How Much Does It Cost To Import A 34 GTR TODAY? Plus Rs Meeting, SEMA + More - EP.157
About this episode
Exploring the rising costs of importing an R34 GTR, the hosts share personal experiences and detailed breakdowns of tariffs and fees that have surged post-COVID. With the duty now at a staggering 15%, they discuss the financial implications for enthusiasts looking to bring these iconic cars to the U.S. The episode also touches on upcoming automotive events like SEMA and the GTR Festival, while reflecting on the cancellation of the Nismo Festival. Additionally, they highlight Honda's new heritage program aimed at supporting enthusiasts with parts for classic models.
In this episode of the Right Hand Drive Guys Podcast, we’re catching up on everything happening in the JDM world — and in our own garages. From project updates to big events like R’s Meeting, GT-R Festival, and SEMA, we cover what’s new, what’s next, and what’s got us excited.
We also dive into the current import market for the R34 GT-R, breaking down what it really costs to bring one stateside in 2025, the hidden fees that catch people off guard, and how prices are shifting as more cars hit the 25-year mark.
It’s a laid-back episode full of laughs, insight, and the kind of real talk only fellow RHD addicts can appreciate.
🎙️ Garage updates, dream cars, and JDM bucket-list events — just another week with the Right Hand Drive Guys.
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Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
"How much does it really cost to import an R34 GTR in... this is for my R34 GTR. Yeah..."
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is a famous sports car known for its speed and performance. It was made by Nissan and is popular among car fans for its advanced features and racing heritage.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is a high-performance sports car produced by Nissan from 1999 to 2002. It is renowned for its advanced technology, including the ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and the Super-HICAS steering system, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts and collectors.
Nissan GTR
"[186.3s] 2034 GTR [188.1s] So that means December 1st 2025. Yeah, the car can be in the United States, right?"
The Nissan GTR is a fast sports car that many people love. The 2034 model is a future version that fans are excited about.
The Nissan GTR is a high-performance sports car known for its advanced technology and racing pedigree. The mention of the 2034 model indicates a future version of this iconic vehicle, which has a strong following among car enthusiasts.
import fees
"There's obviously going to be your shipping your tariffs your import fees, you know all of these things and so"
Import fees are extra costs you have to pay when bringing items, like cars, into a country. They depend on what you're importing and where it's coming from.
Import fees are charges imposed by a government on goods brought into a country. These fees can vary based on the type of goods, their value, and the country of origin.
Top Rank
"Alvin over at top rank was kind enough to break this down for me so that"
Top Rank is a business that helps people buy cars from other countries. They check the cars and help with shipping them.
Top Rank is a company that specializes in importing and exporting vehicles, often providing services like inspection and shipping for customers looking to buy cars from overseas.
shipping
"All right, so let's get into it real quick Basically, you know, you have these kind of different"
Shipping is how items, like cars, are moved from one place to another. It can be by boat, plane, or truck.
Shipping refers to the process of transporting goods from one location to another, often involving various modes of transport such as sea, air, or land. In the automotive context, it usually pertains to the movement of vehicles from manufacturers or dealers to customers.
merchandise processing fee
"To receive my car, so then there's a merchandise processing fee..."
A merchandise processing fee is a cost you pay when bringing goods into a country. It's like a processing fee for customs to handle your items.
A merchandise processing fee is a charge imposed by customs for processing imported goods. This fee is typically calculated based on the value of the goods being imported.
harbor maintenance fee
"then there's a harbor maintenance fee of... you gotta maintain the harbor."
A harbor maintenance fee is a cost that helps keep ports and harbors in good shape. It's charged when goods come into the country through these locations.
A harbor maintenance fee is a charge that helps maintain ports and harbors, ensuring they remain operational for shipping and transportation. This fee is often applied to imported goods.
pre-covid prices
"...you knew you weren't getting pre-covid prices..."
Pre-COVID prices are the prices of cars before the pandemic. During the pandemic, car prices changed a lot, so comparing current prices to those from before can show how much things have changed.
Pre-COVID prices refer to the market values of cars before the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected supply and demand dynamics, leading to price fluctuations in the automotive market.
dealer fees
"Yeah, well, no dude that just got ate up by all of these duties and in different fees, you know Because if this was the two and a half percent that it was yeah"
Dealer fees are extra charges you might have to pay when buying a car from a dealer. They can include things like paperwork fees and other costs that aren't listed on the price tag.
