Why are are all Right hand drives in Canada 15 years old or more?
"Is it legal to import Right hand drives into Canada?" "Is it legal to import Japanese cars into Canada?" "Why are all right hand drives in Canada old?"
This is a common question, and has a pretty simple answer. This is, of course, Canada specific. Provinces vary in the way they handle RHD vehicles (*cough cough* Quebec) but at a national level there is a single answer.
When vehicles get imported into Canada, you must go through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV), whose website is http://www.riv.ca/. The have certain criteria that must be met for a vehicle to be officially imported into Canada. This information can be viewed at their Vehicle Admissibility page. There you can see a list of vehicles that can be imported into Canada. If your car is on that list, you should have minimal problems. If it's not... you're trying to import a 'grey market vehicle'. (Hot tip: all RHDs are grey market vehicles).
Moving down that page, you'll see
Grey market vehicles (excluding buses) less than 15 years old from the date of manufacture and buses (including school buses) manufactured on or after January 1, 1971 are inadmissible for entry into Canada.
Alright. 15 years. That's our first indicator that we can import our RHD.... where did they pull this magical 15 years from?
Let's go to where our loophole resides. The Exemptions page.
Vehicles are exempt from the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) registration if they are imported under one of the following conditions:
- Vehicles older than 15 years
The vehicles (excluding buses) are 15 years old or more based on the date of manufacture, or are buses (including school buses) manufactured before January 1, 1971. The importer must be able to prove the age of the vehicle.
Yay! This paragraph is why we are allowed to import our RHD cars after they are 15 years old. They don't have to meet any standards, and are rubber-stamped into the country.
There is a drawback to this. This also means that your car may or may not meet safety standards for Canada (Kei trucks would never ever ever pass Canadian safety standards....). They're not designed for this environment, so you have to really watch what you're buying. I believe that all provinces require a 'safety' before the vehicle can be registered, so that's something, but buyer beware.
So, yes. It is legal to import Japanese cars into Canada.... you just have to be patient.
rob
Pro and Anti-Right Hand Drive talk in the same newspaper
I maybe can't even say newspaper, more than publication. Check it out. Two writers for the same paper have vastly different opinions in regards to right hand drive vehicles. Both the writers work for the Victoria Times Colonist, and both articles were published this month.
May 2nd, Peter Hamer presented his arguments to impose strict limits on right hand drive vehicles. He makes some good points, then undermines his own points saying that he's done it and it was fine. Very odd.
Michael Cane then seems to have a direct rebuttal. He addresses the points that Hamer makes, but the tone is unfortunately that of a sibling argument that just ends in 'Nah-uh!'.
I'm glad that right hand driving in Canada has become a topic of discussion in mainstream media. Sadly, this is quite often the outcome. Two people with vague, hand-wavy stats that proudly announce that 'they say' that something is or is not something. And newpapers wonder why people are going to the internet for their news.
rob
Update: And yet another! This one makes reference to another study they call 'recent' (yeah... recent in the last 10 years). Don't they have a conference table to decide what they think?
Right hand drive conversions
RHD conversion?
It's about time this topic comes up. I'll state, right off the hop, in general I think this is a large waste of money. There is a case for doing a right hand drive conversion in a few cases
- The front of your existing car is 'written off' and you need to redo the whole thing anyway
- You really really want a right hand drive and this is the only way to get one
- You have too much time and money and you're doing this to stay out of trouble.
But, let's get to the meat of it.
What is it?
It's taking a car that is a left hand drive and turning it into a right hand drive. Hence, conversion.
How is it done?
S2000 Front Clip
There are a few ways of doing this. The easy way (and as far as I'm concerned, the right way) and the hard way.
The easy way
Basically, buy the front end of the same car and merge them. The front end, or front clip, usually, has the engine, dash, steering wheel, suspension, and occasionally even wheels. Basically, it's a the front of a car. Usually it was a car, and the front was removed, so the motor has mileage on it. The history of these clips is usually super vague. Some of the cars could have been rear-ended... some just old and then chopped. If you can get a history, you should.
