Importing a wagon from europe?

moebiiusmoebiius Wagonist
in General Civic Wagon Discussion
I was thinking the other day, why can't we import these shuttle's from europe? its EDM and some if not most are LHD? Why can't we call get together and have some one over there source them out and get them in a container over here and get a shuttle or beagle with all the bells and whistles? I've been looking to get a RT4wd for the longest time and I can't wait anymore! Reason being is that these sellers get crazy ass offers and start upping the pricing! Greedy bastards! I'd rather fork out more money (don't rightly know exactly how much) and get a LHD with power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, roof rack, moonroof, rear fogs, well you guys know what i mean! I don't know how to get about doing it BUT I did remember reading about fools that shipped old ass bimmers back here without a hitch....Please, anyone that has done any leg work or know of how to start the process so we can have more RT's over here! THANKS!

KEN

Comments

  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    A fully loaded RT would be awesome. No idea how to get one here though. :(
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    If you have a problem spending $3k on an RT, why do you think spending $6k on a European car.... that you won't be able to drive, is better?

    You've got a lot of research ahead of you...
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    I haul containers so i could pick it up..... have my twic card too so i can go into the ports.... but i dont think stuff from Europe gets shipped into seattle/tacoma ports...... if so i can pick them up just gotta pay for deezle
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    Also, be prepared for another mod to lock this thread. It's actually been discussed before...

    I just want to see some n00b responses to my '$6k EDM Shuttle' remark, today's been boring lol
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    $6k USD? Wow.

    You can pickup a 1996 beagle here for $2-5k NZD..

    Start here.. viewtopic.php?f=16&t=10122&hilit=import
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    That's a guesstimate including cost of car, shipping, brokerage fees, etc

    I believe Mar'sc car was around $3k US when he was selling it.

    Plus, you've got DOT and other laws that are gonna cost ya

    ...might as well travel stateside and get a clean one.
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    so wait till 2013 and then an 88 beagle would be 25 years old and it would be easy and legit? thats what i gathers from reading that other post.

    till then im stuck with raping LX and EX 4 doors for there parts to make my wagon as close to one as i can.
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    Yes 25 years is the key age for cars to be imported under the "classic" car status. 30 years is the age for California. My 1977 opel Kadett went through like it was a US spec car. Registered and released the same day it arrived at port.
  • 1988rt1988rt Senior Wagonist
    I don't know if it helps but I've been doing some looking around and my friend from the Ukrane has recieved cars from over seas and he ships and recieves in california but he lives in bonney lake, wa. I've been trying to get a real one too :D
  • RobbRobb Wagonist
    If anyone is in Canada, we have the 15 year rule. :)

    I can get you one from Japan no problem. I work for www.rightdrive.ca

    Here's a few samples for sale in Japan.

    http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/sp ... 28005.html

    http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/sp ... 36001.html

    http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/sp ... 20001.html
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    Holy shit those are stupidly expensive!!

    We have exactly the same cars, all ex Japan. For a 55x with its crappy duel carb D15 we might pay $800-$1400NZ for an average one $2000($1500US) max for a mint one.
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    $5500-$7000 + shipping to the states.

    lulz.

    You'd have to be a hardcore wagon lover to do it.
  • RobbRobb Wagonist
    NZ-DB8R wrote:
    Holy shit those are stupidly expensive!!

    We have exactly the same cars, all ex Japan. For a 55x with its crappy duel carb D15 we might pay $800-$1400NZ for an average one $2000($1500US) max for a mint one.

    .. in the same condition with the same kilometers as a JDM car ? I doubt it.
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    Robb wrote:
    NZ-DB8R wrote:
    Holy shit those are stupidly expensive!!

    We have exactly the same cars, all ex Japan. For a 55x with its crappy duel carb D15 we might pay $800-$1400NZ for an average one $2000($1500US) max for a mint one.

    .. in the same condition with the same kilometers as a JDM car ? I doubt it.

