Alas, here we see someone who has perfected the art of manipulating the gray market.

Basically, there are actually ways to import the car the "piece by piece" method, and this brave Japanese importation company is willing to help. In my opinion the only hard part to accomplish about this [besides getting the majority of the drive train] was getting an actual chassis, but now that problem has been solved.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...05699

Who wants to place bets to see how fast this little operation gets shut down?

Didn't bother searching and comparing because I was sharing this article for its face value.

Here's a man who's actually done it with good results, got his car registered, and "beat the system" so to speak. Well enough to get the attention of a credible automotive authority.

I just thought it'd be an interesting read and an interesting option for anyone looking to partake in the same venture.

Not trying to start a flame war or anything like that, no type of "IBTL" nonsense here.

But I bet you've never read a success story, so I hope this counts as new material for you and you at least enjoyed the read, I'm not trying to troll or anything.

edit: but it's not what Kaizo is TRYING to do, it's what they are SUCEEDING in doing that matters.

And you drag the rotting horse out to be beaten some more...

THe piece-by-piece method is still categorically ILLEGAL, and has been specifically stated as such by the NHTSA.

Reassembling the parts to create a full, working Skyline, even if said parts come from different sources, still makes it a Skyline.
That means it *STILL* falls under all the safetry, emissions AND IMPORTING regulations as bringing over a full car.

If you piece together a SN95 mustang from varied parts, do you have a different kind of car? No, it's still a SN95 Ford Mustang.

And just because someone (not the first, not the last) has done it and gotten away with it doesn't miraculously make it legal.
It's not exploiting a loophole in the laws, it's exploiting the fact that 99% of State Agency employees are too lazy to enforce the specific Federal laws.

Tell ya what, get one of those cars, title it, get insurance on it and plate it...then get into an accident and call up said insurance company.....see how fast the fact that it's not a Federally legalized car has them dropping you like a hot coal & leaving you holding the bill for 100% of your costs & 100% of the costs of anyone else involved.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body. The goal is to skid in broadside; tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids, the fuel gauge just about on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, and loudly proclaiming---- "Holy ****---What a Ride!"

No need for a flame war.

And it's a matter of POV, you see they've succeeded. I see they just haven't failed yet .

It's not like they've reached a "finish line", the car is still technically illegal, the fact that they're driving the car (titled and all) doesn't mean the car wouldn't be found illegal at some point in the future. What it does mean is that any paper they signed in the process can be considered a falsified document .

I suggest anyone interested in trying this "method" read the specific section about what is not a kit car.

Not a day goes by that I wouldn't rather have an R34, but at the same time, not a day goes by that I drive my R32 on the street that I regret the choice or think any less of my R32. I freakin love that car, despite all it's hassles.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body. The goal is to skid in broadside; tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids, the fuel gauge just about on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, and loudly proclaiming---- "Holy ****---What a Ride!"

Motorex car are legal because they have bond release letters from DOT, essentially a waiver. These cars do not nor will they get one.

It's illegal, period.

Can you sneak a car in this way and possibly fly under the radar, sure.

Decide for yourself if it's worth it to you to do but do not charachterize it as anything other than an illegal practice.

I concur though, Rex.

I assumed Kaizo had found a loophole (never good for the system lol)
It's workable, but I personally would never take the risk.

I'm not into breaking the law too much, partners.

But it's interesting how this happens time and time again..

On the issue of swapping, I do wonder why the government doesnt crack down on that.

I see on the news all day long that if you are caught racing or speeding in what appears to be a "race" car.. (IE: anyone with a nice car)
the cops now have the authority to impound and/or crush your car if they find another engine in it.

The thing is, there's a lot of places that will pass you on inspection (a lot get paid off, I know..)
but I suppose the government isn't interested in that part..

And the prices sure are insane..

I once saw a guy post a website on here there was this white R32 GTS-T going for the price of a brand new Porsche GT3 RS.. that's simply laughable at best.

