That's a fair point, but the NHTSA is not involved with registration. Registration is a state-by-state thing. NHTSA audits the import process, so the fact that a type of car got through customs and has state registration paperwork is no guarantee that the NHTSA and Customs will all such cars through.

Personally, I think it's false economy to buy RHD for a low price. Talk to the Canadians who have been importing the RHD's for some time now - there are enough stories related to blown engines and bad coolant seals to scare me away. The fact that the regulations in the US are much less clear is the icing on the cake for me.

David

 

You have a point. From what it seems, importing a FD should not be considered as a "money-saving" technique by any means.

 

Only mazda can prove it is similar in crash tests, and they will not release the info...

wait the 25 years, move to canada, or buy a left hand drive, those are your options....

 

LOL nice. I hope your direct view is appreciated. Sometimes, beating around the bush doesn't do any good. Personally, I think a nice compromise would be to pick up a RHD half-cut for a little conversion action. All the look, none of the legal hassle. You're welcome.

 

Dude I;m just as ignorant about this as the common Joe to rx7's and importing
,you're probably right xD

 

Well you can change out a few parts on the RHD to make it legal by our standards which is quite easy to do. Also who cares if it has a blown engine? I'm going 3-rotor when i get the car anyways. BTW I have seen a legal RHD rx7 down here in Florida.

 

Also i just checked NHSTA website and it says that rx7's 1987-1995 may be imported as well as 1996-1998 nissan skyline R33. On their eligibility of import document.

 

Read the top part, it explains how the ones listed eligible are left hand drive, and only RHD if it says so beside it, which it doesnt...

The r33's are only eligible if certain modifications are made, and motorex, the only people who know what the modifications are, are out of business and will not release the info.

"BTW I have seen a legal RHD rx7 down here in Florida."

There is a big difference between having the car registered, and it being legal, the car may be legal in the state, but it is not at a federal level.

therefore it can be seized by the feds, and you either have 90 days to export it, or its crushed.
That is if you even make it past the port, which is where almost all of the cars are seized nowadays,

 

This is a compilation of screenshots taken directly from the nhtsa list...
Notice the lack of RHD in the model column?

 

It's extremely difficult to import them into the US, but Canada is another story. If you look at craigslist you see them being sold there often at the port cities. It's just a matter of getting it across the border. Having said that, you still have to register and insure it.

 

I think you've missed RXeckless's story of being stopped at the border for 3 hours. I think an american coming over here with no car, and leaving with an illegal car will create issues. And then a Canadian entering the states with an illegal car and not returning with it, will also create some issues.

And for the record, I've heard of a lot of horror stories when it comes to japanese parts, engines, and vehicles, but I've also heard quite a few good ones as well.

I've seen RXeckless' car and it appears to be in wonderful condition, but he did also purchase it when it was on our side.

 

Yeah I did miss it. I agree though about the border crossing, I go back and forth from Vancouver to Washington and I'm pretty sure the border patrol agents would give you a hard time going either way.