Importing a GT4 (Revisited) Options

[K12UDE]

If there was enough interest I might be able to lay my hands on a few GT4’s & maybe a GT4 WRC or 2 & get them over to the US.

That GT4 racing the 911 race car is Tony's from Fensports if memory servers me correct that car is something else you should see the spec of it!!!!


This post has been edited by K12UDE: Oct 4, 2004 - 3:45 PM

[ghostdog]

[K12UDE]

This is why I say there has to be a genuine interest I am no expert but my friend (Worldwide car importer/exporter) is.

Now don’t hold me to this as it’s what he has said (And he has imported a few TT’s; Aston Martin’s & TVR’s to the US using these methods.)

The first problem is you cant have right hand drive cars, (Sounds stupid to me as our country does & we have more rules & reg’s then Europe put together) so stop looking in Japan & the UK, the same models although of a lower spec are available in Europe I.E France, Spain etc these are left hand drive or you could get the Jap higher spec & purchase the left hand drive bits it’s up to you.

The next step you can go two ways.

First way is to get a registered importer in the US and go the DOT bond route.

Second way is import say 5 or 6 cars 1 of which will have to go the DOT bond route but a blue print is then made of the modifications which can then be applied to the others giving them compliance to the DOT standards but without having to pay the DOT bond on each car.

It sounds to simple to me but this guy brought over a top spec Skyline from Japan & didn’t pay any VAT or customs charges saving him twice the price of my GT4 so I have no reason to doubt him.

[ghostdog]

I dunno much about the subject but it sounds like something we should look into. Split the topic so we can get input from everyone else without overrunning the other thread

[Digndoug]

SO, How much are we talking here??, and right hand drive cars are legal in the us, its just the egr sytems are dif.. Also could you get a left hand drive one??

[pokemeintheeye]

I got some friends with hookups. If someone does actually want a gtfour, I'm sure my friends can get one into the states for roughly around $15,000 to $18,000. My friends can probably help out with getting the car legallized too. My friends already have an integra type-r and an r32 in the states. An r34 is on its way.

[hs2g]

[Digndoug]

[Gilbert_619]

damm someone is making bank then hahah...anyways how much to gt4s go for in japan or where ever else they are coming from?

[K12UDE]

In Japan the GT4's & the GT4 WRC's go for the same money around 300,000 Yen which is roughly about £4,500 sterling or $2,700 USD YES $2,700 USD!!!!
& thats for a Grade 4 GT4/GT4 WRC which is mint & when I say mint I mean MINT 70,000K on the clock not a dent or scratch anywhere M I N T all over so clean you wouldnt want to drive it unless it was wrapped up in cotton wool.

Get the picture????

But then you have to pay custom charges, TAX, V.A.T, Shipping, Insurance & then getting it road legal.

But I cant see it being any more then around 8K or 9K tops.

I was told right hand drive cars are not allowed in the US but as I said I don't know I am only saying what I have been told.

Yeah they made them in left hookers but the spec is much lower then the right hooker Jap imports.

As for the EGR systems in the UK our emission control levels are way stricter then the US ones so I've been told so that shouldnt be a problem & also they have to make allowances for older car’s.
Emission standards were more for controlling the cars of the future, saying that in the UK they did change it & killed off the Escort Cosworth when it was in it’s prime… A black day in the car history that event

This post has been edited by K12UDE: Oct 5, 2004 - 11:03 AM

[boosted_K2]

if you can do this i will buy one. but it has to be DOT legalized and have all the correct paperwork. hit me on AIM-k2mr2t91, or email k2celica97@aol.com if/when this gets off the ground. i will buy one if this happens (though still very skeptical)

oh, and id go for the LHD version, dont really want to deal with converting everything.

[jgreening]

[Magic]

Neoklis There must be a way to import the car in Japan and be legal and i think that nobody ever made a "deep search" about it.Its not worth it not to import a JDM GT4 cuz you can get it cheaper and with many "EXTRAS".

[turboinduction]

you got my money if it happens

[K12UDE]

Check this link out

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...st05282004.html

It also gives you a list of Registered Importers for each area of the US.
It also has a link which explains the LHD & RHD rules.

