sileightygx Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 curious if anyone on this board has any experience importing a pre-75 fairlady? i know about the 25yr rule..but just wanted some feedback on experience dealing with brokers/customs. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galloguy05 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I'm uneducated when it comes to importing. What's the 25 year rule? not trying to thread jack or anything. I'm just curious about this as a fellow californian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAG58 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I think the necessary question to ask here is why get a pre-75 S30 from Japan when you could just have a pre-75 S30 from the states and avoid all the pain and hassles and extra cost associated with getting it here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackice280zxt Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I think the necessary question to ask here is why get a pre-75 S30 from Japan when you could just have a pre-75 S30 from the states and avoid all the pain and hassles and extra cost associated with getting it here? RHD YO! Its JDM as FU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19762802+2 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 curious if anyone on this board has any experience importing a pre-75 fairlady? i know about the 25yr rule..but just wanted some feedback on experience dealing with brokers/customs. thanks! Join the navy and I think you can do it for free? not sure. But why not just buy a Z here? If your looking for a RHD I'm sure you could do a conversion like 280zjoel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zjoel Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Join the navy and I think you can do it for free? not sure. But why not just buy a Z here? If your looking for a RHD I'm sure you could do a conversion like 280zjoel. LOL Just buy a RHD Z. Trust me on that one, its a TON of work to do the conversion(the right way at least). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravi757 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I'm uneducated when it comes to importing. What's the 25 year rule? not trying to thread jack or anything. I'm just curious about this as a fellow californian. The 25yr law is some stupid ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ law thats prohibits cars from 1976 and up from being smog exempt in California for ever. Its just some other stupid law that california had to make to prove to all the other states how much they suck. If the States were in a competiton to see who could make the most laws, california would be #1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galloguy05 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Oohh ok. I knew about the law about 75 and older cars being smog exempt, but i thought that 25 years or older cars had different rules for being imported or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Also the chances of finding a somewhat rust free fairlady for a decent price, is next to impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sileightygx Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 well actually the 25yr law is you are able to import foreign cars 25 years or older and not have to deal with the insane DOT restrictions, not to be confused with smog exemption of 75 and older. the only reason why i ask is i have seen a few nice ones in japan that aren't a crazy amount of money. A few months ago I saw an authentic 1976 Fairlady Z on craigslist, and it spiked my curiousity. I have nothing against getting a Z here in the states, but just wondering if anyone had the experience of importing one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAG58 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 You have to remember the difference in methodology to 'restoration' between here in japan. In the home country, as much emphasis is not made on mechanical or structural sound-ness as it is on looking good visually. That means you may be purchasing a car that looks fantastic but in reality is quite a crap pile as far as rust and/or mechanicals go. It may not look as good at the get go, but if you get a car (from whatever country you like, Ethiopia for what it's worth) that may not look as clean but has as little rust as possible to start with, I think you'll find whatever direction you want to go with it much easier, and that you'll probably be happier in the long run. Just my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Ignore what people are posting here. Read up: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Tony D has experience, but then again he has done it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sileightygx Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 Thank you all for the info. Ive been planning to go to Japan next year and just wanted to have it as a possibility. It would be interesting to inspect those Japanese "restored" cars and see if they really lack any care on the body itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neotech84 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Hey they only way a JDM pre 75 Z would be a rust bucket is from sitting out side just like every other Z here in the states. If the car was registered and driven it would have to go through a very intense inspection process for wear and mechanical issues every couple of years. This is very costly and it adds up fast with taxes and parking fees ect..... I would think you should be fine if it hasn't sat for umpteen years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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