Civic with Integra front end
So, you have a car dashboard-forward from one car, and your existing car. Now... make one car. That's it. Cut off the front of your existing car and add the front of another. Some people do weird things like put the front of an Acura Integra onto a Honda Civic. Although it's cool and unique it looks like the bastard child of 90s Japanese cars. (Nabbed from Stance is Everything - no offense to the owner.)
At any rate, it's still a lot of work. Check out the video below (credit to Duc) to get a glimpse of how much work it is, and see the parts and tools you'd need.
The hard way
Do it yourself. This could go a thousand different directions, so I can't really get into it. Some people fab their own dashboard, steering everything... it's kind of crazy. There's some really neat stuff people do, but it's a lot of hard work. The difficulty depends on what kind of car you have. Look under your hood and see where the steering column is, and where you could put one. There's conversion parts available for various models online, again, check out what there is for your model.
Purchasing a Right Hand Drive that's a Conversion
This question comes up a lot. The main reason why, is that there is no good answer to this question. Every car that's been converted has it's own story and is done by someone with a different skill level. Some might be Joe Shmow in his garage, and it could be horrible. Some might be Joe Shmow in his garage and be perfect. There are some shops that specialize in conversions, even those could be hit or miss.
Overall, if you're interested in one, look it over in detail, especially at the welds. The welds will be by the A pillar and in front of the doors on the chassis. Look under the car, if you don't know what you're looking for, ask the dude that's selling it.
If a job is poorly done, the car will look like it's sagging. The extra force on the A pillar will put pressure on both the windshield and the top of the car doors. If the doors 'shut really tight on the bottom', that's a bad thing. If the glass is starting to unexplainably crack in weird places.... that's a really bad thing.
Is it Dangerous?
It sure as hell can be. Even if the car isn't sagging and is done pretty well, you're driving two cars that have been frankensteined together. If you get in an accident the welds might not hold up like the factory welds, because they're not as thoroughly tested as a regular car. Conversely, if the person knew what they were doing it could be better, and up to racing standards. Each one of these cars is so unique it's impossible to say.
rob
Quebec perminently bans Right Hand Drives
It's happened.
It's official.
The moratorium on right hand drives in Quebec has become permanent.
The post is here, or if you speak French.
This is clearly a blow to the Canadian right hand drive society. Current owners are grandfathered yet again, but no new cars will be allowed to be registered.
All we can do now is petition the Quebec government to overturn it, or Canadian government to overrule it.
rob
edit: updated links
Hilarious Hijet Ad and Thoughts
I found this ad, and have to share. For those of us that have 'highly functional vehicles' this is very very funny.
This is also funny since this ad is apparently from 1996. If anyone from the UK sees this they'll think it's old hat. For those of us that are just discovering this market, it's new, fresh and different.
I've been thinking about that for the entire site. All (well, most) RHDs in Canada are at least 15 years old. People from RHD countries must think we're crazy for getting excited about these old cars. But again, these cars are new to our country and have lots of personality.
Funny story. I ran into a Japanese acquaintance and showed them photos of my truck, thinking that they'd be excited and think it's funny. To my surprise they thought it was stupid, and asked me why "I'd by a dumb old truck like that." After my feelings were less hurt I thought about it, and they're right. It is old and dumb... to them. In Japan, my truck would not likely be someone's daily driver, but a work truck. Here it's a novelty and fun.
At any rate, if you've got a right hand drive here in Canada, be proud! Even though it's 15 years old. Call it a fine wine; better with age.
rob
Why do people buy Right hand drive cars?
There's no one answer to this question. I'll toss out my opinion on the matter and feel free to agree or disagree with me.
1. It was never sold in Canada. There a bunch of vehicles that fall under this category, and I'd say a large part of the Canadian right hand drive community falls under this category. Kei trucks and Kei cars, Skylines were only RHD until this last batch and other sports cars from Japan were never made in LHD format. There are a bunch of hot hatches under this category too, like the Nissan Pulsar GTiR... which is really neat.
