• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Getting a foreign car to the US

S

Shanteli

Senior member
Does anybody know what the laws/regulations are for registering a foreign car (not for the US market) in the states? For example...I want the Acura EL that is in Canada, but are there any weird procedures that I have to go through or do I just buy it up there and drive it accross the border.
 
You can get it into the US, you just might not be able to register it unless it meets emissions requirements.

Is the EL a Civic with a VTEC?
 
It's like a pimped up civic if I remember correctly, at least in interior and carries the Acura badge. I was interested in them at one point.

You can definitely get some websites on this but AFAIK It's easier to bring to the US than the other way around. Plan on paying some taxes on it though.
 
I thought that getting the car registered and everything was still incredibly difficult? I live right across the border from Windsor, and I know the deals on cars are much better over there...and I'm also looking to get a new car soon. Nothing new has changed with regulations, has it?
 
oh I see....so in a nutshell it would be more trouble than it is worth I guess...yeah I did see that it was just a souped up civic (intererior)...but I'm a sucker for leather and luxury 🙂 Thx though
 
Horsepower, SAE net 127 hp @ 6300 rpm 127 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque, SAE net 114 lbs.-ft. @ 4800 rpm 114 lbs.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
Bore & Stroke 75 mm x 94.4 mm 75 mm x 94.4 mm
Displacement 1668 cc 1668 cc
Click to expand...

that just ain't right
 
Originally posted by: Shanteli
oh I see....so in a nutshell it would be more trouble than it is worth I guess...yeah I did see that it was just a souped up civic (intererior)...but I'm a sucker for leather and luxury 🙂 Thx though
Click to expand...

I know the 1.6ELs had the suspension from the Civic SiR combined with the luxury of an Acura (leather, etc..)
 
I dont know how far the CA law goes but you need 7500 miles minimum to register a car / bike from out of state.

Not sure about a car from over the border.

 
Originally posted by: The_good_guy
I dont know how far the CA law goes but you need 7500 miles minimum to register a car / bike from out of state.

Not sure about a car from over the border.
Click to expand...

Thats stupid and weird...
 
Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Why would anyone import something so pointless?
Click to expand...

have you ever driven a EL? There's a reason they are so popular over here.
Click to expand...

What's so great about them? It still get's you 127 HP (at the crank) and displaces less than my 2 liter of soda. If you want a luxury car get a Lexus, Benz, BMW, etc. If you want a fast car get a Supra, 300ZX, FD, etc. Why get a car that's not really that great in either class? Just my opinion anyway. Everyone has different tastes though.

 
Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Why would anyone import something so pointless?
Click to expand...

have you ever driven a EL? There's a reason they are so popular over here.
Click to expand...

What's so great about them? It still get's you 127 HP (at the crank) and displaces less than my 2 liter of soda. If you want a luxury car get a Lexus, Benz, BMW, etc. If you want a fast car get a Supra, 300ZX, FD, etc. Why get a car that's not really that great in either class? Just my opinion anyway. Everyone has different tastes though.
Click to expand...

Well not everyone can afford a Lexus, Benz, or BMW. But they can afford a EL, which gives them the some luxury appointments (such as woodgrain, leather seats, climate control, better suspension tuning) while the reliablitly/effiency of a Civic. Plus they have a better ride than the Civic. They aren't fast by any means nor do they intend to be fast.
 
Originally posted by: kami333
Text

or

Text

Seems to be much easier than trying to bring one from say Japan.
Click to expand...

Ok all of that stuff is crazy and pricy....doesn't the fvckin govt tax us enough already? Anyway...yeah I was only asking cuz I saw an EL with Washington State plates in Nevada and was so puzzled at what it was...but from what it seems like...it was an expensive venture to get that car to where it is. Sad...cuz I would probably want to get one of those instead of an EX or even Si.
 
my mom and ex-step dad used to run a car importation business that imported cars from the US to canada and vice-versa. basically there is a ton of paperwork involved with agencies like DOT, the MTO, EPA, there's border hassles, registration is a pain, of course the speedometer needs to be converted, of course the car must meet applicable EPA emissions requirements. and of course all the middlemen along the way want their cut of $...

they did all this like a well oiled machine since they did it in volume, but it takes a bit of manpower. try to look for a registered importer (RI) in your area.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top