"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv)
05/15/2020 at 19:41 • Filed to: None
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"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv)
05/15/2020 at 19:41 • Filed to: None | 0
| 20 |
My dream vacation (or one of them at least) is to fly to Europe, buy a car you can’t get in America, go on a massive road trip all over Europe and maybe A sia or wherever else I can go from Europe to see whatever I want to see and do whatever tourists do there, and then import the vehicle to America and road trip it across America to get back home again. Assuming I can do that. I’ve been thinking more about this lately because... I can’t go on vacations due to corona ... so I’m dreaming. But that’s got me thinking about the best/most fun vehicle for the job. It would have to fit a few criteria...
1. Must be at least 25 years old to comply with U.S. import laws.
2. Must be something you couldn’t get in America, to make it worth importing.
3. Must be reliable enough/easy enough to fix/ easy enough to find parts for that it could realistically survive such a massive trip without too many major problems.
4. Just e nough luxuries not to be miserable.
5. H ave enough space to carry luggage.
6. Some off-road capability would be nice, though its absence isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker.
7. Above all... It must be interesting!
Based on these criteria, I’ve considered a few different options, but I think a Mitsubishi Pajero may be one of the best.
Although they were sold in America for a while, there were a few body styles that the rest of the world got that America never got, so I could try to find one of those. They’ve got space for luggage, they’re reliable and common enough that repairs shouldn’t be a huge issue, they’ve got enough luxuries for the trip not to be miserable, they’re adventure cars so you can go anywhere and do anything in them, and the cool factor ain’t bad either.
But then again...
Renault 4s are everywhere, tough and durable, full of charm, and they have... space. You can put some things in ‘em. And luxuries? Bah! Who needs ‘ em in a car like this? Same goes for speed. Pft, s peed...
Or how about a Citroen DS Safari? It’s got lots of space, and the adjustable hydropneumatic suspension made these things decent rally cars back in the day, so it could probably do some limited off-roading. They’re... reliable-ish, and parts can be found... in some places. And they’re a lot more expensive than either of the other options... But hey, charm! Alright, fine. M aybe this one should stay in dreams. I still want it, though.
Any other ideas for vehicles that would be good for something like this?
Just Jeepin'
> Jim Spanfeller
05/15/2020 at 19:53 |
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1990 Jimny, obvs.
(Can you believe that sold for <5k on BaT a few years ago?)
WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
> Just Jeepin'
05/15/2020 at 19:59 |
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Those were different times on BaT.
facw
> Jim Spanfeller
05/15/2020 at 20:03 |
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Personally I’d want some futuristic 80's machine like a Citroen BX or Volvo 480.
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WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
> Jim Spanfeller
05/15/2020 at 20:06 |
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My first thought was pre-US availability Defender, but it turns out 25 years ago was exactly in the middle of when we could get them so scratch that.
1995 G wagon maybe? Possibly even a 2 door? We didn’t get those did we?
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facw
> WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
05/15/2020 at 20:15 |
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I believe they were imported into the US by a small licensed importer starting in 1993. The company still exists an seems to specialize in two-door soft tops: http://gwagen.com/
For fun, here’s an article about taking Ralph Nader for a ride in one in 1999, back before Mercedes was selling them in the US themselves: https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/magazine/the-way-we-live-now-10-31-99-encounter-a-joy-ride-with-ralph-nader.html
But drawing attention to myself wasn’t the point of this test drive. The people at G-Wagen wish to broaden the appeal of their monster vehicle. Today, owners of G-Wagens are concentrated in the power centers of Southern California and tony New York suburbs. (A document provided by G.Wagen USA lists Pl1/3cido Domingo, Carroll O’Connor, Seal and Arnold Schwarzenegger, himself a Teutonic vehicle of death, as G-Wagen owners.)
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WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
> facw
05/15/2020 at 20:21 |
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back to the draw ing board then.
Jb boin
> WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
05/15/2020 at 20:25 |
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There was a post on Oppo today about a Chevy dealer selling two Puch (military version of the G class ) in the US (or Canada maybe?) : https://oppositelock.kinja.com/at-the-local-cheby-dealer-1843477474
If you want one truely unique in the US, you can import a Peugeot P4 which was only sold the the French army and only in manual, most in diesel (some NA, some turbo) while the Puch versions were sold to various armies .
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Jb boin
> facw
05/15/2020 at 20:35 |
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Depending on where you want to drive/park in Europe, especially if you are not used to drive/park on tight roads/streets, a SUV might not be the best idea.
A BX , a Safrane (you can have if with a Volvo 5 cylinder diesel) or an XM (exists in wagon, called the XM break but its quite long ) are good bets if you need comfort for long drives.
Or simply take a Renault Espace or a Saab 9000 !
Svend
> Jim Spanfeller
05/15/2020 at 22:32 |
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How about a
1995 Volvo 850 2.3 R, T5-R auto estate. £7,989.
1991 Peugeot 205GTi, 1.6GTi,
VW Max
> Jim Spanfeller
05/15/2020 at 22:41 |
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Sounds like you need a Twingo!
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Jim Spanfeller
> Just Jeepin'
05/16/2020 at 00:01 |
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That actually sounds pretty intriguing... It’s tiny, cute, charming, can go off road... I’m not sure what parts availability is like, but it’s Japanese, which should help with things. Just not sure how comfortable it would be on a trip across Europe...
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Jim Spanfeller
> WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
05/16/2020 at 00:02 |
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While technically available in America, it’s hard enough to find here that I’ll allow it.
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Jim Spanfeller
> facw
05/16/2020 at 00:05 |
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I do like the Citroen BX quite a bit, and it would certainly be a comfortable and interesting car to road trip and import. The only question is reliabili ty/parts availa bili ty.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Jim Spanfeller
05/16/2020 at 00:55 |
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2CV
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Jim Spanfeller
> pip bip - choose Corrour
05/16/2020 at 01:18 |
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Better rule out the autobahn then, lol! Of course, everywhere else, that would be a hoot.
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Jb boin
> Jim Spanfeller
05/16/2020 at 04:26 |
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It was a mass-production car (almost 2.4 millions were produced) and the “sister” of the Peugeot 405 (which was briefly sold in the US) and they share the same engines.
Me canical parts are still available in Europe, while it might be impossible to find a brand n ew headlight at online retailers (but there are plenty used in good condition on eBay), you can still find engine parts, exhaust, wiper bla des, chassis and suspension parts (including parts for the hydro-pneumatic system) .
duurtlang
> Jim Spanfeller
05/16/2020 at 05:14 |
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Reliability is fine. Not Toyota Corolla fine, but fine none the less. As long as the piping of the hydropneumatics is in good enough shape that is, when that is all still 30 years old and unmaintained it could be problematic. However, when it doesn’t leak hydropneumatic oil it should be okay .
Wear parts are everywhere and super cheap, specific trim parts might be a little harder, but when you have time and international eBay you’ll be fine.
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duurtlang
> Jim Spanfeller
05/16/2020 at 05:16 |
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A 2CV can keep up with the tractor trailers on the right lane on the Autobahn . You should never m ove out of the right lane though.
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duurtlang
> VW Max
05/16/2020 at 05:20 |
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This is the correct answer. Plentiful, reliable, super cheap to buy (<€1k) and run, parts availability is great. I ntroduced in 1993-1994, so barely older than 25 years and only recently importable in the US, so it must be rare there. Plenty of space for 2 people and their luggage.
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Jim Spanfeller
> duurtlang
05/17/2020 at 00:11 |
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Good to know. I guess that would be an option then.