So you want to buy a Skyline in the US....

A forum for owners and fans of the legendary Nissan Skyline and Nissan GTR.
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w1ngzer0
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I'd buy a skyline too, if i was making 50K+.


kirill0000
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Evolution Imports is selling R33 GTR Vspec. They explained to me that the car, currently in a lot in Florida, would be shipped to the Bahamas, where the drivetrain would be taken out and the car shipped back in pieces. It would then be reassembled and registered as a car constructed from parts. He said it wasn't a 'kit car', and would be titled without any modifications, only an EPA smog test. I called RB Motoring, and I was told there is no way to register a skyline now.

Claiming a mass-produced car is a custom car assembled from various parts may be a violation of a federal law, but at the same time, it may not be. The fact that they are still in business, have a posted address, and are reachable by phone throughout the day might mean a lot after the situation with Motorex.

Frankly, I had a list of numbers I was going to go through: Customs, the DOT, the EPA, etc. but is it even worth my time? If this isn't legal, then could someone please tell me why they are still operating?

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AZhitman
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I am familiar with EI and what they are doing is illegal, plain and simple (I know a guy who does a lot of their reassembly).

A couple phone calls and they'd be rolling up their tents.

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Atomsk
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i guess the same goes for fast4wheels huh?

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AZhitman
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Yep.

p.s. Welcome aboard - Miami w0000t!

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greatgonzer
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The fact of the matter is that it is NOT illegal as to what they are doing. Plain and simple they are using a loop hole in the law. And until that loop hole is closed. Any good lawyer will and can keep that place open. As EI or Fast 4 wheels. They are in business legally. Through a loop hole, but one that works in thier favor. If you don't believe me call and ask them. If not they would have been shut down a long time ago.

95r33gtrskylineme
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on the contrary i know personally one of the operators of fast 4 wheels and ther are a few diffrent ways they get their cars.1.the way everyone talks about break them down outside of the us and then reassemble them when they get here(which is not illegal but isn't legal either).2.find a car already in the us have it titled in one of the more leanient states and transfer the title to your state (if you live in california you must go thru 3 states or california dot will not except it). Also not illegal but once again not legal either.3.the third and final way that they (fast 4 wheels not evolution imports) does it is to have a person ceritfied by nissan to conform the cars to us crash test and emission standards as deemed valid by the dot. as most of you would say that is impossible but on the contrary the only car as of january 1st allowed to now be brought in this way is the r33 chassis the r32 and r34 are still pending dot approval. Your second question is where do i find someone to do this well there are very few people in the us that are capable and or reckonized with the ability to do this fast 4 wheels has such. The car gets to you just like anyother of the so called kit car place but this one come with a title and legal way to register the vehicle in the us. I have since ordered a car from fast 4 wheels and i am currently waiting for them to find me one and bring it over i personally know of at least 20 skylines and or other jdm cars they have sold to people and their customers drive them on the street.

Just in case your wondering why i did so much research i ordered a r33 gtr vspec last august from turbovisions (some of you may or may not have heard of him) he is a kid selling cars using evolution imports to get cars well since i lost the 30k in that deal i took the time to investigate all the legal and illegal ways to import/title a skyline in the us. since then many changes have happened in the skyline world for example motorex shut down,evolution imports has filed chapter 11, and the r33 is now able to be made road legal in the us.

so happy hunting to all you skyline lovers i will keep you posted with all the stuff happening with my purchase if you have any other question feel free to pm me

mc_rhett_meister
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ok so what is the final verdict? do i have to pay someone to register a r32 from Quebec, Canada? Im in AZ and looking to sell my R and pick up a minty R34 rb26 powered 1990 R32, I wanna know ASAP what I need to do and a general ballpark price. thanks Rhett

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AZhitman
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Rhett -

Welcome aboard.

Please read the first page of this thread.

Potential problems: Finding the car you want, getting it across the border / past Customs, registering / titling / emission-testing it in AZ (AZ DMV personnel are NOT stupid), and insuring it.


mc_rhett_meister
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im used to Honda-tech.com, so If ive done something wrong or posted in the wrong forum, forgive me, I know how newbs can be haha. all of that was pretty confusing, I notice you are in AZ, as am i. If you dont mind I would like to speak to you in person, is that cool? Id PM you, but cannot yet. Im in a rush kinda haha

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AZhitman
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Nope, you posted just fine - We're pretty nice to n00bs here.

Make sure you do ALL your reading on Skyline importation ahead of time.

This thread has resulted in TONS of emails from people - praising, ranting, arguing, flaming, thanking.... It's a "hot" topic, but if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, and I'll say it again:

If it could be done legally, and for a reasonable amount of money, I'd have already done it.

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Real Street
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My R32 entered the states on 5/2/06 as a complete car. It was pulled in by an "R.I." whose name will be skipped (Houstin, TX). I was misled before droppin coin. First, I was told I would recieve all applicable Fed. Imp./Exp certificates. I received The EXP Cert only. Allong with the BOL from the shipping co. and the US transport Co. BOL. No Imp. declaration. So I tried my luck with the lax DMV we have in MN. (kit car,hobby car, BS 240 conversion) No luck. The clerk stated that the Imp. declaration was the most important document. At that point it ceased to be a legitimately imported vehicle in my state. And to make it sweeter, the rescinded ruling is now common knowledge to folks I was dealing with. The importer can't/won't help me out, and the DMV is hip to my jive. I may have to wait for 2011 to make it happen. Until then I'll poach late night runs in the business park I'm near. What a glorious noise! Good luck to all of you in my position.

