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Public Discussions: Avantimes in the USA

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthormiltruk
    • CommentTimeAug 11th 2009
     
    Okay, new member. Just discoverd these fabolous cars. Would love to own one in the States. Can anyone offer me any info if these cars are US legal?
    Then, if yes, I'll start looking for one to buy/imprt. If no, I'll have to admie them from afar.
    Thanx much to all.
  2.  
    Administrator
    I would think you would know better than us about the requirements for US registration.

    Anyway we don't want to lose any more of our cars abroad :-)
  3.  
    Senior Member
    US cars imported to the UK have to go through various tests and tweaks to make them road legal here and I assume going the other way is no different. A little google searching finds the following

    Info - http://www.buyclassiccars.com/import.asp
    list of already approved vehicles - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/elig060109.pdf (note not a single renault appears)
    More info - http://tinyurl.com/nqqapf

    Doesn't look easy! you could always move here and buy mine:)
    •  
      CommentAuthormjt77
    • CommentTimeAug 11th 2009
     
    Senior Member
    Wouldn't you be better off importing from France/Germany etc where the steering wheel will be on the left (wrong) side and the head lights compliant?
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteveM
    • CommentTimeAug 11th 2009
     
    Senior Member
    There was a discussion on this before! same title even.... do a search and you will find it. There is an avantime owner in the US - a NY fireman, although his car is in Scotland.

    Steve.
    • CommentAuthoralcabs
    • CommentTimeAug 11th 2009 edited
     
    Personal imports and exports are usually (I believe) exempt from the more rigorous "tweaks". If you are a car dealer / importer it's all more rigorous.

    Classic cars get bought and sold and shipped back and forward between UK and USA all the time so I would be surprised if you couldn't import an Avantime. European car legislation is pretty stringent, probably more so than the USA and I cannot see why a relatively modern car like an Avantime could not be run in the US.

    I imported a Nissan Pao from Japan (rare retro car based on a Micra) into the UK a couple of years back, with the assistance of an import company (they dealt with the shipping and paperwork) and it was all straightforward. The car didn't have to be specially tested, just had to pass an MOT to see if it was fit for the road! I don't know what the equivalent of our MOT test is in the States. I think I have read somewhere that you don't have one. Is that the case???
  7.  
    Administrator
    Well remembered Steve,

    Here's the relevant information regarding US imports taken from the other discussion Steve mentioned:-

    http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/graymarket_RI_list120508.pdf
    • CommentAuthormiltruk
    • CommentTimeAug 13th 2009
     
    Thanx so much to all who responded. I know a bit about inporting from UK and the continent as I have done so in the past. But, it was pre-9-11 (a big thing in the states anymore for ANYthing) and all were more than 25 years old and therefore did not need to meet current standards.
    Interesting side bit: I cannot bring a 1985 car into the states this year as it is less than 25 years old and does not comply with current standards and will wreak havoc on our roads but in 4 1/2 months I'll be able to bring that SAME car in with no issues. We've certtainly got it all figured out, ey?
    Anyway, what I'd need to know is if any of these vehicles were manufactured to comply with the FMVSS (U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) and have a certification label affixed by the original manufacturer in the area of the driver-side door.
    If ayone can shed some light on that question I'd be most appreciative.
    And yes, I'd have to go to the continent to find one with the wheel on the 'wrong' side!
    Thanx again
    Ken
    And: If I can pull it off, I could advertise the Club over here!
  9.  
    Senior Member
    i am not sure but the avantime was due to be sold in the states under the nissan badge just before it was pulled so the us tests might have been done .
  10.  
    Administrator
    There's no FMVSS certification label on mine for sure.
    • CommentAuthorkk01emh
    • CommentTimeAug 24th 2009
     
    I would love to take my Avantime to America and drive it down Route 66
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartinR
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
     
    Senior Member
    So would I!
  13.  
    One of my plans has always been to ship Avi over and do the canonball run! :-), if and when funds permit .....
    •  
      CommentAuthorfireman
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2009 edited
     
    I think the way to import an Avi is either legally or illegally :-)

    Legally, you would use exemptions - for cars that are significant and unusual designs (Avi could qualify I think) or for 'show only' - you import the car to be put on show, with restrictions to the number of miles (is it something like 2,500?) you're theoretically allowed to do on the public road each year.

    A *permanent* fully-legal import would cost and arm and two legs in testing and certification work. Protectionist nanny-state.

    Illegally... you would find an understanding friend who's here on a temporary visa - H1-B or similar. US citizens and permanent residents can only import cars that comply with all regs. *temporary* visitors can temporarily import non-compliant cars. So you sell the car to your helpful temporary resident friend, and they import it temporarily. You just forget to send it back, or claim it's written off in an accident or something. Somewhat illegal, but if they manage to ignore several million illegal Mexicans I don't think one French car will destroy the nation...
    •  
      CommentAuthorAA-JCT
    • CommentTimeDec 14th 2009
     

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