The TRUE COST of importing an R33 Skyline GT-R to the USA! Everything you want to know!

[@HyLifeSociety]

So nice hearing someone be 100% transparent about the whole process.

[@mokebang7526]

Whatever you are willing to pay & comfortable with is all that matters. Congrats!

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

Amen, the car is worth whatever you are willing to pay to have it.

[@Myrtlebeachskyline]

Cost me 37k total for car and transport. Biggest pain is all the inspections, customs, dea, nhtsa, and homeland security. The dmv was actually very helpful in letting me know exactly what I needed to get the plates.

[@2JZAddict]

Very nice! I wish my DMV was that helpful. Around here it’s like they’re trying to find any excuse not to do their job, even if it’s not an imported car. Lol Patience pays off though. 👌 What did you end up bringing in?

[@Myrtlebeachskyline]

@@2JZAddict 1995 LP2 GTR

[@E39M5SPEED]

Did you have to pay sales tax again on it in the states?

[@jayweezy3264]

You're the fkn mvp bro

[@tyronewallaceii8335]

did you pay all in full??

[@florida__jack]

Very thorough explanation👍 It is always amazing to me how car values ascend and descend. Many years ago, I used to export cars from Tokyo. The R33 GTR, along with many other now-25 year old models, had prices that were incredibly lower back then. All it requires is market demand (a.k.a. current USA) and Boom. Prices go up. Like you said, as long as it makes you happy, then it was good value👍

[@2JZAddict]

Thank you! Glad you liked it. You’re 100% right. Even in the last 4 years prices have gone up dramatically. I can’t even imagine how much more affordable they would have been in the late 2000’s when the R35 was released. 😳

[@florida__jack]

@@2JZAddict Let’s just say had I known back then what I know now.... I would have bought every R32 GTR in Japan😢

[@zmanoside]

Good vid. Spot on! I’m an American living in Japan and just bought a R33 GTR through Garage Defend and Manaboon a couple weeks ago. I think you did very well considering the current prices. I actually just shipped a different car back to CA and paid approximately the same fees as you. What matters most is that we are stoked on our purchases!! That’s all that matters.

[@2JZAddict]

Congrats on the GTR purchase!! Where in Japan are you? I had flights booked for January but they ended up getting cancelled since the country is closed. 😒 Hopefully they open to tourism again soon. I’ve been wanting to go for years!

[@zmanoside]

Military, stationed in Yokosuka. I’ve been out here for about 8 months. Ya, it’s been pretty rough in that regard. Traveling is the number one reason I chose to get stationed here. Haven’t been able to travel at all.

[@2JZAddict]

No kidding? You’re Navy then? That’s awesome that you’re so close to Tokyo. We were supposed to go to Iwakuni for my last deployment but ended up going to Iraq again instead. Why aren’t you guys able to travel around Japan yet? A 96 in Tokyo would be a killer way to spend the weekend! 🍻🤘

[@K2capistrano]

Does Garage Defend have financing ?

[@dwighttitus9994]

That's a reasonable price, plus... As long as you love it, it's worth it

[@2JZAddict]

💯

[@Carsaddiction]

Garage Defend now want $7k more just within 2 months of this video.

[@2JZAddict]

Crazy right?! The last year has been nuts with prices for these cars! 😳😬

[@50629]

I just got one from Garage Defend that’s close to stock, 120km, 0 rust, for $56,000

[@Carsaddiction]

@@50629 Was it the Silver one?

[@chrissmith135]

How do you fix it when it breaks down? How do you get parts?

[@2JZAddict]

PRP is a good resource for aftermarket parts. For OEM stuff, yahoo auctions and TKGT are typically my go-to spots depending on what the part is. I’ve also had good experiences with Nengun, RHDJapan, and even my local Nissan dealer. Most of the fasteners and things are used across models, you just need the P/N.

[@miyuki3847]

This is my favorite GTR. Hopefully I can get one in the future while being a broke student...

[@dudeinthebackground3998]

@CameronOnTheRun bro youre really giving bad advice im telling you you will feel more proud and fulfilled when youre done if its done in a real way not just selling dope

[@dudeinthebackground3998]

@CameronOnTheRun bro i meant in a legal way chill out

[@Its_Urban]

@CameronOnTheRun There’s no legal way to sell weed? Bro where are you from? Lmao

[@xSupra]

@Cameron Carter It's legal to sell weed in some places. IIRC Colorado it's legal to do that. Maybe you have to be a business to do that, idk.

[@ManchesterFC7]

were you able to negotiate with Garage Defend at all?

[@smooth_ops2942]

Well the GT-R prices are sky rocketing right now so this is actually a great investment 👍🏻

[@2JZAddict]

You’re absolutely right! Not sure I’d ever want to sell it though. 🤣😬

[@smooth_ops2942]

@@2JZAddict So if AdamLZ called you and said he will give you $100,000 for it you wouldn't sell it? 😜

[@2JZAddict]

🤣🤣🤣 Alright, you got me there. I suppose everything has its price.

[@zboost300]

How was garage defend to work with?

