OT: UK Elise only $17k..., can these be imported? Options

[neo914-6]

Lotus Elise

OK, so it's the early version but still a late model Lotus...
MikeP's Elise's interior is modular designed / symetrical probably to facilitate bolt-in change from LH to RH drive. What more is needed for DOT compliance?

I like the chassis and would love to redesign the body panels like Opel and Vaxhall have done. Maybe after the Neo914-6 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif)

[lapuwali]

On importing, basically no. Not economically. If a car is 25 years old or older, the EPA will waive the need to federalize the car to meet emissions, and I *think* you can get a similar waiver from the DOT (crash tests, etc). However, you still have to deal with the state if it has emissions laws. Since no Elise is older than 25 years old, you're hosed even at the Federal level.

There are some exemptions for small-volume manufacturers as far as the DOT regs go, and someone in SoCal took out a license to retrofit early Elises with Acura Integra engines that were CA smog legal. They sold a handful of these cars, I've seen one in the Bay Area. The original Elise engine made 160hp, as I recall, and the Integra engines made 180hp. The first Elise was also a LOT lighter than the version on sale here now (1600lbs v 1900lbs).

Personally, I preferred the styling on the early cars. I like the round headlights v. the slashes with the projector lamps they put on them now.

You CAN import a car for motorsports use only, but licensing it is out. There are various extra legal means to license them, anyway, but I'm not about to detail how you do that here.