Dealer fees are additional costs that car buyers may incur when purchasing a vehicle from a dealership. These fees can include documentation fees, processing fees, and other charges that are not part of the vehicle's sticker price.
modifications
"Yeah, it's pretty crazy. And so Yeah, like that really sucks, right like dude 25,000 extra dollars that could have went into Any modifications or restoration or anything right right straight going to the government"
Modifications are changes you can make to a car to improve how it looks or works. This can be things like adding new parts or changing the paint color.
Modifications refer to changes or upgrades made to a vehicle to enhance its performance, appearance, or functionality. This can include anything from engine tuning to aesthetic changes like new paint or body kits.
resale market
"What do you think that's gonna do to the market like the resale market, you know Once these once these types of cars with the the higher duties come in"
The resale market is where people sell their used cars. Prices can change based on how many cars are available and how much people want to buy them.
The resale market refers to the marketplace where used vehicles are bought and sold. Factors such as supply and demand, economic conditions, and vehicle condition can influence resale prices.
R-tune
"...like everybody does the Z-tune or like the R-tune..."
The R-tune is another special version of a Nissan sports car that has been improved for better performance. It's also popular among car fans.
The R-tune refers to another variant of the Nissan Skyline GT-R, which includes performance enhancements and special features. Like the Z-tune, it is designed for enthusiasts looking for improved performance and exclusivity.
Z-tune
"...like everybody does the Z-tune or like the R-tune..."
The Z-tune is a special, upgraded version of a Nissan sports car that has better performance and looks. It's very popular among car collectors.
The Z-tune is a special version of the Nissan Skyline GT-R, modified by Nismo to enhance performance and aesthetics. It features upgrades in power, suspension, and bodywork, making it a highly sought-after model among collectors.
V-Spec II hood
"...I really like the subtleness of a V-spec two hood that just has the one like knack of doctor right in the in the top, right?"
The V-Spec II hood is a special hood for a Nissan sports car that helps with airflow and cooling. It's known for its unique look and is sought after by car fans.
The V-Spec II hood refers to a specific hood design used on the Nissan Skyline GT-R models, particularly the R34 generation. It features a distinctive design that enhances aerodynamics and cooling, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
tariff
"Uh us tariffs on UAE Carbon fiber, right? Like it's five percent, right? It's it's it's minimal"
A tariff is like a fee that you have to pay when you bring something into your country from another country. It makes imported items more expensive.
A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported goods. In this context, it refers to the additional cost added to items like car parts when they are imported from another country.
carbon fiber
"Carbon fiber, right? Like it's five percent, right? It's it's it's minimal"
Carbon fiber is a special kind of material that is very strong but also very light. It's often used in cars to make parts like hoods that help improve speed and performance.
Carbon fiber is a lightweight and strong material commonly used in high-performance automotive parts, including hoods and body panels. It offers better performance compared to traditional materials like aluminum or steel.
aluminum
"Aluminum is 50 percent tariff 50 percent tariff on aluminum from dubai or UAE"
Aluminum is a type of metal that is very light and strong, making it a popular choice for car parts. Sometimes, it can be expensive to import because of extra taxes called tariffs.
Aluminum is a lightweight metal commonly used in automotive manufacturing due to its strength-to-weight ratio. However, it can be subject to high tariffs when imported from certain countries, affecting overall costs.
Nissan 400R
"...they shipped over the 400 R..."
The Nissan 400R is a special version of a sports car that is designed for better performance. It's known for being fast and fun to drive, making it popular among car lovers.
The Nissan 400R is a high-performance variant of the Nissan Skyline GT-R, known for its enhanced power and handling capabilities. It is a rare and sought-after model among car enthusiasts.
Nissan Z
"...the zero R just got to America..."
The Nissan Z is a new sports car that carries on a long tradition of fast and stylish cars from Nissan. It's designed to be exciting to drive and looks great too.
The Nissan Z is a modern sports car that continues the legacy of the Z-car lineage, known for its performance and styling. It represents a blend of classic design and modern technology.
Nismo Festival
"...but on a sad note An event that neither of us ever got to make it to did get canceled this year at least which maybe was due to financial hardship..."
The Nismo Festival is a special event by Nissan where fans can see cool cars and enjoy activities related to Nissan's performance cars. It's a fun way for fans to connect with the brand.
