Non-Importable Car? Help please!

[ninjaduck8 0]

Hi all, I've been lurking this forum a lot and it's super helpful but I'm at a huge roadblock (haha puns).

I called Nissan headquarters to request my letter of compliance and the lady said it's on this magic list of "non-importable vehicles." I have a 2015 Micra and she said all Micra and Sentras are non-importable.

I just got this car last year so I'm not prepared to give it up! I called my dealership too and they had no idea what to do.

It DOES have an EPA sticker under the hood but no FMVSS - just a CMVSS. She directed me to a list of registered importers but that seems sketchy and of course she said "Nissan does not recommend modifying your car." And even working with an importer, without that letter of compliance I'm out of luck right?

If anyone knows what I should do I would super appreciate it.

[Shauneg 762]

Hi all, I've been lurking this forum a lot and it's super helpful but I'm at a huge roadblock (haha puns).

I called Nissan headquarters to request my letter of compliance and the lady said it's on this magic list of "non-importable vehicles." I have a 2015 Micra and she said all Micra and Sentras are non-importable.

I just got this car last year so I'm not prepared to give it up! I called my dealership too and they had no idea what to do.

It DOES have an EPA sticker under the hood but no FMVSS - just a CMVSS. She directed me to a list of registered importers but that seems sketchy and of course she said "Nissan does not recommend modifying your car." And even working with an importer, without that letter of compliance I'm out of luck right?

If anyone knows what I should do I would super appreciate it.

Give up the car or the fiancee. No other choices......

[fellaamazing 72]

I did some google research for you. And unfortunately I don't have much good news for you.

Your best bet is selling the car in Canada, and buying a new car in US. Even if somehow you were able to import into US,

1. You would have trouble insuring it when you will get your US license.

2. Not many Americans like the fact that your car's speedometer is in KM/Hr, rather than MPH. You will have trouble selling it or trading off when you are done with it.

3. In US highways, you would probably be driving a lot more than Canada. The highways aren't as well maintained as Canada. You should consider bigger cars designed for US roads. If you want to stick with smaller, you can try Fiesta or something that is designed for US roads.

By the way I imported my Fusion 5 years ago which I bought from Canada.. A lot of people gave me that feedback #2.

Then once I totaled it. And insurance company gave me cash value minus deductible. So I never had problem of selling it. But I can see that selling could have been a nightmare.

[ChristinaG 91]

my 2010 Cobalt is in the same situation...... only choice I have is to sell it here before I go

[Darnell 8,478]

are you in or nearby

one of those cities that has the rich chinese college students?

if yes, suggest you set up a cash sale deal, 2 weeks before the start of the fall semester.

[NikLR 13,220]

Sell your car. Also chances are, if there is a lien on the car (ie you did not pay cash for it) then you cannot import it anyhow, even if you could. Without that compliance letter or stickers, you're outta luck I'm afraid.

[gad33 47]

3. In US highways, you would probably be driving a lot more than Canada. The highways aren't as well maintained as Canada. You should consider bigger cars designed for US roads. If you want to stick with smaller, you can try Fiesta or something that is designed for US roads.

I know this doesn't pertain to the OP's question but this is just not true.

Driving more in the US than Canada depends on where you live in either place

Highway maintenance - it is pot hole season in Calgary again it depends on where you live.

There are all sizes of cars on the roads in the US.

[ninjaduck8 0]

Oh gosh, thanks everyone.

I contacted a registered importer and I'm awaiting their response. If they can't help me then I guess I'm selling.

[Ms Hogan 295]

The Nissan Micra isn't sold in America. That is the most basic reason for your problem. Others have suggested options so I won't go there. But at the end of the day, a regular vehicle that is not manufactured in the U.S. at all is not going to be able to comply. I sell collector cars and I import and export on a regular basis. Any that are not originally from America take a LOT more work and being greater than 25 years old means I don't have to worry about he safety and emissions concerns you're facing.

I agree with other posters that you should find a way to sell your car.

I did import my Canadian car and sold mine without any problems but that was a GM vehicle.

my 2010 Cobalt is in the same situation...... only choice I have is to sell it here before I go

Why is your Cobalt a problem? I had an HHR... same car with a different body and had no problems importing it.

[NikLR 13,220]

I'm pretty sure I drove signifigantly more on highways in Canada than I have since moving. Highways are maintained about the same. Wider here (aka more lanes) than up north due to a sheer population difference.

Fiesta was made by Ford to be a city car; rather like the ones in Europe, but especially the UK.

I know this doesn't pertain to the OP's question but this is just not true.

Driving more in the US than Canada depends on where you live in either place

Highway maintenance - it is pot hole season in Calgary again it depends on where you live.

There are all sizes of cars on the roads in the US.

I agree.

[Boiler 43,429]

Ka was the city car.

[NikLR 13,220]

True. Fiesta over there is a supermini. But in the US it's a subcompact which is essentially the US version of a city car. They do get smaller here too but there are fewer models than in Europe obviously.

[ChristinaG 91]

The Nissan Micra isn't sold in America. That is the most basic reason for your problem. Others have suggested options so I won't go there. But at the end of the day, a regular vehicle that is not manufactured in the U.S. at all is not going to be able to comply. I sell collector cars and I import and export on a regular basis. Any that are not originally from America take a LOT more work and being greater than 25 years old means I don't have to worry about he safety and emissions concerns you're facing.

I agree with other posters that you should find a way to sell your car.

I did import my Canadian car and sold mine without any problems but that was a GM vehicle.

Why is your Cobalt a problem? I had an HHR... same car with a different body and had no problems importing it.

The reason (excuse?) the guy on the other end of the GM 800# gave me was the wrong engine/trim type.... He said for that model year (the last year Cobalts were made) only the S/S trim level was US Compliant - and of course mine is an LT

If in your expertise you find something different I'm all ears! LOL

[Boiler 43,429]

I wanted to bring my car, not possible no doubt for the same reasons.

Well I could for 6 months only.

[novedsac 355]

The Nissan Micra isn't sold in America. That is the most basic reason for your problem. Others have suggested options so I won't go there. But at the end of the day, a regular vehicle that is not manufactured in the U.S. at all is not going to be able to comply. I sell collector cars and I import and export on a regular basis. Any that are not originally from America take a LOT more work and being greater than 25 years old means I don't have to worry about he safety and emissions concerns you're facing.

I agree with other posters that you should find a way to sell your car.

I did import my Canadian car and sold mine without any problems but that was a GM vehicle.

Why is your Cobalt a problem? I had an HHR... same car with a different body and had no problems importing it.

Really? I've been buying automobiles manufactured in Germany all my life, including one I bought in Germany and had shipped here. No issues whatsoever.

The real issue is EPA and DOT compliance - vehicles under 25 years of age need to be brought into compliance in order to be legally imported. Sometimes they are and the manufacturer can provide the documentation necessary; other times they are not and could possibly be modified, but it's usually not worth the hassle.