Buying a Mazda from Japan - Page 2

TheMAN · 29-05-2012, 12:52 PM

just get a Spirit-R RX-7

BG1.8sp · 29-05-2012, 02:43 PM

You could always import a 4wd sport 20 under the Cams ruling.
Cut the floor plan out of it and weld it into your SP20 and transfer across the 4wd drivetrain.
Would have to get it engineered. And you would usually have to get the engineer to look over the welders shoulder or get the engineer to do it.

Mate of mine Imported a 2 door lancer. Was FWD put the Evo floor plan under it. Evo 3 drive train and Evo 6 engine...
It's engineered (guy who built it is an engineer) and a registered street weapon!

rodhog · 29-05-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BG1.8sp

You could always import a 4wd sport 20 under the Cams ruling.
Cut the floor plan out of it and weld it into your SP20 and transfer across the 4wd drivetrain.
Would have to get it engineered. And you would usually have to get the engineer to look over the welders shoulder or get the engineer to do it.

Mate of mine Imported a 2 door lancer. Was FWD put the Evo floor plan under it. Evo 3 drive train and Evo 6 engine...
It's engineered (guy who built it is an engineer) and a registered street weapon!

Nothing new about that many done in past and sometimes some people will still do it.
but the cost if your not an engineer or a good buddy of one?
hmm .......? oh yeah just buy a evo complete. Normally stops people doing such wastes of time.

like really a SP20 4WD - what for? Caldina - Steaga ? more selection available Legnum if you want a fast 4WD wagon type.

AndrewJ · 29-05-2012, 09:46 PM

Still think it's rather stupid that I can import a AE86 street machine but can't import a nice Astina with low kms.

project.r.racing · 29-05-2012, 09:50 PM

Rather than taking forum advice which isn't 100% correct, maybe contact DOTARS or an importer about it.

z100 · 29-05-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project.r.racing

Rather than taking forum advice which isn't 100% correct, maybe contact DOTARS or an importer about it.

Don't even need to do that. Here is the link explaining how SEVS (Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme) works and why pre-88 cars differ. There is a word doc to download at the top of the page that explains everything.

Here is a list of eligible cars under the SEVS scheme. Hopefully that will help clear things up.

project.r.racing · 29-05-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z100

Here is a list of eligible cars under the SEVS scheme. Hopefully that will help clear things up.

Not really, as it only shows vehicle assesed for eligibility. So lots more out there that could be eligible.

If the Mazda MX5 Coupe can be imported, then a Sport20 can aswell.

z100 · 29-05-2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project.r.racing

If the Mazda MX5 Coupe can be imported, then a Sport20 can aswell.

No, the mx-5 Coupe has a different body shape so it can be. The Sport20 isn't different enough to be eligible as the shape was sold here. As Rupe said, mechanical difference (4wd) isn't enough. For example some of the early EVO's, we had the cc GSR sold here, so the EVO III can only be imported as race/rally. The only other way around this is build dates I believe, hence why the s15 is allowed to be imported.

I'm not 100% on it, government red tape can be confusing, but if it isn't listed you pretty much have buckley's of getting it here without a cams license.

project.r.racing · 30-05-2012, 07:01 AM

Sorry mate but the Coupe only has 3 different body panels that the regular soft top versions. Hardly different.

You are correct on the build date thing. From memory the S15s came out 18 months earlier than here, so those earlier models can be imported.

That list is for cars that have been assess for eligibility. Means less red tape when importing. If you wanna import something not on the list. You still can, but you will have more red tape. ie- Applying for eligibility etc. Then the second person or more to import one will have way less red tape.

The cams license avenue is not as easy as it seems. there is only one person on this forum that would be able to do so. You need a level 3 cams license, and proven history in said motorsports type. I can go into more detail, but honestly is doesn't apply to anyone commenting on this thread so isn't worth it.

BG1.8sp · 30-05-2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodhog

Nothing new about that many done in past and sometimes some people will still do it.
but the cost if your not an engineer or a good buddy of one?
hmm .......? oh yeah just buy a evo complete. Normally stops people doing such wastes of time.

like really a SP20 4WD - what for? Caldina - Steaga ? more selection available Legnum if you want a fast 4WD wagon type.

I know it's ridiculously stupid and expensive.... Just saying that if you want to throw money at it and make it unique... It can be done.

Rupewrecht · 30-05-2012, 09:19 AM

The Roadster Coupe took a 3 year battle for it to be eligible for importation, and it was an uphill battle for it to be recognised as a different model

z100 · 30-05-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project.r.racing

Sorry mate but the Coupe only has 3 different body panels that the regular soft top versions. Hardly different.

