- Configure your device. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on by going to Settings > Bluetooth on your phone.
- Prepare your car. vehicle with a navigation system: On the vehicle’s audio system, press the Phone button, then select Connect > Connect New Device.
- Connect your device.
- Verify the pairing.
- Verify any pop-ups.
In This Article...
Can you import a skyline legally?
The NHTSA gave import automobiles older than 25 years of age amnesty in 1998. So even though it doesn’t comply with requirements, you can now import any Nissan Skyline that was manufactured in 1995 or earlier. Only in California are you at risk of problems.
Can Skyline be imported into the USA?
As you can probably tell, we at Drifted are HUGE fans of the Nissan Skyline.
Numerous Skyline guides have already been released, and we’ve seen that there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding their present legal standing in America.
Our supporters have constantly questioned us about the situation, seeking the truth and explanation.
We’ve chosen to produce a comprehensive guide explaining all the fascinating details and responding to the all-too-common query, “Why are Nissan Skylines illegal in the US?” as a result.
Since the F&F brand surely contributed to the Skyline’s rise to become a cult icon in the US, we first brought up the matter and provided some clarity in our Paul Walker Skyline article.
The Fast and the Furious star was without a doubt one of the biggest R34 GT-R aficionados in the US and was also fortunate to have owned and driven several of them in Japan, including the illustrious Mine’s R34 GT-R.
But what if you don’t want to travel to Japan to satisfy your Godzilla craving? What’s holding you back from bringing your own in and becoming a renowned figure in your community on the track or in the streets?
We have some happy news for you! Any vehicle older than 25 years can avoid the absurd US legal system.
This implies that, except for California, where there are some additional obstacles, it is totally legal to import and own a Nissan Skyline R31 or R32 GT-R in the US at the moment.
You can also lawfully import any Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R that was registered before 1995 as of the time this page went online.
However, you’ll have to wait a bit longer if you want to import a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, as we’ll discuss in more detail below.
What is the price of the R34?
The Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R is regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese engineering in the 1990s. Fast & Furious, one of the most well-known movie franchises, features it as one of its key heroes. As a result of a few cameos by Paul Walker’s character Brian O’Conner in the F&F films, the JDM legend has grown to legendary level. Unfortunately, some limited-edition R34 GT-Rs have reached prices over $500,000. This is due to the GT-R’s appearances on television and film, as well as its illustrious past. Despite the staggering prices, you can still purchase a normal R34 GT-R like this one for “only $58,000.
What makes the R34 illegal?
In summary, the Nissan Skyline GT-R is prohibited from being imported into the US since it does not adhere to the 1988 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act. The Skyline was not designed with the necessary safety elements to abide by the applicable traffic safety regulations.
A vehicle is exempt from these rules once it reaches the age of 25, at which point it is allowed to be imported and used on American roads.
With California being likely the most noteworthy exception in terms of particular states where you would have difficulties importing due to tougher emissions control legislation, this means that vehicles like the R32 GTR (the original “Godzilla”) can be imported into the USA.
By 2024, you should be able to start importing the R34 GTR. The oldest versions of the R33 GTR are also starting to become legal for import and compliance.
Just a word of caution
As far as we are aware, there are no laws prohibiting you from importing one as a “show piece that isn’t allowed to be driven on the road but instead sits in your garage.” We’ve heard stories of people looking to buy and store Nissan Skylines with a view of registering and complying them once they turn 25 years old in the hopes of increasing their value. While it is likely not a bad idea, there is always a chance that the government could modify import regulations, leaving you with a depreciating burden rather than an asset that depreciates over time. Although it’s unlikely, it’s nevertheless important to remark.
We would be interested in hearing from you if you are aware of any other legitimate ways to buy a Skyline GTR in the United States. Please comment down below!
thoughts on “Why Are Nissan Skylines Illegal In The United States?
Untrue in every way, 100%. A skyline can be exported and imported to the US for a pricey sum of $5,500. That doesn’t make it unlawful.
What are the prices of skylines?
The base MSRP for the 2021 Nissan (Skyline) GT-R’s top variant is $113,540. The base MSRP for NISMO trims is $210,740.
Get the appropriate auto insurance for your GT-R if you’re going to spend a lot of money on one!
Did you know that the typical Nissan driver spends $1,898 annually on auto insurance? Jerry can assist you in looking for a reduced monthly payment if you’re unsure whether one exists.
Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top choice after giving you a thorough cross-analysis of the best plans across providers so that you won’t have to.
The average Jerry user saves $887 annually on their auto insurance and signing up takes less than a minute.
A R34 is legal to own in the US.
