The Real truth about importing soarer
#61
#63
Just want to chime in here and say that once the chassis is issued a VIN# that matches and is registered, that's it...it's legal. Doesn't matter how it receieved it, once it's issued, there's nothing the DOT and DMV can do about it. I've seen several JDM cars get legalized but it's more expensive than most are willing to pay. Nothing's impossible
#65
I may have mentioned this before on CL somewhere.
A lot of people in the U.S. often want to get a the classic VW Beetles, but want the years of upgrades that have come about on the Mexican version (last VW Beetles in the U.S. were sold in 1978, with convertible versions disappearing in about in 1980). What they do is they get a junk/salvage title to an old one in the U.S and then get one in Mexico whereupon they replace the vin numbers with the one of the salvage title.
The more common thing to do is that Americans will bring down their old beetles and the Mexicans will modernize them.
Of course that would be a lot trickier with a Soarer.
A lot of people in the U.S. often want to get a the classic VW Beetles, but want the years of upgrades that have come about on the Mexican version (last VW Beetles in the U.S. were sold in 1978, with convertible versions disappearing in about in 1980). What they do is they get a junk/salvage title to an old one in the U.S and then get one in Mexico whereupon they replace the vin numbers with the one of the salvage title.
The more common thing to do is that Americans will bring down their old beetles and the Mexicans will modernize them.
Of course that would be a lot trickier with a Soarer.
#68
depends on state as well when its regarding VIN#`s. some states will issue a new vin # some states keep the JDM vin #. when i title a JDM car its titled with its short VIN#.with insurance u have to find a company that will insure grey market cars.And why what this thread brought back?
#69
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#70
Wow you cant even read. It says a Soarer can only be brought over if used as PARTS. It can not be brought into the USA to use as a working car. Toyota Soarer is NOT on the list of importable cars thru the NHTSA to use as a car.
Bringing the car over as "parts" and then putting it back together to use it as a car is highly illegal. Registering it as a "kit car" when it is infact, not, and is a car brought over as parts, illegally put together as a working car, no safety mods made to fit US standards (there is no mod list to comply to, cause its not an importable car so u can do anything u want and it wont comply), just adds to the list of things you can talk to the federal judge about.
Do NOT give out false info.
Bringing the car over as "parts" and then putting it back together to use it as a car is highly illegal. Registering it as a "kit car" when it is infact, not, and is a car brought over as parts, illegally put together as a working car, no safety mods made to fit US standards (there is no mod list to comply to, cause its not an importable car so u can do anything u want and it wont comply), just adds to the list of things you can talk to the federal judge about.
Do NOT give out false info.
#71
#72
thats hot! there are 4 legal soarers driving arround here in florida that i know of. all of which are registered, taged, and insured as a toyota soarer. maybe florida is an acception to the rules.
#73
alright alright alright im gonna put my two cents in and then hopefully they will close this post for good. it goes like this, i studied state (mo) law for 3 years. you guy are missing out on the political stance of this arguement. just cause federal law says you have to do something to pass a federal inspection doesnt mean your state is going to hold you to federal standards.. hint the idea of cannabis being prescribed for medical conditions despite federal laws saying it is illegal and you can be arrested on federal charges despite state laws. so it goes like this, the soarer is imported into o say canada for example. the guy takes the engine out, lights, seatbelts, refelctive material, etc. he brings both trucks to you after inspection, you download and proceed to put it back together. (not all this is necessary but im not going to give illegal advice since it is against everything im studying) you pass an inspection at a local shop, brakes, emmissions etc. bring the title to dot. show them you passed. they will inspect the vehicle charge you for the price of the title and walllaaa. most states will issue you a vin number others wont. doesnt matter. insurrance + liscense +registration equals a state legal vehicle. now you might be asking how this happens. this is how the politics come into play. federal standards have the 25 year law in play to keep money earned in the united states in the united states, american cars are already losing on the market and its best we not have you go straight to the source for fear that dealerships could lose their commission and so forth. why do you think toyota has started up plants in three different states now (i believe). most states have very loose laws when it comes to importing cars. it passes inspection then its a go, it doesnt then it doesnt try again next year. they arent going to try and report you for violating a federal law. chances are they use to and feds got tired of it or state feds said hey more money in your pocket (taxes). hopefully this has cleared a few things up for you. i just wanna end all the anger... wheres the love?? and what is this about angry floridians?!? all the floridians ive come by are like 60 and pot smokers in fact my old professor at mu was one haha theres alot more to law then just law guys dont forget about all the little agencies trying to get their piece, state will keep it state as long as they can. please close now....please...please!! i know im a rookie but u can do it moderator go ahead its ok just CLOSE IT
#74
If you don't mind, i for one would like to keep this thread open for as long as possible. Why, many reason's. Your comments are very interesting & so are "two cents" worth from other's here. Threads like this one have been posted many times asking similar question's, & each time we flush out a little more info each time, some speculation/hearsay/half truth's, & a small number of people who have conformed legitimately, but won't say officially!!
I for one have researched this subject for nearly five years! & when push comes to shove not one person, officially/unofficially has been able to backup/offer any real help/paid or not! [ These are from my own personal experiences ] & i have not put my two pennies worth in yet because i have not exhausted all lines of enquiry/contacts.
I would not be so arrogant as to have all the answers, but i do know that some people have not been straight up so to speak for what ever reason, but i can read between the lines! [ hope im not talking in riddles ] for those of you who do know what i am talking about, & for some of the posting's above documenting say a JDM car, legitimising it is a mine-field. So do not take it for granted that you will conform your car or some dealership will help you[before you get it into the USA ]
Granted you can cheat, but who want's to be looking over their shoulder all the time!
Im trying to keep this brief, as i could go on all day, but so far this has been one of the most informative threads. Trust me when i say that some of the above comments has taken some years of coaching to bring these people out of the wood works! lol.
I for one have researched this subject for nearly five years! & when push comes to shove not one person, officially/unofficially has been able to backup/offer any real help/paid or not! [ These are from my own personal experiences ] & i have not put my two pennies worth in yet because i have not exhausted all lines of enquiry/contacts.
I would not be so arrogant as to have all the answers, but i do know that some people have not been straight up so to speak for what ever reason, but i can read between the lines! [ hope im not talking in riddles ] for those of you who do know what i am talking about, & for some of the posting's above documenting say a JDM car, legitimising it is a mine-field. So do not take it for granted that you will conform your car or some dealership will help you[before you get it into the USA ]
Granted you can cheat, but who want's to be looking over their shoulder all the time!
Im trying to keep this brief, as i could go on all day, but so far this has been one of the most informative threads. Trust me when i say that some of the above comments has taken some years of coaching to bring these people out of the wood works! lol.
#75
Unfortunately, new rules and tight regulations prevent you from getting 'new dealer/temp tags'. Police etc usually run the plates back to the dealer to make sure the vehicle was purchased from there. Serious fines and trouble are a consequence