Skylines?

[jesse096]

So what's the deal with them anyway? I keep reading about motorex cars and having to be legalized, what's so illegal about them? Were they shipped over from Japan?

-Jesse

[ambitiousCK]

So what's the deal with them anyway? I keep reading about motorex cars and having to be legalized, what's so illegal about them? Were they shipped over from Japan?

-Jesse

Google it. I know that R34s don't pass emissions, need bumper and door re-enforcments, new glass, and I think are almost impossible to import as a whole car now. R32 and R33 are "easier" to be brought over but I think it's still a hassle, any R32, R33, or R34 is rare but the rarest by far is the R34 GTR. If you'd want a R34 GTR you need to have it taken apart, shipped over, and re-assembled as a kit car and then do the proper modifications to have it pass DOT specifications. Be prepared to spend 40-60k for a SHELL of a R34 GTR and then another 40-80k in importing fees and collecting all the other essential parts to have a running car, the Brembos, the RB26 (or whatever motor you want), tranny, rims, ect. Also the company you spoke of is no longer running. I'm sure there's more info than what I can provide and I'm sure someone on here can enlighten you more on the situation.

[xEJ20x]

I always thought this subject was beaten to death already....

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/faq%20site/pages/page10.html

http://www.insideline.com/nissan/gt-r/how-to-buy-a-nissan-skyline-gt-r-in-america-right-now.html

[jpalamar]

Move to Japan if you want one.

[Dustin]

basically, don't worry about it

[97TurboDSM]

take it easy on the new thread button, chief.

[jesse096]

Just looking for some answers, no I don't want to get one, I was juts wondering why it was so hard to get one DOT approved... you guys don't have to be suck dicks either... a simple answer is all I'm looking for, not a **** throwing contest...

-Jesse

[jesse096]

Google it. I know that R34s don't pass emissions, need bumper and door re-enforcments, new glass, and I think are almost impossible to import as a whole car now. R32 and R33 are "easier" to be brought over but I think it's still a hassle, any R32, R33, or R34 is rare but the rarest by far is the R34 GTR. If you'd want a R34 GTR you need to have it taken apart, shipped over, and re-assembled as a kit car and then do the proper modifications to have it pass DOT specifications. Be prepared to spend 40-60k for a SHELL of a R34 GTR and then another 40-80k in importing fees and collecting all the other essential parts to have a running car, the Brembos, the RB26 (or whatever motor you want), tranny, rims, ect. Also the company you spoke of is no longer running. I'm sure there's more info than what I can provide and I'm sure someone on here can enlighten you more on the situation.

Thanks for the info, wish others would be as helpful as you man...

-Jesse

[Dustin]

Reason I just said don't worry about it because there is sooooo much to explain, different scenarios, different ways, better off searching and learning yourself

[Sberk06]

agreed. move to japan for a year and i guarantee you will get sick of them fast. skylines in japan are like mustangs in the states.

[OutToWinPAHC]

There is a ton of bad info on these cars.....

You can own a skyline.... if it is 25 years old (R31), or you can get it through with paying duty and titling it under strick show purposes. However people get them through Florida and South Carolina and sell them. Once you flip title you take a gamble, because the VIN throws a red flag and the car can be seized and many have been.

Motorex did do leg work and made it so R33's could be imported. They crash tested them and they met the safety standards in order to be legal as well as required modification that were needed. However this has been lifted because they falsified information about the testing. Motorex cars are no longer legal, and the car itse;f is gray market. It's a gamble, will it be seized, who knows.

Kaizo shells are also not legal, but you can do it.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8MPCKJQzPA8/SoiF0UdvQeI/AAAAAAAAk14/R1Hu4qijNt0/SCAN0002.jpg_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800

[jesse096]

Ok that cleared it up for me, thanks.

I also apologize for my last post, i just hate when people post just to down someone thats trying to ask the tst community for some info.

-Jesse

[i_ride_fieroGT]

You cant even bring a car ocer in parts anymore A gentelmen i talked to who owned a mitsubishi FTO tried it.. as soon as the motor made its way in here all the other parts were all tossed into a storege crate and it sat in customes for 3 years at i beleave $80 a day bear in mind this was just holding fees. Import fees customs fee's etc made it to be much worse than the car was even worth.. and on top of all this customs kept the title and it cannot be titled in the US whatsoever.

