Goals for 2008-09... get Smart Roadster...

[fstfwd]

Hello everyone...

I've always been fascinated with rare and unusual cars. Over the past few years I have put most of my efforts towards maintaining my 93 Mazda Rx7. Still a head turner (whether it's running or not, heh). Well, way back in 2000 I had the opportunity to go to France for a few weeks and of course, one of the cars that I saw all over the place were the Smart cars. Smart what? I had never heard of them, but as the artsy creative type it totally struck a nerve with me. Unfortunately, unlike my Rx7, which was only available in the states for a short time... this wasn't available at all!!! NOOOOO!

But that all changed just recently when they introduce the Smart cars in the U.S. Yay! So on my first day off I drove over to the local Smart car dealership in Fairfield, CT... pushed everyone out of the way and asked to take one for a drive. Okay, actually it was so busy they made me come back. But I finally got to take a Smart For Two out, and it was definitely an interesting ride. I won't go into all the details but I was still interested in the car, so the sales person and I talked some more.

"So when are the Roadsters coming to the U.S.??", I asked...
"Oh, they are discontinued and won't be coming here"...
"NOOOOOO!"
"Well, you might be able to get one from France, but I don't know what would be involved with all that..."
"Sigh, okay then..."

About a year ago I was lucky enough to see a Roadster parked on the side of the street. I was out there studying it for about 15mins, enough time for the owner to come out. I asked him a couple of questions, but I wish I had been more specifc... like, HOW DID YOU GET THIS HERE?!!. I just figured the possibility was so remote that it wouldn't even be an option.

But a few weeks ago I had an idea. My lease was going to be up on my SUV, and with gas going the way it is, I thought - I need a commuter car... something cool, rare, gets good gas mileage and isn't as expensive and lame as a Prius (oh, don't shoot me if you have one...). So, I'll get one of those Smart BRABUS Roadsters!

Buying cars from long distances isn't a new thing. I flew out to Texas, from Connecticut, to "test-drive" and purchase my Rx7. That was a fun conversation on the plane... "no really, I'm going to Texas to test-drive a car".

I've been hitting eBay hard and found bunch that are almost affordable. I found a place that can ship the car from LeHavre to New Jersey (cheaper if I don't go exactly door-to-door), for $2000.

But it's what I've read on sites like EPA and DOT that have me all annoyed. I might not be able to "legally" do this? Or I need to have someone else buy it and bring it in? Or they might make me post bond so I can get the car converted and then get it registered. What the heck! It's a car! You mean all those modded Civics out there still meet DOT standards and I can't bring over a stock Smart Roadster! Even my Rx7 is more out there than this car.

Sigh... so I'm here to ask for HELP! Which I will put in another post, because I don't expect most people to read this far.

Pleasure to meet you all...

[SmartPassion]

Importing cars on your own could be done but next to almost impossible if you have no clue where to start. In some places - California for example, you might have additional issues to deal with.

[fstfwd]

Fortunately I'm not importing into Cali, since I know the emissions standards are much more strict. I'd be importing (or at least registering) in Connecticut. Does anyone know what mods typically have to be done to these things? I'd assume rear bumper for license plate is the most obvious... but as far as signals go. It looks, at least, as if everything else is up to par.

[jwight]

It's all on the EPA and DOT sites; any car under 25 years old has be modified to meet US standards. The car would have to be imported and bonded, the sent to an approved importer (who can do mods to meet EPA/DOT requirements.) The way I understand it, if that falls through you either ship the car out of the country or forfeit the car and the bond money.

[fstfwd]

Yea. That doesn't instill a lot of confidence in me. So, I'm hoping someone here has done this successfully and can offer up that information.

[eqwalker]

I think that there is someone here that has done it. I don't know the ones. Maybe they will chime in when they see this post. I wish you the best on obtaining your roadster.

[fstfwd]

Thanks! If I find anything out I will definitly post it here.

[ahlenius]

you could try G&k conversions in Ca but they will probably say NO....they convert all the euro smart for two's

[dancote]

This is a complex issue. Here's a LINK to get you started.
A Google search for import car to US will get you lots more.

A few years ago I was working in UK. I wanted to buy a Harley-Davidson to use while I was there and bring it home when I returned. (All Harleys are built in the U.S. remember.) I couldn't find a U.S. spec H-D and the Euro-spec models did not have the DOT & DOE stickers. Upon investigating the requirements to bring a Euro-spec bike into compliance, I learned that it was prohibitively expensive and time-consuming, and so decided to not pursue it.
Good luck

[dancote]

If you're still interested, I've found this on jalopnik.com :

"Bill Gates's adventure in importing his Porsche 959 brought increased media attention to the world of grey market automotive imports. It even prompted the creation of the "show or display" exemption for vehicles of extremely low production combined with historical or technological significance. The 1999 amendment opened the door for many fine vehicular examples to make their way into the United States, but at the same time, it has caused even greater confusion about the laws of automotive importation. If you're thinking about filling empty space in your garage with a Peugeot 308 or an S15 Nissan Silvia, it's best to do a lot of research first. Luckily, the folks at Motive Magazine have put together an article outlining the possible legal means of obtaining a foreign vehicle. It explains the process in simple terms, not confusing government syntax. Follow the jump to read more and be sure to contribute comments on your own importing experiences.

First thing's first: when making the attempt to import an automobile into the US, do not assume that the salesman spewing unintelligible legal jargon has the means of getting the job done legally. Neither should you assume that he's in full disclosure of the terms behind the vehicle's importation. Motive's article covers all the standard legal means, so if someone is selling you a process you haven't heard about before, run. Unless over 25 years old, in order to be federally legalized for street use a vehicle must comply with DOT standards for its year of production. It must also meet EPA standards, which means if the vehicle was manufactured during or after 1996, a complex ODB II diagnostic and sensor system is required. Very few registered importers have built reputations for successfully modifying imports for compliance of DOT requirements and there is an extremely short list of independent commercial importers available to install EPA demanded components with resulting proof. Both entities come at an enormous expense, often multiple times the vehicle's worth. The show or display exemption is an exception to the DOT requirements, but the qualification requirements are stringent. Plus, almost all exemptions only allow for importation on a temporary basis; when the bond period expires the vehicle must be exported or crushed. On top of that, working around EPA and California regulations is a whole different can of worms.

Once the information outlined by the Motive piece is digested, a lot of firsthand knowledge can be acquired from the Skyline GT-R/GT-S forum at FreshAlloy.com. The owners of the few federally legalized Nissan Skyline GT-Rs have seen, heard and shot down every conceivable importing scam. Posters look out for shady internet sales operations and they are also quick to point out fraudulent sales advertisements. They are very particular about the distinction between grey market and black market vehicles as well. There are automobiles that make it through customs and even end up registered on roadways, but are illegal in the eyes of the federal government therefore subject to impound."