d90 imports

[Lucasd2002]

As I understand it, d90s from 94, 95, and 97 are eligible to import to the US b/c NAS d90s were from the same years. Can some folks on here who have experience (with this process) let me know how feasible this is? I have a friend here in the US who is from Germany and has discussed bringing some defenders over to the US.

 

[syoung]

They have to be converted to NAS specs as well-

 

[Leslie]

Has to come through a Registered Importer (RI). RI has to ensure that it is modified to match NAS specs. Change the glass, bumpers, lights, add the cage... might even have to have the same engine (ie, I don't think that the diesels can come over). An RI's processing fee alone, not counting parts and labor, was around $8k, last I heard. By the time you get it legal, you've spent more than it would have cost to have bought a NAS D90 that's already here. Of course, if you can find an RI who would sign off w/o having to do all of it, or let you do it before shipping it over, that might be cheaper (but still not cheap).

With that said, I think that Gabor's now an RI, focusing on Rovers (most RIs wouldn't bother w/ Rovers, too little margin on 'em, 'cept for an occasional '93 110). He'd probably be your best bet to check w/ first. http://www.skytoprover.com/ (At least, I think he's an RI now... )

-L

 

[Lucasd2002]

What's the chance of finding a RI willing to sign off with no conversion- for a direct import into a state with no inspections such as through Charleston and into SC.

 

[Leslie]

I wouldn't count on it, since it'd be his butt headin' to jail once it was found. Uncle Pete at RDS often has late model Rovers that he parts out because they've been impounded coming in improperly. I don't think that you'd find one willing to by asking around as such, what you'd have to do is be really good friends with an RI, be someone who they perceive as a low-risk for doing it for. If I was an RI, I don't think I'd do it, even for my brother... just wouldn't be worth the consequences, IMHO. But, there's always someone to whom money will talk, I suppose.

FWIW...

-L

 

[Colorado Scott]

Per their website...

Quote: PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR PHOTOS OF INDIVIDUAL ROVERS! REPEAT: DO NOT ASK FOR INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS OF INDIVIDUAL ROVERS!

Are you kidding me? Don't ask for potos?

 

[Leslie]

Scott,

Never dealt w/ internet tire-kickers, have you? Or MOD Rovers? When dealing w/ a batch (multiple military Rovers, as that example), you'd be sending umpteen pics off all the time, when whoever is gonna buy one is actually gonna show up and look it over (or at least, should....). I haven't dealt w/ Gabor personally, but I've dealt w/ Series Rover businesses... if you were interested in, say, the CT 110, and had a specific question (like, you wanted to see how much rust is in the footwells), he may go take a picture of that specifically for you. But for a lot of military Rovers, they're about the same from one to the other, it might be hard to spend the time to take pics in which you could differentiate any subtle differences, when they're all the same price anyway. And, anyone should go look at a Rover in person... so, the pics aren't something to depend on.

FWIW...

-L

 

[Lucasd2002]

This is the page I was looking for (but couldn't remember where I had seen it) when I started the thread:

http://www.eastcoastrover.com/imports.html

The link to the nhsta has the list including 97 D90s and 93 110s. Pretty similar to what you guys said. Doesn't look good unless there are some shady RIs willing to approve and provide a VIN w/ little or no work. It just seems like, in a state with no inspections, there should be a legal way.

 

[Lucasd2002]

I just read this a few weeks ago:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=10500

A new 8 year rule would be nice...

 

[Leslie]

There's a difference between what's legal to a state, and what's federally legal. Like here in Tennessee, you could get one registered easily enough. We don't have inspections, and even if it was registered as a kit or some suc where you have to have a state trooper inspect it the first time, if the brake and tail-lights work, it's mechanically sound, etc., it'd be fine. But just because a state lets you put a tag on it isn't enough. The Feds can bust you for having a vehicle that isn't properly converted, the EPA can bust you for not having a smog-certified engine.

Year after next, you can start to bring in the earliest 110's, then after that, the first of the 90's, under the 25-year rule. Trick would be finding solid ones for cheap.

-L

 

[jsonova99]

Per their website...

Quote: PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR PHOTOS OF INDIVIDUAL ROVERS! REPEAT: DO NOT ASK FOR INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS OF INDIVIDUAL ROVERS!

Are you kidding me? Don't ask for potos?

Read the whole thing first, that statement had to do with a bunch of leftover parted out ex-MOD series 3's, not complete vehicles for sale. I've talked with Gabor a few times, and he's very helpful and informative.

 

[cdmbrennan]

"Price for each of the three is $2000 per vehicle, so get a trailer, and pick out the one you want! Prices are non negotiable, and if you get here soon I will throw in a few extras."

Joe, actually the $2000 is per complete vehicle, not just parts. Leslie called this one right- too many similarities between military Rovers to differentiate between used ones. Theyre...green!

 

[jsonova99]

"Price for each of the three is $2000 per vehicle, so get a trailer, and pick out the one you want! Prices are non negotiable, and if you get here soon I will throw in a few extras."

Joe, actually the $2000 is per complete vehicle, not just parts. Leslie called this one right- too many similarities between military Rovers to differentiate between used ones. Theyre...green!

It does say, there are 3 left, I was going from the rest of the paragraph that says basically first come first serve and they will try to complete any incomplete Rovers. Whatever.

 

[Colorado Scott]

I get it.

 

[andrewv]

I just imported one from Virginia The importation process took 31 hours and 1,600 miles.

 

[cdmbrennan]

Virginia's a pretty exotic location to import from...duty tax had to be horrendous.

What's it going to be registered as though?

 

[Colorado Scott]

I just imported one from Virginia The importation process took 31 hours and 1,600 miles.

When are you gonna post pics?

 

[andrewv]

Duty was a bitch! It will be registered as a 95 D90, because they just can't be bothered with us working stiffs here in Pitkin County.

Pics to follow, but I don't want to piss off Ho with only driveway pics. Too fuggin cold and too much snow to go anywhere exotic

 

[garland823]

The annoying thing is that most of us can decide for ourselves whether or not it's worth the risk to drive a truck without airbags. We don't need the damn federal government making that choice for us. They might as well only allow us to drive US spec cars when we go to Europe. It's the same thing.

 

[WCURoverD90]

The annoying thing is that most of us can decide for ourselves whether or not it's worth the risk to drive a truck without airbags. We don't need the damn federal government making that choice for us. They might as well only allow us to drive US spec cars when we go to Europe. It's the same thing.

Agreed....I feel that if I don't want to wear my seatbelt then the damn govt shouldn't tell me i have to. They should warn but not enforce these things. I feel perfectly safe in my D90 because they are solid as rocks. If i want a car without airbags so be it.....Why does the govt care......

I have seen pictures of a Defender 90 that rolled at like 30 mph and it wasn't trashed bad at all, just a little body damage.