Just curious...I found an old Jag in Vancouver that I'm really thinking of getting. But I've never brought a car in from "overseas" so I'd love to knowledge on the topic if anyone has it

 

I think a more complete question is "Anyone import a car from Canada into California". That's probably an added wrinkle right there!

 

Actually, several wrinkles.
'Cause at some point it's gonna have to pass through the actual United States!

 

yes...it'll go from Canada to the US to California

 

Bingo!

 

Rather than getting some duff info here's the govvamint rules:

Importing a Motor Vehicle | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 

I suggest you also look carefully into the implications of trying to get the car smog checked in California. My understanding is that the car will need to pass the emissions for a car sold new in California, for that model year.

So the car you are buying might be missing the smog equipment that a car which was sold in California would have. But you'll still need to meet the emissions standard.

I'd also like to make the point that you would be importing a car from a place where vehicles suffer a lot from rust, to a place where they don't. One of the greatest advantages of being a car enthusiast in California is access to older vehicles that are essentially rust free, while in other states and countries they would have long since rusted away.

 

all a moot issue. I was outbid at literally the last second by $26.

California has smog requirements for cars from 1975 - on so it wouldnt have applied here. Also Vancouver since its near a large body of water doesnt get the nasty snow and cold and resulting salt that causes a lot of rust. In the higher elevations away from the city it does but the same can be said for Big Bear or Lake Tahoe in CA. I'm good with west coast cars in general but the east coast is a no fly zone as far as I'm concerned. Between the weather and roads, I dont care if the car is from Stanford, CT, I'm out!!

 

Both of my cars have always been in north or central Georgia and are like new underneath. The Atlanta area is beginning to use more salt when there is ice, but that is insignificant.

I think the southern states in general have rust free cars, other than locations right on the ocean. A few years ago I visited a condo in Florida that was on the beach, and there were rusty cars there due to wind driven spray.

 

Sorry you lost it. My first XJ8 was a Canadian Base model, it met all 50 US State emission requirements. Some minor differences in the interior and a great cold weather package, otherwise exact same car.