Feeler: Importing ST205 (and others) to US Options

[slyd]

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.

[QuintinGT]

If you could really do it, that would be awsome. For a stock one I would pay 14,000-16,000 maybe I dont
know. How much would It cost to import them?

[chacha]

stock...no more than 5-6K....because you can get them cheap dirt money....our models are old...

[playr158]

i'd like a st205 rear cut

[MaskedMan]

well if your importing r32s and r34s, i think i would take one of those to be honest.

[j0e_p3t]

to be able to legally drive a gt-four in the u.s., i'd pay a lot.

[jdg371]

to be able to legally drive a gt-four in the u.s., i'd pay a lot.

Alright.. let me buy a ST185 and sell it to you for 10x how much I got it!

[94_st_hatchback]

to be able to legally drive a gt-four in the u.s., i'd pay a lot.

Alright.. let me buy a ST185 and sell it to you for 10x how much I got it!

LOL!, yeah i would consider buying a skyline too if you were able to get them

[block]

i was thinking about shipping just the shell over as a car-kit...then ship the engine in later. would that work? i heard that shipping the shell over is the best option..then after u get it, put it together but the dash has to be on lhd..iono about insurance. ehehe lie!

[Silver94CelicaOw...]

FYI:

Theres already a company in the United States that does just this. They get their hands on whatever imported vehicle that you are willing to pay for. The company is called Evolution Imports out of Orlando, Florida and they import many vehicles into North America directly to their lot and are for sale, ready to buy and drive legally.

If you're serious about getting a genuine JDM import, they're the absolute best. They sold a silver 1995 GT-Four for around 19 grand last year if I recall correctly, it was on their site for a while for sale right on their lot in Orlando with a complete registration and everything.

[block]

but the thing is, some states are strict and wont allow certain cars (cough* minnesota)...maybe just leave it in the garage and look at it...i wouldn't mind doing that...

[robdrummer]

if u no how i can get a rear end for my orange celica aka dg's let me no

[Celiracer18]

i wouldnt mind having a GT-4 and an S15 (also maybe an FTO.... that would be something you dont see everyday)

[slyd]

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.

This post has been edited by slyd: Oct 1, 2006 - 9:53 PM

[celica47]

hmmmm iam pretty interested. i want more info bro whenever you get it

[FORGMANN]

well if you all are willing to spend 14,000 + for a st205 ..hmm..

so tempting to sell but thrill of driving my own st205 is priceless ..







This post has been edited by FORGMANN: Oct 1, 2006 - 10:02 PM

[block]

LMK on how this goes.

[uberschall]

i wouldn't want to drive a rhd car everyday...but i would be all over a lhd st205...thing is, idk if they were ever offered anywhere in the world. i could do up to maybe 15. over that and we're too close to the price of a nice used (or new, for that matter) us market car.

seems that you've thought this over pretty well...but are you planning to get into p&a as well, seeing as you said you wanted to make sure every car was tip-top before sale? because i think you'd quickly find that it's much more lucrative to deal in parts alone than entire cars. i think you have to either sell cars, as-is...or parts...but doing both is going to be hugely diffcult, imo.

[block]

man i'd take a real gt-four over any car in the US! its rare and awd! but that's just me.

[SinisterWhisper]

I would be willing to pay about 15k *if* the car was in good shape. In other words the engine had been rebuilt or it had less then 75k miles on it. Paint and such aren't a big deal to me, but the car would have to be mechanicaly sound because paying for parts for it would be huge.