Ive just purchased an '89 Mazda Miata and wanted to ship it back to the states when I leave Okinawa, what do I have to change in the car to make it legal to register in the states and how would i get someone to transport it for me?|||You need to look at the build plate and see what countries standards it was built too. If it is for the US no problem. The things that would need to be changed would be emissions related and more then likely it qualifies to be used in the US. At most it would require a ECM change, the rest of the emissions system is the same. If there is a problem with the body, it would be limited to the lights and reflectors. However because J-spec lights are used by some of us who want a different look in the US.
The bottom line is that the Miata was an approved model in the states, and as a result no testing is needed to pass the collision standards. That gets expensive. Also at one time some requirements were waived on cars being brought in by service men provided it was not a purchase of convenience.
As for getting it transported, if you are in the service, the same office that ships household effects will handle it. If you have to pay to have it shipped back, just buy a used one in the states (it would be cheaper).|||If it's anything like the FC, there are only minor differences between the J-spec and US-spec cars. Most of them are emissions-related, and the rest are bolt-on parts. Personally, it'd be easier just to buy one here.
If you're in Okinawa, I'm gonna assume that you're in the military. For the most part, you can get a car shipped back on the cheap because of that. And since there's a local version for the states, you might be able to skirt a lot of the red tape as well. Ask your commanding officer for more info about it.|||It's a giant hassle to import one car to the US, because the pollution %26amp; safety requirements are usually tougher then other countries. So, unless this specific car has a huge sentimental valve to you, it would be much easier to sell it there %26amp; buy another one here. And, if you're going back to California, then there's another set of requirements just for them.|||the cars are essentially the same. it should be pretty easy. albeit you do have to pay for the shipping costs and all of that.
it IS going to be a hassle. but not as much of a hassle as bringing a skyline over here...
if i were you i would just sell it. there are TONS of miatas over here. it was designed in california after all...
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