TomServo92 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 The other day when I dropped my daughter off at school, I saw a Ford that I had never seen before. It looked smaller than a Focus but shared a somewhat similar design. After a little, research I found pics on the web: It's a Fiesta! The funny thing is it had Texas plates on it. I assume that someone moved to Texas (most likely from Mexico) and brought it with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 The other day when I dropped my daughter off at school, I saw a Ford that I had never seen before. It looked smaller than a Focus but shared a somewhat similar design. After a little, research I found pics on the web: It's a Fiesta! The funny thing is it had Texas plates on it. I assume that someone moved to Texas (most likely from Mexico) and brought it with them. I am 90% positive you CANNOT register this in US under normal conditions .. could this be a diplomat / something else? or did I miss the memo that I can import cars from Mexico to US? (if so - C1 Focus ST for me please!!!) Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 I am 90% positive you CANNOT register this in US under normal conditions .. could this be a diplomat / something else? or did I miss the memo that I can import cars from Mexico to US? (if so - C1 Focus ST for me please!!!) Igor If it were a diplomat's car, I don't believe it would have Texas plates. Plus, the nearest consulate is about 100 miles away. Before anyone asks, I'm a 100% sure on the car. What struck me was how small it was coupled with the Taurus style taillights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 It's Texas. Who knows what they'll let you do (nudge nudge wink wink)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one2gamble Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I am 90% positive you CANNOT register this in US under normal conditions .. could this be a diplomat / something else? or did I miss the memo that I can import cars from Mexico to US? (if so - C1 Focus ST for me please!!!) Igor you can import cars buts its expensive and a pain in the ass, it wouldnt be worth it for a fiesta. What you could do is register the car as something else, say a focus(assuming you can find one super cheap) and take the tags off it, 99% of the public wouldnt know either way. Though that only works if your state doesnt have inspections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 I've seen this car twice but neither time did I have a camera on hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I saw a coupe version yesterday here in San Diego with Mexico plates. Nice looking car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 I Googled up this information about non-resident's importing their cars: NONRESIDENTS may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival. Nonconforming vehicles must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S. There is no exemption or extension of the export requirement. Conforming vehicles imported under the duty-free exemption are dutiable if sold within one year of importation. Duty must be paid at the most convenient Customs office before the sale is completed. So, if the vehicle is conforming, there is no time restriction. Does anyone know if the Fiesta is considered a conforming vehicle by the NHTSA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolita Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I Googled up this information about non-resident's importing their cars:So, if the vehicle is conforming, there is no time restriction. Does anyone know if the Fiesta is considered a conforming vehicle by the NHTSA? I would think not as the Brazilian sourced Fiesta would have never been tested by the NHTSA... I've seen many Fiestas and EcoSports in Texas...but with Mexican plates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 I would think not as the Brazilian sourced Fiesta would have never been tested by the NHTSA... I've seen many Fiestas and EcoSports in Texas...but with Mexican plates! I found this on the NHTSA web site: If a motor vehicle was manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, and bears a label certifying such compliance that was permanently affixed by its original manufacturer, there is no need for NHTSA approval before the vehicle is imported. I shouldn't be spending so much time on this but I just love a good mystery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I have a friend who recently went through the process of buying a Focus ST in Mexico, and importing it since Ford unfortunately has not been able to offer such a vehicle for American consumers but yet they see fit to offer it to even the most uncivil of 3rd world countries. Supposedly it was about $2800 in total. Not sure specifically what the process was, although he did mention that what NHTSA was looking for is compliance of bumpers which must meet 5MPH impacts, and a few issues related to emissions (programming). That was it. It was certainly easier to bring it in from Mexico. He's had experience with this before, his previous vehicle was a Mondeo ST220 which he brought in from Europe at that time, that took him around $5K to get it onto our shores. MY main worry was, "what will you do when you need a part?" But he was pretty mechanically inclined so he didn't have any issues with it and more importantly, he didnt keep it long enough for it to give him any issues. Ironically he sold it to someone here in the U.S. (Ebay or Craigslist) who was able to appreciate it for what it was, and he got a good dime out of it when everything was said and done. He tells me he didn't lose much on the "depreciation" on it during his 3 year tenure with it. I do know insurance was his main issue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainp4 Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 possible that its a kia rio? I've mistaken them for a Ford a couple of times when not looking closely. they look very similar.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 possible that its a kia rio? I've mistaken them for a Ford a couple of times when not looking closely. they look very similar.. Nope. I clearly saw the Blue Oval on it both times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Here's a Verve: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/spyshots...ord_fiesta.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 Here's a Verve: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/spyshots...ord_fiesta.html Not what I saw. Like I said, it caught my eye because of the Taurus-like tail lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro-man Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 It's Texas. Who knows what they'll let you do (nudge nudge wink wink)? LOL! Seriously - although I'm the one that's always defending a country's rights to set their own regulations - I wish ours wasn't so tight-assed about importing automobiles. It actually used to be easier: It used to be you could import one non-conforming auto per lifetime. Now you just can't do it. (Oh yes, I have looked into this.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Could it have been a Mondeo or Ikon ? And when you say Taurus, do you mean Taurus (2003-2006), or reiteration of the Five Hundred (2005-2007) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Over the summer I saw a 90's era Ford Escort Cosworth at one of my Local Home Despots. It was being treated as a daily driver, beat to hell and filthy. I couldn't believe somebody would treat such an unusual car that way! I've seen Mondeos around town previously (not the current gen), but they had M-plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Over the summer I saw a 90's era Ford Escort Cosworth at one of my Local Home Despots. I remember seeing a European Escort on I95 down in VA back in the late 1980's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadBflo Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Are you sure it wasn't an '09 F-150? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 (edited) Could it have been a Mondeo or Ikon ? And when you say Taurus, do you mean Taurus (2003-2006), or reiteration of the Five Hundred (2005-2007) ? Let me repeat this again: the car I saw twice is the same as the pic I posted at the start of this thread. By Taurus, I mean the current one. Edited November 27, 2007 by TomServo92 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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