[s-cars] I think this question has been asked before, but...

[Steve Eiche]

Bruce,
I looked into this a couple of years ago.  Options 1 and 2 are the only truly legal methods that I have found.  If you want to drive it on the street _with_ legally with insurance, it's the only way to go.

There have been some cars that were somehow snuck into the country and driven around on dealer plates.  Although you may be told otherwise, you WILL NOT have ANY insurance coverage for you, the car, or other vehicles if you are involved in an accident.  You could also face ugly fines as well.

I would recommend contacting an importer, such as www.sunshine-car-import.com <http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/%5Cexit.cfm?link=http:%5C%5Cwww.sunshine-car-import.com%5C>  They can tell you your options and costs.  I looked into a gray market ur q 20V a couple of years ago that was imported by this company.  

Steve


.....when trying to import a car from Europe, what's involved?

I have two options it seems:

1. If it is to be registered in USA, insured, and driven on public 
roads, it must meet EPA/DOT requirements. Therefore, you need to get a 
registered importer involved, who post a bond, take the car, bring it 
into compliance, and then release the car to you after you've paid all 
the costs associated with the above

2. If it's a show or race vehicle, and you're not putting a plate on it 
or registering it with DMV, then you can fill out a whole bunch of 
paperwork certifying that, pay a 2.5% duty fee, and you get the car.

Is there a third option that's cheaper/better/faster? And in 1997, did 
Audi make cars to a worldwide standard for crash and emissions? Or would 
a German S6 need thousands of dollars in compliance work?

Thanks!

Bruce