    THEY ARE JDM cars. About 70% of cars on NZ roads are Japanese Imports. My own one was Imported in 1996, I imported my Type R in 2007

    Just down the road from me is a 1986 Honda Civic Shuttle GT (thats right a 3rd gen factory Fuel Injected DOHC ZC with 5speed manual) owned by an old man with 72,000kms. If it were for sale I would expect it would be about $1500NZ (around $1000US)

    And what do you mean "same condition"? There are crappy cars in Japan too, not all are one lady owners, only driven on sundays, original set of tyres.
    In fact its common to get cars imported that looks perfect, upon closer inspection they have had very very dodgy crash repairs (not indicated by the grade of the car when in Japan) and the repairs either have to be redone, or its essentially irreparable. This happened to a guy who imported a NSX from Japan recently, luckily it was always going to be a racecar so didnt need to be road registered.


    I have imported a few cars, my family has imported many. I do know a little about buying cars from Japan ;)
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    Robb wrote:
    NZ-DB8R wrote:
    Holy shit those are stupidly expensive!!

    We have exactly the same cars, all ex Japan. For a 55x with its crappy duel carb D15 we might pay $800-$1400NZ for an average one $2000($1500US) max for a mint one.

    .. in the same condition with the same kilometers as a JDM car ? I doubt it.

    :lol: :lol: I guess only Canada gets Japanese imports.

    Read this as this topic has been discussed and no matter where you import your car from you will still have to have it conform to all US laws and regulations.

    viewtopic.php?f=16&t=10122&p=115528&hilit=importing#p115528
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    NZ-DB8R wrote:
    Just down the road from me is a 1986 Honda Civic Shuttle GT (thats right a 3rd gen factory Fuel Injected DOHC ZC with 5speed manual) owned by an old man with 72,000kms. If it were for sale I would expect it would be about $1500NZ (around $1000US)

    I'd love to have a car like this.
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    The_Head wrote:
    NZ-DB8R wrote:
    Just down the road from me is a 1986 Honda Civic Shuttle GT (thats right a 3rd gen factory Fuel Injected DOHC ZC with 5speed manual) owned by an old man with 72,000kms. If it were for sale I would expect it would be about $1500NZ (around $1000US)

    I'd love to have a car like this.[/quote:1jumougj]


    Me too!

    I havnt been able to get a pic yet either, always kept in his garage. Only seen it driving around a couple times too :(

    If I had room for another car I would go offer him some $$ for it!
  • moebiiusmoebiius Wagonist
    I just did some research myself, didn't know california was 30 year old cars, I thought 25 years was bad enough.
    Charb, I don't mind paying for one that is fully loaded, and still in decent OEM condition. Not $3k plus for some tore up ride. I searched the forum before I posted this question. If i did or typed anything offensive please ignore it since I have no intention in doing so. When i say fully loaded, I mean moonroof, power windows, power door locks, roof rack and the other goodies. if the cars over there are about $3K USD and another $3K to $4K in shipping and fees, I wouldn't have any problems with it whatsoever. My own stupidity is that I didn't know about the particular law of 25-30 years old before they're allowed to be shipped in, pardon the mistake. At least with my stupidity anyone that searches for something like this again will have this answer their question. Again, sorry If you misunderstand me and I apologize for being ignorant.
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    No Shuttles ever had a moonroof, sunroof yes, moonroof no.

    I think all except a Civic Pro had power windows and central locking. Maybe a few of the other lower spec ones didnt.

    The only ones worth having are a 56i, RTi, RTi Intrac or Beagle. The rest are carburetted and the carbs are useless for performance
  • moebiiusmoebiius Wagonist
    I beleive frenchy on here has a shuttle with sunroof, power locks/windows AC, I think his is a shuttle, correct me if I'm wrong. His is 1.6 liter, think it's Injected.
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    moebiius wrote:
    I beleive frenchy on here has a shuttle with sunroof, power locks/windows AC, I think his is a shuttle, correct me if I'm wrong. His is 1.6 liter, think it's Injected.

    Yes that will be the european equivalent of (if 2wd) a 56i, (if 4wd) an RTi
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