Microvan Question Oppo..

"SaabLife, because Gripen" (runningtosweden) 11/06/2013 at 16:47 • Filed to: Microvan

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If I was looking for a 1980's Microvan (Subaru/Mitsubishi/Suzuki/Honda) made in China or Japan, where would I go about looking for one here in the US?

I've found plenty of Microtrucks, but the Microvan seems to be an elusive beast.

Are they really that rare here in the US?

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 16:51

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That's a really small niche (pun intended). I think everyone that wants one imported one and isn't going to be too interested in selling. Your best bet is to import one from Japan.

duurtlang > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 11/06/2013 at 16:53

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Importing seems the most logical thing to me as well. He could try other RHD markets as well, UK and AUS specifically, as they tend to import many second hand JDM cars and have the benefit of actually speaking English.

HammerheadFistpunch > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 16:53

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There is a place in Utah that sells them

A dream of mine is to own a 4wd microvan with tracks and a ski rack.

HammerheadFistpunch > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 17:00

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for your pleasure (and mine)

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 17:04

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Are you considering the Subaru Sambar Dias Classic?

dinobot666 > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 17:06

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Where in the US do you live?

Bird > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 17:35

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You should be aware of a couple things about those Kei vans here in the US. There are companies that sell new or late model used 4wd vans and trucks. To be legally imported into the US, they must be governed to 25mph, and they cannot be registered for road use as they are classified as an ATV. The exception to that is states that allow ATV’s to be registered and drive on the street. If you buy one that is 25 years old from Japan, you can import it under the 25 year rule. In that case you only need to pass your state safety and emissions inspections to be legal for road use without being speed governed.

Here's a dealer faq with some good info. They also have a couple vans in stock.

zadtheinhaler > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 11/06/2013 at 18:20

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I didn't know Japan had Pep Boys franchises.

zadtheinhaler > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 20:01

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Yes, they are that rare.

Move to Canada, they're streetable!

Jonee > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 21:19

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Yeah, I guess people don't have much use for the vans over here. You can find a vintage Subaru 360 van, or you could import one yourself, which is a process, but not impossible. There's also these guys, but I don't know anything about them other than the website:

http://www.minitruckdealer.com/

Seunghyun > SaabLife, because Gripen 11/06/2013 at 21:21

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The Kia Ray, with a 1 liter engine, sold only in Korea for now... Maybe not micro enough?

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > duurtlang 11/06/2013 at 22:07

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That's another good option. Maybe Canada, they allow grey market imports right? So it would be easy to find a car importer.