It might be best to approach a Registered Importer first to get a quote, the people my mate uses are Automotive Conversions, they are not the cheapest but they are a pro outfit, they get the cars throught the DOT process & he then ships the cars on by land from there.
Basically they are an agent to deal with the legalities of the DOT process.

[boosted_K2]

basically everything ive seen is saying you arent going to get a car imported for under 15,000 that is DOT and EPA legal.

[K12UDE]

Aye but isnt that a small price to pay to be one of the only handful of people in your country to have a real GT4??? or to be one of the 2500 owners worldwide of a WRC????

Give it a few years & these cars will go classic doubling their price tag, it all depends on how much you really want the real thing or are you just happy with the bodykit & hood.

To me 15,000 even 20,000 is a fair price for such a car.

But then I really love these cars & always have since the first time I saw one back in 1997 ripping round the world rally championship here in the UK, not many cars can do what these cars can on a rally track or even on a proper track.

[95WRC]

hey,
hmm.. 7k total in my GT4 WRC here in the US ..

i have connections galore but w/o crash data or a letter from Toyota stating car meets DoT standards forget about it .. you will never get letter .. unless by some miracle it was a LHD w/ dual airbags then you might have a chance ..

we can speculate all night and day about what to do ..

there is a guy who i know on email who is trying to import his GT4 from UK to US legally .. has to add airbags and more .. i will email him to see if i can get some info for you all ..

i have been trying to get a GT4 since 94 so i can tell you i have done just about about all the research a guy can do .. took 10 years but its here lol ..

my supplier in Calgary will 100% for sure have his 97 GT4 up for sale next year .. car is in Canada now ..
details
dark green metallic (like Tony from Fensports car in Japanese performace a few months ago)
dual air bags
updated model (like 96+ US models) 3 POST SPOILER
6 spoke oem wheels
mint cond interior
42,000kilo's on right now .. very low miles
female owner in japan
100% bone stock

Damaged to both doors and a fender .. front and rear is fine .. he is having fixed soon .. replacing entire doors shells .. damage is to parts used on US/JDM cars so fixing will be easy .. car runs great ..

will be sold RHD .. complete US celica GT may be included as parts car for possible LHD conv..

i know he wants at least 11-12k US for it when done .. if you want damaged might be able to get a little cheaper and i am sure he will throw in parts to fix ..

if you seriously want a GT4 by next summer and REALLY have the funds i can give you more info ..

[rjbibeau]

ohh baby it's a dream come true.... the gt4 fairy has come to us

[boosted_K2]

[K12UDE]

I didnt say it was 15,000 to 20,000 I said to me it would be a fair price.

I really cant see it costing more the 10,000 but then I dont know enough about your DOT rules & regs to know the exact cost.

I got a check list for the DOT regs but there is no mention of airbags...

1) Remove and replace the speedometer (If not already KPH)
2) Install a warning light with the word "BRAKE" into the speedometer
3) Replace headlight assemblies with DOT certified lights
4) Install a high mounting, third brake light
5) Modify/Replace door locks with US certified door locks
6) Install a tire information label
7) Replace the passenger side mirror to reflect "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR"
8) Install a seat belt & key warning buzzer
9) Install door beams into the doors to comply with side impact protection regulations (FMVSS-214)
10) Install a rollover valve
11) Install engraved VIN (vehicle identification number) plate
12) Install VIN location label
13) Install a certification label
14) Remove and document bumpers
15) If necessary, modify and reinforce bumpers to comply with US federal bumper standards (FMVSS-581)
16) Determine if there are any outstanding recalls on this vehicle
17) Remedy all outstanding recalls

To do all of that wont cost much I'm sure, but some of these things are really stupid like number 7 I mean how many cars have mirrors that show an object its exact size???? if you dont know that you should be on the road for god sake.
& number 2 what the hell read the soddin car manual, I mean what are they going to do next get you to read a note with diagrams on how to put a key in the ignition & turn the engine on everytime you drive the car????

