British Columbia MR2 Owners Group

Not mine but would love to import:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5344828035.html

My questions:

I've read thru info accordingly and spoken to CBSA and US border about car importation and in my understanding (what I was told...on basis of modification), this car would not be allowed to enter BC??

Any thoughts? Ways around this? OR will it actually be allowed?
Thanks,

EJ

I think they are saying that the car is inadmissable as is. It will need modification to meet Canadian transportation safety requirements.

immorality wrote:I think they are saying that the car is inadmissable as is. It will need modification to meet Canadian transportation safety requirements.

The border person said that because the car is excluded from the RIV program, technically such things as DRL or other Canadian safety stuff doesn't even apply

Nope, it always needs DRL. RIV is some bullshit to squeeze a few extra dollars out of you, but you need DRL to pass inspection. My car was outside of RIV and still needed DRL. Border people only have a vauge interpretation of the rules. I would recommend that you read, read, and read some more so that you are the expert so that anything they quote you, you can have a rebuttal.

immorality wrote:Nope, it always needs DRL. RIV is some bullshit to squeeze a few extra dollars out of you, but you need DRL to pass inspection. My car was outside of RIV and still needed DRL. Border people only have a vauge interpretation of the rules. I would recommend that you read, read, and read some more so that you are the expert so that anything they quote you, you can have a rebuttal.

Very true. What absolutely sucks is that people who should know don't seem to know and don't or can't admit they aren't sure rather than finding out to be sure.
Thanks Russ,

Having been involved in importing 4 mr2s over the years I see no reason why it can't be imported
As long as its legal to drive in Washington and you have title from the owner should be no problem
Drl's are not an issue as the car has fog lights already.
RIV is no issue no cost inspection after you register with them.$$

Seems like a great deal even with the cost of exchange