Anyone considered importing a diesel Toyota Land Cruiser Prado into North America?

[SilverGs]

Anyone considered importing a diesel Toyota Land Cruiser Prado into North America?

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Kakadu - Lexus GX Toyota Land Cruiser LC5 - Rob Fraser Reviews - YouTube

Toyota LandCruiser Prado Review & Road Test | CarAdvice

Is it even doable?

I was in Costa Rica two weeks ago and saw this truck there and absolutely loved it. Apparently it is the Lexus GX equivalent, however it does not come with a V8 in other markets, but comes with a V6 gas and I6 turbo diesel engine.

I would love to have the diesel version of this truck here in North America. Anyone know where to research the possibility of importing such a vehicle into Canada?

 

[zonianbrat]

I know it is doable but it will be expensive and depending on where you live you might have emmissions issues especially with the diesel. Not positive but it is what I have heard from other forums.

 

[ironhippy]

If you want to import a vehicle that was never sold in North America, you have to do (at the very least) one of 2 things:
In Canada you have to wait 15 years
In the US you have to wait 25 years

I believe the rationale is so the imported cars don't compete with new cars produced in North America, but I'm not really sure.

IanB (poster on this board) has imported a Surf (overseas diesel 4runner) and a diesel land cruiser in the last few years. I believe he had them imported through a broker in Vancouver, there are several that do it.

ih8mud.com will have a lot more information on how to inquire (and any other information concerning) land cruisers.

edit: also you may have problems with insuring a right hand drive car in Ontario, so that may cause additional problems if you want to get a truck from over seas