Guys,
I have been toying with the idea of getting an 80 abroad because of the options that were not available in the US(diesel, 5sp, rear ac, etc...).
Since I live in Japan I thought about locating the one I like here and shipping it to the US(the only one I found so far charges about $2500 for shipping). But I can not get over the fact that I will be stuck with a right-hand drive vehicle in the States. It's not too much fun, although do-able, since I have driven a left-hand drive car in Japan.
So I'm thinking about getting one from Europe(except the UK) and getting one shipped to the US(when/after I move back next year). Now here are the questions I have for you guys:
-Is this legal(especially if I went diesel) with DOT?
-Since diesel eigine was not available in the US, how hard would it be to have it serviced by my friendly, local dealer or by experienced shops.
-I heard that the rear AC is connected to the cooler console box(if it came with it) would I be able to get the rear AC hooked up if I got a cruiser with the cooler console box or would it be better simply to look for one already fitted with rear ac from the factory(at least in Japan, that means only gas/petrol and no diesel). Maybe I would not even need rear AC, but I love having it in my van right now.
Any opinions, positive and negative(constructive) would be appreciated. Conversions more logical than importing? I should probably just suck it up and get a good 80 in the US, right?
Many thanks in advance.
mot
I have been toying with the idea of getting an 80 abroad because of the options that were not available in the US(diesel, 5sp, rear ac, etc...).
Since I live in Japan I thought about locating the one I like here and shipping it to the US(the only one I found so far charges about $2500 for shipping). But I can not get over the fact that I will be stuck with a right-hand drive vehicle in the States. It's not too much fun, although do-able, since I have driven a left-hand drive car in Japan.
So I'm thinking about getting one from Europe(except the UK) and getting one shipped to the US(when/after I move back next year). Now here are the questions I have for you guys:
-Is this legal(especially if I went diesel) with DOT?
-Since diesel eigine was not available in the US, how hard would it be to have it serviced by my friendly, local dealer or by experienced shops.
-I heard that the rear AC is connected to the cooler console box(if it came with it) would I be able to get the rear AC hooked up if I got a cruiser with the cooler console box or would it be better simply to look for one already fitted with rear ac from the factory(at least in Japan, that means only gas/petrol and no diesel). Maybe I would not even need rear AC, but I love having it in my van right now.
Any opinions, positive and negative(constructive) would be appreciated. Conversions more logical than importing? I should probably just suck it up and get a good 80 in the US, right?
Many thanks in advance.
mot