End of the world as we know it Jim!! no more modified cars allowed to be imported!!

[ice180]

from mr risbey's list

If you want to import a modified vehicle, the next 2 1/2 months (to the end of Feb 2003) are your last chance.

Best reports at this stage are that under the new import scheme, vehicles will have to be COMPLETELY stock standard when they are complied. This is something that was anticipated to some extent, however the Govt. are taking a very strict stance and are stating that vehicles with any modified parts will have to have these removed (with evidence of their destruction supplied on request) and genuine manufacturers items fitted.

For example, a Skyline with an expensive APEXi exhaust, BOV and airpod would have these removed during compliance, the perfectly good parts would have to be destroyed, destruction certificates provided, and a genuine Nissan airbox, exhaust and catalytic convertor fitted to get it through compliance. Indications are that substitute aftermarket items that replace manufacturers parts will not be acceptable. There may be an exception made for aftermarket wheels providing they are not too much larger than the factory size, but currently this seems to be the only concession.

Obviously, under this regime, importing a vehicle with any significant level of modifications will not be cost effective. This would appear to be a very intentional result of the new import scheme.

No one knows how this will actually work as time goes on, perhaps the rules will relax somewhat to make the scheme more workable but this appears doubtful.

What we do know is that the Govt. is continuing to do their very best to restrict the viability of vehicles to be imported while pretending they are providing a great new scheme targeted towards enthusiasts. This allows the number of imports to be minimised by stealth while avoiding a concerted public outcry which would probably have some positive impact on the direction of the scheme. If anyone complains about the restrictions of the new import scheme, the changes can always be blamed on getting rid of "unsavoury industry elements in the old scheme", or "safety concerns of imported vehicles", or "improving the .

Things are tightening up right now with compliance workshops becoming nervous to comply modified vehicles even under the old import scheme, so you'd best hurry if you want to import a modified vehicle and save as much as $20,000 to $30,000 over making the changes here in Australia.

[DREMEN]

Yeah I got that email off Geoff Risbey too

Makes me wanna cry

[meggala]

sucks Ritchie

the whole game is going to change in a big way. I will cost big dollars to do any thng now and there wont be the cheap parts floating around from the importers who have taken them off.

not good for the enthusiast whothis scheme was designed for.

meggala

just glad my 180 is on its way

[ice180]

what 180 is that meggs do tell.

not the phat blue one that was up yesterday

[meggala]

nah just a little black stocker ca that will do me for now.

[Tosh]

it's a sad sad situation

[Blitz]

One good thing is hopefully the resale price for those who own skylines etc will remain more stable rather than plumeting.... on the other hand those trying to buy an import wont be able to find the incredible bargains that currently exist.....

Buy up guys...

[Tosh]

That's one thought that crossed my mind when I bought my car.

The resale value on a car that you can no longer import into the country AT ALL as low volume can't be too bad. Well I'll hope for the best

[DREMEN]

Originally posted by BY BY

One good thing is hopefully the resale price for those who own skylines etc will remain more stable rather than plumeting.... on the other hand those trying to buy an import wont be able to find the incredible bargains that currently exist.....  

Buy up guys...

I just did :bahaha:

[Blitz]

Dremen: good timing... when does your car arrive dood?

[Dr_Drift]

What's your opinion of re-shelled vehicles....

I have a clean R33 Plate which is eligable for engineered re-shell... The law is such that no parts are required of the original vehicle....

How easy would it be to import a highly modified R33 as rally race use?? Then re-shell is with the local ID??

This is 100% legal, and may be the only way to legally import and register a modified vehicle if I'm correct??

[Nismo_Boy]

I read that email late last night when I got it, I'm finding it hard to belive that it'll really happen, there will be some way around it, and I also belive that compliancer(s) will turn a blind eye to some things, as some do now.

[PJKJ]

A sad sad day... Hope it gets better sometime in the future

Cheers

Richmond

[doxximus]

yet another reason (apart from being emotionally attached) that it was a good idea to keep my n/a skyline and fit an rb25det into it

[predator]

Hmmm...

Well it will have impact... but think about how it will pan out.

Less cars become available to be imported into Australia., which may rise prices on certain models. Seeing as the Japanese love their mods and even if its just ricing, the supply will be much(?) smaller and therefore i assume prices go up.

Japanese go "oh well, bad luck australia" flog the modifiied vehicles off to NZ, UK, or wherever else normal imports are allowed. The amount of effort to do it for australia seems like they wouldn't bother or it would otherwise be expensive.

The big "parts must be destroyed" is rubbish... the preauction process will ensure the parts are just taken off and sold because its just money thrown away to them. If anything, a wide variety of standard modified items will become available to be bought from Japan to be fitted back on locally.

To me wouldn't it end up being the same roughly? modified parts are taken off (and sold later for profit)... standard items fitted back on again (which would be cheaper correct than the equivalent modified?), and the cost to whoever pretty much the same???

No doubt they'll realise this and crack down on aftermarket parts later.

[kakimoto33]

Originally posted by Dr_Drift

What's your opinion of re-shelled vehicles....

I have a clean R33 Plate which is eligable for engineered re-shell... The law is such that no parts are required of the original vehicle....

How easy would it be to import a highly modified R33 as rally race use?? Then re-shell is with the local ID??

This is 100% legal, and may be the only way to legally import and register a modified vehicle if I'm correct??

re-shell laws are changing quickly, you will need certain evidence from the wrecked car and soon may need to have both cars available in parts for the engineer to inspect .. they are trying to make it harder for people to abuse the system by bending the laws in the way you are suggesting (damn, eh?)

... the other trouble is that re-shelled cars are also supposed to be legal and roadworthy, in similar condition to compliance vehicles.

[ex-static]

Yea I think it might open up a large aftermarket secondhand parts market. Hopefully bringing down the pricing of mods.

Just a prediction?

[ice180]

i think it will for sure but going to be interesting to see what happens in Japan.. Don't forget that NZ changed the laws to allow only vehicles after 96 I think. I with ex static think there will be a bigger market for 2nd hand and new parts and also more people modding cars. as long as the epa and cops don;t get us first. we all should be driving white avalons no doubt. sounds like george orwells 1984. Dunno how it will affect the price of 2nd hand modified vehicles.

[kabab]

Bring on the stealth mods, its practically impossible to if a car has forgies 550cc injectors hks2530's etc etc if done with stealth in mind.

Mind you the days of importing T88 R32 GTR's for 35-40K are over

[red900ss]

Don't forget people you can always let your feelings known to those in Canberra who make theses decisions.

Interest groups such as the Gun Lobby is quite organised in this regard. Maybe we should follow their lead.