civic vx is right, i was going to register it for race but i would def be temted to drive it more than 2500 miles. and there is some inspection you have to get to make sure everything is legal for the street which costs money. but it hasnt been sitting long, only a week. i drive it around my neighborhood.

 

That is incorrect. My skyline was not titled till 2000 and it was one of the earlier ones. Motorex is bringing in more skylines everyday. However, I have heard because the got the legalization process approved early, it is one of the only car that is still allowed to be legalized without converting it to LHD.

Also, you can still legalize JDM cars as long as the have a same year US equivelent. For example importing a 95 rx7 would be fine, but not a 99. You do have to convert it to LHD(and a couple other things such as US emissions) though, but then it can be full street legal. I have also heard of other ways people do it such as disassempling the car in its country of origin, shipping it in parts over here, and then reassembling it as a kit car of sorts leaving it RHD. I do not know if there are mileage limits for this or what other restictions there are.

 

Let's stop the rumor mill right here...

FIRST: Skyline's have been legalized in the USA, TRUST ME. Here is a PDF showing the ACTUAL CRASH TESTING of a SKYLINE for US CERTIFICATION. http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf42/69795_web.pdf
J.K. Motors did all the certification work, and it was not cheap.

SECOND: Yes, it's true that a RHD vehicle is no longer considered "Substantially similar" than a LHD vehicle. The reason being the different dynamics of the 2 sides.

THIRD: Unless your vehicle is on the APPROVED LIST, IT CAN NOT, i repeat, CAN NOT be registered to be driven on US roads (unless it's a show car or race only vehicle with strict restrictions)
View the LIST of eligible vehicles here, BTW, it's a short list for Hondas... http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...IG0521-03.html

FOURTH: If you are caught driving an illegally registered non-compliant vehicle, than the vehicle will be impounded and CRUSHED. (@ your expense)

FIFTH: If you are a Visiting Student, etc, you may import a NON-compliant vehicle FOR 1 YEAR (this is what TAKA did), and the rules state, 1 vehicle per person, for 1 year. The vehicle must then be crushed or deported.

SIXTH: A returning military member MUST comply with this http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cg...al_vehicle.xml and it states that the vehicle MUST be brought into DOT and EPA compliance, but if the Vehicle IS NOT on the "Approved" list, FORGET IT!

SEVENTH: We could go on ALL DAY....STOP the DAMN RUMORS

 

Were you at a meet on March 22nd or at the Setzer's show on March 22nd when the EVO 6 was there?

 

Oh, and NO, he can not just make the car "LHD" to get it certified.

Here is why...

1. Car has to be returned to a RI, The RI must submit packet, the car is not on the "Approved list", so it will take a few months. Then the work begins. Things are changed to meet US specs. New Headlights, Airbags, Side impact beams, New Glass, New gauge cluster, new seatbelts, new Taillights, front and rear bumper supports, etc.

And all that is dependant on the NHTSA APRROVING the car and adding it to the list. (good luck there).

Next, we move on to the EPA. You'll need an ICI. I reccomend Wallace test labs in Texas. The emissions testing on a Grey-market car is more stringent than on "USA approved" cars. First they will have to modify the vehicle ECU to be US OBD compliant, than they have to replace the gas tank for a "overfill valve". Then they test the car....@ $1200 a pop. If it fails, then they can either
A. Fix it @ your expense (catalytic convertor, etc) and retest for an additional $1200
B. Crush It.
C. Deport it

After all that, and up to another 30-60 days in impound, along with duties and fees, then you can take the car home. Total cost? Thousands!

Also, if you insure that "illegal" non-compliant vehicle and get in an accident with it, Insurance companies have been known NOT to cover the owner, and leave them out to dry. The insurance rates are based off of "Compliant" vehicles, not "non-compliant" vehicles.

Let's not forget the other 2 registering options....
1. Show car (must prove the "technical siginigance of the vehicle....most of these are cars like Bugatti, etc....defineltly not a Honda)
2. Race Car (lots of restrictions....not to mention the "Coke Can" test. Read about that here... http://www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0108.html
GREAT STORY!)

Charles

 

Yes I was, and no, that wasn't a REAL EVO 6. After doing ALOT of research, I found the real story. I guy in Miami bought a wrecked EVO (probably from a place like this http://www.japanese-carimports.co.uk/stock.asp and converted a US Mirage.)

Here is the "HOW-TO" article for the EVO 6 http://www.vysor.com/awdlancernotes.htm

Charles

 

even funnier? Here is a real RHD civic for sale in JApan.... $3200 US. Clean looking too. Glad somebody made some money!

Charles

 

Yeah, I remember talking to you know. I figured it was you because you went in-depth in person and in-depth in your posts

 

hehe....It's a touchy subject for me