The Nismo Festival is an annual event organized by Nissan's performance division, Nismo. It typically features various Nissan and Nismo vehicles, including racing cars, and offers fans a chance to see their favorite models and participate in activities.
GTR Festival
"A week after sima is gtr festival... Which if you don't know about it..."
The GTR Festival is a fun event focused on Nissan's GT-R cars. People come together to show off their cars, watch races, and meet other fans.
The GTR Festival is an automotive event celebrating the Nissan GT-R, featuring various activities such as car shows, races, and gatherings of enthusiasts. It's a great opportunity for fans to connect and share their passion for this iconic sports car.
drag racing
"...I'm not huge into drag, but I mean..."
Drag racing is a race where two cars go straight down a track to see which one is faster. It's all about how quickly they can get from start to finish.
Drag racing is a type of motor racing where two vehicles compete to see which can cover a straight distance in the shortest time, typically a quarter-mile. It emphasizes acceleration and speed.
thousand horsepower
"...Seeing thousand horsepower gtr is a dope, you know, so..."
When someone says a car has 'thousand horsepower,' it means the car's engine is really powerful, much more than a regular car. This is usually achieved by adding special parts to the engine.
'Thousand horsepower' refers to a car's engine output, indicating that it can produce 1,000 horsepower, which is an extreme level of power for a vehicle. This level of horsepower is typically achieved through extensive modifications.
Mazda Rx7
"...I'm sure there's a supra event and I'm sure there's some sort of rx7 or nsx event..."
The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car that uses a special type of engine called a rotary engine, which makes it very light and fun to drive.
The Mazda RX-7 is a lightweight sports car known for its rotary engine and agile handling. It has a dedicated fan base and is celebrated for its unique engineering.
Toyota Supra
"...I know it's hard because like I'm sure there's a supra event and I'm sure there's some sort of rx7 or ns..."
Nissan Skylines
"...don't mean to be so, you know, kind of focused on skylines. That's just what we do, right? So like that's w..."
The Nissan Skyline is a popular car, especially known for its speed and cool features, particularly the GT-R version. It has a strong following because it performs really well and has been featured in movies and games, making it a favorite among car fans. People often talk about it because of its impressive technology and racing history.
The Nissan Skyline is a series of cars that gained fame, particularly in the 1990s, for their performance and advanced technology, especially in the GT-R variant. Known for its powerful engines and all-wheel-drive system, the Skyline has become a cult classic, especially among car enthusiasts and in motorsports. Its significance is further amplified by its appearances in popular culture, including movies and video games.
Honda NSX
"...if you had a supra and I had an nsx it would be much different because I'd be sitting here talking about Honda meets..."
The Honda NSX is a fast and stylish sports car that Honda made, famous for its great handling and technology.
The Honda NSX is a high-performance sports car that combines exotic styling with advanced technology. It is known for its mid-engine layout and has been a significant model in Honda's history.
Acura NSX
"...exposed to if we if you had a supra And I had an nsx it would be much different because I'd be sitting..."
The Acura NSX is a fancy sports car that can go really fast and is known for being well-made and fun to drive. It was one of the first cars to use a lightweight aluminum body, which helps it handle better on the road. People talk about it because it combines luxury with high performance, making it special.
The Acura NSX is a high-performance sports car that was first introduced in the early 1990s and is known for its combination of luxury and speed. It features a mid-engine layout and was one of the first production cars to use an all-aluminum body, making it lightweight and agile. The NSX is significant for its role in bringing supercar performance to a more accessible market and has a dedicated following among car enthusiasts.
Honda Civic
"Like 90s nsx Civic that type of thing, you know, like these cars that people are still trying to refurbish or whatever you want to say"
The Honda Civic is a small car that many people use for everyday driving. It's known for being reliable and good on gas, which makes it a popular choice.
The Honda Civic is a compact car that has been in production since the 1970s. It is known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and versatility, making it a popular choice among drivers and car enthusiasts alike.
B-series VTEC
"I don't know where you could find a brand new b-series v-tech"
B-series VTEC is a type of engine made by Honda that helps cars run better and use fuel more efficiently. It's popular among car enthusiasts who like to modify their cars for better performance.
The B-series VTEC refers to a family of Honda engines known for their Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system, which enhances performance and efficiency. These engines are popular in the tuning community and are often sought after for performance builds.
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