What are your thoughts on importing a vehicle from the UK to the US? Would you do it to get exactly what you wanted?
Posted by RevolutionSalty8360@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Getting rid of my Kei truck shortly and realizing that I am really going to miss driving a RHD manual car. I bought a Ridgeline to replace it and another car we had, so don’t need a new truck. I’m looking for a RHD manual BMW Z3, but they’re very hard to find in the US. Found a couple in the UK for about $5k in good shape with low miles, with shipping it would be around $8k to $10K, roughly. Do you feel its worth paying more to get exactly what you? Or would you go through a specialized import company to hand everything?
lilliitt@reddit
Importing a vehicle can turn into a paperwork nightmare fast. Between compliance, taxes, and modifications, I would only do it if the car is really worth the hassle.
lilliitt@reddit
Importing sounds cool until paperwork hits. Regulations, taxes, compliance stuff gets complicated fast. Unless the car is really special, it can turn into a headache quick.
decadentmom@reddit
This question is a state specific question. If you live in California, and intend to register the vehicle there, you are dreaming.
Chitownhustle99@reddit
I bet you can find something older and British in RHD that’s already here. That’s the easiest.
No-Sherbert-9589@reddit
The US has strict import restrictions on cars under 25 years old that are not US type approved. They have been known to seize and crush cars that seem to be imported illegally. Over 25 years old that still makes it difficult.
FaithlessnessRich490@reddit
Truth the US has the strictest safety laws in the world most cars don't pass them. And don't even try because it's so expensive
bobqzzi@reddit
Why in the world would you want a RHD car?
RevolutionSalty8360@reddit (OP)
That was my thought before I got my Kei Truck. It is by far the funnest vehicle to drive I have ever owned. Something about it is just a total joy every time I get into it.
Dedward5@reddit
They are not “fun” becuase the wheels on the wrong side, they are fun because they are small, light, manual etc. Sports Car with the wheel on the wrong side is terrible becuase it massively compromises overtaking, which got probably didn’t do a lot of in a Kei.
Former_Mud9569@reddit
also, why would you want a RHD version of a car that was sold here as LHD?
Automatic_Mulberry@reddit
Personally, I think it's a silly venture.
There are good cars in the US that you won't have issues with regarding titling, compliance, etc. It seems like a long way to go and a fair bit of risk to assume just for the quirkiness of a 25+ year old RHD car. Even though the Z3 was also sold in the US, the specific model you get from the UK will have differences apart from the obvious, and they might be enough to keep you from being able to plate it in your jurisdiction, just like the kei truck. For one example, it might have cats on it that are not approved by CARB (if your jurisdiction cares, I just don't know). And cheap German cars are pretty expensive in the long run, typically.
It's just what I would do, but I would take the $10K you expect to spend for a 25-year-old RHD Z3 which you might or might not ever get to drive on the street, and put it into a less-old Miata. You'll waste less money on bureaucracy and get to spend more of it on actual driving.
Or if you really want quirky and unusual, build yourself a kit car or something. Buy a Model A and LS swap it. Buy a model T and Busa swap it. Buy an old car and rat-rod it.
IMO, there are easier and better ways to get quirk.
RevolutionSalty8360@reddit (OP)
Very good points, thanks for the replay! Right now I've got the local DVM registration dept pretty much on speed dial. My Kei truck registration got pulled this week which sucks, but was planning on selling it anyways. After having the Kei Truck and the impending sale of it, I'm realizing how much I'm gong to miss driving a RHD manual. I drive a Volvo XC90 on a daily basis, so guess I'm looking for something the polar opposite, which the current one is. As far as repairs and maintenance, I'm lucky enough to know and be close enough to one of the best foreign car mechanics in the US. I agree there are easier and better ways, but sometimes the hassle of it all is half the fun.
Surfnazi77@reddit
I’ve done it, just ready yourself for the time it takes and have all your paperwork ready and done
RevolutionSalty8360@reddit (OP)
I'm seeing the time frame can be 3-4 months, or more. That part does not really bother me too much. It's all the other odds and ends that I'll have to research. Was it an overall difficult process?
Jamestown123456789@reddit
S2000 are like half the price in the UK they are in the U.S. that’d be my choice if you can find one aged in. May want to wait for the AP2 to be import eligible though. Land Rover Defender wouldn’t be a bad option resale value wise because of how few we go in the 90s they’re going for like $90k. If you could afford to buy and ship 2 you could probably sell one and cover the cost of the second + import costs.
TiFist@reddit
I mean, how did you get a Kei truck into the US and titled for US roads anyway? You should be aware of the 25-year restriction, yes? Most of the model years of the Z3 qualify but you'd probably be better off going through a company to ensure compliance with the law.
(not saying the laws aren't anything but stupid, but you might hit other pitfalls like not meeting the letter of the law for US lighting requirements.)
The likelihood of being able to pull one from say the UK or Ireland is that they'll have fewer miles than a LHD example driven on US roads, but at this point it's a vintage collector's car and you've got to decide what that is worth to you. You're not really comparing against the market for what LHD Z3s are out there.
(To be fair, I've never owned/driven RHD but would be open to it. I've never owned a Z3 but owned its close cousin, the (e36) 318ti California.)
RevolutionSalty8360@reddit (OP)
Got my Kei truck out of VA last March, so it was already here. I ended up licensing it as a collector in WI, but knew it was risky. Had already decided to sell it a couple weeks ago, but just got my DMV registration removal letter on Monday, so now it’s just a giant paperweight in my driveway (long story). I’ve dealt with the 25 year law, so am of course looking at 2001 and older, plus have the DMV registration inspection on speed dial.