DJGibb

I have not been on this site for awhile, but I cant remember my old login info so I created a new account. I thought I would share my steps to obtaining information and price on importing a Euro CTR to here in the United States.

My first obvious choice was the euro model over the JDM, it would seem that alot less work would have to go into the car for certification and it will already be LHD.

I know I expect to get some flames, but I figure I would share all the details as I atleast have some fun finding out the information and pricing on such a venture. I am aware of the thousands of dollars involved in this process, but thats not a concern since I have some expendable income from my job.

If anyone has any feedback on importing euro cars by all means chime in. I just started collecting documentation as of today (sunday) so alot more will come this week during business days when I can talk to someone at the US DoT, Shipping Company, Euro Dealership, for example.

My first step was inquiring about insurance. Oddly enough Geico has no problems insuring the car as long as I can provide prove it is US certified by the DoT. As a matter of fact they informed me it would simply be insured to almost identical pricing as the US Market Civic Si coupe.

So stay tuned I will update this thread as more information trickles in.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I've spoken to a few people who have done this.

I would strongly suggest actually hiring an importer for it. The amount of paperwork, testing, and refitting that has to be done is quite extensive.

For most of the cars it was replacing all the glass, replacing all the lights, bulbs, wheels, tires, etc to DOT approved parts (so having the USDM counterpart helps) but also for a car newer than like the 15/20 years (whatever the cutoff) it required crash testing to be done before it could be assigned a USDM vin.

DJGibb

Specifically for the Civic, or other Euro cars?

And if it comes to crashing testing then Im dead in the water, not like I can afford for them to crash a couple of spares...

Im hoping the CTR hatch has alot less work involved since alot of the parts are identical to the US Si, or am I wrong in thinking that?

a1staecksauce

you would be way wrong in thinking that. There is no civic hatch in the US so the euro ctr is a completely different car. The JDM ctr sedan would be closer to what we have here. the ctr hatch is nothing like anything we have here.

06civicracer

the sales guy at my local dealership said this guy is trying to import the mugen rr

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DJGibb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Specifically for the Civic, or other Euro cars?

And if it comes to crashing testing then Im dead in the water, not like I can afford for them to crash a couple of spares...

Im hoping the CTR hatch has alot less work involved since alot of the parts are identical to the US Si, or am I wrong in thinking that?</TD></TR></TABLE>


In general cars that are imported.

*edit*

That's to register them however, if all you're doing is tracking it then you probably still have to ship it as "parts" with the motor separate from the car, then assemble here. To register and drive legally though you have to go the route I touched on.

But for a car that performs worse than the EP3 CTR why bother?

ialreadygotawristwatch

Unless you just want the hatch, I'd check in to getting the Malaysian or Japanese Type-R.

Rolling on dudes in a fou dou always brings the lulz.

Kidnkorner

Contact a registered importer.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheMuffinMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but also for a car newer than like the 15/20 years (whatever the cutoff) it required crash testing to be done before it could be assigned a USDM vin.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

You are way off. This would only have to be done if the importer was selling them to the general public.

Demonis

I think any vehicle that is intended to be driven on US public roads has to be crash tested and approved by the DoT for acceptance. I have not checked this out myself. As for the UK-R or the JDM R, I would imagine that since the Civic Sedan, CSX, and European Civic share the same body, much of the tests would have already been made. I don't however know what DoT policies are on RHD cars.

Just find a company/person that does imports as a PROFESSION. They will know all of this much better than anyone on here.

irnhyd889

The civic hatchback from euro is actually coming to the us............. but i think it's the Type RR, the rally civic? i heard it's going to be expensive though.... but it's something the dealership i work for is waiting to see. it looks really nice. i really don't kno much other than that honda is planning to send these things our way. high price? low price? idk, rally or not? idk, if you want one desperately, go for it. cuz i really dk when they're coming to the US, but we're all waiting to sell one if it's at a good price.

yeah but idk, i'd love to have a mal or jap type R, looks like a fun and sweet car. i'm interested in importing too, but yeh, i need this for research too.


Modified by irnhyd889 at 9:06 AM 5/20/2008

Kidnkorner

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Demonis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think any vehicle that is intended to be driven on US public roads has to be crash tested and approved by the DoT for acceptance. I have not checked this out myself. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have checked into it. The crash testing has to be done if its being imported to be sold.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by irnhyd889 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The civic hatchback from euro is actually coming to the us.............</TD></TR></TABLE>

What's your source?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Demonis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just find a company/person that does imports as a PROFESSION. They will know all of this much better than anyone on here. </TD></TR></TABLE>

They are called "Registered Importers," as I have indicated already

irnhyd889

my source is that i sell cars? lol. we were informed at a sales meeting.. shhhhhhhhhhh. but yeah, that's what's planned. as i said, that's all we were informed about a civic hatchback coming... and we have some weird *** guy who comes EVERY week waiting for it to come.

Kidnkorner

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by irnhyd889 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my source is that i sell cars? lol. we were informed at a sales meeting.. shhhhhhhhhhh. but yeah, that's what's planned. as i said, that's all we were informed about a civic hatchback coming... and we have some weird *** guy who comes EVERY week waiting for it to come.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LoL, you sell cars. Do you know how much erroneous information trickles down from the GM to an ASM? thanks, that was a good chuckle. I think I'll wait for an official Honda press release before I buy into rumors floating around from a dealer.

I've heard some whoppers come out of the GM's mouth when I had the dissatisfaction of selling cars. 2008 Accord V6 coupe Type R 300WHP AWD, 2007 Civic SiR w/ 210 HP and comes equipped with all the HFP goodies. 2008 Ridgeline to be equipped with diesel engine.

irnhyd889

yeh the car business is wacked otu sometimes... we were suppost to get 09 pilots and stuff in june, they came yesterday. haha. it's alright though, it's not bad, judging from just being 18 in the business. but we've already started to recieve a little bit of info about it. idk if that means anything. but yeah, GL with the importing tho, i'd like to see the results as well. always great to hear of people doing things they really want to do.

o lol, kid, bout the last part of ur post, just reread.. LAWL! well seriously, there's a difference between the people that know the cars and people that do. haha, half the salespeople at my work dont know crap about any of the cars, can't drive stick or just dont plain dont have common sense, but somehow they last.