| JZZ30fan |
As many of you know, any vehicle 15 years or older can legally be imported and registered to drive legally on our roads. Most of these vehicles, being Right-Hand-Drive. In recent years, the popularity of the option to import has increased significantly for a multitude of reasons; the main reason being that within the last 5 years many desirable vehicles have passed the 15 year old mark (R32 skyline, Mitsu GTO, Toyota Soarer, Supra 2.5, Aristo, Fairlady, Pulsar, Trucks/vans popular also etc...).
But not everyone necessarily agrees to this. Some argue that RHD is dangerous due to the restricted view in specific situations. There has been the argument of 'reduced visibility' and 'inexperienced drivers' but no real statistics or facts to back it up. I recently found this page:
http://www.luxuryimports.ca/faq/joinfight.php
on luxuryimports.ca. It seems that the facts point to no more risk involved with driving a RHD vehicle compared to a LHD vehicle. The main point Transport Canada raises in the article why the law should be changed (To a 25-year-old import rule) involves the fact that these older vehicles don't posses as many safety features as today's.
But aren't there many more LHD vehicles of that age already on our roads in much higher numbers without any safety problems? So why pick on the imports?
The article is definately worth a read. Nothing is official yet, this is just an article. I would like to know what your thoughts on this are. Anybody on here driving an RHD vehicle currently? Your thoughts?
http://www.luxuryimports.ca/faq/joinfight.php
Note to Moderators: This is my first new thread here, move it if I posted this in the wrong place. Also, sorry if this link has already been posted here. |
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| sk8jas |
Thank you for not posting something along these lines
"I heard from my uncles sisters daughters mechanic thaaaaat RHD cars are going to be [banned,dissalowed, uninsurable]"
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And as for the link you posted...
Im going to "Join the Fight" only because SOME RHD cars from Japan are just so damn good and should be imported buuuut Im not totally against TC or whoever it is getting more strict on inspection policies. Im so sick of seeing shitty ass RHD JDM cars.
My 2 cents
*edit*
oh yeah and I had read through those reports a few days ago as they were posted on GTRcanada.com. All those numbers show is that cars that are 15 years old are in accidents more often that cars that are newer. ALL CARS THAT ARE 15 Y.O. not just RHD ones, also if you go over the data in the "high risk driving activity fatalities" it actually shows HIGHER accident rates in NEWER CARS
So I mean you can make your own conclusions of what those numbers prove.
Jason |
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| 95EagleAWD |
One has to ask, however:
Does the government make a point? Are they right? |
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| sk8jas |
quote:
Originally posted by 95EagleAWD
One has to ask, however:
Does the government make a point? Are they right?
I think the most important point they make is the numbers prove that young kids are crashing there 15 year old imports.
No surprise to me, sooo I think that Insurance will eventually step in and make it a little more difficult for younger guys to drive some of those crazy ass cars. And how will the insurance companies figure out which imports need higher premiums? Seeing as they dont have the data I would assume they would raise premiums for all RHD cars for younger drivers.
And as for the question are they right? They just give out numbers so if your reffering to weather they should move the 15 YO rule to 25 years than they arnt, they should just start getting STRICT ASS on inspection of JDM imports
again just my 2 cents
Jason
*Edit*
It just occured to me that
quote:
Originally posted by 95EagleAWD
One has to ask, however:
Does the government make a point? Are they right?
You probably meant "are they right about the point they make" And that point is, young guys crash there imported 15 year old cars a lot more than whats normal.
Theres no doubt about that.
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| ChromeDragon |
| Make a separate test for RHD cars. Banning them outright for "safety reasons" is ridiculous when I'm still able to drive my '56 Buick without seatbelts legally. Same goes for motorcycles, they have absolutely nothing for safety features outside of the braking systems. No air bags are deploying when you slam into a truck doing 200km/h or lay the bike down after hitting a patch of gravel. They are just using the "safety" angle as a way to protect the big car companies. |
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| sk8jas |
quote:
Originally posted by ChromeDragon
Make a separate test for RHD cars. Banning them outright for "safety reasons" is ridiculous when I'm still able to drive my '56 Buick without seatbelts legally. Same goes for motorcycles, they have absolutely nothing for safety features outside of the braking systems. No air bags are deploying when you slam into a truck doing 200km/h or lay the bike down after hitting a patch of gravel. They are just using the "safety" angle as a way to protect the big car companies.
^^ I agree, this is what I posted in the other RHD thread as well...
http://forums.780tuners.com/showthr...mp;pagenumber=2
So whats the issue here? The fact that young inexperienced drivers have access to cars that may be too powerful for them. Also, who are the majority of JDM buyers? Younger guys, BROKE younger guys might I emphasize. So what happens, young broke guys import POS cars that arnt up to spec. They dont have money to fix them and the cars may be too powerful for an inexperienced driver to handle. This leads to loads of dirty, ugly RHD cars on the road which eventually get in accidents, which leads to disdain from the general public.
