Importing to the US - anyone heard of someone doing this?
Discussion
I have been lurking for a while from the other side of the pond (los angeles) and have come to love the Sag. For some reason, I love inflicting pain upon myself with owning and loving British vehicles 
I currently own an Noble M12 GTO 3R and love it (as well as a '66 Triumph Bonneville) but would like something more daily-driver-like to compliment the Noble. I have been reading of the issues common to the make and model, but it seems if I get a well sorted used example with 7-10k miles, it should have most of the problems worked out.
Which brings me back to the original question.. has anyone ever heard of someone bringing a car to the States? Probably in pieces (engine/tranny separte?) If this could be done, would it be a deathwish to not have a local dealership? Thanks for your input.
I currently own an Noble M12 GTO 3R and love it (as well as a '66 Triumph Bonneville) but would like something more daily-driver-like to compliment the Noble. I have been reading of the issues common to the make and model, but it seems if I get a well sorted used example with 7-10k miles, it should have most of the problems worked out. Which brings me back to the original question.. has anyone ever heard of someone bringing a car to the States? Probably in pieces (engine/tranny separte?) If this could be done, would it be a deathwish to not have a local dealership? Thanks for your input.
Depends if you are happy to wait for parts to be shipped from the UK and if you can work on the car yourself or have a good shop that can do the work for you. I have my T350 here in Australia and it copes fine, I am sure a Sagaris would do the same in LA. The problem is that I really do not think you can get a TVR into the US. I have tried to work this out for a colleague of mine in NJ. I have spoke to the DOT and concluded that for any`mere mortal it is not possible to bring a new TVR in to the US permanently. The only solution that was offered by the DOT was to contact a vehicle importer who could then let you know what the cost would be to bring the car in and make it compliant. Now, if you know somebody with an H1 visa, they can bring the car in for one year, but only one year after that it has to leave the country so it is not a real option. If you can make it happen I know somebody that will take another Sagaris, or possibly a T2.
Yes...me.
Alas, as has been pointed out and often, it is a pain in the arse. Im working on a "work-around". The big huge stickler though is...what are you prepared to do about servicing the engine? Ive got a bloke in Canada who absolutely wants the Speed Six in it and is quite prepared to pay whatever it takes to get it serviced, but there are only 2 real options...a decent mech flown out, or the car transported back, both will cost you. The only other deal on the table is the S6 chucked out and something else shoved in, not a problem, I know the perfect engine and it fits, but its not really the pt is it?
Alas, as has been pointed out and often, it is a pain in the arse. Im working on a "work-around". The big huge stickler though is...what are you prepared to do about servicing the engine? Ive got a bloke in Canada who absolutely wants the Speed Six in it and is quite prepared to pay whatever it takes to get it serviced, but there are only 2 real options...a decent mech flown out, or the car transported back, both will cost you. The only other deal on the table is the S6 chucked out and something else shoved in, not a problem, I know the perfect engine and it fits, but its not really the pt is it?
DJC, I am potentially interested, as I spend my life in San Francisco and London. TVR told me the glues in the car are not really designed for the temperatures in the US.
So far within the SF bay I found that an aston martin dealer who were potentially able to help service the car, but I dont know how willing they really are.
Certainly I have considered many options including swapping out the engine (i want more on this) but I love the speed 6.
So far within the SF bay I found that an aston martin dealer who were potentially able to help service the car, but I dont know how willing they really are.
Certainly I have considered many options including swapping out the engine (i want more on this) but I love the speed 6.
maddog-uk said:
DJC, I am potentially interested, as I spend my life in San Francisco and London. TVR told me the glues in the car are not really designed for the temperatures in the US.
Hello Simon- how goes life in SF/BGI? Had to smile re the bit about the glue - especially when we have just gone through weeks of 30c+ temps in the UK which, while I know the US has suffered of late, are generally the exception in the Bay Area
! A TVR in SF - what an incredible proposition. Thanks for the help so far. I can't imagine the glues not complying with temps here. What are the hottest tempatures in England?
Most likely, I would have to import a rolling chassis, and then bring over an engine separately, in order to legally register it. Servicing shouldnt be too much of an issue, as long as I can get my hands on a workshop manual, and some knowledge.. In my case, money IS an object, so it would all have to be done within reason, given the circumstances.
