Importing a RHD car to Quebec - anybody done it?

[magicalex]

Ok so I know there are a million and one websites, guides faqs and probably tutorials on this subject but what I really want to do is talk to somebody who has actually done it themselves and get their opinions and experiences - thought I'd start asking here cos I love this website the most!

So yeah, I'm toying with the idea of importing nineties Jap cars which are much harder to get hold of at sensible prices for a good spec here - specifically MR2s cos they're my vice of choice! I know that there is the 25 year age restriction which is fine with me as I dont have funds in place yet but in a couple of years time when 1991 is 25 years ago (wow thats scary) i'd like to look at bringing over an Mr2 Turbo.

Has anybody imported a car over to Quebec not necessarily a Japanese one but anything 25 years old? how much hassle did you go through? what costs did you incur roughly? was it worth it in the end or would it have been easier to hold out for what you wanted becoming available here eventually? most importantly if you could do it over what would you do differently if you would even do it again at all!!!

Fingers crossed, I'm not expecting a huge response to this one, but heres hoping.

[thegreenhell]

I've not done it yet, but I've been looking into it myself with a view to bring something interesting over next year.

The age restriction is actually only 15 years, not 25, and RHD should not be a problem in itself. I've seen plenty of RHD over here, of Japanese and British origin.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-im...

[magicalex]

thegreenhell said:

I've not done it yet, but I've been looking into it myself with a view to bring something interesting over next year.

The age restriction is actually only 15 years, not 25, and RHD should not be a problem in itself. I've seen plenty of RHD over here, of Japanese and British origin.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-im...

double check that - your link is for Transport Canada but Transport Quebec has a totally different set of rules. ill keep doing my research and let you know if i find anything.

Edited by magicalex on Thursday 10th October 23:52

[magicalex]

yep here ya go

http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road_safety/vehicles...

Right-hand drive vehicles
May not access the network, except for:
vehicles over 25 years old;

Interestingly Kei cars are exempt from this

Edited by magicalex on Thursday 10th October 23:50

[pasogrande]

Please would someone tell me why you would want to import a RHD car here? It is dangerous, has no resale value and there are plenty of interesting cars here already.

[magicalex]

pasogrande said:

Please would someone tell me why you would want to import a RHD car here? It is dangerous, has no resale value and there are plenty of interesting cars here already.

quite simply supply and demand mate, theres a very short supply on decent mr2s and the one that are available are insanely over priced and thats RHD not just LHD so id disagree with no resale value.

As for being dangerous thats total bks!

[Loach1]

pasogrande said:

Please would someone tell me why you would want to import a RHD car here? It is dangerous, has no resale value and there are plenty of interesting cars here already.

Wow! And that is from a fellow TVR owner! RHD makes virtually no difference at all in terms of safety - I switch between my TVR (RHD) and boring Toyota (LHD) depending on the weather, and never feel more or less safe in either one.

On a practical level, I go inside restaurants (the ones I like don't have a drive thru anyway), and walk up to the ATM.

There are some interesting cars over here, but compared to Asia and Europe, the choice is very limited. This is why some of us import RHD cars. These cars are special, so the market is very small anyway, and serious enthusiasts don't seem to care about the RHD/LHD aspect in my experience.

[magicalex]

Loach1 said:

There are some interesting cars over here, but compared to Asia and Europe, the choice is very limited. This is why some of us import RHD cars. These cars are special, so the market is very small anyway, and serious enthusiasts don't seem to care about the RHD/LHD aspect in my experience.

EXACTLY!!!