What Practical Car Do You Want That Was Never Sold in the US?

"Chappie" (johngaffney) 10/01/2014 at 11:36 • Filed to: vw, volkswagen, polo, i want this car, question for oppos, practical, daily drive, must have now

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After stumbling upon a quad headlight (nigh, Merc-headlight) Mk4 Volkswagen Polo, something I never previously knew existed, my desire to own one went through the roof, and in reality there's no good reason for it. It's not a particularly special car; it's not fast, it isn't revvy and quite obviously, it's wrong wheel drive. None of that matters however, as I want it. It looks great (in my eyes at least) and as a daily driver/grocery getter/whatever, it's perfectly suited for my needs, especially considering I live just outside of and frequently commute to a major urban area. I'd never pay the ridiculous price to import one (okay, maybe not never....) but I strongly want it, like foaming at the mouth want.

I can't be the only jalopo/oppo who feels this way about certain relatively bland cars, what about you all?

Diesel > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:38

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I had one of these as my grocery getter for two years. I miss my old life.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:39

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VW Scirocco and the Opel/Vauxhall Astra VXR/GTC: the only compact cars that would replace my FoST.

505Turbeaux > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:40

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Citroen BX 4x4 wagon

Chappie > Diesel 10/01/2014 at 11:41

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Despite being completely different than my initial intentions, this car is amazing and you therefore win.

Leon711 > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:43

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Sure you wouldn't like the previous one? this was mine.

Cherry_man1 > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:44

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The new Ford Falcon with that mustang engine or the Fusion Wagon.

Chappie > 505Turbeaux 10/01/2014 at 11:44

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When I was a kid I had a car book with a BX either on the front page or very near the front, and I thought it was a space-car. They totally looked like something out of the future to me.

CalzoneGolem > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:44

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Boxer_4 > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:44

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I always wished we got the 4th gen Camry wagon.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:44

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I prefer the sports version of it's platform mate, the Skoda Fabia VRS. Quick car.

Slave2anMG > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:45

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Renaut Avantime. Because weird!

Brian Silvestro > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:45

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Chappie > Leon711 10/01/2014 at 11:46

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It's the headlight setup that truly gets me going. I'm in love with it lol.

Jobjoris > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:47

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I'm not sure what's in the US and what not. But if you like that Polo you probably want this (even smaller!) as well, especially in GTI-trim:

It even had a centered double exhaust (VW couldn't have looked much at the Cooper S as they both arrived in 2002)!:

Not much for groceries though, unless the backseat is down.

Chappie > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/01/2014 at 11:47

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It's face is so sad though.

Leon711 > Brian Silvestro 10/01/2014 at 11:47

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I can get this! just waiting for the RenaultSport

EL_ULY > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:48

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none, Because Murica!!!

though... a Holden or Ford Ute would have been perfect here. You don't need a giant diesel just to move some boxes

Milky > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:48

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Pretty much every Citroen. So much DD-ability.

Chappie > Cherry_man1 10/01/2014 at 11:48

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Love the Fusion wagon. Wouldn't mind a Falcon, either.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > CalzoneGolem 10/01/2014 at 11:48

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Excellent choice! /not at all biased.

450X_FTW > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:49

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Any small highly fuel efficient diesel car. Impreza diesel - AWD and high mpg, or the VW Bluemotion lineup. Not fast, but way better mpg and way better looking than a prius.

Cherry_man1 > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:49

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I know they are both 4 door awesome cars

Sn210 > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:49

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This is practical, right?

450X_FTW > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:50

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Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst edition. I've been in love with that car ever since I saw it on Top Gear

Chappie > Jobjoris 10/01/2014 at 11:51

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We don't go below the GTI really in terms of sizing for VW. This car never really worked for me as a VW guy. It had a slightly cartoonish thing going, but not in the way that I like. I always felt that I'd need to see it in person to make a true judgement though. From the back I'm on board, and I love the natural stance, but something about that face...

Chappie > Sn210 10/01/2014 at 11:51

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Yes, yes and yes.

Brian Silvestro > Leon711 10/01/2014 at 11:52

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DO IT!!!

I want to live vicariously through you!

Imirrelephant > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:52

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Skoda Octavia RS Kombi (TDI of course).

Leon711 > Brian Silvestro 10/01/2014 at 11:55

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KEEP OPPO TWINGO.

Brian Silvestro > Leon711 10/01/2014 at 11:58

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SO MUCH WANT

CalzoneGolem > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/01/2014 at 11:58

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I see you're a Patriots fan. Do you have a Panda in the New England area?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 11:59

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Yeah it is a more serious looking thing, nice cars though.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > CalzoneGolem 10/01/2014 at 12:00

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I live in the UK, I just arbitrarily picked the pats many years back when I started watching and I stuck with it.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Brian Silvestro 10/01/2014 at 12:01

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I'm getting seriously interested in this car. Handling is pretty neutral though, according to what I've read.

Brian Silvestro > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 10/01/2014 at 12:02

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I'd wait until the fast one comes out. That'll be a great car.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Sn210 10/01/2014 at 12:02

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That wasn't sold in Burgerland? I'm surprised. Oh wait, it's a station wagon...makes sense.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 12:04

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660cc is always practical. ALWAYS.

Ok so i guess we eventually got these, but 4-doors! Practicality!

Galant VR-4 Wagon

Caldina GT4, these were essentially a Celica GT4 but newer and more wagony.

And just to prove i actually listened to you, i've always had a soft spot for the Ford Mondeo TDCi. 155hp but a ton more torque (Diesel) and a tight six speed manual transmission. I've heard the drivetrain experience is like driving "a reverse VTEC" where all the power is at the bottom of the rev range rather than the top. I am intrigued.

duurtlang > 505Turbeaux 10/01/2014 at 12:04

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I support this message. I got to test drive a BX GTI 16V a few weeks ago. Not the 4x4 and not the (uglier) wagon, but awesome none the less.

CalzoneGolem > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/01/2014 at 12:05

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Ah, kinda ironic a British oppressor picking the Patriots

505Turbeaux > duurtlang 10/01/2014 at 12:05

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I do like the hatch. Once I sell a few cars we need to talk about what I am going to bring over.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > CalzoneGolem 10/01/2014 at 12:06

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I suppose it is haha.

Chappie > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/01/2014 at 12:07

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I love and respect all of your fine choices.

duurtlang > 505Turbeaux 10/01/2014 at 12:08

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I'm always happy to help with projects like that.

My utterly original 1988 Peugeot 205 GTI has almost gone through its partial restoration now. Do you believe there's a decent market for a car like that in the US?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Milky 10/01/2014 at 12:08

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I learned to drive in a DS3, looks great inside and out but the steering is terrible. Suspension is weirdly harsh too.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/01/2014 at 12:10

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I looked into one of those Mondeos for my first car but the insurance was 3 times what it is on my Panda unfortunately. We had the 130hp version in the family, nice cars.

505Turbeaux > duurtlang 10/01/2014 at 12:10

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I have seen them sell around $12K over here for ones in good shape. There may be a market, but it is small for Peugeots, and getting smaller. The GTi model would attract a wider audience at least

Sn210 > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 10/01/2014 at 12:13

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Yeah I don't think they've ever offered an rs Avant over here

Milky > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/01/2014 at 12:16

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Doesn't matter, they all still look sexy as hell.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Milky 10/01/2014 at 12:20

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This is true.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 12:27

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Alfa Romeo 147. Because Alfa Romeo.

TheRallyStache > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 12:27

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All the hatchbacks and wagons.

Jobjoris > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 12:29

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Okay, and what about the front of it's Spanish sibling?

Chappie > Jobjoris 10/01/2014 at 12:32

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Yes, yes that I like quite a bit.

carcrasher88 > Jobjoris 10/01/2014 at 12:39

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Lupo! Oh, I've always loved these little guys. This brings back so many Gran Turismo memories.

Jobjoris > carcrasher88 10/01/2014 at 12:45

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Ah, if it was in GT then most of the US-opponauts probably know it already!

carcrasher88 > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 12:48

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I've talked about it before, but...

Daihatsu Mira Cocoa.

Longer wheelbase than a Chevrolet Spark (Cocoa: 98.03 vs Spark: 93.5), but shorter overall (Cocoa: 133.66 vs Spark: 144.7).

Handsome retro styling, available in a Plus version that's slightly taller than a Spark (61.42 vs 61.0).

If they were able to make it meet US safety standards and put a more powerful engine under the hood, I'd bet it would still be better on gas than the Spark.

Plus, it's available in two-tone.

carcrasher88 > Jobjoris 10/01/2014 at 12:52

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Probably.

It's been in 2, 4, PSP, 5, and 6.

4 thru 6 have the 2002 1.4, 2001 GTI, and Cup versions of the 1.4 and GTI.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 12:56

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Peugeot 508 Estate.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 12:59

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the Honda beat.

revrseat70 > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 13:36

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Chappie > revrseat70 10/01/2014 at 13:56

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That's cheating!

KurtAKX > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 15:07

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I don't see the Lada Niva in the replies so far. I am very disappoint.

T5Killer > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 16:49

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BA Aussie Ford Falcon. I would love to DD this car all the time. To me its practical since I daily drive my Cobra. I love these cars and cannot wait till I can import one.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 18:39

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It would sure save time unloading when non-pickup-owning friends ask you to help them move.

Axial > Chappie 10/01/2014 at 22:17

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VW XL1.

Yeah, I know it's special etc., but I just really like how it looks. In red.

There are also tons of Citroën's with those really cool digital gauge clusters. I don't even have a particular favorite, they are all awesome.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/01/2014 at 23:00

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I rode in that generation Mondeo when i was in china, and impressed with how nice it was. Weird that they didn't sell it here.

Chappie > Axial 10/02/2014 at 00:35

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Citroën's digital dash and funky steering wheels from the mid 80'sthrough early 90's are über cool in my opinion. I could drive one all day just to look at that dash.