So here's the Plan (RHD Car) - United Bimmer Community

**Chris** · 07-19-2006, 11:33 PM

So the steakhouse i work at is slated to open a week from today, which means the in about a month, i'll be ready to buy a new (used) car. I was actually thinking about importing either a BMW or one of the following: Supra, Skyline Failady [300zx] from japan. Why do this? They're cheap as balls because they didnt have to be exported. I can find someone to import it to canada for around 600 dollars (assuming i can find the patience to wait 3 weeks for a car.) And then from there i would import it to the U.S.

So the catch is, since it can't be directly imported to the us becuase thats damn near impossible with RHD cars, the goal would be to find someone to put the car in their name in canada and get it registered, and then "sell" it to me so that all i have to do is get the car to pass emissions before it passes the border.

This would have to be done because to get a RHD car into the us, the NHSTA requires that a if a LHd version of the car was sold in the US, the RHD version being imported match the safety ratings of the LHD version, which is damn near impossible.

WHY!? what all the complications? Because i love RHD cars, very unique when driven in the U.S. and you never get tired of the "where the hell is the driver!?" look from people you pass.

I figure besides the price of the car, i can get it here for foughly $1k in shipping and fees, which would include registration fees paid to the person registering the car in canada. $1k isn't all that much when you can get RHD japan spec M3's (E36) for around 8k USD.

Who knows... its an idea

witeshark · 07-19-2006, 11:42 PM

Neat idea. Cheaper to get a used USPS truck that is already RHD and here in the USA (those mini trucks are RHD to make drive + deliver post the same!)

**Cellardoor** · 07-20-2006, 12:56 AM

sounds like it could work, i would b very interested to see if this works!

-Hutch-

**Red_Rocket** · 07-20-2006, 01:00 AM

u are crazy, but hey whatever, itll be cool when you have it

**Hoppy** · 07-20-2006, 01:22 AM

mmm, absurd government rules and agencys. best of luck

**c1apton** · 07-20-2006, 03:55 AM

The idea is good but... I'd like to see you get it shipped to the US or Canada for $600. The cost of loading and unloading onto a ship costs more than that plus insuring it. Double check your source on that price. (I have crew guys who live in the UK & Europe who have bought & shipped cars back from Canada & the US and shipping is closer to $3k per vehicle)

**Dudesky** · 07-20-2006, 05:14 AM

It's probably gonna cost you some bucks to get it here from Canada as well. I think you're gonna be in for a ton of headaches, dude.

**EnvyM3** · 07-20-2006, 08:02 AM

Definitely not worth the hassle just for the sake of having a RHD car. Like c1apton said, it's going to cost a lot more than you think....roughly the price of a supercharger...chew on that thought.

I'd like to drive one sometimes though just to see how I make the transition from shifting with my right hand to shifting to the left. Prolly would take a while to get used to.

nick_318is · 07-20-2006, 08:57 AM

Goodluck if you decide to go through with this.

**94bmw325i** · 07-20-2006, 09:00 AM

Have you ever driven a RHD car in a country where basically everything else is LHD? It is fun at first, then it blows, try overtaking people all the time.

If you could get it sent over for not too much it would be cool, just have to watch out for emissions, etc.

**zeaq328i** · 07-21-2006, 03:05 AM

I drive a RHD car

**EnvyM3** · 07-21-2006, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeaq328i

I drive a RHD car

O' Rly

**///M Power** · 07-21-2006, 01:20 PM

Chris, you're not the brightest kid on the block. Stop looking for a car to impress people and start looking for a car for you to learn on. Somethign safe. Convenient. Something not stupid. Just buy a 300zx here. Buy a BMW here. What kind of drugs are you on?

**Chris** · 07-21-2006, 09:55 PM

Never touched drugs in my life and proud of it. True, its partly for show, but at the same time, my next car will be something that stays in my garage for the rest of m natural born life, and I'd like it to be something really special, and if that means i have to pay a premim on it, so be it.

**c1apton** · 07-21-2006, 10:03 PM

If anything it will be a learning curve for you. I highly doubt it'll be a car you keep for your lifetime. I said that years ago (some 50 cars ago...lol) but times, situations and your own personal tastes change. Just look at what cars were hot 10 years ago vs now. If it's something you think viable - go for it. Just be prepared for things to change and don't get yourself "boxed into a corner" where other things in your world are going to suffer if it don't work out.

"Don't bet the ranch on a one time long shot"