importing a scirocco?

[scirocco@powerlink.net (John C. Worden)]

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At 10:32 AM 1/30/03 -0500, Jason wrote:

>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.
>
>
>_______________________________________________
Depending on how your handles registering  vehicles, getting one imported 
to Canada might be the easy way.  If it were me doing it, considering how 
Maine does things(and I have no idea how other states do) I would get one 
imported to a lister in Canada.  They register it and drive it over to 
"visit" me. They write me, or I write myself a sales slip.   I give them a 
ride home. I then insure it, and then go to my town office(city hall to you 
city people), and register it.  This is assuming it's an older Scirocco, 
because newer than '86, I would need a title.  Older than that, all I need 
is to have it registered and a handwritten sales slip.  They charge me 
whatever sales tax is for the amount paid(never write more than $250 or 
so), look up the excise tax in their book and type up a registration.  Good 
to go.  Gotta love small states.  Hopefully your state is something like this.

John

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