People who travel will sometimes see these vehicles and fall in love with them, and bring them back. Other see them on TV, movie or the fanstastical internet and fall in love. Whatever the case is, they don't come any other way and people want to have them.
There is also the case that a certain model of the vehicle was never released in Canada. Canada has the Toyota 4Runner, the RHD equivalent is the Hilux Surf. But, the Hilux Surf is available in diesel, which is super cool. Personally, I'm scoping out a turbo diesel Hilux Surf because I'd like an SUV, but I don't want crappy gas mileage, so it'd be a good fit for me!
2. Low Mileage. You don't get this with cars in Canada. We have too much highway. Vehicles imported from Japan have hilariously low mileage and are in great shape for their age. It's expensive to drive in Japan, and the public transportation is very good, so cars live good lives. Oh. And no salt on the roads.
A Daihatsu Midget II
3.To be different. I don't have to explain this one. Here's a Daihatsu Midget for your viewing pleasure, and my point and case. Image source.
4. Prestige. There are some cars that are available in both right hand drive and left hand drive, but people still want the right hand drive versions. Cars I've seen like this include MR-2s, Supras, Camrys, RX-7s, 240sx/180sx, and Land Rovers. People in the category can fall partially into 'wanted something different', and that's fine. Even others say that they're 'more legitimate', which is true for both British and Japanese cars if you want to look at it that way.
In the case of late model RX-7s, there's very few around and it can sometimes be easier to find them in RHDs, so you've got prestige and availability. So, why not right? This can even fall under the 'not available here' if you manage to find a 3 rotor, but good luck finding parts for a rotary motor, no less a 3 rotor! The uniqueness has it's ups and downs. Like I've said a thousand times, "Don't be stupid" and "Do your homework", and you'll love your RHD (even more)!
rob
CADA anti-Right Hand Drive Propaganda
Propaganda is a strong word, but that's the only thing I can call this. CADA, the Canadian Automobile Dealer Association, has obvious reasons to not like right hand drive vehicles. RHDs are great value and cut into their bottom line. You can buy a new Skyline for.... $99000... depending on your options, or a 95 that's with some performance modifications and low mileage for $12000 or less.
The propaganda in question is this pamphlet. It outlines how these cars are unsafe and don't pass safety standards. Of course, they have no backing for this data and it's all very one sided. Which is why I define it as propaganda. There are no real strong arguments here, just statements. This is amplified by the fact that the backing is CADA, an association that is designed to make money.
I should mention that I don't know when this was published, since they don't cite a date. If they would have cited sources for information and data, we could try to pin down approximately when it came out... but unfortunately they do no such thing.
I honestly don't know why they're so up in arms about it. I don't think people that are interested in specialty cars such as RHDs are likely to by a car from a dealer. New or used. They should accept the change, and maybe even get into the market! Why not! They're complaining that they're losing sales, while ignoring a new market.
Thought I'd share this, as food for thought.
rob
edit: updated price of Nissan GT-R (aka... skyline) to CAD price off website. My estimate of $44k was apparently off by more than 100%.
Right hand drive postal vehicles
Canadian RHD Postal Truck
I monitor right hand drive news via google alerts, and an interesting article keeps popping up. Apparently rural mail carriers don't have RHDs.... I see them all over the city (and they're really really cute, as you can see [source]). I can say, that only makes sense. Apparently postal carriers aren't allowed to get out of the vehicle to deliver the mail.... so..... yeah... RHD makes total sense for them. I know that the states uses RHD Jeeps for rural mail carriers (Postal Pete says so). I know that a 'postal carrier' is a good loophole to allow any year of RHD vehicle into the states. Now, they just need to justify Skylines and the like as postal vehicles and they're golden!
The reason this piques my attention is that Canadian right hand drivers can use this as an argument if/when Canada tries to take away our cars. If they state they're 'unsafe' our argument is that if they are unsafe for us, they are unsafe for their employees who use them on a daily basis. Hopefully we never have to use that, but, we've got to create arguments now in case the day ever comes.
rob
Kei cars coming to North America as Smart Car Killers?