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greatgonzer
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I'd be contacting that RI immediately and often. I'd call them every day! Fill up their answering machine messages. Make it a point that it is in thier best interest to get you the paper work you need and or that they promised you. Don't give up on that. If anything ask someone on this site who lives there in Texas to make a trip for you and do some talking to them. This can't be that hard to get the paperwork that you need. Especially if you show them that you are NOT going to back down... Good luck.

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AZhitman
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It's likely that they simply CAN'T provide the docs he wants, as they over-promised.

They're not an RI, so they don't have the authority to "legalize" the car.

No amount of harassment will change that - He's better off suing for the value of the car.

Kendall
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Importing a car as parts, assembling it in the US, and getting a backwoods state to title it is illegal. Its circumvention of the EPA and DOT laws. Will anything be done about it? Thats a good question. We now are able to import cars under a different, legal, process. Any naysayers feel free to call me.

Kendallhttp://www.f4w.us228 861 4849

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Atomsk
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why don't you name the company so no one who reads this will be in your same situation... can't you drive the car on a race track in the mean time? at least get some use out of it.

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Real Street
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Hitman knows whats going on. I've been assertive withthem about the missing paperwork to no avial. My only route is suit, and Im still looking into that at this point. I can't come to terms with giving up, it stares me in the face every morning. I'd like to turn it into a track slut. But, only after all titleing resources have been exhausted. Atomsk, the company that posed as players is SUNS AUTO. http://www.jdmpartsworld.com. They stopped returning my calls. As for the rest of you guys, don't get involved in the unicorn car mess. The process utterly deflates your enthusiasm for the vehicle. I was hyped for six months waiting for it to be delivered. Now, I wish I'd ordered the '97 R33. greatgonzer, send me some pics of your 300. I'll be pulling that move fairly soon. Nico is a great resource! Thanks guys. 2

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greatgonzer
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Well I bet at the very least you could probably sell it and let someone else deal with that nightmare. Just be straight up and someone WILL buy it. Good luck

As far as picks of my car, you can see some on the link in my signiture below and I will send you some via email...

Hey and you better hook us up with picks of your undrivable JDM ride as well.


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AZhitman
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Kendall wrote: We now are able to import cars under a different, legal, process. Any naysayers feel free to call me.

Kendall228 861 4849
No need to call. The burden of proof is on the so-called "importer" to prove that what they're doing is legit and above-board.

I've got funds sitting for an R32. Prove yourself, and I'll believe it.

Wait - Let me guess: "We don't divulge our process or procedure."

I've heard THAT one before.

I remain, as always, a naysayer.

95r33gtrskylineme
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hey guys i personally have a car coming from kendall at fast 4 wheels if you guys think they are bull wait a month and ill tell you for sure i already lost 30k trying to buy a skyline and am willing to try it again because these guys are legitand will deliver

Kendall
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AZhitman wrote:No need to call. The burden of proof is on the so-called "importer" to prove that what they're doing is legit and above-board.

I've got funds sitting for an R32. Prove yourself, and I'll believe it.

Wait - Let me guess: "We don't divulge our process or procedure."

I've heard THAT one before.

I remain, as always, a naysayer.
I appreciate your caution. I will divulge our process. Give me a call. 228 861 4849.

Kendall
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AZhitman wrote:No need to call. The burden of proof is on the so-called "importer" to prove that what they're doing is legit and above-board.

I've got funds sitting for an R32. Prove yourself, and I'll believe it.

Wait - Let me guess: "We don't divulge our process or procedure."

I've heard THAT one before.

I remain, as always, a naysayer.
Ill explain the process. No secrets here. Give me a call. Is all your wasting is a couple long distance minutes.

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Real Street
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Here is the 32. Sorry the shop site is at minimal levels. When I get a chance to stop for a second (winter), you can check out the other Nissan projects. SR20 S13, KAturbo S14, RB26 S14, SR20 Pulsar in JDM clothes, and the rest of the bunch. A couple of Krout boxes, two 3/S TTs, and a handfull of old domestics.

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

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Real Street
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Pics didn't work the first time!

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Real Street
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Shop pic

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AZhitman
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Liking that 70-72 Buick in the background of the R32 pic!!!

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Real Street
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I didn't know you guys liked old lumberwagons!

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AZhitman
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My bad, that's a Pontiac. Still hot.

My first car:


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Real Street
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Real nice! Skylarks were fewer in numbers. Sorry about the muscle car segway guys.

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AZhitman
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And even rarer were the pillar-coupe SPecials (non-Skylark), which mine was.

I spent a ton making it a faux GS.

Think I probably helped Year One and Poston Enterprise (and TA Performance) get their start.

Love the LeMans - Hope it goes to a good home.


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