I suspect that all of us, at one time or another, has dreamed about importing a car. Sadly, the cruel hand of the government always seems to be in the way, telling us the cars we want to import are too new or too unsafe or the wrong color or made by children or some other nonsense like that, and then our car-importation dreams are gone.
This is why I wrote my manifesto. This is why one day I’ll show them all. All of them.
Uh, anyway, I asked the Autopian Communards what car they’d import if there were zero consequences of any kind, and here’s what they said:
Torch
Consequences be damned, and I suppose that means not just legal but personal safety, I think I’d have to go for the Tata Nano.
I’ve always respected the rugged cleverness of Indian cars, and the Nano, even if it was something of a failure, takes everything amazing about Indian automotive ingenuity and just cranks it to the 11 and a half. It is as much an engineering triumph as a Bugatti Veyron. It’s a supercar, wherein super is defined by being cheap.
And it sure as hell was: when new, a Nano sold for about $1,500 US in 2008. Think about that! This was a brand-new car! Eventually, the price went up to $3,500 (with some improvements to the Nano as well), but that’s still astounding for a new car.
Sure, nobody wants to be seen in the Cheapest Car in the World. But I think I might.
Mercedes Streeter
I would import a Smart Roadster. These cars are illegal until 2027 at the earliest and by that time who knows how many good ones will be left. The Roadster was Smart’s idea to make a quirky and modern interpretation of the classic British roadster. It wasn’t fast, but it handled surprisingly well and oozed character, like a little dog that thinks it’s a big dog. Sadly, engine problems, water leaks, blown turbos, and rust are ensuring the 34,000 examples dwindle fast.
Rivers
TVR Sagaris! I’m currently looking at a Cerbera to buy which is a dream car but the Sagaris isn’t legal yet and it’s far more ridiculous so it’s getting the nod here. Of course, the real-life implications of maintaining either in Arkansas have me reconsidering.
The Bishop
Forget M5 Touring models or some bizarre performance spec Audi. I want a two-door two-row minivan that can turn into a near-convertible with a pillarless roofline and giant sunroof. It’s hard to imagine making anything with that specification look normal, but I still want the designers to go off the rails to make it appear even more bizarre.
Such a car exists, and you’d say I’m full of shit until I tell you it’s French. Then you can understand how something as strange as a Renault Avantime was looked at by auto executives who apparently said, “yeah, go ahead and bulid it..let’s go eat.”
The Avantime’s age is approaching 25 years, so soon the dream will be more attainable, even if it will be more like a nightmare when the thing needs parts.
Thomas Hundal
I’d import a Noble M600. Stupefyingly fast thanks to a boosted Yamaha-Volvo V8, very little in the way of driver assistance, and it’s just damn cool.
Matt Hardigree
My old answer would have been the Ford Escort Cosworth RS, but that car is now legal to import and relatively accessible so it’s a little less fun. I’ve never seen a Škoda Felicia Fun, either here or in Europe, so I think that’s gotta be it. Also, it would allow me to say Škoda a bunch to random people.
Griffin Riley
I am neither a rich man nor a family man. What I am, however, is a man who loves a good shooting brake and who has been won over by Korean styling. It’s the Genesis G70 shooting brake for me. The thang is perty and that’s enough for me.
David Tracy
Someone please important a Yangwang U8 and let me off-road the everliving snot out of it. I love how bonkers it is; it does things that it absolutely does not need to (see video below), and offers comfort features that seem like they’re from the year 3000. It turns out, not much has changed but indeed they live in the water.
Your turn: what car would you import if there were no consequences?
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A Fifth-Gen, Toyota HiAce (H200)!
Handsome looking forward control van, get the shortest wheelbase with a manual and do a modern ’70s custom van/camper.
2.5-16 Evo II has been a pretty long running obsession, so if it’s someone elses $$ it would be that… Or a Cossy Escort? Carlton? One of the go-fast Holden Utes? Autech Stagea GTR thing? Oh, yeah, A CRX Exclusive!
Whatever that Lexus minivan sold in China is called.