Also take into account a mistubishi FTO and the skyline in japan are like mustangs and camaros here. They can be purchased for a very very low about of $$$ there. your challenge is getting it into the states.


This isant even ion imported cars... Some IMSA fiero's i know of (mine not being one of them thankfuly) cannot be title in the US not only under penelty of law (some SD4 engines will never pass todays emmissions) but also under penelty of a lawsuit from GM under one of there forbidin to drive contracts.

[jesse096]

Damn, so it's pretty much a 100K + gamble to bring one to the states... that blows!

-Jesse

[evomike]

You know this thing called google exists right?

[GOULET]

You know this thing called google exists right?

It's true Google does exist......but only people with common sense know how to use it

[Sberk06]

There is a ton of bad info on these cars.....

You can own a skyline.... if it is 25 years old (R31), or you can get it through with paying duty and titling it under strick show purposes. However people get them through Florida and South Carolina and sell them. Once you flip title you take a gamble, because the VIN throws a red flag and the car can be seized and many have been.

Motorex did do leg work and made it so R33's could be imported. They crash tested them and they met the safety standards in order to be legal as well as required modification that were needed. However this has been lifted because they falsified information about the testing. Motorex cars are no longer legal, and the car itse;f is gray market. It's a gamble, will it be seized, who knows.

Kaizo shells are also not legal, but you can do it.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8MPCKJQzPA8/SoiF0UdvQeI/AAAAAAAAk14/R1Hu4qijNt0/SCAN0002.jpg_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800



http://forums.evolutionm.net/new-off-topic/198021-bye-bye-motorex-owner-arrested-today.html

[dudewheresmycar]

if these things are so hard to import etc then why are there like 10 running around nj/ny??

[i_ride_fieroGT]

if these things are so hard to import etc then why are there like 10 running around nj/ny??

Its usualy someone with money if its a real one. I'v hears of kits you can put on a 240 to make them look like a skyline. If they were so inexpensive im sure a lot more people would have them in the tuner world.... personaly skylines dont impress me at all. Its the fast and furious movies that made most of thoes cars what they are today. The toyota supra was conciderd to be a nice preformance car but a very heavy and i'v heard said under preforming car for what it is stock. Its only because it was in the fast and furious that everyone had to have one. If they went and put a 3000GT VR4 (which i think is a much better looking car) in place of the supra you would see $40K+ price tags on them as well.

[420sx]

Canada got the skyline, and I beleive canadian skylines can be bought and titled in the US, which is probably why you see a few of them around. None of them are GTR's though.

You can get an R32 GTS-T for like $11,000 now.

[420sx]

If they went and put a 3000GT VR4 (which i think is a much better looking car) in place of the supra

:bigeek::bigeek::bigeek::bigeek::bigeek:

[mitsuboost30]

sigh where do i start

Google it. I know that R34s don't pass emissions, need bumper and door re-enforcments, new glass, and I think are almost impossible to import as a whole car now. R32 and R33 are "easier" to be brought over but I think it's still a hassle, any R32, R33, or R34 is rare but the rarest by far is the R34 GTR. If you'd want a R34 GTR you need to have it taken apart, shipped over, and re-assembled as a kit car and then do the proper modifications to have it pass DOT specifications. Be prepared to spend 40-60k for a SHELL of a R34 GTR and then another 40-80k in importing fees and collecting all the other essential parts to have a running car, the Brembos, the RB26 (or whatever motor you want), tranny, rims, ect. Also the company you spoke of is no longer running. I'm sure there's more info than what I can provide and I'm sure someone on here can enlighten you more on the situation.

CK for the most part your right.. except the 34s cant be legal there are lik5 in the states that are.. and they were because of motorex same with 32s. the 33s are the only ones that can be fed legalized anymore. only ones ever crash tested. the 32s and 34s that are fed legal, the paperwork was filed using the legal 33 paperwork. then when motorex went out of business the government was nice and grandfathered them into the system... but they cannot be fed legalized anymore AT ALL.. just to clear that up.. only the 33s can be and it cost a cool 36k to have the neccesary mods done..

There is a ton of bad info on these cars.....

You can own a skyline.... if it is 25 years old (R31), or you can get it through with paying duty and titling it under strick show purposes. However people get them through Florida and South Carolina and sell them. Once you flip title you take a gamble, because the VIN throws a red flag and the car can be seized and many have been.

Motorex did do leg work and made it so R33's could be imported. They crash tested them and they met the safety standards in order to be legal as well as required modification that were needed. However this has been lifted because they falsified information about the testing. Motorex cars are no longer legal, and the car itse;f is gray market. It's a gamble, will it be seized, who knows.

Kaizo shells are also not legal, but you can do it.
]
good job!
except for the motorex cars being legal. they are most definetly still Fed legal and will be forever!

You cant even bring a car ocer in parts anymore A gentelmen i talked to who owned a mitsubishi FTO tried it.. as soon as the motor made its way in here all the other parts were all tossed into a storege crate and it sat in customes for 3 years at i beleave $80 a day bear in mind this was just holding fees. Import fees customs fee's etc made it to be much worse than the car was even worth.. and on top of all this customs kept the title and it cannot be titled in the US whatsoever.
Also take into account a mistubishi FTO and the skyline in japan are like mustangs and camaros here. They can be purchased for a very very low about of $$$ there. your challenge is getting it into the states.
This isant even ion imported cars... Some IMSA fiero's i know of (mine not being one of them thankfuly) cannot be title in the US not only under penelty of law (some SD4 engines will never pass todays emmissions) but also under penelty of a lawsuit from GM under one of there forbidin to drive contracts.

completely wrong.. go read some more..
i know somone that just imported 4 shells then parts...

Damn, so it's pretty much a 100K + gamble to bring one to the states... that blows!

-Jesse
not that much but yes its a gamble.. and even when u get it to the states its a constant gamble..

Canada got the skyline, and I beleive canadian skylines can be bought and titled in the US, which is probably why you see a few of them around. None of them are GTR's though.

You can get an R32 GTS-T for like $11,000 now.

they used to be able to but they are being seized at the canadian border now
thats no longer a possibility for bringing them in.. i know people that can title em.. but you still have to get it over the border with is hard now.. the person in canada will sell u the car and meet u at the border.. but good luck lol.



hope that answers some of your questions... but alot of this stuff shouldnt be in open forums............................................ ......

[AlterEvo]

got a friend who has a r32, but he has it titled as a 240 to 'elude' customs (or so he claims, dunno if that's even possible or not) It's legit, RHD, etc. but it was origionally imported from canda

like most everyone, I'd love to have one, but i'd honestly get sick of going thru drive-thru's and toll booths in reverse LOL ;)



on second thought, i still want one!

[jesse096]

Skylines are sick but it's a lot of work just to get them here, then to keep them here as well... I never knew it was so hard...

-Jesse

[95naSTA]

The only 100% legal way to get a 24 yr old and under JDM car into the states if it's intended to be registered..
- has to be on the nhtsa approved vehicle list
-must be imported through a registered importer
-must put down payment on the conversion costs needed to make it DOT compliant while the car is still in Japan

-If the car is 25+ yrs old then it's a lot easier but still needs to be imported through a registered importer
-Importing a car as a 'show car' with mileage limitaion, emissions exempt, needs to be approved and it very hard to do so.

You can take the drivetrain etc. out of a car and have it legally imported as parts but you can't just put it together and have it be fed legal.

Most kit/custom car titles depending on the state are vague enough to where changing a few parts here and there qualifies a car as such. It has to meet certain DOT requirements via special inspection. Those requirements aren't too bad though. Grey area or not, if you reassemble a jdm car here, you didn't follow the correct importation process, and risk seizure.

If you know people, and want to risk bringing a whole car over here, your biggest inconvenience could just be the paperwork..

[Jjaeger240]

I can't believe people still think there are real Skylines in the US. Look closely next time at roof lines.

"R32 Skylines" are Honda Preludes with a 13 piece body kit. People will swap in a D16Z6 paired with a Civic wagovan trans to make them AWD.
"R33 Skylines" are Nissan 240sx (95-98, also known as zenki and kouki for those that Aced Japanese in high school) with an 11 piece body kit. These are all RWD only, no one does both.
"R34 Skylines" are the most rare because no one makes a full body conversion so you have to hire a body shop to do full custom bondo work to convert a vehicle to look like one.

[VERTZX]

i love how people say that this is a waste of a thread. that he dont know how to use google etc. your little jab at his thread is JUST as useful as you claim his thread to be. your comments arent changing ****. people that HAVE information will post regardless. get off his case. if its all gonna be negative then dont say anything. you are all drama queens.

as far as a skyline jess, keep looking for the right cobalt lol.

[Mr.2jz-GE]

to be honest i like skylines all because of fast and the furious lol..O.o but i love the way r34 r so clean looking

[jesse096]

as far as a skyline jess, keep looking for the right cobalt lol.

I'm still looking mang, I just wanted some info on the whole "Skylines are illeagal" thing.

And thanks to everyone else who posted HELPFUL comments.

-Jesse

[Maxxdsix]

I can't believe people still think there are real Skylines in the US. Look closely next time at roof lines.

"R32 Skylines" are Honda Preludes with a 13 piece body kit. People will swap in a D16Z6 paired with a Civic wagovan trans to make them AWD.
"R33 Skylines" are Nissan 240sx (95-98, also known as zenki and kouki for those that Aced Japanese in high school) with an 11 piece body kit. These are all RWD only, no one does both.
"R34 Skylines" are the most rare because no one makes a full body conversion so you have to hire a body shop to do full custom bondo work to convert a vehicle to look like one.
................???????????????????

You sir seem a little uneducated when it comes to this topic.

And I love Skylines and always have, FnF made them popular, but they were always SICK cars. Rick is crazy about skylines being overrated, and a 3000gt over a supra...?

I doubt anyone can argue that the R34 is overrated, or whatever it may be, its just sick...end of discussion. They dont call it Godzilla for no reason. lol


I wish that they were easier to get in the states, but im also glad that they are hard to get cuz if they were easy to get and not crazy expensive, they would be all over the place, which would make their rareness and elusiveness less.

Lets just say the R34 is a normal(not crazy rich) import gear heads Unicorn.

[Higu]

................???????????????????

You sir seem a little uneducated when it comes to this topic.


He's not being serious. But I'm pretty sure you knew that

[mitsuboost30]

The only 100% legal way to get a 24 yr old and under JDM car into the states if it's intended to be registered..
- has to be on the nhtsa approved vehicle list
-must be imported through a registered importer
-must put down payment on the conversion costs needed to make it DOT compliant while the car is still in Japan

-If the car is 25+ yrs old then it's a lot easier but still needs to be imported through a registered importer
-Importing a car as a 'show car' with mileage limitaion, emissions exempt, needs to be approved and it very hard to do so.

You can take the drivetrain etc. out of a car and have it legally imported as parts but you can't just put it together and have it be fed legal.

Most kit/custom car titles depending on the state are vague enough to where changing a few parts here and there qualifies a car as such. It has to meet certain DOT requirements via special inspection. Those requirements aren't too bad though. Grey area or not, if you reassemble a jdm car here, you didn't follow the correct importation process, and risk seizure.

If you know people, and want to risk bringing a whole car over here, your biggest inconvenience could just be the paperwork..

this is basically all correct... but the cars dont come in "legally" enough said..

got a friend who has a r32, but he has it titled as a 240 to 'elude' customs (or so he claims, dunno if that's even possible or not) It's legit, RHD, etc. but it was origionally imported from canda

like most everyone, I'd love to have one, but i'd honestly get sick of going thru drive-thru's and toll booths in reverse LOL ;)

on second thought, i still want one!
:eek:
thats really the type of thing that shouldnt be posted in open forums..
alot of people do that then ur REALLY asking for trouble tho.. local pd can hit u hard then...

[tims06mr]

their was a kid at hooters thursday night selling one im not up on my skylines so i dont know what one it was its a 40th anniversary one and it is reg. in florida selling it for $22,500

[mitsuboost30]

^^ its a r33 GTS thats y not AWD and has an rb25 not rb26.. they tend to sell for much less than gtr's.. the r33 gtrs go for about 30-40k or more depending on the specific car/mods

[ndubz]

If u really want one then its worth it. but u really need to consider what ur getting into cuz its a hassle. lol

[jncarnagez]

wow this thread has some good info......i was going to get a skyline but then realized what a hassle it really is.....only LEGAL skyline i think we will be driving is the R35.....but i heard canada doesnt even have the R35....is this true?