Most likely, I would have to import a rolling chassis, and then bring over an engine separately, in order to legally register it. Servicing shouldnt be too much of an issue, as long as I can get my hands on a workshop manual, and some knowledge.. In my case, money IS an object, so it would all have to be done within reason, given the circumstances.
Mustang Baz said:
maddog-uk said:
DJC, I am potentially interested, as I spend my life in San Francisco and London. TVR told me the glues in the car are not really designed for the temperatures in the US.
Hello Simon- how goes life in SF/BGI? Had to smile re the bit about the glue - especially when we have just gone through weeks of 30c+ temps in the UK which, while I know the US has suffered of late, are generally the exception in the Bay Area
! A TVR in SF - what an incredible proposition.Life is good, got a new team, so now I am only SF and London based, which makes travelling easier. Ironically they are all in US and just go home to london to sleep! Hence why moving is becoming increasingly an option! Still then I would need to fly to london every 10 weeks so either way it involves travel
plasticman said:
There is already a Cerbera in SF which I have gone over and worked on a couple of times . I think if you import it as a show car they are more lenient and I believe you are allowed to drive ot to the shows (and maybe a little more) ,David
Something like that. My bro is based in Cali, so Ive got him doing the legwork
) Hell, he lives in OC, so all he ever does is get his teeth whitened and shout at the "landscape gardeners" to get his pool built quicker, so I figured Id make him do some work for a change. That and he drives a 996Cab and.... A HONDA DEL SOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont anybody have any guilt about me making him do all the work! Do you have any idea how ashamed a chap can feel knowing a member of their family drives a Del Sol?
DJC said:
plasticman said:
There is already a Cerbera in SF which I have gone over and worked on a couple of times . I think if you import it as a show car they are more lenient and I believe you are allowed to drive ot to the shows (and maybe a little more) ,David
Something like that. My bro is based in Cali, so Ive got him doing the legwork
) Hell, he lives in OC, so all he ever does is get his teeth whitened and shout at the "landscape gardeners" to get his pool built quicker, so I figured Id make him do some work for a change. That and he drives a 996Cab and.... A HONDA DEL SOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont anybody have any guilt about me making him do all the work! Do you have any idea how ashamed a chap can feel knowing a member of their family drives a Del Sol?
I am actually in OC too - but no teeth whitening
Please keep us updated with any info. What city does he live in? The Del Sol is a crime.. brav said:
DJC said:
plasticman said:
There is already a Cerbera in SF which I have gone over and worked on a couple of times . I think if you import it as a show car they are more lenient and I believe you are allowed to drive ot to the shows (and maybe a little more) ,David
Something like that. My bro is based in Cali, so Ive got him doing the legwork
) Hell, he lives in OC, so all he ever does is get his teeth whitened and shout at the "landscape gardeners" to get his pool built quicker, so I figured Id make him do some work for a change. That and he drives a 996Cab and.... A HONDA DEL SOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont anybody have any guilt about me making him do all the work! Do you have any idea how ashamed a chap can feel knowing a member of their family drives a Del Sol?
I am actually in OC too - but no teeth whitening
Please keep us updated with any info. What city does he live in? The Del Sol is a crime..Eek...er Mission Viejo I think, south of LA. Think he works Irvine way. Ill let you know.
One thing to pt out to you guys over there, the Sagaris now costs £60k+ UK money and the £/$ rate is hitting $2 to every £1. Add that to the servicing issues and you are getting on for fairly coetly territory...y'all aware of that right?
They are making LHD cars? To what markets do they go to?
I would definately buy used to pass the depreciation hit. Not gonna have a warranty anyway. Also, most of the issues should have been solved on a cared for car after so many miles.
I actually live and work in Irvine, which is a few minutes from Mission Viejo
I would definately buy used to pass the depreciation hit. Not gonna have a warranty anyway. Also, most of the issues should have been solved on a cared for car after so many miles.
I actually live and work in Irvine, which is a few minutes from Mission Viejo
Edited by brav on Wednesday 9th August 17:42
maddog-uk said:
I dont beleive the glue theory either. Having been driving in europe with the temperature at 41c the only thing that fell off was the stupid rubber cover that goes on the roof strut, fixed it with glue!
Had similar temperatures last summer in the South of france and Monaco. Only failure I had in 3500 miles was the glue holding the badge on my keyring melted!
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