[@bfighter125]

Costed me 43k for a 95 R33GTR in KN-6 color. Only 64k Kilometers, from Canada delivered to where I live in Michigan.

[@2JZAddict]

That’s a great deal! When did you buy it?

[@bfighter125]

@@2JZAddict August 2020

[@2JZAddict]

That’s awesome! You definitely got a great price! Nice job! How did you find the car?

[@bfighter125]

@CameronOnTheRun Same mileage 😁

[@bfighter125]

@CameronOnTheRun Look up converting kilometers into miles and you'll learn something today.

[@bikotheanimator6169]

R33 is my favorite Skyline GT-R

[@Vspec_Zilla]

Great video! Damn that 33 in blue tho! Fire man!!!!

[@2JZAddict]

Thanks! Glad you like it! 🍻👍

[@labenward373]

I wish someone would make a video of shipping from the EU. I will most likely not buy my GTR from Japan I will be using pistonheads to buy my car.

[@robocop3961]

Pistonheads is good, there’s alot of good looked after cars on there with owners who appreciate there Cars not the usual rust buckets!

[@aaryanpatel7287]

Cost me around 32k with the auction, shipping, inspection etc.. I got container shipping and I registered the car in Montana. 1995 Skyline GTR 😁

[@2JZAddict]

Congratulations!! Sounds like you got a solid deal at that price! Well done! 🍻🤘

[@MrJspecefini]

That’s an insane price. When did you buy it? Were there rust issues, accident history, or corrosion? I worry the most about clapped out cars hiding rust from auctions.

[@SkylineR33]

Reason he got a good deal is he didnt use a company like garage defend. If you buy via auction you save thousands

[@lucas2055]

Idk if it’s a stupid question but is there financing available or no

[@2JZAddict]

@lucas2055 There is but it takes some creativity. I made a video about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJizpZ-Iq86Vic0

[@TinoushGTR]

Can't believe i bought my 1997 series 3 with 35k on it for as little as 20k back in 2010. including shipping, import fee etc etc.

[@2JZAddict]

It’s pretty crazy how much prices have skyrocketed. Makes me wish I’d bought one back in ~2016 when I first started looking.

[@TinoushGTR]

@@2JZAddict i wish you had. And I wish I didn't sell mine for 15k in 2015. Shit happens. I recently bought a 2014 r35. Since then i don't mis my first love (33gtr) that much anymore. It's all about being able to drive the cars we love. There are allot affordable drivers car out there. Trust me people who pay 50-60k for a r33 or r32 will be disappointed. It's good car but not that good. You can get a evo x for much less and it will circle around does 2. That much better chassis it has.

[@2JZAddict]

There are definitely a lot of great options out there, especially for the price point. For what the car is, I think that $50k is too much and that’s coming from somebody that paid that. Lol It is an absolute blast of a car but with the updates in technology, there are certainly options today that offer similar potential for a lesser cost of entry. It really depends on the person, their goals, and the nostalgia. I don’t regret spending the money at all. I love the car! Would I do it again...? I’m not sure. Maybe.

[@robocop3961]

@@TinoushGTR the Evo chassis isn’t as good as the r32/r33’s chassis. Don’t forget the r32 was built for group a racing to begin with and won every single race it entered before it was banned for being unbeatable. The Evo x is a decent car but not as good as the evo 9!

[@mikedawg8705]

I'm out here in OKC with an R33 GTR. I wish I had the mountains like you do lol. need to do some togue driving.

[@2JZAddict]

You could always come up here and we could take the GTR’s for a rip! 🤘🍻

[@truwheelsaz3327]

Great video & thank you! Is there an advantage in shipping it to Savanah,GA rather then Long Beach, CA? Thx

[@2JZAddict]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. The reason I shipped to Savannah was because that’s where Spencer ships his cars. He already knew the process and the people so if I had any questions it would be easier to get things done. The car would have arrived about two weeks sooner and the drive to pick it up been less had it shipped to Long Beach but I don’t personally know anybody out there that’s imported a car.

[@truwheelsaz3327]

@@2JZAddict Ah makes sense! Thank you for the reply & sorry I just seen this lol..

[@2JZAddict]

All good man. Happens to me too. Lol

[@yetituning4859]

Just so you know, there's extra you have to do on a California imports. Even if he brought this gtr to cali he'd still have to do other items. See Top Rank Importers video.

[@E39M5SPEED]

Did you have to pay sales tax on it in CO?

[@2JZAddict]

Yep. Still have to pay sales tax in the US in spite of already having paid it in Japan. 😒

[@luislopez995]

First like...... Hi from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

[@19KiloM1A1]

Who was your broker again please?

[@2JZAddict]

I used Garage Defend for export and Spencer (yourcarbro on YT) to help facilitate import paperwork.

[@joshstevens6678]

What about getting it US DOT compliant?

[@2JZAddict]

It’s NHTSA and DOT exempt after 25 years.

[@cwpphotog]

Any specific reason for going to Pueblo for your registration? I’m assuming you’re in the Springs. You’re the second person I’ve seen in the state with a R33 GTR. The other is a black one in Denver. Am starting to see a few R32s around town. Congrats man!

