Why you can't buy a high mpg car....

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Cars buit to EU standards will normally pass US tests as well.

Compact cars - really compact cars - as well : even the tiny Fiat 500 made the grade.

the trouble is if they aren't tested using OUR tests the government disallows them with a passion and will even seize and crush them if they find one.

There was a local guy with (2) japanese collector cars (19 years old) that he imported from europe, he got sued and had them repro'd and crushed but the fed.

I think all this BS must stop, we need to start somewhere and I think cars are one of the few subjects americans could agree on.

i also strongly disagree with the safety BS, rate them and put them on the road, if people know the rating their wallet will decide.

[user removed]

I kind of like my 2011 Fiesta at just under 46 MPG, #67 on the list and thats averaging 39 MPH over tank after tank of fuel. Couple of Cobalt XFEs doing pretty good around the top 20, even including the hybrid Insight that doesn't even belong there.

Hey, if you want mega mileage get a 59 Bugeye Sprite and put a Kubota diesel in it, or a Porsche 356 KIT like one gent posted about here.

If I want 75 MPG I'll ride my 87 SRX 250, that I have $1100 in right now.

Sure I would love to have an Audi A2, but that ain't going to happen in my lifetime.

I use my car for daily transportation and the wifes Sorento sits in the garage, which saves us gas. Riding alone I use a bike, 55 MPG on the 41 year old CB, 60+ on the Vulcan, and around 75, hopefully higher on the 25 year old SRX, weather permitting.

Just go back long enough and you don't have to worry about illegal gray market imports.
Think Honda 600 roadster.

regards
Mech

[Christ]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

the trouble is if they aren't tested using OUR tests the government disallows them with a passion and will even seize and crush them if they find one.

There was a local guy with (2) japanese collector cars (19 years old) that he imported from europe, he got sued and had them repro'd and crushed but the fed.

I think all this BS must stop, we need to start somewhere and I think cars are one of the few subjects americans could agree on.

i also strongly disagree with the safety BS, rate them and put them on the road, if people know the rating their wallet will decide.

I'm wiling to bet there's more to that story...

[minispeed]

Originally Posted by Christ

I'm wiling to bet there's more to that story...

There was a company that was importing BNR33 skyline GTRs (approx. 1995) and I think a few BNR34s too, they claimed to do all the testing, invest money in getting DOT approved headlights and windshields. As it turns out they faked it all and were just re selling the cars as is for a huge profit. There was a whole bunch of seizures and legal action, I bet this story is something similar. If I recall correctly though the DOT decided not to go after the buyers who thought they had a DOT cert.

And people were willing to pay a huge mark up for those cars. Well they are certainly not fuel efficient they are amazing, I had a BNR32 which is legal to import as Canadas "classic" import rules are 15 years old vs the US 25. My best tank ever was 11L/100km, avg was 12.5. It makes me wonder now what I could do with that car.

[niky]

At this point, the only reason to get an R33 is the historical value. The new V8s have better performance and more power potential. Heck, a good build on an Evo with AYC would put it in R33 territory.

As a Nissan fan, I love them GT-Rs, but it's absolutely ridiculous to pay such good money for such old stock.

[user removed]

Just restomod your skyline engine in a 1971 Z car. You could gear that sucker to run 70 at 1200 RPM, do all the aero you want and, at least in Va. no one would even bother to inspect it on antique tags. Even if you decided to inspect it there is no emission inspections on cars that age. Go back before 63 and you don't even need crankcase ventilation or seat belts, before 53 you don't even need turn signals, just stick your hand out the window, if you even have a window.

regards
Mech

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

the trouble is if they aren't tested using OUR tests the government disallows them with a passion and will even seize and crush them if they find one.

There was a local guy with (2) japanese collector cars (19 years old) that he imported from europe, he got sued and had them repro'd and crushed but the fed.

I think all this BS must stop, we need to start somewhere and I think cars are one of the few subjects americans could agree on.

i also strongly disagree with the safety BS, rate them and put them on the road, if people know the rating their wallet will decide.

Originally Posted by Christ

I'm wiling to bet there's more to that story...

There is. The Green Bay Press article linked to in the Jalopnik article fills in the back story.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by minispeed

There was a company that was importing BNR33 skyline GTRs (approx. 1995) and I think a few BNR34s too, they claimed to do all the testing, invest money in getting DOT approved headlights and windshields. As it turns out they faked it all and were just re selling the cars as is for a huge profit. There was a whole bunch of seizures and legal action, I bet this story is something similar. If I recall correctly though the DOT decided not to go after the buyers who thought they had a DOT cert.

And people were willing to pay a huge mark up for those cars. Well they are certainly not fuel efficient they are amazing, I had a BNR32 which is legal to import as Canadas "classic" import rules are 15 years old vs the US 25. My best tank ever was 11L/100km, avg was 12.5. It makes me wonder now what I could do with that car.

I have never driven one or even seen in person, but on a driving simulator I had some fun with it, and they seemed to be pretty sweet. Being an avid lover of not being usual, I'd rather pay 100,00 grand for a vehicle like that than some vehicles costing TWICE as much, and similar performance.

Originally Posted by Vman455

There is. The Green Bay Press article linked to in the Jalopnik article fills in the back story.

Thanks for bringing this up. It's cool to see more to the story, although surely this there is even more not being included.

I don't see how a 19 year old vehicle is even a classic. I had a 1989 S10 Blazer which was fantastic, and I love that to this day. But that Blazer is not a classic, even though it is now 23-24 years old. I see the reasoning, and I understand why, but if we are going to be forgiving older cars for having terrible mileage, I would think our production models would have higher standards, now.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by UltArc

Thanks for bringing this up. It's cool to see more to the story, although surely this there is even more not being included.

I don't see how a 19 year old vehicle is even a classic. I had a 1989 S10 Blazer which was fantastic, and I love that to this day. But that Blazer is not a classic, even though it is now 23-24 years old. I see the reasoning, and I understand why, but if we are going to be forgiving older cars for having terrible mileage, I would think our production models would have higher standards, now.

He did what he needed to get them on the road per state law, federal did not agree.

The law is clear that imported cars are not allowed for more than a month or so and cannot be on the road without extensive modifications, paperwork and tests prior to importation and that is only if the car is on the allowable list.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by UltArc

I don't see how a 19 year old vehicle is even a classic.

Yeah, by that standard I've owned a lot of classics :-) Still using my classic '88 Toyota pickup for hauling hay &c, and not too many years 'til the Insight becomes one too.