The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

What would 'it take' to get one of the L series 2 door RX II lift-backs imported and registered here?

They look very cool!

It can be done, i know of 2 in Australia

is that from NZ?

Chris Rogers seems to no


and YES that one looks awesome

yeah very cool indeed. Altho I think importing one may be difficult to do cost effectively...I think most import yards only deal with later model cars for private imports (unless it's a very valuable older classic car).
If only it was cost effective to do this, we'd be importing MY Hatches left right and centre!

there is one in wa also

there was 2 in Adelaide I know of. one was a recent import, in WRX blue. think it went to Melbourne to be complied, and put up for sale on here.

There is a jap importer in adelaide that does them - for comparison a jap-spec touring wagon was around $7000 (pretty rough but and no compliance).

Contact subawreck 08 8285 4444 for the localation of the complianced one (am sure paul will know, he used to own it + adelaide subie community is small) - last i saw it had been lifted

that would be a cool car... and in the weeds it would be fully mad

if you want to ring me I'll tell you how to do it. I have done it before and when funding permits I'll do it again.

in QLD there are a set if rules/mods to follow and from there it gets signed off and ready for rego. the worst part of it is the frieght and the car cost.

word of wisdom - go for a trip and look at the car. $600 is a small price to pay for a possible $6k mistake. bear in mind also that if its built after 01/01/89 it has to come in on SEVS and its not likely to come in at all.
if you are in doubt on the age get the vin (jap or kiwi) and run it past a subaru shop in NZ. they can tell you the build date. if it has a kiwi one (IE 16 digit.) then the local Oz dealers can tell you how old it is. they won't help you anymore than that but it will say yes or no for you.

0407-102-839 if you want to chat more about it.

Surely there will be a build date on the car though too? Any link with info about this SEVS?

there isn't on a jap one. only way to derive it is via the chassis number. had to do this with mine. the build tag that is usually on the pass strut tower is not there and by the look of it never was there. the local NZ ones have it.

its a 15 yr car do you do a 3rd brake light, seat belts, kid bolt, a full service, and take it to an engineer to my understanding. no need for RAAWS / SEVS rules. find a compliance shop in the area and ask.

I'm going to chat to one of hte ones I do work for here in brissy. if that white RXII in hastings comes up again (no $$ now.) I'm probably going for a two day trip.

For what it is worth, while Hastings is a bit far away (4hrs) for me, if a car comes up in my area (Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton, Taupo etc) that one of you guys are interested in I am happy to take a look and let you know if it is even worth a flight over, I am very well versed in L series rust repairs so know all the spots to check.

bit of an update on the 15 yr import rules. you need - side intrusion,seat belts (front/rear) full service and a trip to a certifed engineer to sign it off. from there its rego/insurance and then drive time

all goes well I'm probably going to add a two door to my collection.

I currently own the 85 model RX Turbo Coupe in Adelaide that Paul from Subawreck imported. It passed through a couple of people before I picked it up for $2500. It does need some rust repairs, respray and head gaskets but it still runs although its rarely driven.

Cheers,