Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005 18:46:39 -0800
Reply-To: Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Subject: Re: Importing vanagons
In-Reply-To: <1d5.357beecb.2f38074f@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Chris,
Bad idea when it comes to "work arounds". I know the list has beaten this
to death before, but I'll put it out there one more time:
Your title and local DMV have nothing to do with legally driving an imported
vehicle in the USA.
The highways are regulated by the Federal Government. If your van is not
approved for use on the highway by the DOT/NHTSA it is not legal on the road
regardless of your registration.
Here's a true story:
A guy skirted the system and registered a Land Rover Defender (not eligible
for import) here in the States. A few years later, he was involved in an
injury accident where someone ran a red light and t-boned him. Since it was
an injury accident, the police was required to perform an investigation
which includes running VIN numbers. Needless to say, the truth about the
Land Rover came out. Since the vehicle was not legally imported, it was not
legal for highway use. The Land Rover owner was deemed responsible for the
accident. His insurance company declined coverage because the vehicle was
not legal for use on the highway (read your policy). He had to declare
bankruptcy due to all the judgements against him from the accident.
For me, it's not worth the risk... YMMV
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2005 3:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Importing vanagons
In a message dated 2/6/05 4:23:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,
kimspringer@RCN.COM writes:
> Hello All,
>
> Wow, that is some spicy response Chris! Take a downer!
>
> I didn't say that '89 and '90 models are the only years that can conform,
> nor did I say that there are great differences between US and Canadian
models,
> nor did I say that the system for "legally" by NHTSA standards is a good
> system. It's an unncessary hassle as far as I am concerned. Especially
for
> Vanagons and Dokas.
>
> However, it is the system.
>
> There are a lot of ways to bring in any car of any make and model and get
it
> registered and smogged, etc. There are Lien Sales, there are lies to the
> DMV, and others. Many folks bring them in and register them as Diesels.
What
> you do is your business and your liability.
>
> I was just sharing with the list what I know. If you do not believe me,
go
> look it up yourself on the NHTSA website. Start by searching for a list
of
> Registered Importers. The rules regarding importation are all there for
the
> public to see.
>
> By the way, mine is from Europe
>
> Jeff,
>
>
i didnt mean to come off spicy..it just pisses me off to know that there are
some RI's out there charging ungodly sums of money to do basically nothing..
when there ARE ways around this..
-sell the van to someone in a state that doesnt require a title for a
vehicle
over 15 yrs old and then buy it back from them
-use a title service such as those located in Hemmings etc
-and a few other ways that would probably work just fine that i wont get
into
on here due to some PC folks on this list..
all i know is there are alot of folks with single/doublecabs in the US..and
they didnt have to mortagage their home to get them here..
chris