Also, man you're lucky to have a Laurel!!! My brother and I both would love to have one, but they aren't exactly availiable.

You're saying "These guys have done it!"
I'm saying "No, they've gotten away with it."

There's a big difference.
And you're (and they) are just plain not saying or doing anything new that we've not heard here a hundred times over.
You yourself admitted it's a Dead Horse topic.....and then you proceeded to poke it with a stick some more. Just like the last hundred times someone's brought it up.

The only harshness from me was a mild sort of "If you'd bothered to read the stickied threads at the top of this section, you'd have had all your answers, responses and clarifications before you wrote this thread to begin with."

Quote, originally posted by BLKTOPS14SR »

Thats what I'm saying. A motorex'd car is worth a nice chunk simply because you feel alittle safer knowing that its legit. But people asking a large sum of money for these cars when I know for a fact that they don't cost half of which they're asking.

The ultimate thing is this....that extra chunk for a Motorex car isn't paying anything related to the value of that individual car.
You're paying for the time, labor and expenses that Motorex spent doing the R&D, testing, certifying and converting and getting the NHTSA/EPA sign-offs.

They had to crash-test 15 cars.....even though they did them to basic non-GTR R33's, that's still 15 cars that they had to buy just to be destroyed.
Even at just $15,000 per car, that's $225,000. Plus whatever they had to pay JK Tech to do the testing.
And for all the time they were doing the R&D and getting the NHTSA authorization, they had to pay salaries to all the people doing that work.
Not to mention the import expenses and taxes.

If they then sell the converted & bond-released cars at the same price they paid for them, how would they even break even much less make a profit?

I didn't pay $40k for a $20K car.
I paid $20K for a $20K car, and another $20K for it's legalization process.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body. The goal is to skid in broadside; tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids, the fuel gauge just about on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, and loudly proclaiming---- "Holy ****---What a Ride!"

Congratulations for being in the small percentile of Nico members that owns one, and I'm sure you can offer a lot of useful advice and incite to the subject, although the unmistakably hostile avenue you chose to do so in is the complete opposite.

The title of this thread is:
"I thought this would be a nice treat for the Skyline junkies."

I never once indicated that this was some kind of a guide or how-to.
The closest thing I alluded to was maybe "well.. if you want to do it illegally at least this works right now." and thats debatable.

I don't know why you even bothered replying to my thread with your negativity if you don't like hearing about this subject so much. I've made no error posting this article as it is just that, an article on another website. I even went as far as to add:
"Who wants to place bets to see how fast this little operation gets shut down? " Unfortunately, you must have missed that part during your rage filled blind pandering of your keyboard to state your disdain for repeat threads.

I honestly don't know who got up this morning and pissed in your porridge, but don't bring it here.

I posted it for it's material value, to be read and enjoyed in a news media sense. This article has not been previously posted on this website (IE: the very reason why I made a new thread). So enjoy it and don't think too hard people.

Now if I could politely ask a MOD to help me to keep this thread on topic that would be great...

I just hate angry posters, and as I said, I don't want any arguments or flame wars here. No time for that bologna.

As the saying goes "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all."

My point is just that the hostility and the criticism are not necessary in such a friendly environment.

It's a shame I remember them.

If there was a 'high five' emoticon you would've got it.

Modified by HigherRhymes at 2:16 PM 4/28/2008

Quote, originally posted by White Comet »

i need a free post like s13s need more rust

My other ride is a Deep Crow.

BMW 5 Series Brake Upgrade for Beginners

Oh, come on. You know you love me.

Quote, originally posted by White Comet »

i need a free post like s13s need more rust

My other ride is a Deep Crow.

BMW 5 Series Brake Upgrade for Beginners

This topic, as you yourself said, has been beaten to death and niether you nor I have said anything new.
The difference is, you're just spouting the very same tired old things that you porported to not want to add to.....all I did was clarify things, as many of us have done in the past.