Yeah sad story about WRC but you have to admire the workmanship of the tur-bot one guy said it was such a pro job they could believe what they were seeing

This post has been edited by K12UDE: Oct 6, 2004 - 10:03 AM

[pokemeintheeye]

My friend got his type r for around $13,000. Its gonna cost the r32 and r34 from around $30,000 to $40,000. $15,000 for a low miles gtfour I would gladly pay for if I could find the funds for it. Cause for one thing, its worth more than that. You can still find '98 & '99 gt's for that much money. I don't believe you'll be able to buy, import and legalize a gtfour for $10,000 and under.

[turboinduction]

did a little research. The only way a GT4 could be imported, is if....

1. Toyota of Japan signs a legal paper saying that the GT4 model year will pass safety standards and present crash test data for the model year. Unlikely imho.

2. The vehicle must be a pre-1996 unless you plan to install OBDII on it. Very expensive.

3. Since the vehicle doesn't have the OK from EPA and the DOT, you'll have to get a RI (registered importer) to make a petition for the vehicle to be imported in good intrest.

The only thing the GT4 has in common with the GT USDM is the name. The engine used was never made in the US. The drivetrain is unlike no US model. And of course its RHD.

According to DOT, the only RHD Japanese vehicle that has fully been made street legel (underline street) is the Skyline GTS GTR 1990-1999.

I say goodluck, but guys...dont hold your breath.

-Ti

[K12UDE]

Thats doesnt sound too good but dont give up hope didnt 95WRC say he imported his GT4????

Maybe he could provide more details as to what is or is not needed.

I am just thinking if the car has to go through the DOT test why would Toyota need to write a statement saying the car met the safety standards wouldnt that come out of the DOT tests????

[boosted_K2]

theres no guarantee 95WRC is going to get his car street-legalized yet. he hasnt said anything about it so far.

because the DOT testing requires crash test results, and unless we want to pay for the cars the US government needs to do the testing, we need Toyota Japan to provide their crash test results which is unlikely

[boosted_K2]

[95WRC]

hey,
my car will never be legal in the way you might think . like i said 10 years of waiting and research will not go to waste ..

i am not even dealing with DOT as that is a waste of time ..

my car was brought in as clip (listed as 2 clips) so there is no way i could go to DOT anyway ..

i have not talked about legalizing since my car still needs repaired so i have not even started titling yet ..

i am not saying do this but look at kid in NH with red ebay 96 GT4 .. it has swapped vins, went through inspection and no issues .. cops make fun of him for driving on wrong side..

heck i was stopped by some guy in MT at a mcdonalds and this buddy had a RHD silva titled in MT . with jap vin ..

like i said you get GT4 into country and rest will be easy ..but car will never be DOT legal at least on paper ..

[ST205_Wales]

Not all ST205's are RHD

some do come with dual airbags i believe

easy to get KMPH speedo's as the japanese cars have these

99% of WRC cars are 1993 and 1994 cars

and they Rock sorry could'nt resist that .
btw didnt you get the gen 3 3S GTE in the mr2 turbo . latest ones ?

This post has been edited by ST205_Wales: Feb 22, 2005 - 7:26 AM

[Watanbe88]

I have an actual GT-4 in the US and it is titled and tagged in New Hampshire. I have had to go through the list of what is required. I can help a bit if anyone has questions. Also rhd is perfectly fine in the US I have even gotten pulled over and the cop didn't care, just said nice car and to not leave my high-beams on (was talking to friends and didn't see her on coming). Even the inspection station just said nice car and to not mess it up. As far as what it has to have, it basically has to have all the safety and emissions gear of a celica of the same year.

[Watanbe88]

Also note that once a car is through customs and accrossed the border, the DOT and everyone else could care less about it, they only care upon it's entry into the states. Just claim it as a parts car or race car, note that SCCA membership is only $55 and shows that you race or are getting into it.

also 95WRC, mine is also a 95 not 96.

This post has been edited by Watanbe88: Feb 23, 2005 - 10:20 PM

[prompt]

With being in the Navy getting stuff imported is always easier

So I plan on getting a GT-4 by next year

This post has been edited by prompt: Feb 23, 2005 - 11:07 PM