VIN swapping? Seriously? Sounds like a recipe for disaster aka major legal trouble.
I don't see importing a standard RHD example as a worthwhile substitute for a LHD NSX, and here's why:
1. It's difficult to determine the history of a RHD car with the convoluted grading system in Japan. For the Acuras though, we can at least readily run a VIN history report (sure take with grain-of-salt) as an acceptable starting point. Also, oftentimes we have the opportunity to meet the previous owner(s) to help gauge if they cared for the car... "Shopping the seller and not the car" believe or not, goes a long ways sometimes.
2. Unless you're delivering mail, RHD is challenging to drive in a LHD country. Period.
3. The primary market for the NSX was/is the U.S. with more than half of production sold to U.S./Canada. There will be a LHD NSX to be traded, just be patient. It follows that RHD parts are more difficult to source and oftentimes, more expensive to obtain.
4. From what I've seen, a supposed "good" RHD example costs nearly the same as a (maybe higher mileage) LHD equivalent BEFORE importation. So on these less expensive RHD NSXs that you might "save" a few bucks after all's said and done, you must ask yourself why/how it was priced in the first place. Might as well open yourself up to salvage/rebuilt LHD cars if you're that desperate to save $; there are good drivers with bad titles to be had.
5. Collector value? Not unless it's ends with a Type-something, forget it.
6. "Federally-titled" does not equate to 50-state legal. Estimates upwards of 10,000 USD to solely smog-certify an imported vehicle in California, so there's that.
7. Attention. Don't get me wrong, I got no less than four thumbs-up outside different car windows on my drive down PCH this weekend in my plain Jane NSX, and it felt good but should we really care that much? Especially since for every enthusiast giving you that much more of enthusiastic gesture of recognition for your RHD NSX, you'll also be pulled-over by Highway Patrol or local PD suspecting you of potentially driving an illegal vehicle. Not worth the hassle.
I'm sure there's more I'm neglecting but some things for the would-be RHD buyers to consider.
I don't see importing a standard RHD example as a worthwhile substitute for a LHD NSX, and here's why:
1. It's difficult to determine the history of a RHD car with the convoluted grading system in Japan. For the Acuras though, we can at least readily run a VIN history report (sure take with grain-of-salt) as an acceptable starting point. Also, oftentimes we have the opportunity to meet the previous owner(s) to help gauge if they cared for the car... "Shopping the seller and not the car" believe or not, goes a long ways sometimes.
2. Unless you're delivering mail, RHD is challenging to drive in a LHD country. Period.
3. The primary market for the NSX was/is the U.S. with more than half of production sold to U.S./Canada. There will be a LHD NSX to be traded, just be patient. It follows that RHD parts are more difficult to source and oftentimes, more expensive to obtain.
4. From what I've seen, a supposed "good" RHD example costs nearly the same as a (maybe higher mileage) LHD equivalent BEFORE importation. So on these less expensive RHD NSXs that you might "save" a few bucks after all's said and done, you must ask yourself why/how it was priced in the first place. Might as well open yourself up to salvage/rebuilt LHD cars if you're that desperate to save $; there are good drivers with bad titles to be had.
5. Collector value? Not unless it's ends with a Type-something, forget it.
6. "Federally-titled" does not equate to 50-state legal. Estimates upwards of 10,000 USD to solely smog-certify an imported vehicle in California, so there's that.
7. Attention. Don't get me wrong, I got no less than four thumbs-up outside different car windows on my drive down PCH this weekend in my plain Jane NSX, and it felt good but should we really care that much? Especially since for every enthusiast giving you that much more of enthusiastic gesture of recognition for your RHD NSX, you'll also be pulled-over by Highway Patrol or local PD suspecting you of potentially driving an illegal vehicle. Not worth the hassle.
I'm sure there's more I'm neglecting but some things for the would-be RHD buyers to consider.
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