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We should begin discussing and maybe even planning at least a small group effort to import some cars and parts. The basic rule I'm aware of, though I have not thoroughly checked it out yet is that an imported passenger car would have to be at least 25 years old to import and legally tag for driving purposes in most states. I'm sure there are the Federal rules and additional state rules to beware of.
IIRC, Festivas (I'm including the other two types when I say this) were made from 1986 to 2000 (Kia Pride). This means that 1987 and 1987 ones should be immediately drivable here. Year 2000 Prides would have to wait until 2025 to drive ("only" 12-13 years hence). Do the math on all the in-between years.
For example, getting an FI model to legally drive would probably entail buying a 1990 or later model. If so, it would become legal around 2015. That actually could be nice--giving you a couple years to get it fixed up perfectly!
These things would cost anywhere from several hundred to maybe a couple thousand dollars to buy. Unfortunately, the main cost is to ship them over. I would think that putting three of them in a shipping container would be the way to do it. Spare parts for them and/or other cars could be included in the container, unless there are some rules forbidding it.
Some questions need to be answered:
1. What country would be cheapest to ship these from?
2. Are there any particular shipping routes or companies that could reduce costs? For example, how much is Japan to our west coast vs. say, Europe to our east coast?
3. Any places in South America that would be cheaper to ship from?
4. About how much DOES a loaded Con-Ex cost to ship? Would filling two of them be any better deal?
5. Would it be best for someone to be in that foreign country to help pick out the "goods" and see that the container(s) is loaded up?
6. Would it be best to contact a reputable importer (a JDM engine dealer, for example) and work with them to do this?
There is no hurry on this! I would like to some day buy and import a foreign model Festiva and maybe a buncha parts. Maybe in the next three to four years. In the meantime, there may be foreign Festiva owners who would like to sell their personal cars and would be able to document the cars' history and condition (if they could be lined up). What other ideas can we come up with to explore?
I would like this thread to be a place for ideas on this "mission" that we can keep developing in hopes that this could happen at minimal cost and fuss in the next few years.
Discuss! :p
Karl
IIRC, Festivas (I'm including the other two types when I say this) were made from 1986 to 2000 (Kia Pride). This means that 1987 and 1987 ones should be immediately drivable here. Year 2000 Prides would have to wait until 2025 to drive ("only" 12-13 years hence). Do the math on all the in-between years.
For example, getting an FI model to legally drive would probably entail buying a 1990 or later model. If so, it would become legal around 2015. That actually could be nice--giving you a couple years to get it fixed up perfectly!
These things would cost anywhere from several hundred to maybe a couple thousand dollars to buy. Unfortunately, the main cost is to ship them over. I would think that putting three of them in a shipping container would be the way to do it. Spare parts for them and/or other cars could be included in the container, unless there are some rules forbidding it.
Some questions need to be answered:
1. What country would be cheapest to ship these from?
2. Are there any particular shipping routes or companies that could reduce costs? For example, how much is Japan to our west coast vs. say, Europe to our east coast?
3. Any places in South America that would be cheaper to ship from?
4. About how much DOES a loaded Con-Ex cost to ship? Would filling two of them be any better deal?
5. Would it be best for someone to be in that foreign country to help pick out the "goods" and see that the container(s) is loaded up?
6. Would it be best to contact a reputable importer (a JDM engine dealer, for example) and work with them to do this?
There is no hurry on this! I would like to some day buy and import a foreign model Festiva and maybe a buncha parts. Maybe in the next three to four years. In the meantime, there may be foreign Festiva owners who would like to sell their personal cars and would be able to document the cars' history and condition (if they could be lined up). What other ideas can we come up with to explore?
I would like this thread to be a place for ideas on this "mission" that we can keep developing in hopes that this could happen at minimal cost and fuss in the next few years.
Discuss! :p
Karl
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