Searched and found answers primarily importing from Japan, or into Canada. Didn't find anything in regards to importing from Canada. The reason I'm looking into importing from Canada is because FD's are just generally cheaper, by a huge margin, and who doesn't want a RHD Rx7? I've found a few 92's for between 3-6k. I've read that since the FD has a twin in the US, that all I have to do to legally import it, is show the sticker on the doorsill that states it complies with all safety and emissions standards(which I believe it does have that sticker) and let customs at the border inspect the car to make sure it isn't modified. Can anyone else shed some light? Thanks in advance,

-Mike.

 

Anyone over 20.

Importing from Canada is effectively the same as importing from Japan.

In other words, forget about it.

 

I'm 25 thanks, and according to this, I was right I need a letter of FMVSS compliance from the manufacturer or a sticker bearing certification of compliance permantly affixed to the vehicle, and the vehicle may be legally imported. http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/impo...da03262010.pdf

 

Pain in the *** IMO but hey whatever floats your boat.

Well lets see... Dealing with the registration, explaining to the insurance company on why the steering wheel is on the wrong side and if it's even insurable, shifting with my right hand (seriously f that) having the cops target me, looking like an idiot at drive through windows, constant jokes about being a mail man along with mad tyte comments...

ya no thanks I see zero advantages on owning a car that is designed to operate on the opposite side of the road.

 

did you also look up the information from the epa and the dot? think about it this way. the dot says the the r33 model gtr is legal for importation but why does no one do it? cause it costs a shitload somewhere in the range of 70k. now i know the fd was a car produced here in america but if you try to import it its still a grey market car. you can try to get it over but if it doesnt work they will either seize your car and send it back or crush it.

 

Yep. A letter from Mazda will do. However, Mazda hasn't issued such a letter to date, so I'd say that's going to be a dead end.

 

It also says in there that in place of said letter, if the car bears a manufacturer sticker stating the same thing, it can be taken in place of the letter.

 

Yes, which doesn't exist. Mazda never produced documentation (letter or sticker) which states non-North American models meet or exceed the requirements of North American models.

 

But I'm not talking about a non-north american model, last time I checked, Canada is in North America, and the car I would be looking to import is a Canadian-Spec car.

 

Yes, but they have different safety requirements. There needs to be something that says they are the same (and that the car was originally from Canada and not a Japanese import into Canada).

 

According to your NHTSA link, if the car is a Canadian spec car, then it would meet the CMVSS standards, in which case you would still need a letter from Mazda. Seriously, many people have looked into this before, it's not a new idea, and like everybody else has stated, it's a PITA to do.

 

With a simple phone call, I was able to get a letter from Mazda of Japan stating the exact date of manufacture of my RX7... it's worth a try, give them a call
Surprisingly, the Japan office actually has plenty of English speakers

 

Yes, but Mazda is not going to put in writing the things needed to be able to import non-US cars since it would put them liable if the safety and other standards aren't exactly the same or better.

 

why bother registering it in the USA at all?

 

The car in question is not a Canadian Spec Car, its a grey market import. Therefore you would not be importing a CDN spec car. In order to call it a Canadian spec car, it would have to be originally sold in that market.

Canadian and American cars differ as Canadian Cars have daytime running lights and stricter front end crash regulations.

Currently a few provinces in Canada have a 6 month moratorium on selling RHD drive cars which is why you are finding them cheap. Its not because driving a RHD car is more dangerous but because the govt is finding a lack of taxable revenue on new and used car sales.

 

I have owned a RHD FD (imported from Japan), and a LHD FD. Most of what you mentioned above is way off base. In fact I miss my RHD because it was unique, got a tremendous amount of attention - positive attention. I have gone through a couple of RIDE checks and the police laughed brought over his buddies and we talked a bout the car.

The ONLY truth to your above statement is the drive through window. It wasn't hard to get out and actually walk in to get a burger or a drink....

To the OP....

I am sure things are different for you since you are in the US but here in Canada, it is virtually pain free to get these cars here, and they are easy to register. Any documentation that was required was easily had with a phone call and resulted in a fax being sent. Again things are likely different on your side of the boarder.

