week that is important.

Please stay tuned. I will try my best to get things done so that I can begin taking orders.

UPDATE:
My import process has been cleared by government officials I have contacted.
Paperwork still processing to become broker/dealer.
Waiting on lawyers approval, miscellaneous business stuff, and insurance underwriters.
Estimated time 1-5 weeks.

Contacts in Japan say 6gen GT-4, S15, R32, R34, FTO, NSX-R and other desirable JDM-only and JDM-spec vehicles are available, although specific examples come and go, the supply is fairly constant, they just need money and a little time to buy them. Few good contacts for European cars yet, most people are way too expensive, so no good places for diesel VW or Audi, yet. Australians are starting to talk, so Nissan RB30 engines and Holden vehicles look promising.

All in all, a good week. Thank you for your support.

As I said, I plan to sell to 6gc members cheap. Lower profit per unit is offset by volume and advertisement. And I like you guys.



Until some rich guy buys one, wrecks it or gets tired of it, buys another, and sells the old one on the US market cheap. And who wouldn't like to start a build with something like that. And if your out there, rich guy, I don't mean this as an insult, in fact I'd love to do business: minimum order say...10 cars.

Seriously, once I get a bit bigger and have more cash flow, another option for the more financially strapped enthusiast could be payments. But that is probably a year or so down the road.

As far as time goes, if all goes well, I could be open for business in about two weeks. But I'll keep the board informed as to the timetable.

As of now I am in the late planning phase. It is on hold until I get final OK's from lawyers, officials, and such. I think everything will be a go, but there is a lot of running around before I even accept the first order. It has to be perfectly legal and ironclad before I will risk accepting anyone's money, making a mistake, and the resulting lawsuits. So although I appreciate your enthusasim (I want a real ST205 also), lets hold off on the orders at the moment.

This topic is simply a feeler to guage interest and such. Please no more PM's or emails until everything is finalized. Feel free to post interest, suggestions, questions, wish lists, etc. I will answer them as best I can.

I could start in as early as two weeks if everything progresses like I think it will.

Unfortunately, in the US we have different import laws than our European friends. Please, if you are not from the US, you probably don't understand what we have to go through, so don't confuse the issue with non-US importation laws and regulations. I'm not trying to be mean, it's just different here.

As an individual, you can import a car illegaly (to the US) by doing a few things to it. Then you have to do illegal things to register and insure. Good luck ever selling it. Furthermore, if a cop, dmv, epa, dot, etc. ever gets a suspicion of what you did, bye bye car, and hello prosecution.

In Japan there are many electronic auction houses. All cars are rated on a scale and have pictures so that the buyer knows what they are getting. And my buyers have been instructed to inspect each vehicle that they buy before finalizing. I will not buy substandard cars unless my customer has instructed me to. Nearly 70,000 cars per week go through the auctions and private sale houses my buyers have access to. I am working to expand that. According to the pricing information they have given me, add to that processing and shipping, add to that various other things that have to be done to keep it legal. It can be done for what I have priced, but like doggy said, you just have to have the right source.

Well, as I said, my network of buyers should be able to locate nearly any vehicle. So SS-II and SS-III are definately options, actually cheaper and easier (except for the 3sge-vvt-i models).

As for buying a cosmetically flawed vehicle for customization, we should be able to find a reduced price, well used, fender bender, or something. If your going to replace body panels with fiberglass or carbon, restyle, reupholster, repaint, etc. anyway, why buy a perfect specimen? But I will not sell anything, other than by explicit customer request, that is substandard. Likewise, I will not buy anything that requires anything other than minimal reconditioning. Most vehicles will come with a warranty, probably a year or two. But the lawyers and insurace people will have a lot of say on that front.

As for left hand conversion, there are two ways: 1. Locate new or used dash pieces from a LHD-spec or similar dash from the same manufacturer and extend wiring, fabricate bracketry, ducting, and such. 2. Complete fabrication of mirror image dash. Obviously number 2 is more expensive, but normally we should be able to locate suitabe parts for the conversion. As far as the GT-4 goes, just get a dash out of a wrecked LHD-spec ST or GT and your half done. Making it look stock and pretty is the hard part, wiring and mechanicals (usually) are fairly easy.

Block, your almost on the right track, but doing it that way violates EPA Regulations. And the EPA will hurt you just for the fun of it.

When I finish importing a vehicle, it will be mechanically sound, cosmeticly excellent, street ready, road worthy, EPA and DOT legal, VINed, registerable, and insurable. And once they have been registered in one state, they are fully transferable to any other, as long as it passes emissions(generally California is left out on this one, but it can be done...$$$). Also, vehicles can legally be left or right hand drive in the US. Left hand conversion would cost extra because of the fabrication required.

Yes you can buy used JDM vehicles on their home market fairly inexpensively. Yes, they could be imported for roughly 5-8k if you plan to only use them for show or race. ***I do not do things illegal and will not be party to any questions as such.*** But if you do plan to show or race only, I can help there, too.

But, it costs me roughly 10-15k to import most vehicles and do it legally. I am building a network of exporters and buyers that can get nearly any vehicle. And if you find a car overseas you want to import, I would be willing to work with you to see it done. Also I plan to run a parts house and shop to round out the business. That way I can do LHD conversion and other customizations at a much lower expense.

