OT: JDM Vans??

[notsew]

So, I've got a '97 VW eurovan camper that is the singularly most unreliable vehicle I've ever owned - and I've owned Alfa Romeos and Peugeots. Our most recent diagnosis of unknown cooling problems - likely under the head- has pushed me over the edge. I'm done. To be honest I don't even like camping that much. However, I do like having a van. I like the option of sleeping in it and I like it for bikes, kids and stuff.

I started doing some craigslist browsing, and it turns out there are a fair number of options out there for JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vans. I love the look of these things and they are cheap! (like less than $10k, easy). And diesel! And manual trans! like what's the hitch?

Now I'm fantasizing about a diesel Nissan Homy or Toyota HiAce. I'm sure somebody here has gone down this rabbit hole. What do I need to know? I've read you need to be careful about title/how it was imported. But can I get these things worked on? Is a window switch going to die and I'll never be able to get a part (these are 25 y/o cars after all)? What else?

Pics for conversational purposes:
Hiace


Homy

[FlashUNC]

You are going to hate toll booths.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

You are going to hate toll booths.

Are toll booths even a thing

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

Are toll booths even a thing

Toll booths, parking attendant machines at lots and garages, drive thru windows, basically anything that involves you interacting with something out the US driver's side window, while you're stuck on the other side of the vehicle cuz JDM.

[Tz779]

Alfas and Peugeots! Dude, you *do* love pain! I owned an Alfa....gave that car away!

[JAGI410]

I've been down this rabbit hole, and seriously considered selling my beloved 84 Chevy van and getting a Hiace or L400 Delica. I have a hatred for Nissan engineering, so the Homy is out, even though it's nice looking.

They are super easy to find, surprisingly. Parts are easy to get, and since you're in the PNW, there are specialists popping up if you don't like wrenching yourself. There are specialists that charge a premium for these, but they do a ton of work to them after they are imported, so that's not a terrible idea either.

The RHD downsides are of course toll booths and drive thrus. Otherwise it seems most people get used to them pretty darn quick.

[jtakeda]

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...&highlight=Jdm


Getting them registered can be a a bit tough depending on your state. But that’s it.

[chrismoustache]

I think Delicas are probably the best best for JDM vans.

But, I'm not sure I'd go that route again. If I were getting back into vans, I'd pick up an AWD Astro/Safari. Parts availability is great, the 4.3 Vortec is simple and reliable, and they are capable enough off-road.

[notsew]

Originally Posted by chrismoustache

I think Delicas are probably the best best for JDM vans.

But, I'm not sure I'd go that route again. If I were getting back into vans, I'd pick up an AWD Astro/Safari. Parts availability is great, the 4.3 Vortec is simple and reliable, and they are capable enough off-road.

How come? Parts availability? The Astro, yeah, I'm not sure I can hang with that. I've already got a practical car, that's not the goal of this exercise.

Not too worried about the toll booth/drive thru angle. I can deal.

Of course there has already been a thread about this. I think I'd probably try to buy something that's already titled in the US and I don't have emissions, so those concerns don't seem major. Looking that thread over, small parts may be an issue? I've dealt with that a little with my VW, though I suspect it would be exacerbated...

[nighthawk]

Just drive backwards through toll
booths and drive-throughs. Done.

I see a lot of JDM vehicles here on Guam and I’ve gotten intrigued myself. Many seem to have manual transmissions and operating a shifter with my left hand and clutch with I don’t know which foot seems like it might take some getting used to.

[JAGI410]

I think shifting left handed would be fine. It's the right handed turn signal/left hand wipers I'd screw up all the time.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by nighthawk

Just drive backwards through toll
booths and drive-throughs. Done.

I see a lot of JDM vehicles here on Guam and I’ve gotten intrigued myself. Many seem to have manual transmissions and operating a shifter with my left hand and clutch with I don’t know which foot seems like it might take some getting used to.

The pedals are the same. R- accelerator L-clutch and brake
When I lived in NZ what took me about a week was getting used to having most of the mass of the car on my left so I, er, hit a couple curbs making left hand turns.
Saw a fair number of Toyotas there. That's the rabbit hole I'd go down.

[nighthawk]

Originally Posted by gasman

The pedals are the same. R- accelerator L-clutch and brake
When I lived in NZ what took me about a week was getting used to having most of the mass of the car on my left so I, er, hit a couple curbs making left hand turns.
Saw a fair number of Toyotas there. That's the rabbit hole I'd go down.

Good to know, thanks! That actually makes it a little easier to imagine getting used to. Switching up muscle memory across hands is easy enough if the foot movements remain the same.

I imagine its a bit like switching between Campy and Shimano shifters, too... just takes a little getting used to each time you switch.

[R3awak3n]

What you want is a Mitsubishi Delica. They are the coolest of them all and great vans.

The starwagons are so cool and very capable off road.






I was recently "in the market" for one so I know a lot about em lol. Decided against it because maybe too much for me, I think if you get something like this you have to have a setup to wrench on them and the know how, I don't have either. The Delicas actually better in Auto, the trans is apparently bullet proof and will do better on American highways.

[mcfarton]

I would see if you can find one to drive before acquiring one. They are cool and unique. They are also slooooooow and kinda a death trap. The thing that always gets me about older vehicles that are not old enough to be a classic is the smell. The use of cheap materials and crap glue on the inside has an smell. Most of them have gotten wet inside and also have an element of mold/mildew.

I drive a Honda Element. It has 249000 miles on it and it rocks. I want a van because of my dad life. I have been interested in the eurovan. But every time I get close the fact it is an old VW makes me run away . I will probably get an older sienna and let my kids do their thing. I would love a new sienna or oddessy but I don’t want to pay for it.

Post up what you buy!


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