[i_need_a_faster_car]

just a few simple questions:
will a japanese sti not pass u.s. emissions tests? if it can't, can it be modified to pass? if it could be modified, how much would that cost?

what would it cost, in u.s. $, to purchase one of these babies in japan?

food for thought.

okay, that's two posts in one day as a new member, so i'll just sit back now and wait for the feedback.

thanks guys.

 

[ccakinberk]

Just to give you an idea Lancer Evo 7 can be imported and modified to pass emmisions for $36,500. Not too bad. You can buy the car in Japan for around $28,000.

 

[i_need_a_faster_car]

Hey CC,
When you say "You can buy the car in Japan for around $28,000" are you talking about the EVO or the STi?
Thanks

 

[Vanya]

Remember, though, that you'll also need to pass bumper / collision tests before it's allowed into the U.S. Go to the U.S. Customs service web site, and search under "import vehicle". A little bit of searching will show you what you'd need to do to *legally* import a car into the U.S.

 

[i_need_a_faster_car]

I emailed Subaru yesterday concerning this subject, and once again I was pleased to receive a very speedy response...less than 24 hours. Hats off to Denise and Sandi...you go girls. Anyway, below is Denise's reply concerning importing a car. I can't say it is encouraging, but at least we have a little more info on the subject now.
------------------------------------------

Thanks for your reply and interest in the STi. The following
information
might be helpful to you.

It is almost impossible for a private person to import a car that does
not
meet U.S. regulations. However, a "Registered Importer" can bring the
car
in and bring it into compliance. This is a very expensive process and
the
buyer should be prepared to spend a small fortune to bring the car into
compliance. After emission regulations are met, the performance may
not be
what the customer was buying the car for in the first place.

1. The New Model WRX STi (high performance) version is currently
available
only in Japan and only right hand drive.

2. If you have never imported an "out of compliance" car before, you
should
first contact a "Registered Importer" who can make sure that all import
regulations and EPA, VMVSS and NHTSA regulations are taken care of to
allow
the car to be registered and driven on the U.S. highways.

7. If you intend to race the car only, the regulations are less
stringent,
but still must be imported through a "Registered Importer" (R.I.)

8. I have attached the NHTSA list of licensed importers. You may want
to
contact one before you start the process. The importer can also make
contact
with a dealer in Europe.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/RiHT0012.html One of the
Registered Importers on the list was not very confident that the WRX
STi
could be brought into compliance.

Best wishes!

Denise L. Schwartz

 

[danc]

They need to update their info.

"1. The New Model WRX STi (high performance) version is currently available only in Japan and only right hand drive. "

Nope. UK and other places have them now.

 

[jesse370]

Besides the high costs of importing it what do you do if you break something that is ONLY on the sti??? You get hurt real bad when the bill comes in.

 

[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

Someone on this board (he was from some tropical place...) was asking if anyone wanted to buy an import; a company he knows is bringing over actual JDM STi's. Check past posts.

 

[White97SVT]

Does anyone know of any company's that import cars from overseas and make them the US standards. The only company I can think of off the top of my head is Motorex, and they import Skylines to the US. Does anyone know if there are any others?