Folks, I am planning to import my brand new Suzuki Swift, bought in Europe, into the United States. Now, Suzuki USA customer service could not answer my questions, perhaps you guys know more?
- who / which company in MD/DC area could get my car technically ready for use in the US: - lower grade gasoline -> adjust something in the motor? - how about emission standarts -> any adjustments needed?
- how would I get my maintenance done and how would I get hold of spare parts?
Thanks!
Don't bother. It'll cost more than it's worth.
Hope you have LOT'S of money. The conversion is going to cost you as much as a new car in the US. You would be MUCH better off selling it and buying one in the US. Also YOU cannot import it yourself. You have to use a registered importer who will ask you for a bond of 150 percent of the value of the vehicle.
Your going to need a new emission control system, new exhaust system with all the proper hardware and a different engine computer to control it. May also need safety items like air bags and US legal bumpers and glass, US legal headlights and such.
Guys, Thanks for the advice, but you're breaking my heart. It's my wife's birthday gift (that was just yesterday) and she (and me) really loves it! And it is nice, just look at it:
Tobias
Whether or not your particular bodystyle sells here or there, the point is that the national safety and emissions standards are different in the US. Everything that bolts onto your car could possibly be out of compliance to legally register it anywhere in the US. Even if your country's (or is it all of Europe's?) standards were technically better, safer, cleaner whatever, the nonconformities are all that the US DOT and EPA care about.
IMHO, Toyota MDT in MO
could be: doesn't meet emissions doesn't pass crash tests incompatible with Suzuki NA's equipment not profitable enough would compete with a Suzuki NA product etc...
I wanted a new GTO. I live in Canada. GM didn't feel it was worth it to certify the car for Canada, so I'm SOL. Transport Canada has a list of cars "allowed in", "allowed in with minor mods" and "NOT allowed." The GTO is "NOT allowed" which means that no matter what I did to the car, I'd never be able to drive it in Canada until it was 15 years old when any kind of car is allowed.
Ray
As said above, it would cost you a fortune to import it. And don't even ask about service or INSURANCE!
Suzuki is planning on bringing it to the US when it is refreshed. Currently, Suzuki has the Reno/Forenza at the bottom end of their range which is less expensive and larger.
As others have said, don't bother! (& this applies even though you just bought it & your wife loves it) You'll spend big bux on the conversion - if it can be done at all - and you won't have the same car afterwards. It won't perform the same, much like German beer in Germany isn't the same when it's imported here.
Not only do you have to worry about emissions, but also crashworthiness, headlights, glass, brake lights and so on. Your car has euro-spec headlights. US-spec lights produce a different pattern of light. One difference I know of is that euro-spec lights do not allow any light above horizontal, or very little. US spec lights do, otherwise how would you see the overhead signs on the interstate? (I suspect in Europe such signs are lighted, which is impossible over here due to the sheer number of such signs)
Since the Swift isn't sold here, you probably can't find drop-in replacements for the headlights. The entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced, not just the bulb. And that's just one item. There could be many more.
The euro-spec catalytic converter will most likely have to be replaced - will the US-spec replacement even fit in the same spot? If the US-spec converter runs hotter, will it melt something that's not expecting such heat?
How 'bout the speedometer/odometer? It's probably metric. If it's not electronic, you'll have to convert km/h to MPH. Do you want to do that all the time? That will get old pretty quick. Again, you probably can't find a drop-in replacement since the Swift isn't sold here. if it is electronic then there's probably a "US/Metric" switch or setting somewhere.
And, if you take the car on a trip to Florida or some place far from home, what will you do if it breaks down & needs a part? Flatbed it back home? Not likely.
Leave it in Europe. Buy something else when you get here.
Heck, just have someone over there stick one in an envelope and mail it here.
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