Date:         Sun, 6 Feb 2005 00:52:01 EST
Reply-To:     JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: Importing
Comments: To: kimspringer@RCN.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 2/6/05 12:18:38 AM Eastern Standard Time,
kimspringer@RCN.COM writes:


> So, there are two model years that are conforming for TRANSPORTERs.  A doka
> is a transporter.  These years are '89 and '90. that's it!.  I believe if
> you are importing a vehicle that is older than 25 years, you do not need to
> bring it in with an RI, but I would re-read the NHTSA website before I assumed
> that.  But I'm pretty sure that is what I read.
>
> If you try to bring in another year, probably, (other than '89 or '90), I'm
> not absolutely sure, but the Registered Importer will probably charge more
> and will tell you that you run the risk of needing to crash test a few vehicles
> with a hefty cost of renting the facility to do the testing; I think there
> is a facility in S. Cal.
>
> I wouldn't try bringing in other than a '89 or '90 with an RI.
>
> Also, the process for the RI is huge.  Mine tells me he has a 200 page form
> with 250 different items he must verify. I believe him.  He had the truck for
> 2 weeks and he had covered 25 items, run into 2 small issues with the
> emissions, but had cleared those up.  As this email mentioned, he must also do a
> comparison to a stock California vehicle (in my case).  The RI will put in a
> lot of hours, do a lot of paperwork, etc.  The RI also puts a tag with their
> name on it as the importer.  If there is an accident, someone dies, it's the
> importer that has to carry the insurance.  The vehicle must be safe.  The RI's
> have to carry I believe a 5,000,000 insurance policy.  You can look all this
> up in the NHTSA website.  You can become an RI too if you want.  Maybe
> someone on the list should become one, specifically for the purpose of bringing in
> these vehicles.
>
>

LOL!!!   my friend, someone is pulling the wool over your eyes!!      and
where on earth did you get this "  '89 and '90 only" thing???   where are you
getting your vehicle from? canada?  or europe?
there are lots of listers on here who have registered canadian vanagons here
in the US...all years..
Crash testing?  200 page forms?  having your vehicle for 2 weeks?
simply absurd.
i think you are being had.. some "registered importer" is laughing all the
way to the bank with your money.


chris