2005+ interesting cars to import?

[ragu]

Now that many of 1990s JDM cars have seen their escalation for various reasons eg US import, buyers racing 30+, insta etc, I’m starting to think about cars that are legal to import today in Canada but not in US or have lots of eyes on them. What would be such examples? I can’t think of any post 2005…

Open to jdm or European markets.

[rage2]

CLK Black Series in 2 years. Euro spec with the recarro seats and extended carbon fiber. It’s too bad the market went nuts at the worst time. Completely unobtainable for me now. Lots more cars I’d like at that price range.

[Neil4Speed]

In terms of cars that you would not be able to find in a USDM equiv...

Perhaps Alfa Romeo Brera? Not exactly an exciting driver from what I have read but great look to them.

If you are really quirky, perhaps a Citroen C6 - the last true weird (mainstream) French car?

[ercchry]

You’ve got about a year for the R35 GT-R to be legal

[tonytiger55]

SEAT Leon Cupra R

[Buster]

You’ve got about a year for the R35 GT-R to be legal

Jesus we're all getting old.

[ragu]

You’ve got about a year for the R35 GT-R to be legal

Isn’t that already here, or you’re referring to steering wheels on rhd?

[flipstah]

Scirocco

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

TVR Sagaris

[haggis88]

FD2 Civic Type-R (or FN2 Civic Type-R hatch if you're feeling whimsical, i think those were EUDM rather than JDM though.)

MY2007, so March for those guys :)

[danno]

B7 rs4 avant- I’d take one of those with the wingback seats and proper steering wheel.

[ercchry]

Isn’t that already here, or you’re referring to steering wheels on rhd?

Yeah, you asked about importing :dunno:

But you might be better off sending them back to japan… cheapest one outside of auctions right now :barf:

https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/NISSAN/GT-R/700090231930211007001/index.html

I don’t see how importing makes sense right now, especially with shipping cost increases, don’t even want to know what ro-ro is these days

[ExtraSlow]

And shipping delays, probably add two months onto your timeline.

[Tik-Tok]

Business in the front, party in the back. Let your inner redneck be free!

103189

[ThePenIsMightier]

That looks like a modified Monte Carlo SS.

[bjstare]

B7 rs4 avant- I’d take one of those with the wingback seats and proper steering wheel.

Now we're talkin. I was struggling to think of a LHD car that I'd want (that's attainable) in this category, that's a great call though.

[Tik-Tok]

That looks like a modified Monte Carlo SS.

It's the epitome of Australian cars, the GM ute.

[flipstah]

Business in the front, party in the back. Let your inner redneck be free!

103189

I've always wanted a Maloo SV. Dare to dream.

[ExtraSlow]

Australian performance ute is the absolute correct answer here. Incredible. I'm sending reps to you from every one of my alts.

[T-Dubbs]

I've always wanted a Maloo SV. Dare to dream.

+1

makes me wanna grow a mullet!

[Buster]

I dont think I could go RHD

[bjstare]

I dont think I could go RHD

Agreed. I think the only RHD cars I would ever consider would be R33 or R34 GT-R. Small small chance of a TVR. There's just so many good LHD cars out there, and RHD seems like such a pain in the dick.

[mr2mike]

I dont think I could go RHD

Try the Stranger first. See if you like it.

[ercchry]

RHD isn’t too bad… the important thing is to not use it as a daily driver… not cause of the steering wheel placement, but cause it’s gonna be a 15+ year old car and likely to have hard to source replacement parts. But as a toy, LHD/RHD… meh, not a big deal. The only thing that throws you when switching back and forth is wiper/turn signal placement. Once had the same chassis in both configurations and that would get me every damn time. Also insurance, what’s that like these days?

[Shlade]

RHD isn’t too bad… the important thing is to not use it as a daily driver… not cause of the steering wheel placement, but cause it’s gonna be a 15+ year old car and likely to have hard to source replacement parts. But as a toy, LHD/RHD… meh, not a big deal. The only thing that throws you when switching back and forth is wiper/turn signal placement. Once had the same chassis in both configurations and that would get me every damn time. Also insurance, what’s that like these days?

Im picking up a new daily which is a RHD and guess they can only do liability coverage on them these days. Not sure if thats just intact but i have heard some companies can fully insure them.

[T-Dubbs]

Im picking up a new daily which is a RHD and guess they can only do liability coverage on them these days. Not sure if thats just intact but i have heard some companies can fully insure them.

what did you get?

[ragu]

Yes, c63 amg, rs4, v10m5… can have all in wagon format out of Japan or European market… nothing else comes to mind. I agree re RHD, but Europe is LHD and gets more cars than us.

[gyromonkey]

Cooperators offers full coverage on RHD cars.

[The BMW Guy]

How easy is it to ship from Europe? Japan seems like a well travelled path with a pretty good system. Haven't heard of too many importing LHD from Europe, guessing maybe Germany is the best ?

[4WARNED]

I'd call it Kermit. LHD ones available too - in Mexico of all places.
probably not on anyone's desirable list but i'm weird that way.
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[ExtraSlow]

I'd call it Kermit. LHD ones available too - in Mexico of all places.
probably not on anyone's desirable list but i'm weird that way. This makes me uncomfortably horny.

[flipstah]

How easy is it to ship from Europe? Japan seems like a well travelled path with a pretty good system. Haven't heard of too many importing LHD from Europe, guessing maybe Germany is the best ?

I’ve seen imported Defenders from Spain to Calgary

[bjstare]

I'd call it Kermit. LHD ones available too - in Mexico of all places.
probably not on anyone's desirable list but i'm weird that way.


You got that right. Only thing worse than RHD is FWD.

[tonytiger55]

If you want Japanese(JDM) you can also get them sourced from the UK. The JDM imports come under the grey import market from Japan. Can't remember if its still done. Growing up there were a lot of imported Supras and Skylines in my hood in the late 90s.

[ercchry]

Speaking of UK… getting close to the KTM x-bow being legal

[ragu]

I'd call it Kermit. LHD ones available too - in Mexico of all places.
probably not on anyone's desirable list but i'm weird that way.
103195

Was that AWD like the last focus RS?

[Homerrca]

I know its not after 2005 but maybe a few vw bugs from Mexico. I believe they stopped making that style in 2003.

[bjstare]

was that awd like the last focus rs?

fwd.

[haggis88]

fwd.

but with that nice 5cyl Volvo lump if i'm not mistaken

[Agent_Oorange]

Clk dtm :drool:

[bjstare]

but with that nice 5cyl Volvo lump if i'm not mistaken

It could have the AMG V12 from a Pagani for all I care. If it's fwd it's still a turd in my books. :rofl:

[T-Dubbs]

It could have the AMG V12 from a Pagani for all I care. If it's fwd it's still a turd in my books. :rofl:

+1