[@2JZAddict]

Thanks man! It’s a super fun car for sure. 🤘 Needs a little more power though. Lol I went to Pueblo for the certified VIN inspection because I could get an appt within about a week. The CSP division in COS that does certified VIN inspections was nearly a month out on appts and I didn’t want to wait.

[@cwpphotog]

@@2JZAddict ahh gotcha. that makes sense. Buddy..I don’t think there would ever be enough power for this car that would satisfy the owner. 😆

[@2JZAddict]

Hahaha - you know, I think you’re right. Lol

[@parkerb764]

Damn you could turn around and sell your R33 now for $60K!

[@gannngmsnsn]

Having a skyline is priceless I plan to get a r33 and don’t plan giving away ever!

[@pandanation7195]

hey there bro i need to meet you in person some day i would like to take pictures of the car i am a big fan so if that is okay

[@2JZAddict]

Absolutely man! I’m not traveling as much this year unfortunately but I’ll definitely be out at a few SCT’s and some other events.

[@Sleepyman65]

where you at in colrodo I live there as well

[@2JZAddict]

Yo! I’m in COS. Where are you?

[@shindukess]

I'd rather go through Driver MotorSports. I just don't like Garage Defend.

[@2JZAddict]

Chris is a good dude. He’ll definitely alleviate any of the difficult bits for you but you will pay for that service in the end price. The more of the import process you can do yourself you’ll ultimately end up saving a good bit on the back end. OT - I think you might be surprised to learn how a lot of US importers source their cars.

[@shindukess]

@@2JZAddict I agree Chris is a good guy and his team's effort is beyond what others do when importing for people. Also he doesn't hoard the R34s like Garage Defend.

[@2JZAddict]

@@shindukess Garage Defend really doesn’t have that many R34’s compared to some others. You should see the Top Rank and Trust Kikaku warehouses. They’d make Garage Defend look like a 2-car garage for most of us. Lol

[@coopsnz1]

Gts25 - t r grade 1.6 million yen in Japan

[@street22style]

You paid waaaayyyy too much in shipping, handling and brokerage feees. I've imported several cars from Japan and the average cost has been around $3K total auction to door. How you managed to accumulate around $15K above your purchase costs just blows my mind!!! I've found the trick is finding the right broker that knows how to "handle" paperwork...wink, wink. But your car is BAD ASS, and it will double in value before long.

[@2JZAddict]

Going through the auctions could have definitely saved me a bit of cash. Having to pay sales tax and JCI in addition to export facilitation is really what hung me up. I’m all for paying people for their time but paying sales tax and inspection in a different country is lame, especially when I didn’t even get to drive it over there. lol For shipping and customs I was closer to the $3k you mentioned. Transporting it from the port to my house and paying registration was another decent chunk of cash though.

[@street22style]

@@2JZAddict Oh I get ya....everyone has to get a piece of the action!!!

[@coopsnz1]

The not 1 k in Japan

[@rj5485]

I think this was a steal according to today's prices

[@2JZAddict]

I completely agree with you. I was looking at carsensor last week and $60-70k plus import seems to be the norm these days. 😳😬

[@rj5485]

@@2JZAddict Precisely! Thanks for the information in this video. Very helpful 👌.

[@2JZAddict]

@@rj5485 Thanks for watching! I’m glad you liked it. 🍻👍

[@bikotheanimator6169]

Basically, be rich and not poor. I am too poor for anything.

[@2JZAddict]

I’m not rich either. I had to sell another car I had paid off in order to fund this one. You can get there too but you’ll need to change is your mindset. A positive forward mental focus will make a substantial difference in accomplishing your goals.

[@chewdoobautomotivedetailtm2883]

thats amazing there gonna keep going up 60k just yhr car lol

[@realdeal1811]

You got lucky, I see so many people that pay all that money for complete junk, about like what our typical 95 300zx condition would be.

[@2JZAddict]

You’re not wrong. I’ve seen some rough ones too.

[@robocop3961]

I paid 3k for a 93 Nissan pulsar GTI-R 😎🥳

[@parkerb764]

Pueblo= no smog no emissions! I know cause I’m sadly from that shit hole! 😂

[@Foster-wk3mu]

Bruh the fuck you doing in my town, this car is like the shit we don't have stuff like this here

[@2JZAddict]

Didn’t realize I missed this comment. Sorry! You live in COS?? There’s lots of this stuff here. You just need to know where to look. Most are small localized meets between owners. Rarely do you see people show up to slush or WickedCC meets or anything like that. We do exist though. Lol 🍻👍

[@Foster-wk3mu]

@@2JZAddict o that cool

[@gblikesnikes]

In other words I’ll be importing mine from Europe.

[@gjdjxjdenjxakajd]

i have a friend who is selling his r33..much more cheaper..

[@2JZAddict]

Is it stateside already?

[@troyjamison9194]

How much ?

[@VEJIm]

Nice

[@tzvangchannel]

Your GTR looks awesome 👏! I wish I have a GTR, but mine is a r33 GTS25T Type M. Your GTR will worth a lot of money near in the future, so if I were you I will keep it for a long time.

[@2JZAddict]

That’s the plan! 🍻🤘