Banning them is an easy fix solution, raising insurance rates to more appropriate rates and getting strict on inspections of imported cars is a better and more direct solution.
End Rant. |
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| fatbastard |
Stupid idiots will crash anything, no matter what it is. I do agree that visibility is limited a little more on RHD cars, but being able to purchase a car such as a Skyline that some moron has drooled over for the past 5 years doesn't help. Gran Turismo is not a driving simulator :)
Anyone will give you a loan these days (at a wicked 20% interest) so you're seeing more idiots on the roads with high powered cars. I don't have a problem with kids, I have a problem with idiots, and yes, I can see that there is a difference. |
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| cally |
I agree with chromedragon, i think it' just an excuse to protect big car companies, and dealerships, but when you look at it, the ratio of 15yr old imported RHD vehicles to newer cars on the road cannot even be compared. These used cars have only been coming here in LARGE quantities in the past 3yrs, the industry can't even begin to look at 15yr old imports as a threat or even competition.
I guess this is just another way to get us down and out in the business world. |
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| fiero_TyPe_s |
This thing is not going to go away!
Does a 15 year old JDM car have a higher risk of injury in an accident then a 15 year old USDM car of the same constrution? NO
Do they people have the potentional of getting in more accidents in a JDM car then a USDM car? Yes, for all the reasons listed, visibility, being the main one.
Does the government have the right to tell someone what car he of she and drive regardless of age or sex? NO
I don’t believe this could hold up if challenged in court. The 15 years rule is intended to protect auto sales in Canada, not save lives. I am a construction safety expert. I have read and reread the TSA 15 year rules and explanations. Modern cars world wide are safer now then 15 years ago, Air bags, ABS brakes, HID light, driver assists features. If the rule was to save lives then only the safest cars should be on the road, not a question of age or RHD vs. LHD. What safety features are different Between a 2004 G35 Usdm then a 2004 Nissan skyline JDM. Only the drivers seating position. so I think the safety debate ends on that point. the cars are the same.
I drive a 1989 Nissan Silvia, My moms drives a 1989 Nissan 240sx coupe. the are NO safety differences between these cars. Except the seating position. Same Seat belts and Bumper supports and seats and rear lights. Is my Silvia unsafe? or more unsafe then my moms 240? NO. I have more HP, yes. I’m 26 have a clean driving record and have been driving RHD for 3+ years in Edmonton.
Do i have a greater risk of dieing in my car?? NO
IS changing it to 25 years going to save more lives. NO not a chance, Is it going to help protect Use auto sales of import cars? Yes
Everything in this world has to do with money, period. This is an attempt to stop Canadian Money leaving Canadian soil.
Anyone agree? Or disagree?
My 2 cents.
D |
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| JustinL |
Another aspect that was discussed in another thread is the overpriced Canadian car market. There isn't just a flood of JDM cars coming in, but USDM cars as well. This is seen in both the new and used market.
Failure of the manufacturers to lower the Canadian prices to compete with foreign prices drives up the relative price of local used cars as well as new cars. Once it gets cheaper to import than to buy locally, the market shifts to importation. Importation is going to keep this high level until either our dollar falls relative to the yen and the USD or the local car market falls into line with the rest of the world.
There are of course RHD fanboys who place a higher value on a JDM car compared to its North American counterpart. I think this smaller market will always be there, but maybe not as affordable as it is now. |
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| Fish_e_o |
quote:
Originally posted by JustinL
Another aspect that was discussed in another thread is the overpriced Canadian car market. There isn't just a flood of JDM cars coming in, but USDM cars as well. This is seen in both the new and used market.
Failure of the manufacturers to lower the Canadian prices to compete with foreign prices drives up the relative price of local used cars as well as new cars. Once it gets cheaper to import than to buy locally, the market shifts to importation. Importation is going to keep this high level until either our dollar falls relative to the yen and the USD or the local car market falls into line with the rest of the world.
There are of course RHD fanboys who place a higher value on a JDM car compared to its North American counterpart. I think this smaller market will always be there, but maybe not as affordable as it is now.
this is true.. it's not some big scam to protect car manufacturers
it's about mantaining the dollar...
this sort of thing happens all the time. look at the soft wood lumber dispute
why do you think Canada taxes non northamerican steel??
it's economic it's not a big scam to hate on rhd cars and import owners
:drama: |
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| sk8jas |
quote:
Originally posted by fatbastard
Stupid idiots will crash anything, no matter what it is. I do agree that visibility is limited a little more on RHD cars, but being able to purchase a car such as a Skyline that some moron has drooled over for the past 5 years doesn't help. Gran Turismo is not a driving simulator :)
Anyone will give you a loan these days (at a wicked 20% interest) so you're seeing more idiots on the roads with high powered cars. I don't have a problem with kids, I have a problem with idiots, and yes, I can see that there is a difference.
