What car would you import if you were suddenly allowed to?

"fhrblig" (fhrblig) 09/01/2013 at 11:22 • Filed to: None

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Everyone here hates the law in the US that prevents you from importing a grey market car less than 25 years old. If that law were suddenly lifted, what would you be chomping at the bit to bring in?

I am, admittedly, weird. I have always loved the Chevy Sprint. I've owned 2 silver 5-door models, one was base with absolutely no options, and the other was amusingly loaded, with things like A/C and even an aftermarket cruise control (the former only really worked well under 80 F, and the latter only on flat surfaces). I have a soft spot for these little beasts, and I would love to go to Colombia and snag a 2004 model, I believe that was the last year they were made. I know they were also produced by Pak Suzuki as the Suzuki Khyber, I don't know when production ended. Colombia is closer, though.

What would you bring in?

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:25

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That's my mom's first car!

Only her car is in white. And 3-door.

dieselwagon > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:30

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I'm not American but I will use any excuse available for...

TheJWT > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:34

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The fact that Ford sold these across the border in Mexico just put salt on the wound.

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:42

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So much want...

Sn210 > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:43

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Lots of good options, but I'd have to pick the Renault Clio.

I dont know much about them, other than V6 mid-engine hot hatch.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:43

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Well there isn't really anything that I could afford, so I'm going to focus on things that I can't afford.:noble, tvr mostly. If somehow I could lay my hands on a caparo , then there would be that as well...

Pitchblende > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:44

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Not USAian, but I would arrive in a Renault Megan RS.

fhrblig > Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS 09/01/2013 at 11:44

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4 more years and you can.

fhrblig > TheJWT 09/01/2013 at 11:45

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So many things are sold in Mexico that I wish we could get here.

fhrblig > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 09/01/2013 at 11:46

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They were great little cars for the city. Mountain passes and highways were not a whole lot of fun though.

POD > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:46

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Suddenly allowed to? That makes it harder. Right now I'd import an Autozam AZ-1, but I'm already allowed to do that. I just need more monopoly money to make it happen.

Maybe the AMG 45? It's new and not available in Canada as far as I know. It's one of the hot hatches I really REALLY want! I can get the CLA AMG 45 in Canada, but that really doesn't do it for me.

fhrblig > POD 09/01/2013 at 11:47

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Ooh, AZ-1. I forgot about those. Also the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino.

RMudkips > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:48

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I'm Canadian, so I wait ten years less, but still, my answer.

fhrblig > Sn210 09/01/2013 at 11:49

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Strangely, I want a 1st-gen Clio. Just a normal one. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME

fhrblig > RMudkips 09/01/2013 at 11:50

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As someone that works in logistics, I totally get it.

Just wear your damn mask... > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:50

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First gen Ford Ka. I know it is a bit pedestrian but I like it.

Atomic Buffalo > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:51

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I guess the Audi RS6 Avant chorus hasn't awakened yet.

POD > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:52

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I would absolutely have a Cappuccino as well. I'd want one of each of the best Kei cars.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:53

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Well, I think the car is pretty fun.
When I was a kid, sometimes my mom take it for a slalom test on our local slalom course. Too bad she's now replacig her with E60 530i.

Dogapult > Just wear your damn mask... 09/01/2013 at 11:53

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Just go to San Fransisco in the Pacific Rim universe.

RMudkips > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:54

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I believe it is the coolest production van of today.

RMudkips > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 11:55

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Of course, there's the bonkers Evoluzione II model.

RMudkips > Atomic Buffalo 09/01/2013 at 11:57

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Wait until Automatch is here.

fhrblig > RMudkips 09/01/2013 at 12:01

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I don't know, I like the Renault Trafic/Nissan Primastar/Opel Vivaro/Vauxhall Vivaro too.

Kurisu95 > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:02

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Honda N One

Tom McParland > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:03

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Because I can't afford current gen RS cars, I'll take the B7 RS4 Avant

Dogsport2.0 > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:06

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This is still a Jalopnik sister site, right? Seems obligatory.

SatriaFanboy > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:10

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Proton Satria GTi. 4G93 N/A engine, Lotus Handling and only available in Manual. nuff' said

Harrycarry250 > dieselwagon 09/01/2013 at 12:16

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A hilux wagon?

TheJWT > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:20

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Nothing wrong with this

duurtlang > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:23

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You're strange... in a good way.

v8corvairpickup > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:36

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I'd love to get one of the Kei trucks and vans. A Honda Acty or Subaru Sambar would be great. Even the bigger ones that were offered with diesel power would be great.

v8corvairpickup > Dogsport2.0 09/01/2013 at 12:38

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Yep. That would be a great choice. Falcon Ute, Holden Ute, any Ute!

POD > RMudkips 09/01/2013 at 12:44

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15 years. I believe it's 15 years for a used vehicle not originally for sale in Canada.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/p…

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/p…

EDIT:

Whoops, 10 years less . Helps if I read the sentence correctly. Yes, you're right. Very interesting choice, I'd drive it.

RMudkips > POD 09/01/2013 at 12:47

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Hey, we all make mistakes, it's all right. As for driving it, I figure it'll be pretty nice to drive, being RWD and all. I know there's someone in my neighborhood with a 4WD Mitsu van, not too sure what it's called, but it's super cool.

RMudkips > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 12:58

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That's plenty cool, I have an Asiancar bias is all. Speaking of Eurovans, does this count?

fhrblig > RMudkips 09/01/2013 at 13:04

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Yes. I'd take one of those in a second.

Makoyouidiot > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 13:29

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I am sorry gentlemen and ladies..but the correct answer to this question can be only one car....
159 Sportwagon.

Sn210 > dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter 09/01/2013 at 14:02

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Nobles are legal here in the US. A silver M12 pulled up next to me at a stop light a few years ago. At least that leads me to assume they are legal...

dieselwagon > Harrycarry250 09/01/2013 at 14:50

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It's a Landcruiser 70 series.

In production from 1984-now in some select markets, with only relatively minor changes in all years of production. Available as wagon in short and long wheelbases, pickup/chassis cab and troop carrier. The SWB wagon is apparently only available in: Bahrain, Bhutan and Tahiti. Pickups and Troop Carriers are available in many parts of Africa, Australia, Arab States and apparently some South American countries.

xen0blade > fhrblig 09/01/2013 at 15:34

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Euro-spec E36 M3.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > Sn210 09/01/2013 at 23:21

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IIRC, you can register it as a kit car if you do a certain amount of the build yourself, but you can't buy it from the manufacturer as a full car. Usually it's got something to do with the British car not having been crash tested or not conforming to some other regulation.