jhealey
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So here's how we spend our tax dollars in the US...
Interesting article in Road and Track about the illegal imports of newer Defenders that's don't meet the 25-year-old criteria for import to the US (If a vehicle is 25+ years, it can be imported without restriction into the US.).
In my opinion the US Customs and Border Patrol are creating the situation with their own rules, allowing essentially the same cars in for some years but not for others. Rather than spending a ton of money discovering the ones that are too new, they could make an exemption that states that if a vehicle is essentially the same design (perhaps based on specification and measurements of major components, such as bulkhead, hood, frame, wheelbase, overall dimensions, etc.) as a car that is 25+ years old, then it is allowed to be imported if it is newer but perhaps they could place a tax on the newer ones, or all of them, if a certain number per year or more are being imported.
So that way they could actually take in some revenue rather than stupidly crush vehicles and spent a ton of tax payer money for what they call "safety." (The video is obviously a publicity stunt for the agency.) As if importing only vehicles that are 25+ years old is "safer" than importing newer models that are in better condition, haven't been chopped and hacked up by some under-qualified mechanic who just wants to make some fast money, and have more modern equipment like disk brakes, anti-lock systems, forward facing seats all around, etc. Of course, I know there's plenty of folks in the UK making some good money importing Defenders correctly...
Anyway, that's my rant. Watching the video may be a little disturbing. Although it is interesting to see how much abuse the suspension takes.
Exclusive: Feds Declare War on Imported Land Rover Defenders ?#News ?#Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog
CBP Video - CBP Destroys Land Rover - YouTube
Interesting article in Road and Track about the illegal imports of newer Defenders that's don't meet the 25-year-old criteria for import to the US (If a vehicle is 25+ years, it can be imported without restriction into the US.).
In my opinion the US Customs and Border Patrol are creating the situation with their own rules, allowing essentially the same cars in for some years but not for others. Rather than spending a ton of money discovering the ones that are too new, they could make an exemption that states that if a vehicle is essentially the same design (perhaps based on specification and measurements of major components, such as bulkhead, hood, frame, wheelbase, overall dimensions, etc.) as a car that is 25+ years old, then it is allowed to be imported if it is newer but perhaps they could place a tax on the newer ones, or all of them, if a certain number per year or more are being imported.
So that way they could actually take in some revenue rather than stupidly crush vehicles and spent a ton of tax payer money for what they call "safety." (The video is obviously a publicity stunt for the agency.) As if importing only vehicles that are 25+ years old is "safer" than importing newer models that are in better condition, haven't been chopped and hacked up by some under-qualified mechanic who just wants to make some fast money, and have more modern equipment like disk brakes, anti-lock systems, forward facing seats all around, etc. Of course, I know there's plenty of folks in the UK making some good money importing Defenders correctly...
Anyway, that's my rant. Watching the video may be a little disturbing. Although it is interesting to see how much abuse the suspension takes.
Exclusive: Feds Declare War on Imported Land Rover Defenders ?#News ?#Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog
CBP Video - CBP Destroys Land Rover - YouTube