Question on imported cars (insurance, vehicle, Japanese, lane)

[mrgrape]

As you guys may have read my recent posts ive been looking for a car.

Right now there is a 94 evo im looking at.
and it is RHD, imported from japan.
I live in CA and he says its already registered legally in CA.

Only thing is that he said there is no carfax for it as its from japan.
is this true?

[sunsprit]

With a '94, are you looking at the car with a thorough pre-buy inspection or depending upon a CarFax report to make your buying decision? With a 14 year old car, condition as presented trumps any documentation that the seller may have.

Have you checked with your insurance company about the costs of coverage on this car? Have you actually verified the CA registration and compliance?

Lastly, do you have RHD driving experience in fast/dense traffic, such as the CA freeways? For some folks, it's a hazardous experience and dangerous. Even at 55 mph in England, my wife was a menace on the road with RHD cars and the unfamilliar places you need to look for lane changes, traffic round a bout mergers/exits, and pedestrians .... and she's a good driver here and used to the right front seat for controls as a pilot. But in my Morgan 4+4 RHD here, she couldn't drive it safely in traffic.

[mrgrape]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

With a '94, are you looking at the car with a thorough pre-buy inspection or depending upon a CarFax report to make your buying decision? With a 14 year old car, condition as presented trumps any documentation that the seller may have.

Have you checked with your insurance company about the costs of coverage on this car? Have you actually verified the CA registration and compliance?

Lastly, do you have RHD driving experience in fast/dense traffic, such as the CA freeways? For some folks, it's a hazardous experience and dangerous. Even at 55 mph in England, my wife was a menace on the road with RHD cars and the unfamilliar places you need to look for lane changes, traffic round a bout mergers/exits, and pedestrians .... and she's a good driver here and used to the right front seat for controls as a pilot. But in my Morgan 4+4 RHD here, she couldn't drive it safely in traffic.

hey sunspirit, thanks for the reply.
to be honest i was looking for used cars and this came up on CL and so i was interested as its in my budget with low miles.
Usually when looking at used cars i check the VIN # through carfax first and then test drive it and check it out for dings and dents and maybe take it to a mechanic if im not sure about the car.
When i asked the guy for the VIN #, he said japanese cars are not in carfax, so thats why i asked here if they do as im not sure.
Before I check with insurance, and veryify the CA registration I wanted to see the history on car thus my question.

I am japanese, and like to brag that I am pretty comfortable weaving through traffic and the likes and just general road driving so I am sure I can drive RHD with ease other then my left hand is now shifting the gears.

[Mr.Cat]

Make sure it is CA legit. I knew of someone who bought a Skyline R32 RHD supposedly CA ready, the car got impounded for being ilegal to drive. So make sure, contact CHP and make all the necessary calls before you go ahead and buy this car.

[ryanek9freak]

Yeah, in my experience, it's very difficult to import a car legally from Japan, so I would definaltey verify that it's legally registered.

[Bummer]

First question that comes to mind is . . . WHY?

As for driving a RHD vehicle . . . naturally it would be easier in Japan or the UK than it would be in California.

Also, in addition to California requirements, does it meet all Federal requirements?

Another point to consider, what may be a Good Deal when buying may very well be a NIGHTMARE when selling in the future.

[njguy]

Can you get parts for this car?

I say look for something else.