Guys and gals, been a while since I started posting about my life overseas. Hell, I joined this forum with my 2.5L Gen 2 TL (a Saber over there). Now I have come full circle, living in the USA for the past 4 plus years. I had a thread on here about leaving Japan going to Germany. So time to ask again, as I can't bring any cars with me. Probably off to Japan at the end of the summer.

I'm thinking of this as my daily driver:





If you look at my avatar, it's literally just like the Subaru I had there and in Germany. Even the same color, just a 6MT wagon version. And about ~$7-12K (or more if I get the S402 variety). So my question is this: I want a second car for myself, maybe an antique / older car that would be importable if I had to come back (I might not). What do you guys think? No NSX (the gen one there starts at $50K), no current GT-R (those are quite a bit more than $50K). I'm not adverse to an R34 (my favorite), but those get very expensive very quickly.

Ideas would help. I want the wagon as a primary car because, well, I like wagons and this being the rarest of the breed. If I could get the 3.0L that would be better, but the turbo is fine. It's the second one I am having a hard time figuring out. No requirements, other than it not be astronomical to acquire.

 

Kei car? Cappuccino, Autozam AZ1, Beat?
Going older, Fairlady 1600
Caterham?

 

any fairlady as posted above! Look at bring a trailer for some cool fun ideas! Pretty much if it wasn't sold in USA then it'll be a great buy to bring back.

 

Too many Kei cars there. The only one woth looking at was the Daihatsu Copen.


Was thinking 1600. Cool little cars. Something that works on a tropical island as well.





Yeah, the 1600 was sold in the US, but they are tough to find in decent shape. And if so, very expensive.

 

My dad had a 67 that was in very rough shape. No interior, no top & wasn't running when he got it. Bought, sight unseen for something like $3k.
He got it running & moving under its own power & offloaded it.
Have seen extremely clean examples in the 20-30k range, not sure what the JDM market is like for them.

FC Convertible, maybe? Brap-brap

 

Man, I would look like a monkey fucking a football driving one of those tiny cars...I bet I cant even fit in them!

 

Moving to Japan?!??



So jealous.

 

@Yumcha You? In Japan? Is that some kind of new Asian Fusion?

 

Japan, Germany, USA....does OP have US military-involved/affiliation?

 

Well, I've visited Japan on a few occasions (i.e. honeymoon and then again a couple years after that). Wonderous place, sir. Truly is.

 

I know. Just giving you a hard time.

 

 

Yes sir

Was a Soldier for 9 years, then the past 25 been a civil service guy working for DoD.

Ha. Those are small cars, but I go about 5'8" 180, so I'd look OK in one.

 

Would you consider a JDM Civic Hatch or Fit...?

Not quite wagons, obviously.



There's also the Impreza Sport: https://www.subaru.jp/impreza/impreza/

 

I took a quick look at some of the Civic Type R's for sale. The new ones are over $45K. No thanks. Even the old ones are ~$18K, with shitty body kits. Pass.

The new Impreza Sport is a NA 1.6 or 2.0. Maybe for the wife, but not me. Now this one I could handle:



2013 WRX STI tS Type RA ..... Only ~$45K. More than I want to spend for an 8 year old Subaru, but it is sweet.

2013 WRX STI tS Type RA

 

Oooo...that is nice.

The Galant VR-4 was released JDM, right? That may be too up there in age though. What is your budget approximately?

 

Mazda6 wagon...?

 

PCS-ing out again, I see. I would have suggested a NSX, but...yeah...they've gone completely nuts price wise lately. Further, the RHD versions outside of the Type R are less desirable in the US upon your return.

 

Oh, forgot about those. The Galant VR-4 is there, 6MT and very stealthy. I am thinking I don't want to go too far past $15K for my primary car. The old classic I would like I can be a bit flexible. It will also depend on having a large garage.

2002 VR4

So over there, it is the Atenza wagon. And this is interesting: 6MT/AWD/HID headlights... About $16K for a 2016.....

 

Thanks Bob. Yeah, I thought NSX, but if you follow this link you'll see a 1991 over there will run ~$45K. Of course, I will have my car dealer get it through auction, so the price will be a bit more flexible, but not too much different.

1991 NSX

 

Atenza would make for a nice daily. Didn't realize they got a 6mt AWD variant.
I quite liked the few 6s I test drove here. The 2.5T was a good runner.

 

What about an old Accord/TSX wagon? I think those were sold there if I'm not mistaken. The wagon version of our 1st gen TSX was pretty neat looking

 

One vote for the Mazda Altenza wagon then.

 

The Japanese version is a 2.2L. Don't know much about Mazda motors (other than the rotary in the RX8/7)

Over there, they are called the Accord Wagon (older models) and Accord Touring Wagon. This is what they look like:

Accord Wagon:



Accord Touring (albeit a bit tricked out. Nice looking)



Now the second one is ~$15K for a 2010. It does come with the Honda wheels along with what's on the car. But both are FWD and AT only


This is now a competitor with the specB wagon. The Subie can be up to 300HP. Plenty of power on a small island. But the Mazda has a good look and a lot of content for a 4 year old car. Hmmmm

 

Another car I am considering: Toyota Crown Athlete (this is a 2007 I believe)

 

Oh, if sedans are in play...what about...a Toyota Century?!??

 

 

Or a Nissan Cedric

 

Yes!

Yeah, if the sedans are in-scope, sir...seriously, Century or Cedric as your considerations. How about a Honda Legend?

 

I know I may be shooed for this but, any chance you'd consider a Honda N-Box or N-Van?

 

 

I was gonna say, if you're considering a sedan, then a Crown would be one of my top choices. Saw a few that broke my neck during my previous visits.

Not the most recent generation, though. They've got that Predator-face thing going on.

 

Subpar night photo, but this beauty was in Kyoto:

 

 

Between those 3 classic JDM sedans, I think the OP can't go wrong.

 

Crown Athlete is definitely in play.

 

Got passed by a white R34 this morning. Right when traffic sped up, so I missed trying to get a photo. First I've seen in person.

The Crown looks like a Toyota-ed GS?

at Yum's N-box. That's one top-heavy looking Kei.

 

So for an R34, only the GT-R, as that is perfect. Godzilla is ~$50-75K to start. Most are over $100K. And 2 door only, the 4 door is not right.

they sell the Lexus GS there. Used to be caled the Toyota Aristo.

Newest Crown... OK.



2010 Crown... I like it a bit better, and less money......

 

I can't look at the older Crown & not see Altima/Maxima. Grille & headlight shape.

 

I never noticed that. but fortunately a Toyota does not share parts with the Nissans you mentioned.

Another car that may be on the list: