Newbie Yank with a JDM

[Ardell]

Hi, I'm jazzed to find this club, even though I live in Utah, there's a wealth of info on here.
Yeah, I've successfully imported a '92 JDM 4x4 turbodiesel Starwagon into the states from BC, so if anyone has any questions about the process, I think I have it all figured out now.
Thanks for letting me in! there's almost no JDM owners in the US to connect with.

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Hi Ardell,
Welcome to forum!

Steven

[jessef]

Welcome and we'd love for you to share the process of how you got it down there.

[pajerochris]

Welcome to the forum Ardell! Did you get a lot of border trouble bringing that thing across? Interesting that it was successful, can't wait to see pictures!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hi Ardell, welcome to Delica Canada

We have a few members from south of the border, good to have our American Neighbours involved. Most of the American contingent are Mitsubishi Vanwagon drivers, 'though there are a couple that have discovered ways of importing JDMs (and insuring them), one being from Florida (something to do with state laws as opposed to federal laws). I have an associate from Gearbox Magazine, out of Phoenix, Arizona ~ who would love to import a Delica Starwagon, so please let us know how you did it.

Falco.

[DR1665]

I have an associate from Gearbox Magazine, out of Phoenix, Arizona ~ who would love to import a Delica Starwagon, so please let us know how you did it.

You rang, sir?

Please tell me more, Ardell. The turbo on my daily driver 92 Galant VR4 died last week, I swapped in the turbo from my 91 (would-be race car) yesterday afternoon, and proceeded to lunch the rest of the engine on start-up. Most bizarre string of bad luck I've had in several years. Spent the evening browsing Craigslist for Suzuki Samurais and Jeep Wranglers.

If there's a way to get a "Canadian" vehicle legally imported to the US, I would very much like to know more.

Thanks.

EDIT: Subscribed

[R.Costa]

Hello and Welcome!! I am also interested in how you imported your van. I myself would love to import one as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jessef]

If there's a way to get a "Canadian" vehicle legally imported to the US, I would very much like to know more.

Delica's are not Canadian vehicles but one's that are over 25 years old are eligible for legal importation to the US.

Direct from an RI as of today, nothing has changed in the rulebook to legally allow these rigs in the US.

If they are there and registered, it's through a loophole large or small. Liability always comes up in conversations and still to this date, the onus falls square upon the owner.

Heed of caution to the OP, if you're in one of the loopholes, keep the details to yourself so you don't get the 'man' on your trail.

I see no problem giving the finger to the 'man' so long as you guys who are flying under the radar keep your JDM's safe from accidents.

From the past 3 years I've made contact with these guys that have their rigs state licensed and registered on the road with state plates. Two of them are on this forum and the others lurk as guests to not attract attention.

OR - 2 L400's
AZ - 1 poptop L300 + yours now
FL - 1 L400's and 2 Pajero LWB's
WA - 1 L300 and 1 Pajero SWB

Pictures would be nice ! (remove/erase your license plate before posting them though)

[DR1665]

Copy that, jfar. Appreciate the head's up. I've read up on the matter extensively and was familiar with the 25 year rule and loopholes. Ironically, I caught news over the weekend that Ford and GM bickering over "longest lasting, most dependable trucks" all whilst lobbying to get petty laws like this enacted to protect them from competition. Everyone knows the longest lasting, most dependable truck in the world if the Toyota Hilux.

My aim is to have a facelifted third gen Delica. Guess I can legitimately import one in four years or so, but by then, there's a pretty good chance I'll be living in Canada. (I have this rare desire to actually earn my citizenship somewhere and, well, I like a lot of what I'm learning about the Great White North.)