For ST205 I was thinking roughly 13-20k depending on year, modifications, and what I can get them for. The Celica is what started my import obsession, and I like the forum, so I'll make minimal profit on the GT-4's and other vehicles sold to 6gc members. I would charge more for other, more popular vehicles like Skyline and Silvia, late models such as NSX and RX-7, rarities such as GT-4 WRC Group A and NSX-R MR, not to mention expensive European toys like TVRs, Maseratis, and Ferarris.

I am thinking of starting a company geared towards importing otherwise unobtainable cars, engines, and parts to the US. The 6gen GT-4, of course, is one of these. Also Nissan S15 Silvias, R32 and R34 Sylines, and other Japanese and European goodies that due to DOT and EPA restrictions are not importable. I already know all the laws and rules and have formulated a method for doing this legally. And it's not easy, there is a lot you have to do to keep them completely legal and road-safe. A few questions, though. 1. How much would you be willing to pay for an ST205? 2. What other cars would you recommend? 3. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

How much for front bumper and shipping to AR 71901?

My starter on one of my celicas (94 US 5sfe) is going out. Since I have a little time, I don't have to submit to the prices at autozone or toyota. I need some leads on a cheap new or good used starter.

Also if anyone has any extra engine goodies feel free to drop me a note.

The splitters wont fit the 94-95 bumper? I think I've seen someone on this site with them.

Surely someone else has parts for sale.

I need a few parts for a red 94 US GT (ST204). I will paint the car in a few weeks so color doesn't matter. The exterior parts are what I'm focusing on now because I don't want overspray on the interior. Oh, and I'm cheap.

1. Front splitters
2. Rear splitters
3. Side skirts that will match splitters (96 up oem, or 404 eribuni I think)
4. Stock front bumper (perferably 94-95)
5. Fiberglass fenders (peferably VIS laser)
6. Fiberglass or carbon hood (CHD tuning or ST205 style would be awesome)
7. Spoiler (preferably lifter blocks, TRD)
8. 1 stock 15 inch GT rim or set of 17-18x7.5-8.5 inch rims

pipe dreams:
9. Fiberglass or carbon hatch
10. Forgeman headlight covers

Other:
Hatch struts, OEM leather seats or racing seats, non-ugly steering wheel, audio equipment, front and rear strut bars, coilovers, lockset with keys (left and right doors, hatch, ignition), short shifter, and anything else you might have laying around not being used

I have to do things in stages. my running Celica is my daily driver and the drift Celica is in a very early stage of development (and not running).

For now I want to install a cheaper headunit (haven't decided on one yet, accepting suggestions). Install Optima battery. Install E-ram bracket for laptop. Install 8 inch Memphis MSYNC8 components in front doors running off a 2x75 MCA150 class AB amp.

Later I will modify the rear speaker panels to be enlcosures for 8 inch MC84D subs running off a 2x150 MCA300 class AB amp. Add 2 VBF1 line drivers, a XO3 crossover, and a 1CBFMT capacitor for clarity.

To finish off the system, I will build an indash carputer. More on that later...

Overall a sound quality system. I spend 4-10 hours a day in my car driving to appointments.

Questions:
1. Should I add the capacitor, crossover, and/or 1 line driver now, or wait for subs?
2. Could 10 or 12 inch subs possibly fit in rear speaker panels? Or 2 8 inch subs in each?
3. Any suggestions for headunit? I plan to replace it within a year or so. Preferably it should have a line in, although I could us a FM transmitter hooked to the audio out of my laptop.

Lastly, this is not a request to buy, but if anyone has any extra audio equipment I would gladly take it off your hands so I don't have to spend money (or as much) right now.

I lost 1 of the little clips that hold on the seal while I had the bumper off. Does anyone know where I can get one. Dealer here is not helpful. And can't find any celicas in local junkyards.

I've had the Nokia 6255 for a while. I did a lot of research before I bought it. The phone is full-featured and really easy to use.
Bluetooth, Infrared, MMC card to 1Gb, MP3 player, FM radio, camera, video
and of course: Great reception and long battery life.

Only downside is verizon doesn't carry it.

Nokia 6255i website
Nokia 6255 size

Ever heard of a Thompson Contender.

http://www.euroarms.net/ExOrdinanza/ExordT...RIGINALE_02.jpg
http://www.specialinterestarms.com/MVC-476E.JPG
http://www.bold-action.com/images/Wapens/BA7830C.jpg


You just changer barrels to shoot different cartridges. My largest barrel is a .357 H&H, which is a pretty tough load, but I have personally shot a .470 that one of my buddies had, and it HURT!!! And with the .256 barrel and nikon 2.5-6 scope, I can group 1.5 inches at 100 feet. For usefulness however, put on a 30-30 barrel and carry it as a backup while hunting.

Oh, and what other pistol lets you do this.

http://webarchive.unionleader.com/doclib/images/20403gun.jpg
http://www.tjgeneralstore.com/screwdriver.jpg
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/dat...Encore-med.jpeg

Strange that my first post has nothing to do with my celica.