The JDM Toyota Crown/Century limo that the Emporor rides around in.
Toyota Century, Pajero Evo, or Lancer Evo wagon. I understand the need for CARB regulations, but still, ugh.
A GR Yaris would absolutely rip, however, if we’re talking about truly forbidden fruit, I would like some good news. That’s right.
A Dacia Sandero.
(then I’d install a roll cage and Lemons-race it)
I mean, what you mean by “consequences”? because if its financial consequences, then 22B all day ERR DAY.
Landcruiser troop carrier. I would bring a bunch in and sell them for enough to keep one for myself.
VW Arteon R Shooting Brake
Either the BMW E30 325ixT or it’s younger sister the 525ixT. Both are cars with purely mechanical AWD systems. And to make this a total fantasy, they’d be sticks.
It’s a shame the smart roadster was saddled with that UNHOLY automated manual. I can’t imagine convincing that piece of shit to do anything resembling spirited driving.
I imagine the Hyabusa engine fits in those as well.
I’d love a Hyundai Staria Lounge Camper!
Diesel Hilux or Amarok.
You need to tell me WHY I’m importing it. I can think of a ton of interesting cars I’d import, but the list is cut in half if I have to drive it daily, because I’m not dealing with driving a RHD car daily. If I was willing to, I’d get a Holden Commodore SS Ute. Or maybe a Toyota Hilux Champ from Thailand.
Oh wait! It looks like the barebones Toyota is being sold in Peru as the Toyota Hilux Stout with LHD! I’m buying the chassis cab with A/C for USD20k!
Setting aside the car I already own overseas and can’t import for another year – I’d get a new EV – specifically the Ora Funky Cat.
I want a small EV with style – and honestly, I like the design of this better than the sole other option – the new Mini EV – (which is also built in China and can’t be purchased in the US at this time).
https://i.imgur.com/7ErgUMh.jpeg
Funky!
Not sure where to even begin there are so many. A Peugeot 406 Coupe (though I think the oldest of those might be old enough now). A current generation BMW 3-series wagon. A Golf wagon GTD. MANY Alfa Romeos. A Renault Alpine A110 if I could find a way to manual swap the thing.
100% would import the C7 Audi RS6 Avant. Also the B9 Audi RS4 Avant.
For a while, a Peter wheeler Griffith 500 was my dearly desire.
Might just be a hsv maloo or wagon right now, as we were sooo close and denied the fruits.
They’re not terribly expensive IMO for what you get. The UK market is SOFT right now, I bought a Chimera with a 4.6 conversion a couple years ago, and it was a great GT car. For the sound alone.
There’s so many fun choices but let’s do something extremely stupid, the Cadillac BLS Wagon or Buick GL8 Century Minivan.
An American car that isn’t sold here but wouldn’t look out of place but also would cause people to look at it all funny. Kind of like a multiverse situation.
Toyota Landcruiser pickup with the diesel engine.
Suzuki Jimney
Based on Adrian’s review a while back – Alpine. No question. Blue, of course.
Yes! I’ve seen one wandering around here and it’s a real looker in person.
Finally someone with a good answer.
This is the correct answer. Nothing fictional, nothing artificially weird, just “What’s the finance rate, nope I’ll pay with cash, sure I’ll buy the 60,000 mile maintenance plan, here’s the check, I’ll be out front.”
The Yangwang is kra-zy!
If money is no object I would like a Koenigsegg Jesko roadster, please.
Final gen Ford Falcon XR6. I’d consider the turbo, but would like go with the regular b/c manual transmissions make me happiest.
That’s the Barra motor, right? That thing is impressive AF.
Yep. And by going for the non-turbo, I figure fewer plaintive requests to Lewin or Laurence to help me source parts when it breaks.
I would like the 74 XB/GT. but only to make it a mad max car. Luckily a few made it over here a few decades back. but they are still relatively unobtanium.
No consequences including life, limb, and bank account balance? In that case I’d love to get a Pajero Evo and enter the Baja 1000 in it.