agent944

Hello everyone. You guys probably don’t remember me. It’s been like 2yrs since I’ve posted here. Anyways, I WAS the proud owner of a mint 1983 944. I took that car everywhere, from the Porsche events at Performance Products, to the German Autofest in Ventura. However I decided to go to Med school and was forced to sell it . I am now currently living in Guadalajara, Mexico and will be returning to the states in about 1 and a half to two years to do my internship/residency. In that time I am going to need to purchase a new car. Unfortunately, it won’t be a 944/951. I need a dependable daily driver but don’t want a grocery getter either. Right now I have totally hit rock bottom and I’m driving around in a 1999 Nissan Tsuru (Sentra in the States). In any case, driving a 944 has taught me to really appreciate awesome handling, and having a car that is relatively rare and still turns heads. So, I am seriously thinking of buying a Seat Leon Cupra R. Seat (pronounced Seh-Ot) is a manufacturer in Spain. A subsidiary of Volkswagon/Audi. Obviously these cars are not sold in the states, one of the reasons I like it. I would be driving a car I know nobody has. Second, I test drove one and its awesome. It has the same engine that the TT has, the 1.8T but twin intercooled turbo good for about 220HP(according to the salesman up 10 from the previous model year). Has a six speed trans, 17in rims, Recaro sports seats, etc etc. and will put me back about $26,000. Obviously, when I’m making money later I will ditch this for a 911 and of course another Guards red 944. But for now, this is it for the next 5-7 yrs. So my questions is this; does anyone know if I would I be able to bring this car over and register it in the states (California)? What is involved in doing something like this? Also, since there are no Seat dealerships in the states, would Volks/Audi be willing to do the service and honor the warranty? I would be driving the car back myself so actually getting it into the states is not a problem. I know this is a Porsche forum, but if anyone knows where to get this info or point me in the right direction, that would be great. Any comments and opinions on the Leon Cupra R are also welcome and appreciated. The car is about the size of a Jetta if anyone is wondering. Check out this <a href="http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/previews_story.php?id=28407" target="_blank">review</a> :

(I see you can't post pics any more <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Thats what I get for leaving I guess. )

Thanks in advanced!

brrt50cal

From what I've read I like the top speed but the 0-60 seems a tad bit sluggish I suppose. I'm not totally sure about bringing it to the states. But hey if you like it then go for it.

agent944

I'm not too concerned about the 0-60 times, I'm not going to drag race it or anything. When I test drove it, the boost seemed to kick in at just over 2 grand on the tach, which was more than enough to push me well over the posted speed limit and pass all traffic pretty quickly. Like the 944 series, this car shines at high speeds, its not a real standing start champ.

brrt50cal

Yea I agree with you. The thing that kinda grabbed me though was that with that 0-60 time, the car seems a tad heavy. I may be wrong but hey like I said, if you like it go for it.

Geo

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by agent944:
<strong>Right now I have totally hit rock bottom and I’m driving around in a 1999 Nissan Tsuru (Sentra in the States).
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Should have bought the GSR. You'd appreciate that car.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by agent944:
<strong>So, I am seriously thinking of buying a Seat Leon Cupra R.
&lt;snip&gt;
So my questions is this; does anyone know if I would I be able to bring this car over and register it in the states (California)?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">You can't just drive it over the border and register it in the states. There are laws that prevent you from registering it. It will probably cost more than the car is worth to federalize it.

agent944

Ok, federal laws would make it difficult. Thats kind of what I thought but didn't want to hear. Does anyone know exactly where I could start to look for info. regarding bringing a car like this over. If it looks like its gonna cost a bunch, I'll drop the matter. Looked on the CA DMV website, and the process seems extremely simple for out of state/country car registration. Too good to be true me thinks. Take a look, <a href="http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm#BM2558" target="_blank">CA DMV</a>
Thanks in advanced.

Red1

I've got to agree with George. I think you'll find the federalizing process to be a huge PITA. Not to mention will any insurance carrier even bother with it? Imagine getting in a fender-bender, or cracking a windshield. Talk about a parts orphan!

Not trying to be a wet blanket, but it wouldn't be worth it to me. Just my $.02.

Olli Snellman

That Seat is a really nice car. I had a possibilty to test drive it over one weekend. Basically this car is a VW Golf with different clothes. You propably know VAG uses the same floor pan with VW Golf, Audi A3, Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon & Seat Toledo. I suppose you might have problems if Seat is not imported to the States. Servicing can also be an issue, in the other hand it's pure VW technology. In case of accident you are more than problem, you must import all of the parts by yourself ! Quite funny VAG does not import all of it's marks to the States. Here in Finland we have them all available.

944S2NUT

Hmmm Looks like a honda civic to me. The new SIR model.

Graufuchs

Im jealous, I was going to go to med school in mexico, how is it down there? hows school, i was a pre med student @ SUNY Brockport...actually i still am i never finished...

Luis de Prat

agent944, as you probably know, SEATs are made at the Martorell factory, right here in Barcelona, Spain. However, I had NO idea they were being exported to Mexico?

Like Olli says, they're essentially entry-level VWs, with a different design. I must admit though, since VW bought SEAT they've come a long way in the looks and ergonomics department from the old "FIAT license" days of SEAT, not to mention the VW reliability.

As a data point, we have an Ibiza TDI in the family and it was actually purchased and serviced at a local VW dealer here in Barcelona from new. FWIW, in Spain both SEAT and VW dealers sell SEAT autos. The post-sale warranty depends on where you buy the car. If from a VW dealer, then they'll honor it, if from a SEAT dealer, then only at SEAT.

As for taking it to the States I think you should contact the Department of Transportation and see what they say. In my many years in the U.S. I've seen some pretty funny cars (namely from the U.K. and France) and don't see why it would be any more difficult to get a modern auto federalized than some of the strange foreign cars already on the U.S. roads.

The Leon is a pretty cool car, btw. You'd be in 7th heaven if you could get a TDI. Not quite 944 performance, but they're unbelievably good on fuel for the punch they pack.

I hope it works out for you.

Olli Snellman

Between Fiat & VW era Seat had co-operation with Porsche.
Porsche designed engine & gearbox for Seat. At least here in Finland those Seat's had small neat sticker on rear window "Powered by System Porsche". Also engines had System Porsche on valve cover.

agent944

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll have to dig a little more to see what the exact process and cost of bringing a car over like this entails. If its too much of a PITA, which it looks like its probably going to be, then I won't do it.
In Mexico they import many cars we don't get in the states. For example, SEAT, Peugot, Alpha Romeo, etc. as well as models we don't get, ie Ford Mondeo, Chevy Astra, Nissan Almera, Dodge Stratus Turbo edition, you get the picture. And yes, there are Porsche dealerships down here too.
FTY - As far as med school down here, its cool. Its 4 yrs down here, then 1 yr internship in New York or California, then apply for residency. And classes are in English in case you were wondering and you get licensed in the states, not in Mex.

Matt 944S

I dont think you can bring it back to the states, but i could be wrong. There are different standards in the US and other countries. It has to meet US Specifications. Cars manufactured for other countries usually do not meet them. They include saftey standards as well as emission standards. If it does not meet standards, you have to have a conversion contract to even bring it into the country. It costs between 6000-8000 to convert a car to US Specs.

Lots of people here in Germany have to leave their cars here for these reasons.

Chris_924s

I have yet to see a Skyline GTR in the states either.. and they are purported to pass US specs..