You are correct on the build date thing. From memory the S15s came out 18 months earlier than here, so those earlier models can be imported.

That list is for cars that have been assess for eligibility. Means less red tape when importing. If you wanna import something not on the list. You still can, but you will have more red tape. ie- Applying for eligibility etc. Then the second person or more to import one will have way less red tape.

The cams license avenue is not as easy as it seems. there is only one person on this forum that would be able to do so. You need a level 3 cams license, and proven history in said motorsports type. I can go into more detail, but honestly is doesn't apply to anyone commenting on this thread so isn't worth it.

It's different enough to be considered eligible and not saying I disagree with you, just very difficult if the car isn't on the list. Extra difficult with the sport20 because there is very little difference between the BJ models sold here. And yeah, I had a feeling it wouldn't be straight forward with the cams route. Not trying to dissuade the OP from trying with importers, just pointing out the problems!

Edit: The build date option might be feasible, guess it comes down to cost also.

AndrewJ · 31-05-2012, 08:48 PM

But it has a Sport 20 badge on the rear, surely that's a major difference!

Hammo · 18-06-2012, 06:32 PM

There's always a chance you might find a low k sp20 in a car yard somewhere, I found mine little over a year ago with 51,XXX K's on it so I dont see why you would want one from Japan for, just need to look

I went looking for a new car one day and only looked at one (my sp20) drove away with it a week later.

29-05-2012, 12:52 PM	#21
TheMAN Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Car: . Posts: 2,623	just get a Spirit-R RX-7 __________________ Protege FAQ, the best 323/Protege/Mazda3 resource enjoyed worldwide for 10 years

29-05-2012, 02:43 PM	#22
BG1.8sp Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Car: 2009 BL MPS Posts: 2,300 View Photos By: BG1.8sp	You could always import a 4wd sport 20 under the Cams ruling. Cut the floor plan out of it and weld it into your SP20 and transfer across the 4wd drivetrain. Would have to get it engineered. And you would usually have to get the engineer to look over the welders shoulder or get the engineer to do it. Mate of mine Imported a 2 door lancer. Was FWD put the Evo floor plan under it. Evo 3 drive train and Evo 6 engine... It's engineered (guy who built it is an engineer) and a registered street weapon! __________________

30-05-2012, 09:19 AM	#31
Rupewrecht Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: melb.vic.au Car: AZ-1, Astina Hardtop Turbo, BJ Protege, Beetle Posts: 16,525 View Photos By: Rupewrecht	The Roadster Coupe took a 3 year battle for it to be eligible for importation, and it was an uphill battle for it to be recognised as a different model __________________ jdmparts.rupewrecht.com Sourcing your not-quite-overnight parts from Japan WRECHT--\|--SLOWTEGE--\|--BEETLE--\|--SUBSTITUTE--\|--AZ-1

29-05-2012, 09:46 PM	#24
AndrewJ Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Central Coast Car: Astina BJ '03 Posts: 53	Still think it's rather stupid that I can import a AE86 street machine but can't import a nice Astina with low kms.

29-05-2012, 09:50 PM	#25
project.r.racing Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: n/a Car: n/a Posts: 10,929	Rather than taking forum advice which isn't 100% correct, maybe contact DOTARS or an importer about it.

30-05-2012, 07:01 AM	#29
project.r.racing Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: n/a Car: n/a Posts: 10,929	Sorry mate but the Coupe only has 3 different body panels that the regular soft top versions. Hardly different. You are correct on the build date thing. From memory the S15s came out 18 months earlier than here, so those earlier models can be imported. That list is for cars that have been assess for eligibility. Means less red tape when importing. If you wanna import something not on the list. You still can, but you will have more red tape. ie- Applying for eligibility etc. Then the second person or more to import one will have way less red tape. The cams license avenue is not as easy as it seems. there is only one person on this forum that would be able to do so. You need a level 3 cams license, and proven history in said motorsports type. I can go into more detail, but honestly is doesn't apply to anyone commenting on this thread so isn't worth it.

31-05-2012, 08:48 PM	#33
AndrewJ Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Central Coast Car: Astina BJ '03 Posts: 53	But it has a Sport 20 badge on the rear, surely that's a major difference!

18-06-2012, 06:32 PM	#34
Hammo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brisbane, QLd Car: 03 Sp20 Posts: 854	There's always a chance you might find a low k sp20 in a car yard somewhere, I found mine little over a year ago with 51,XXX K's on it so I dont see why you would want one from Japan for, just need to look I went looking for a new car one day and only looked at one (my sp20) drove away with it a week later.