Anyone here have info to register a JDM car. i just crashed my sol and i plan to get a JDM one. the car is already here in the states, its just i need to know the process before i purchase it. i know inlinefour.com has done it, i talked to a guy there and he said i have to go to the CHP and get a VIN and then replace parts like the windows, throw on another cat, and thats it. i think theres more involved though and im sure they wont disclose more than that. my friend said to go to the DMV and ask to register the car as a Japanese car instead of an american car. and i have to make sure it has not been in any accidents. so if anyone has any more info on this, i would appreciate it very much. thanks

krazy

 

Here is the DMV link to registering a foreign vehicle

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd3c1a3.htm

 

in order to register a jdm car you have to have a dealers license, you do not have to be a dealer though, you just have to take a class and take some sort of test...

 

I got a friend selling a genuine 99 Civic Type R. Everything stock, located, registered and ready to be driven in California or all of U.S.

Save yourself the hassle and buy this car

 

thanks LSdelsol for the link.

low93ex: if i know someone with a dealer lic, could they register it for me uner my name though? good info keep it coming please.

krazy

 

Hey mario, how much is he selling it for? How many miles? Did he bring it here based on what the other guy said about having a dealer's license?

 

u think i could possibly get his email address? i wanna find out for a number of reasons. besides i rather have a japanese del sol. more unique... plus it has a transtop (automatic removing top mechanism)

check out http://www.bestjapancar.com for what im talking about. good looking out though.

krazy

 

damn this board is fast....

up up and away

 

unfortunately inline 4 hasn't had it done (not correctly that is) and you don't need a business license to register a car, that's only if you want to drive it on dealer plates. you're just getting youself into a gamble shot and if you don't know what you are doing hector just don't even bother because you might just end up with a japanese del sol that can't be driven on the streets.


[Modified by tjsEG6, 7:28 AM 7/3/2002]


[Modified by tjsEG6, 8:04 AM 7/3/2002]

 

Jimmy? damn man, ive been trying to call you. Mop said that u did it, and that youre just waiting for the appointment with the CHP. so you think its not worth it here? i mean what are my chances with this ****. u must know a way around right? hey email me the info if u wanna chat about this else where. if not call me up. i think u have my number its the same one u called last time. i tried calling today but it went straight to ur voicemail. anyway laters.

krazy

 

From what I've read about, and called on, registering a JDM car in Cali is a complete bitch. Talk about jumping though hoops!!!

As a RI (Registered Importer) you have to comply with US regulations within 120 days, plus you need to bond the car, have insurance, and a recall program.


I think this is why MotorEx charges 100x more than you can buy the car for in JDM land.


It can be done though, you just have to do your research, and make sure you've crossed all the T's and dotted all the i's, if you know what I mean.

 

B18C-EJ1, when you mean follow US regulations, does that also include the changing of the RHD to LHD? or just safety and emissions regulations? And after all those things you posted, is that it? or if not, can you(or anybody) post a link or tell us where we can find information on registering a jdm car in California (books, website)? Thanks

 

lastly, would going to the DMV to get more accurate and updated information be worth a shot?

 

anyone who has done and gone through the entire process can write it down in details for good?
we would really appreciate.

 

yea please someone, give us details. maybe i should check around to see if there is a CHP bbs. haha

 

how much and where in cali?

 

just buy mine and make it easier for yourself.

 

im also interested in this
i want a skyline.

 

my friend has a RHD 95 civic vti with type r engine/interior/suspension, spoon rims/battery/hood/wing/thermo/drainplug/tranny, i/h/e.. etc etc etc. oh a bride seat... black on black w/ gather's rear panels, this is best EG (yes REAL EG now) civic i've ever seen and one of the fastest honda's i've rode in. This car was imported from Japan and is fully registered. i think someone from ff-squad imported this car, and some how registered it.....

Eddie

 

Motorex does the work for you.

As for registering a JDM car in California? It's safe to assume that you can't do it by just filling out a form. Hell, it's hard bringing a car from another state into California. True story, my neighbor tried to bring over a silver PT cruiser when it first came out, bought it in Tennessee, had to end up selling it because it was a pain to register.

When it says that the car must pass U.S. safety regulations...they're talking about crash testing too. Emissions isn't the problem...it's the red tape. They do it on purpose, to protect US cars...who'd buy a CRX Si stateside if they can buy an SiR for the same price? There are lots of companies that specialize in shipping japanese cars around, the ones I tend to run into are the ones who go to England. If you look, the cars they have are dirt cheap compared to what people are charging here. It's not uncommon to see 97 spec Type R's with low miles sell for $13k.

There are ways around it..if you really do want a JDM car here:
1. Join the military...you can bring a car if you're stationed overseas. Just can't sell it.
2. Register it as a Show car...you get a maximum mileage, don't know how strictly enforced that is.
3. Pay for someone to convert it EPA spec...(ridiculously overpriced) They're listed here: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/icilist.pdf
4. Register it as a kit car. I've heard of people trying this...but I'm not sure...
5. Sell your house, lease a lab, and do these tests : http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...VSS/index.html
6. Do the salvage title vin magic trick. (Most common I believe)
7. Register it as a race car. Just can't drive it on the streets.

Bottom line...do the Vin-magic trick or the Show car, it's the most painless way to go. Problem with the Vin-magic is that if you get in an accident...then your insurence may smell something fishy...

*Whew* Was that long...hope that helps!

-Eddie (No relation to the guy who posted above me!)



[Modified by EF'n Fast, 11:52 AM 7/5/2002]

 

Oh...and JDM cars would be listed under the DMV as "Gray market vehicles"
-Eddie

 

wow thats a lot of good info. thanks eddie. what exactly is the salvage title vin trick? can anyone elaborate?

krazy

 

you buy a US version of the car and switch the vin numbers with the Japanese car, then register the Japanese car and get rid of the US car.

 

That is illegal, and if you're caught, DMV or whoever governs vehicles in your state may take the car and destroy it.

 

ahhh.... i know see. thank you for the elaboration. but what about the vin on the firewall? i wonder if that could be cut out and welded in.. damn that would be a lot more trouble than its worth in a way. maybe i should just move to japan.