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For sake of argument........

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#1
If you live in the US and really really want the new 1.5, could you import it? Goes without saying but it would be really expensive if yes.
 


Dpro

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#2
if you had lots of money you could make an attempt. Bill Gates tried back in the 90’s with a Porsche Model not available in the U.S. It used to be you could bring what is called grey market cars. Though after BMW and Mercedes through a hissy fit saying it was affecting their sales it was effectively banned. This was back in the late 80’s early 90’s.
The biggest part of the problem though is the fact that Ford no longer sells small cars in the U.S. and outside of doing some really shiesty shit. It would never fly purely for that fact. Now if you wait 25 years then you could bring one in. Under the 25 year law which is why you are seeing more Nissan Skyline R32 GTR’s around.
 


M-Sport fan

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#3
Yes, technically one should be able to bring in an Escort Cossie RS relatively hassle free now, but I'm not sure just how many of the road going ones are left in LHD (ALL of the fully rally prepped ones were LHD though).
 


Dpro

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#4
Yes, technically one should be able to bring in an Escort Cossie RS relatively hassle free now, but I'm not sure just how many of the road going ones are left in LHD (ALL of the fully rally prepped ones were LHD though).
Two have already been brought in, Problem is they are already going for upwards of 35-55k in Europe at this point and thats before importation. At that price point there becomes a lot of options car wise.
https://bringatrailer.com/2018/04/04/drive-at-25-ford-escort-rs-cosworth/
 


Erick_V

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#5
If you had enough money to buy a few of them I'm sure one of them would make it through because they don't have time to thoroughly check everything that comes in. But yeah, $$$. I'm in the process of purchasing, storing and LEGALLY importing a 99-02 Nissan Silvia S15 so unfortunately, I still have 4-6 years till I see it stateside. I'll pay decent money for one but at least I'll own it before inflation hits. I'm not the kind of person to illegally import and drive a vehicle that shouldn't be here, too much at risk. I could get away with it because Texas but I still couldn't risk it. But if you get one here before I take my next trip to Europe (when COVID stops being a thing) I have to drive it lol
 


flbchbm

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#6
If the vehicle is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation. A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

also:
https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ Site/pages/page2.html#Anchor-13029
 


SPhilli911

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#7
Yes, technically one should be able to bring in an Escort Cossie RS relatively hassle free now, but I'm not sure just how many of the road going ones are left in LHD (ALL of the fully rally prepped ones were LHD though).
Unrelated to the original topic, kinda, but there were a few Escort Cosworth RSs (something like 30 cars) imported to the US long before they were 25 years old. They were "legally" imported over by a company called Sun International, however, that was in the 90's and I imagine importing a car in the "gray" market then was a whole lot easier.

Saw this one in 2006 with Connecticut plates which blew my mind since I had no idea there were any here. Since then I've been keeping an eye on them, because I would love to own one, but they go for a steep price weather you are importing one or buying one of the gray market ones.
 


M-Sport fan

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#8
Yes, I know all about Sun International, but yeah they, along with all of the other gray market importers were forced out of business by new laws in the '00s.

I did NOT realize that even as many as 30 road going Cossie RSes were brought in though.
I have never seen one on the road, or in road going/FULLY street legal form, as every one I've seen was totally rally prepped, and entered in a stage rally (even though technically, those cars are supposed to be street legal, and they must be registered in some state, and insured, but in reality, they are street legal ONLY as far as headlights, brake lights/turn signals, flashers, and the horn are concerned).

BTW; NICE Speedlines on that pristine example above, is that the upper lot @ LRP??
 


Hypergram

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#9
if you had lots of money you could make an attempt. Bill Gates tried back in the 90’s with a Porsche Model not available in the U.S. It used to be you could bring what is called grey market cars. Though after BMW and Mercedes through a hissy fit saying it was affecting their sales it was effectively banned. This was back in the late 80’s early 90’s.
The biggest part of the problem though is the fact that Ford no longer sells small cars in the U.S. and outside of doing some really shiesty shit. It would never fly purely for that fact. Now if you wait 25 years then you could bring one in. Under the 25 year law which is why you are seeing more Nissan Skyline R32 GTR’s around.
All the JDM boys are probably counting down the days until they can import an R34 in 2025. Can't wait to see how high the prices get. Best to buy one now while they're cheaper, import it and don't drive it. An interesting loop hole (for all imports I think) is that you can import any car and drive it BUT only to keep it running properly, so very limited mileage. Expect regular odometer checks from the DMV or the state or whatever. I think Adam LZ does this with a GTR in the states.
 


SPhilli911

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#10
Yes, I know all about Sun International, but yeah they, along with all of the other gray market importers were forced out of business by new laws in the '00s.

I did NOT realize that even as many as 30 road going Cossie RSes were brought in though.
I have never seen one on the road, or in road going/FULLY street legal form, as every one I've seen was totally rally prepped, and entered in a stage rally (even though technically, those cars are supposed to be street legal, and they must be registered in some state, and insured, but in reality, they are street legal ONLY as far as headlights, brake lights/turn signals, flashers, and the horn are concerned).

BTW; NICE Speedlines on that pristine example above, is that the upper lot @ LRP??
Yup, good eye that's the upper lot at LRP. That picture is over a decade old so cant speak on whether that car is pristine anymore. I saw it one other time at a shop here in CT in 2009 but never again since. Hopefully it remains on the road and was not used for rallies. Not that I dont like a good rally spec Cosworth RS just that the road cars are so rare nowadays.

There was also a blue model imported by Sun that remains in road spec here in the US and has been for sale not too long ago. If I had the money it would go next to my Fiesta in the garage. :cool:
 


flbchbm

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#11
HOW TO BUY AND STORE A R34 NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R IN JAPAN

We are happy to be able to offer this option to purchase a R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R in advance, to avoid the inevitable price increase as we get closer to 2024. The cars are not eligible for import until January 2024. * Current prices range from $60,000 to $90,000 based on condition.Current prices range from $60,000 to $90,000 based on condition. Jan 20, 2020

https://www.importavehicle.com/blog...are happy to be,to $90,000 based on condition.
 


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#12
One option might be to bring it in as a non-road-going race vehicle, but I really can't see it as ever being worth it, when there are so many other, cooler, race car options.
 


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