[MKIIIsuprakid]

I wonder how Paul walker got his ?! :rotfl:

[DocWalt]

The only Skyline you can legally import & convert to US standards is the R33 GTS/GTR, according to the NHTSA. Here is the list of eligible cars as of September 2010: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig010807.pdf

[jncarnagez]

worlds slowest skyline...lol

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2649520

[92sileighty]

there is usually a rule of thumb with skylines. if you have to ask about getting one then you will probably never get one. good luck though man

[jesse096]

I wasn't planning on getting one, just wanted to clear up the mystery of why it's illegal...

-Jesse

[evomike]

It's illegal because it's not made for us dot standards.

[clutchgordon86]

Move to Canada. Anything older than 15 years is legal up there, just like the 25 year law here.

[mitsuboost30]

It's illegal because it's not made for us dot standards.

DOT and EPA

[i_ride_fieroGT]

Canada got the skyline, and I beleive canadian skylines can be bought and titled in the US, which is probably why you see a few of them around. None of them are GTR's though.

You can get an R32 GTS-T for like $11,000 now.

Not true about skylines in canada.. There imported to there to. they wernt relesed in canada. Canada dosent have as strict emmissions as the US so they dont bar you from owning a skyline because of that.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

sigh where do i start



CK for the most part your right.. except the 34s cant be legal there are lik5 in the states that are.. and they were because of motorex same with 32s. the 33s are the only ones that can be fed legalized anymore. only ones ever crash tested. the 32s and 34s that are fed legal, the paperwork was filed using the legal 33 paperwork. then when motorex went out of business the government was nice and grandfathered them into the system... but they cannot be fed legalized anymore AT ALL.. just to clear that up.. only the 33s can be and it cost a cool 36k to have the neccesary mods done..


good job!
except for the motorex cars being legal. they are most definetly still Fed legal and will be forever!



completely wrong.. go read some more..
i know somone that just imported 4 shells then parts...


not that much but yes its a gamble.. and even when u get it to the states its a constant gamble..



they used to be able to but they are being seized at the canadian border now
thats no longer a possibility for bringing them in.. i know people that can title em.. but you still have to get it over the border with is hard now.. the person in canada will sell u the car and meet u at the border.. but good luck lol.



hope that answers some of your questions... but alot of this stuff shouldnt be in open forums............................................ ......



There is a big diffrence from importing select parts and shells to importing a whole car (numbers matching engine to car) and all the RPO/Recipiant info all the same. I worked in a US customs dock I Think I know what im talking about.

Also for the record he imported the FTO about 10 years ago. Regulations and restrictions have changed since than.

[mitsuboost30]

^^ well what do u think he did................ 4 cars. stripped imported everything 2 seperate containers. (alot more to it than that secrets wont be told :)).. and he had no issues... who in their right mind is going to try to import a full vehicle that is highly targeted.. you would just have to be an idiot.... just because u worked at a dock doesnt mean u know the ins and outs of importing these cars..

[jpalamar]

I worked in a US customs dock I Think I know what im talking about.

^^ well what do u think he did................ 4 cars. stripped imported everything 2 seperate containers. (alot more to it than that secrets wont be told :)).. and he had no issues... who in their right mind is going to try to import a full vehicle that is highly targeted.. you would just have to be an idiot.... just because u worked at a dock doesnt mean u know the ins and outs of importing these cars..

Exactly, Thats like saying you work for the FBI just because you are the janitor there.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

^^ well what do u think he did................ 4 cars. stripped imported everything 2 seperate containers. (alot more to it than that secrets wont be told :)).. and he had no issues... who in their right mind is going to try to import a full vehicle that is highly targeted.. you would just have to be an idiot.... just because u worked at a dock doesnt mean u know the ins and outs of importing these cars..



Yes but when your the one inspecting containers told exactley what to look for (car parts addressed to one location in diffrent shipping manifest's or car parts that arrive at diffrent times but all addressed to the same location as parts in customs storege awaiting further inspection. Its like i worked as some fork lift goon there.