Im not sure if this quote was directed at my comment, either way I will clarify what I said. In the statistics shown here
http://www.luxuryimports.ca/faq/joinfight.php
on the last page it shows the Distribution of collisions by driver age for vehicles 15 years or older, comparing imported to all others. Im just stating the fact that in the Under 20 age group imported vehicle crashes accounted for 23.9% whereas in "other vehicles" category the same age group accounts for 11.3%.
Also I think what happened in Australia could be used as a case study. Their 15 year old rule ended in 2005 after a huge influx of the 1989 legal year vehicles. Their reasons were basically that the number of older imported vehicles were rising so fast that if not checked than vehicles that were exempt from emmisions and safety would be far too high. Sounds legitimate.
However, there was word that their government was under great pressure from vehicle manufacturers to stop the influx of these vehicles.
Im not a business expert so would anybody care to expand on this? |
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| sk8jas |
quote:
Originally posted by fiero_TyPe_s
..............
IS changing it to 25 years going to save more lives. NO not a chance, Is it going to help protect Use auto sales of import cars? Yes
Everything in this world has to do with money, period. This is an attempt to stop Canadian Money leaving Canadian soil.
Anyone agree? Or disagree?
My 2 cents.
D
I agree with this 100%, however, "they" (the people who are in power to change the rule) have to have a legitamite reason to change the rule.
Right now they are latching onto the fact that none of these cars have DOT approved lights and their beam pattern is pointed the wrong way. And also reduced visibility etc.
These ARE legitimate concerns that they can USE to stop or slow the import of JDM vehicles. Its not really a matter what their REAL reasons are (money leaving the country), its what they can use.
And what can they use to lead their fight...
Right now, they have quite a bit to work with mainly
1)reduced visibility in certain situations (safety concerns to the public
2)non-complying vehicles (wrong beam pattern etc)
3)Higher crash rates among majority of buyers of JDM vehicles |
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| JZZ30fan |
Good to see lots of replies!
I think a rear-window sticker indicative of a RHD car, or a test/training available from provincial government to educate drivers on how to deal with the visibility issues is a great idea. (Not tomention this would generate some extra cash for the province)
Personally, I want a JDM car not to be cool, or to "drift." Yes, I am 16, but young does not mean broke or ignorant in all cases. I want a JDM car because with my needs and buget it makes more sense. As an expamle, I am interested in a Lexus SC400, or Toyota Soarer. Many could argue that it is not that great of an idea because "You could just buy an SC300 and do a swap, giving you pretty much the same car with LHD."
Easier said than done.
The JDM version of this car makes sense to me because:
-Lower kms (most SC400s around Toronto have 200000+ kms)
-Generally better condition
-Slightly more power (276 vs. 250)
-Better fuel economy (I6 vs. V8)
-More features
-Cheaper (even for a auction 3.5-4.0 example in good shape)
So it appears the JDM car is a better option. Yes, I admit i'm not entirely fond of the RHD idea because of the visibility issues. Plus, even though I drive everyday, one could argue that I don't have the experience to properly drive a RHD car. But the fact of its age relative to the safety is completely insignificant.
Young people buy RHD vehicles because you can find affordable, fun-to-drive, low-km, good condition cars for cheaper than their USDM counterparts(I'm aware not all import vehicles have USDM counterparts).
The advantages of imported vehicles are numerous and I think its great that we live in a country where this option is open to buyers. Buying an imported vehicle makes sense to me. Its more than a bunch of young people wanting to drive fast. To me its about having a car you love in great condition at a great price. And you cant beat that. |
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| sk8jas |
Hey JZZ30fan
Props on doing your research before buying a car, and starting a really good discussion.
Also, Ive got to commend you on getting a Soarer (mine is also coming soon).
The Soarer in stock form is a luxury car and is going to be fairly safe, also its power to weight ratio isnt anywhere near cars like the Pulsar GtiR's, Sil-80's etc. Which is more along the lines of what I like to pick on.
Its not really the age group Im picking on either, its the fact of easy access to vehicles that have very high power to weight ratios. For that same age group to have a USDM vehicle with the same power, that person would be paying significantly more in insurance putting them out of reach.
(which is the point)
(EG, ask what you would pay on a 5.0L mustang, than ask what you would pay for your 180sx w/sr20det or a Pulsar GtiR.) Its a huge difference.
The Soarer is a different story though, other than it being RHD, it puts out basically the same power as its USDM counterpart. |
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| jzz30tt |
| The soarer is a fantastic choice and i'll give you props too on doing some research. i've offered this to any other soarer owner i know of. I know a lot about these cars so if you have any questions i can help with just let me know on PM. |
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| _CALIBER_ |
| thats bullsh*t. |
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