10 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec II is still illegal Unless it’s an import from MotoRex, Gran Turismo and Fast and Furious fans will have to wait until 2024 to legally import the R34 Skyline to the United States because this model is still under the age of 25.
In the US, how many R34 Skylines are there?
The Nissan Skyline R34 GT-Rs that were lawfully imported into the USA by MotoRex during the late 1990s and the middle of the 2000s are listed here. These are the only R34 GT-Rs in the USA with full street legality and unlimited mileage. It is estimated that a total of 14 to 16 R34 GT-Rs were imported. In the table below, only vehicles whose VIN authenticity has been verified are mentioned.
A few Midnight Purple 2 V-Spec vehicles that were imported in accordance with the Show and Display law and are restricted to 2,500 miles annually are unconnected to MotoRex vehicles.
There is proof that BNR34-400755 is likewise a MotoRex vehicle. Although BNR34-403075 seems to be a MotoRex, it is not included because it lacks a Bond release.
Why does R35 lack a skyline?
One of the most renowned Japanese performance cars of all time is the Nissan Skyline GT-R.
The “Godzilla” (see here why the Skyline GT-R is called as Godzilla) has come to represent strength and performance throughout the course of several different generations.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R has become one of the most coveted names in Japanese performance driving despite being illegal in the United States at the time (see our article on why Nissan Skylines are illegal in the United States).
You probably already know that Nissan stopped producing the R34 Skyline generation in 2002 (for more information, see our buying guide for the R34 GT-R).
The Skyline actually kept on after that and is still going today, but it is now what is known as the “New Generation Skyline,” which is very different from the original Skylines. The new Skyline is more well-known in America as a line of Infiniti vehicles, including the Infiniti G35:
This New Generation Skyline was mainly focused on giving a premium touring car experience and never included a GT-R variant.
Due to the overwhelming demand from auto enthusiasts, the R35 GT-R was debuted in 2007 and is still in production today.
Indeed, the R34 GT-R was the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, to give an example.
What makes the Nissan GT-R of today the Nissan Skyline GT-R R35? After all, any car sporting those distinctive taillights must be a Skyline!
The reason the R35 GT-R is not a Skyline is rather straightforward, in case you’re wondering.
Earlier GT-Rs (such as the R32, R33, and R34) were built on the Skyline platform of that generation.
Consider the R32 GT-R, which was offered in a variety of trim levels and engine/gearbox combinations, including as a sedan.
Nissan used that generation’s Skyline base to build the R32 GT-R (the original “Godzilla”), turning everything up to 11.
There is no platform overlap with the existing Skyline. The R35 GT-R is a “standalone” vehicle, as opposed to the previous generations of GT-Rs, which were all the pinnacle of the applicable Skyline platform.
Although the R35 GT-R is essentially the spiritual successor to previous Skyline GT-Rs, Nissan opted not to utilize the Skyline brand due to the distinctive platform.
What color of R34 is the rarest?
One of the best vehicles ever produced by Nissan, the R34 Nissan GTR is legendary among auto fans. There is a select group of only 18 iconic R34 Nissan GTRs that received extra attention from Nissan’s NISMO tuning division, known as the Z-Tunes. Only two specimens of the beautiful Midnight Purple III color exist among this group of exceedingly rare Z-Tune GTRs, and today we’re going to see one of them get a detail.
In case you’re unaware, the R34 Nissan GTR is the final incarnation of the previous GTRs. The R35 GTR of today is significantly different from GTRs of the past, despite being quicker. The RB-Series straight-6 engine, a favorite of the tuner scene, was used by the GTR R34, the final version to use it.
Gallery: Detailing ‘World’s Most Expensive’ Nissan GT-R R34 Z-Tune Is Relaxing To See
Before the R35 debuted in 2007, the R34 marked a brief halt to the GTR nameplate. It was built from 1999 to 2002. The GTR reached new heights of performance and rarity thanks to the high-performance variations produced during the brief R34 production cycle. A final factory attempt to create the ideal GTR was born after the three-year manufacturing cycle, and the resulting vehicles were known as Z-Tunes.
Nissan obtained used R34 GTRs in the V-Spec trim with fewer than 18,000 miles on the odometer to utilize as the foundation for the Z-Tune vehicles. Nismo disassembled the base vehicles and repainted 17 of the 18 Z-Tunes in a limited-edition shade called Z-Tune Silver. Its Midnight Purple III color was the last remaining outlier, making it a one-of-one and the utmost rare R34 GTR in existence.
What makes the GT-R known as Godzilla?
In 1989, the Skyline R32 earned the moniker “Godzilla” for its ability to rule Japanese Touring Car Racing. The GT-R was only available in Japan, though, so the rest of the world could only learn about it from magazines.