[Got Insulin?]

I'm still confused that as to why anyone would even want an FTO. Ugh.

Anyways, this goes for everyone: Stop taking things so seriously, it's only the internet. Topics, like this that could have been just as easily Google'd, leave you open for it. Respect the new post button.

[mitsuboost30]

Yes but when your the one inspecting containers told exactley what to look for (car parts addressed to one location in diffrent shipping manifest's or car parts that arrive at diffrent times but all addressed to the same location as parts in customs storege awaiting further inspection. Its like i worked as some fork lift goon there.

wait so u think he sent the shells over let them sit and had the parts come to the yard at the same time the shells are sitting there..................:bigeek:
really?!

im done with u

[jesse096]

Topics, like this that could have been just as easily Google'd, leave you open for it. Respect the new post button.

S'all good. I should have googled it first, just wasn't thinking...

-Jesse

[Got Insulin?]

S'all good. I should have googled it first, just wasn't thinking...

-Jesse

No worries, d00d. It wasn't a jab at you, just an overall statement.

[elitetuning]

thread=lulz

[grmreapr]

this topic has been beaten to death over and over http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/the-facts-about-nissan-skyline-importation-into-the-united-states-1.html
I mean yeah there nice but eh In japan they actually have dealerships that only sell skylines pretty boring to them over there.

[djb5118]

I mean yeah there nice but eh In japan they actually have dealerships that only sell skylines pretty boring to them over there.

Truth. In NZ they were a dime a dozen. There are much nicer cars to lust over.

[Khellen]

I wonder how Paul walker got his ?! :rotfl:

Don't quote me on this but I don't think his is DOT legal. PROOF:

http://kakashi.joueb.com/images/The%20Fast%20and%20the%20Furious%202%20-%20Nissan%20Skyline.jpg

[supra1rd]

Canada got the skyline, and I beleive canadian skylines can be bought and titled in the US, which is probably why you see a few of them around. None of them are GTR's though.

You can get an R32 GTS-T for like $11,000 now.


You can get R32 GTR for $10,000 and US titled. Thats top secret info though :mrgreen:

In reality, the government still lets these cars into the US because its all about business now. People ship these cars in pieces or in whole, register/title them in the US and most of the time skyline owners don't get caught because cops run the plates and its registered and title under the state like any normal car and they let them go. Now, if they do get caught by FEDs, the car can be impounded but they will NOT crush it because they take these cars and resale them back to Japan dealers and put them back into the market. You really think they're gonna crush some fresh Skylines knowing they can make a ton of money off them? Our government is not dumb when it comes to making money.

My friend has a R33 GTS-T and its titled and insured and he daily drives it. He even went to the DMV to get it Inspected and he passed emissions and saftey with no problems when the safety inspection was in effect. (This is in NJ btw).

Just remember in reality, all skylines are legal. I would like for someone (which no one could) tell me whats so illegal about a Skyline? Theres no answer to that. Think about it...

[Khellen]

My friend has a R33 GTS-T and its titled and insured and he daily drives it. He even went to the DMV to get it Inspected and he passed emissions and saftey with no problems when the safety inspection was in effect. (This is in NJ btw).

Just remember in reality, all skylines are legal. I would like for someone (which no one could) tell me whats so illegal about a Skyline? Theres no answer to that. Think about it...

Did they crash test your friend's car during the safety inspection? haha

[supra1rd]

Did they crash test your friend's car during the safety inspection? haha

sorry about that I meant to say mechanical inspection not safety lol.


As far as crash testing, all skylines from 89 to 02 passed the crash test. Motorex never released that info to the public.

[max2k1]

Don't quote me on this but I don't think his is DOT legal. PROOF:

http://kakashi.joueb.com/images/The%20Fast%20and%20the%20Furious%202%20-%20Nissan%20Skyline.jpg

HAHA the epic bridge jump lol... Paul Walker got his car back when the first Fast and Furious came out. When things weren't as difficult. I remember hearing that its only 1 of 2 R34 GT-R V-Spec II's in America. Just don't know for sure

[Mr.2jz-GE]

so u cnt get a canada skyline to US titled ?