 

I thought importing to Canada from the US was harder than the reverse.
When i was first looking at cars to buy I looked at a few from the states (not rx-7s) and stuff had to be changed. Depending on the model of car and the year, IIRC stuff like the bumpers aren't rated to the same mph/ km/h rating so they had to be changed, child safety anchors, various things like that. So if stuff had to be added from the US to Canada it should be easier imprting from Canada to US.

 

jeeze just wait a few more years. then the 25 year rule comes into effect and bam piece of cake for importing

 

Seriously, what is with newbs and their fascination with RHD models?

 

Tell me have you tried registering a car that originated in japan (RHD) into the U.S.? Have you had an insurance policy in effect here? Was it a right hand drive car that you insured? Last time I checked Canadia is not part of good old U.S.A. so you can move along sir in saying what is true and isn't true here...

To be quite honest the people I know would be WTF did you get a car like that? stupid...

Sorry I'm not an attetion *****, I do not relish on people's attention especially when 99% of the time it is men that are doing it. But hey if you enjoy that, more power to you. Me I don't appreciate the attention and actually I don't like the fact that people (men) film or take pictures, when I'm out and about. I enjoyed it much more pre FnF era when hardly ANYONE knew what an FD was... Now its a fan boy magnet. yay

lol... Come on down here with your RHD FD we'll stick some local plates on and well see how long it takes for a cop to pull you over and impound your ****. kanuck cops != USA cops.

Why? **** it you'd be mad tyte at the drive thru and impress all the boys!! cuz we know the girls don't give an f.

maybe? ya think

 

Wow you're bitter
Settle down, Grandpa
We have both RHD AND LHD cars here... we can pick which we want and buy what makes us happy. No reason to knock someone just for having a different preference than you
Clearly the US is not Canada - sorry that your import regulations have made you hate life so much

 

Bitter about what? life? lol I live in San Diego, CA its ******* awsome here lol...

I just call it as I see it. Your boy (obviously because you came in here hanging from his nuts in his defense) put in his $0.02 when in fact isn't even from the U.S. so WTF does he know about it? Nothing that's what.

You and him can do whatever you want but at least open your mouth on things that you actually know a thing or two about.


Edit- it's after 5 pm and I got bitter drive home
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1283280782

 

So you want an FD?

There are hundreds of FD's collectively for sale on ebay, autotrader, 3rd Gen Classifieds etc etc.... why go through the headache of trying to legally import an FD that was originally meant for the Japanese market?

Sure, you maybe able to buy FD's dirt cheap from Canada..... but really, at what cost?

Be a good boy and buy an FD stateside.... if money is a problem..... buy one that needs a bit of TLC... those FD's go for $6-10k. Even better is the fact that you'll learn all about working on the car as you fix it.


My FD is for sale.....
48k miles, unmolested, freshly painted 2 months ago, purrs like a kitten..... and its LEGAL to register!!!!

 

Fanboi's will be fanbois, there is really no way around it..

After owning RHD cars, and LHD cars in a RHD country I can honestly say that in America I would never drive a RHD vehicle, and if somewhere like England I would much prefer a RHD vehicle.


And it doesn't matter if the car was also produced in America, getting it in without the correct documentation will be a bitch. Hell, just trying to bring my USDM FD back from Europe I had to jump through hoops for the EPA andjust ended up cutting the EPA sticker off the stock hood so I could include it as a shipping attachment for my vented hood.


Bottom line, OP appears to have thought he found a clever loophole iot get a "JDMyo!" Car into the country easily. It isn't. And canadians need to stop being enablers on subjects which don't pertain to them.

 

Just buy one around home because they're the same car and you won't save money buying from Canada. 92 JDM and 93 USDM are made in the same factory by the same Japanese people. Minor differences but nothing special and you could swap from LHD to RHD as long as you find the right parts (but why waste time\money???). I have yet to see any Canadian registered JDMs selling for $3-6K that are not classified as 'project'.