Im debating on buying a truck or a RHD Vehicle, I like both and could use either or for the purposes I need them for but im still debating on which to go for

Hey everyone, so I am trying to get my first car, and have found a 1998 Subaru Legacy that is RHD. My dad does both like the idea of my car being RHD because he thinks it is ‘wrong’ and will make it hard to learn how to drive (I’ve already learned and driven stick and automatic). I was just wondering if you guys think he is correct or if it is ok to get a RHD car as a first car.

I thought I'd put some thoughts together now that my new pride and joy is here. I looked for something similar before making my purchase and I couldn't find anything that was very informative.

Pic for attention

I purchased my STi through ASAP Inc. This isn't a sponsored post or anything like that and I'll be honest that I went with them because:

1. The only importer that I knew of that had a good reputation was Top Rank. They never returned my emails or phone calls. Plus they didn't have the car I wanted in stock.
2. Josh who is the partial owner of ASAP found a few options within a day or two despite being located in Japan.

So with that out of the way here are some thoughts/things to keep in mind when importing a JDM car. This may apply for importing from other countries as well but I can't speak to that. Also, some of these notes are specific to the port and terminal that my car into:

• ASAP is willing to travel throughout Japan to inspect the car in person but it'll be at your expense (a few hundred US dollars).

• Josh took many pictures and videos of all of the things that I asked to see. He also spotted a leak that I may not have noticed myself if I was there.

• It took roughly 3 months and a week from when I wire transferred the deposit to picking up the car at the port.

• Outside of the cost of the car I also had to pay the importer (Unit International), the docking company (Norton Lilly) and the storage facility at the port (Port America). The total cost was $1650.

  • This covered custom fees, entry fees, EPA and DOT paperwork filing and other misc costs

• Once the car is on the ship, it's patience time! You'll get a notice when estimated arrival date but my car showed up at custom a few days later.

• If anyone in NJ wants more details on how Port America works; just let me know as it's tricky to figure out where to go even when you do have the right address.

• Bring a battery jump pack and potentially some gas. Luckily my car started fine but was super low on gas. But i had to move some cars around to get mine out and alot of those cars had dead batteries.

If there is anything anyone else wants to know; I'll update this post with my responses. I'll also post my experience getting this car registered at NJ DMV in my other post that I'll link here later.

Anyone in the state of NJ who has experience registering an imported car into NJ. I have a car on the way here and could use some tips on registering a car in the state.

UPDATE

The below # is correct but you have to have the right extension:

609-292-6500 x5064

They emailed me the documentation that you need to fill out and provide

Does anyone know of a C-Clip for a wheel bearing that will work with my RHD CRV? thanks

I am looking at getting a right hand drive galant vr-4 soon and am wondering about how easy it is to get parts for right hand drive cars in america? or are they the same as left hand drive version of the same car? Appreciate any responses!

I recently bought a Nissan s14 does anyone that own a rhd know what companies insure imports at a good price? I live in Texas

I just bought a RHD 350z but I need to replace the passenger door handle and I can’t find any others than North American ones. Any where I can get one that won’t have the keyhole on the wrong side?

Hey All,

I have a right hand drive 1996 Honda CR-V without floor mats and am not sure where to get it other than internationally (unfortunately they don’t ship to the US). Any suggestions ?

Hi!

I have the above vehicle and I am trying to find a source of parts for it. My power steering pump sounds like its on it's last leg. If anybody can help me find a source for parts that would be greatly appreciated. It's my daily work vehicle for mail delivery so it goes through quite a bit of wear and tear. I believe the vehicle was imported from Japan due to the foreign writing on some of the interior pieces of the vehicle.

Again any and all help is appreciated! Thank you!