All hail Canada's lax import laws!

North Americans have always had it pretty good when it comes to the variety of automobiles we're able to purchase. Whether it's a good sports car, family sedan, or SUV, we North Americans have generally had it better (and cheaper) than everyone else. But, there are always some models we never get. Tantalizing forbidden fruit from distant lands that look so very appealing: Nissan Skyline GT-R? Not sold here until recently. Cute kei-cars? Never sold here. Decent station wagons? Foggitaboudit.

If you've got your eye on a sweet car to import and live in the United States, you are mostly out of luck. The U.S. bans the importation of vehicles under 25 years old, with few exceptions. So unless that right-hand drive vehicle of your dreams has been with us for over a quarter century, you're mostly likely SOL.

Here in Canada, we are lucky to only have our limit set at 15 years. A lucky Canadian can have their import dreams fulfilled a full 10 years before their American cousins. Lucky us right?

Of course, importing a vehicle is rather expensive no matter how old it is, so imported cars are still a fairly rare sight on Canadian roads. But if you live in or near an urban area you are quite likely to see a few eventually. I have seen a few Nissan Figuros, a Rover, and tons of Skylines on the roads.

A quick search of autotrader.ca shows more than a few imported vehicles that wouldn't be available in the U.S., such as this MG-F, a kei-car Honda Beat, this crazy Toyota Hiace, and the almighty godzilla R34 Skyline. 

MG-F for sale on Autotrader.ca

For those living in the U.S. who are not so lucky, Petrolicious had circulated a petition asking the government to change their import laws, but it unfortunately failed to meet the required signature amount. :(