by "FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
Published 06/14/2017 at 16:30
by "FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
Published 06/14/2017 at 16:30
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STARS: 4
When was the last time you saw a Toyota LiteAce?
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/14/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 0
Mid-80s, my Sri Lankan friends who wanted to buy something that reminded them of home. No kidding. I think it made it through about 1990 or so, but I’ve maybe seen 5 since then (anywhere in the US).
"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
06/14/2017 at 16:42, STARS: 0
There was one parked in the lot near my old apartment. I lived there three years, and I’m pretty confident it never moved.
"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
06/14/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 0
Quite recently as it happens.
Yes, i was surprised too. They were everywhere once.
"fintail" (fintail)
06/14/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 0
I see the TownAce/MasterAce NA export models now and then around Seattle. I saw an old RHD one last week, too. Tons of grey market/private import RHD ones in Canada.
Of all the odd old memories, I remember a LiteAce in the 80s cult movie “BMX Bandits”.
"MarquetteLa" (marquettela)
06/14/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 1
From last month.
"KnowsAboutCars" (knowsaboutcars)
06/14/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 0
Some but not very long time ago. It’s owner most likely lives close by where I’ve seen it since it’s often parked there when I walk by the place.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/14/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 0
Those cab over vans seem to be very popular pretty much anywhere else than North America and Europe. And five isn’t too bad for a van that didn’t sell that well in the US iirc.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/14/2017 at 17:06, STARS: 0
The one I took the picture of is actually owned by a neighbor, so I’ve seen it every day for the last 15 years. It’s still driven almost daily.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/14/2017 at 17:08, STARS: 0
Must have been before my time I guess. Even the Mitsubishi L200 seems to have vanished. Most of those Japanese vans have most likely been exported to Africa and the Middle East.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/14/2017 at 17:11, STARS: 0
I think all the cabover and forward control vans (domestic and import both) suffered from marginal crash ratings and a lot of fear in buyers. The Previa was probably the last mass-market one to succeed here.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/14/2017 at 17:14, STARS: 0
I walk by that LiteAce almost every day and not too long ago there was a mint Mitsubishi L200 with that crystal roof windows or whatever they where called. But other than that literally not.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/14/2017 at 17:17, STARS: 0
I have always liked the Mitsubishi vans a bit more but the Toyota Aces are rarer, at least here.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/14/2017 at 17:22, STARS: 0
Completely forgot about the Previa’s setup and how much I like the car. I wouldn’t want to have an accident in a cabover after seeing a crash test video of a Volkswagen T3 Transporter.
"KnowsAboutCars" (knowsaboutcars)
06/14/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 1
My neighbour used to have a UK or JDM spec AWD Masterace with similar windows. Toyota referred to them as skylite roof.
"fintail" (fintail)
06/14/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 1
The Mitsus of that era are quite rare here, been some time since I have seen one. The Toyota probably sold 20x the volume when new.
The real rarity is a similar style Nissan van that I think was subject to a large recall, and most were removed from the road 20 or more years ago.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/15/2017 at 02:26, STARS: 1
Ah I forgot about the Vanette. A neighor used to own a light blue Nissan Vanette.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
06/15/2017 at 05:04, STARS: 1
rarely seen now here, most have been driven into the ground.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/15/2017 at 05:10, STARS: 0
Most of them now live a second life in developing countries I guess.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
06/15/2017 at 05:11, STARS: 0
not the ones that came here, motors will be clapped out first.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/15/2017 at 06:38, STARS: 0
Australia isn’t the most friendly enviornment for cars I imagine.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
06/15/2017 at 06:42, STARS: 1
no, best part about down here is little to no rust.
"fintail" (fintail)
06/15/2017 at 09:09, STARS: 0
Funny thing, in NA I think all 3 JDM style vans were simply called “van”. I remember Toyota had a “wonder wagon” name, but I don’t think it was official. I am surprised they sold in any numbers, the thought of crashing one is frightful.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/15/2017 at 09:25, STARS: 0
That’s a new one to me that nobody bothered to give their van a proper name. We had the Mazda Bongo, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Vanette, Toyota LiteAce/HiAce. All of them were replaced by semi cabo vers ala Volkswagen Eurovan style.
"fintail" (fintail)
06/15/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 0
I think people in NA are oversensitive to odd names, or marketers think people are sensitive.
Come to think of it, I recall the boxy 84-91 Civic wagon being called a “Wagovan”, but I don’t think any car was badged as such.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/15/2017 at 12:00, STARS: 0
The Japanese in the other hand pick rather awkward names because foreign languages are so cool and hip. Just think about the Isuzu Homy Super Long...
I think you’re right, the only decal I recall the Civic wagon had was 4wd or something similar.
"fintail" (fintail)
06/15/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 1
Yeah, those names would never fly in NA, people are too boring here, and relatively scared of weird names - the vans were weird enough.
I think the Civic said “Real Time 4WD”, to which I would reply something about “fake time”.