importing a scirocco?

[jason@scirocco.org (Jason)]

At 09:30 AM 1/30/2003, Foxx (in a box) wrote:

>   i know it's been discussed before and i have read some topics on the 
> subject and have visited the nhtsa's web site. seems like all you'd have 
> to do is swap things over to make it compatible with u.s. regualations. 
> about the only items i can think of would be bumpers and headlights. 
> everything else, afaik, should be the same. i'm sure that emissions would 
> be similar, but since i'm not sure about the various little items like 
> that, i can't be positive.
>   the other tid-bit i heard was in regards to the rally golfs. apparently 
> they CAN be imported, but have to be gone through and converted to u.s. 
> spec at the import yard. unfortunately they end up destroying the 
> euro-spec parts in the process. i'm just curious to know other peoples 
> thoughts on shipping the u.s.-spec parts over to europe, having them 
> installed, then have the whole car shipped over (euro-spec parts 
> contained in the car, of course). if something like this can happen, i 
> have a feeling that dirk may be kicking my ass. any responses welcome.

It is *infinitely* more complicated to bring in a car than just changing 
lights and bumpers.  The list of things that need to conform to US Specs is 
pages and pages long, starting with glass, seatbelt buzzers, side-impact 
door beams, you name it.

The hardest part is emissions compliance.  Even if you buy a Euro-Spec 
Scirocco with the best emissions available on it, it won't pass.  The test 
to bring the car in isn't the normal "emissions test" that some of us have 
-- it's the same emissions test that the manufacturers had to put the cars 
through when new.  So basically, the car would have to pollute no more now 
than it did when new... both from the engine as well as evaporative 
emissions... so you'll probably have to replace every hose, fuel injection, 
and exhaust component on the car.  There is one place only in the USA that 
does the testing -- in New York I believe.

I've been quoted between $5000 and $8000 to bring a Euro-spec car into 
compliance - and even that is no guarantee.  The emissions test is one of 
the more expensive parts of that, and there's no guarantee you'll ever get 
it to pass.  All the companies that do compliance work have told me that 
unless the car is worth over $100k, it's just not worth it.

Canada will allow cars 15+ years old in with no questions asked.  The US 
has a similar exclusion at 25 years.
Before I'd try to bring a Scirocco under 25 years old into the US, I'd have 
someone import it into Canada first, and then see if I could get a US title 
for it...  Either way, it's a crap shoot, and probably not worth the hassle. :(

Jason

PS:  I'm the first to say the US' policy sucks.  Why should the government 
care if I want a 20 year old car for my own personal enjoyment?  Selfish 
bastards.