The only anger or hostility is what you create in your own mind.
I'm not being mean, I'm responding to the inaccuracies you presented.
Piecing together a Skyline from parts and titling it is illegal. That's not hostility, that's just simple truth.
That someone is doing it and getting away with it does not magically make it legal. Again, that's not hostility, that's just simple truth.

But as for a comment specifically to you and not the content/topic (again, not being hostile, just clarifying):
1. You said you feel obligated to debunk my misguided claims....were you going to do that? I'm curious to know what erroneous claims I stated.
2. The "see how fast they get shut down" comment you attributed to me was never said by me. (you said, actually, not me)
I said to see how fast an insurance company would drop you if they found out you had them covering a non-Federalized Skyline. Again, that's not hostile, just plain truth.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body. The goal is to skid in broadside; tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids, the fuel gauge just about on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, and loudly proclaiming---- "Holy ****---What a Ride!"

As for Skylines, the one not converted do not meet/exceed the Safety regulations and all Skylines are more easily "spotted" (by those looking) than a swapped car of any make.

Most of us aren't out to argue the "rightness" of trying to work the system, we just don't want some kid blowing a chunk of cash on a car they've been led to believe is legal, only to have things go awry some time in the future.

Plus it's damned near impossible to tell the "legitimate" business owners when you're dealing with a grey-market product in the first place. The cars ALL have to be imported "to order", which is just a haven for scammers. Trying to regulate or watchdog a fringe industry is like trying to keep rain off you by dodging really fast.

Quote, originally posted by White Comet »

i need a free post like s13s need more rust

My other ride is a Deep Crow.

BMW 5 Series Brake Upgrade for Beginners

I've stated in clear text what this thread was about and my reasons for posting it.

As far as your list of "inaccuracies."
You have given me two statements that are not inaccuracies on my part, just a misunderstanding in your reading.

The real question is: Why would you come onto a thread I make and type out a long message about my "inaccuracies" and how you don't like repeat topics? Its beyond me. You could've just skipped over this thread and let it die with no replies, but you didn't. You felt the need to combat the post for whatever reason. That's where I figure you became hostile. Debates are fun and everything, but there is really no substance to tackle here. Just my opinion, and this is not communist North Korea so I assume having an opinion here is fine I didn't even write the original article, just thought it was interesting that's all, this thread has gotten a few views too so I'm also going to assume others found it interesting as well.

It's already been conceded that it is illegal to piece a car together especially to make a loophole such as this..
As far as I'm concerned, this man is an outlaw and the law will eventually catch up with him. What sucks the most is Kaizo already took a sizable chunk out of his bank account and he will be screwed x2 when it happens, because we all know embarking on such an illegal venture means you don't get your money back.

Communicating anything other than the facts to you is futile on my part, I'm not trying to come off as a know-it-all or even waste my time discrediting you in any way, that's not my aim. In fact, I'm not even trying to educate you as you're probably more knowledge able on this subject than me.

Point is I had a little show and tell and it was a good read, and the guy got a pretty nice clean car out of it, so it is what it is.
Peace.

The only federally legal Skylines are those with a bond release. Others are gray market. Nothing can change that from fact. Federal bond release is completely different than getting a state-issued registration. Can you get away with it like these guys? Sure. Happens all the time and some of those who have done it in the past have been shut down. Of course, others just pop back up.

The difference between a car here in the US and a Skyline is that the US car has already met federal crash-test requirements when they were new and that's all they needed. Skylines need to be modified for proper 5mph bumpers, safety glass, seat belts, etc. Without these modifications they cannot receive a bond release. R32's and R34's are not eligible for conversion to receive a bond release at all.

At NICO, we welcome all Skyline owners and enthusiasts regardless of whether the car is gray market or not. We simply want people looking to purchase a Skyline to be aware of the facts so they know what they are getting into with purchasing or importing a Skyline.

Read the thread here to see what conclusion we came to, a WHILE ago.
http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=312081