Car Grumps: Winter Import Nights

The Car Grumps #8 12/15/20 - Importing cars is nothing new.  In fact, it started well before the '80's when drivers were looking to get unique vehicles not allowed in the domestic market.  That all changed when the feds cracked down on them and made a law preventing their importation.  That was pre-'90s when suddenly Japan started to make some insane cars that are still cherished today... unfortunately they were never allowed in the United States.  Still the concept of owning something unique and special, such as the Nissan Skyline, was strong.  It got worse when the Fast and the Furious came out, it became a feeding frenzy for Skylines.

Even though importation gained traction its pitfalls came to bear.  Importation started to become a scary concept filled with unknowns, shady men that worked at the docs that didn't follow the rules, and the feds that wanted to tow any car that didn't meet every little requirement a year after you took delivery. 

Yet there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  The feds put in a loophole that vehicles over 25 years old matured and no longer needed to follow some strict importation rules, which meant importing them was completely legal and a lot easier!  But that brought its own list of unknowns that raised blood pressures of potential owners to heart attack level.  In short, it was still a scary foreign unkown. 

So today we talk to the experts.  Someone who has imported 4 cars, someone who sells all the imports, and finally someone who repairs and upkeeps imports! Once the show is over you should know if importing a car is the right thing for you!  

First up is Donny Fisher, that has owned multiple imports, we'll go over what he's owned.

Next is Derek Griffith of Northeast Auto Imports (IG northeastautoimports)) that has imported hundreds of cars through his business and can tell us what we'll need as a buyer

Lastly we have Chris McQuaid of Function Automotive that repairs and upkeeps hundreds of import vehicles and specializes in fixing Skylines at functionautomotive.net

Also don't miss the big drag race.  The top 4 cars will go head to head and it will come down to 2 that will face off for the championship!  Head over to facebook.com/cargrumps to vote! 

​We also want to wish everyone a happy holiday and let you know we'll see you next year!!!  Also, we want to say if you plan to buy a gift, our sizes are V8, 5.7 liter, and 350 cubic inches. 

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