Just be glad you're in the UK! Not because of this, but because of family, I might be moving to UK or HK too though. Anyway, on with the story...

I was going to have an R33 GT-R Skyline imported here for a low cost of $23,000 + S&H. BUT (and that was a big in capital letters BUT) the legalization in CA, USA is ridiculous. Outside of CA, legalization is still a hefty $7~10k...(it's already hardly worth a 10 year old car; the R33 in question was a '95) but in CA, it would be another $5~10k on top of that! So if you figure maximum costs...$23,000 + $10,000 + $10,000 + S&H (approx. $2000) + CA tax on legalization costs ($20,000 x 0.0825).

This information was gathered from calling the two shops that legalize these cars on there own, one in diamond bar, and the other was unavailable, because it's moving locations. You could, granted, go through motorex, or (i forgot the other one who does it), but I've emailed them, and/or called them, and never got a reply. I don't know how peopel are buying cars from them since they never reply.

23,000 + 1.0825(10,000 + 10,000) + 2,000 = $46,650

In any case, I test drove a '95 R33 GT-S. Let me tell you I'm not disappointed in not buying a Skyline anymore. First of all, try pulling into an intersection to make a left turn, when you're sitting on the right side of the car. You can't see the cars coming around the other car that pulled out to make a left in the opposite direction. Then, when we were negotiating pricing, he was offering $15,000 BUT (and another big BUT), he explained that I would have to pay for it to ge licensing. Funny thing, he told me it was legalized before I showed up to buy it. He explained, and breaking it down, it only had a DMV Permit for Movement (which would have to be renewed every 3 months!).

Well, this went on long enough, and got horribly off subject. My advice (in the form of a question), is a $23~$25k car worth it, after you have to pay legalization and shipping fees making the price $30~50k?