There is the possibility! Clearly they would have to meet safety and North American standards (read: not as RHD), but it'd sure be neat! The car in question is the Mitsubishi i, which is actually bigger than the Smart ForTwo. I really hope that they leave the engine as is, personally, since I feel that North American cars have more power than most people need!
Check out this Edmunds.com video if you are interested.
Cheers,
rob
Quebec Parliament RHD Petition – Sign now!
The Parliament of Quebec has released a petition to allow RHD cars back on the road in Quebec. There is currently a moratorium on insuring new RHD cars on the road in Quebec. They have also put scooter-like regulations on Kei cars, like limiting speeds and limiting which roads Kei cars can drive on.
The signing does not seem to be a limited to people who live in Quebec. There are both state/province and country fields... so sign!
My worry is that if Quebec bans RHD cars, the rest of Canada will follow.
Petition to lift the moratorium on Right Hand Drive Cars: http://www.assnat.qc.ca/petition/SignerEn.aspx?idPetition=118
Petition to lift the restrictions on Kei Cars: http://www.assnat.qc.ca/petition/SignerEn.aspx?idPetition=119
The fine print is in French, I've used babel fish to translate it for your convenience.
Text of RHD Petition
Text off the petition:
CONSIDERING THAT the access to the public ways in Quebec prohibited east, since April 29, 2009, with the majority of the vehicles provided with a wheel on the right, except for the 2.500 vehicles registered before this date;
CONSIDERING THAT this measurement does not form part of the recommendations of the Québécois Table of the road safety;
CONSIDERING THAT the European countries, Japan, the United States and the Canadian provinces never saw the need for prohibiting the traffic provided with a driver's cab on the side opposed to their national standards;
CONSIDERING THAT many new models, having the wheel on the left, are sold in Japan and the United Kingdom and that, in spite of the cohabitation of the two positions of control, that does not affect their assessments of road safety;
CONSIDERING THAT the recent study of the SAAQ does not take account of all the facts and, consequently, that its conclusion must be questioned;
CONSIDERING THAT the two decrees of the government, come into effect without notice, harmed considerably the businesses of the owners and importers of this type of vehicles; We, signatories of this petition, ask the National Assembly of Quebec to make pressure on the government so that are not prohibited on the right the imported, vehicles 15 years old and more, not provided with a driver's cab, and require that one take time to examine any change going in this direction within the framework of a parliamentary commission.
Text of Kei Car Petition
Note: Kei is interchangeable with 'light'
CONSIDERING THAT, under the terms of the ministerial decree 2009-15 of October 22, 2009, the vehicles known as “light” cannot circulate any more, and this since December 27, 2009, on the motorways of Quebec as any public way on which allowed maximum speed is of more than 70 km/h;
CONSIDERING THAT this restriction also applies to the owners having acquired of such a vehicle before the coming into effect of the known as ministerial decree;
CONSIDERING THAT there does not exist, in the road Error correcting code, of clear beacons allowing to determine the vehicles not offering enough protection for their occupants;
CONSIDERING THAT certain “light vehicles” answer security standards on the protection of their occupants;
CONSIDERING THAT the “light vehicles” offer more protection than the motor cycles and the auto-cycles;
CONSIDERING THAT the minister of Transport recently a pilot scheme aiming set up at reducing the requirements as regards driving licence for the motor cycle with three wheels “Spyder”, marketed by Bombardier;
CONSIDERING THAT the vehicles classified like antiques, not having been conceived to meet standards of protection of their occupants, do not have any access control to the public ways; We, signatories of this petition, ask l' National Assembly of Quebec to make pressure on the government so that the access to the public ways is not restricted for the “light vehicles” and let us ask that one take time to examine any change going in this direction within the framework of a parliamentary commission.
Consider signing.... tell your friends! Spread the word!
rob