Yahoo Autos These Are The Cars You Want To Import This Year
Welcome to 2024, the last year before we Americans can legally import cars from this millennium. Feel old yet? Well, grab a Tylenol for for that aching back, because today we’re talking about the cars you want to import this year. Lumbar support, it turns out, was not a priority.
Earlier this week, we asked you all which cars from 1999 — newly legal under the United States’ 25-year import ban — you’d want to import this year, if you had the money. You gave us a downright pittance of answers, but never fear — the kind folks in our Facebook replies filled in the gaps. Most comments over there weren’t even scams. Here’s what you all picked.
Daihatsu Naked
The Daihatsu Naked, although I would wear clothes while doing so.First on sale November 1999, so it just squeaks in for this year, but look at it. It is soo cute.
Here at Jalopnik, we’re strongly pro-clothes. Clothes, at least when you’re in public (say, somewhere you’d need a car to access) are generally a good idea. Unless you’re dealing with some sort of Life Fiber situation, I guess. Daihatsu Naked: Official car of Nudist Beach.
Nissan R390 GT1
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is the most obvious choice, hell some rich R34 fanbois already imported highest trim of R34 (Z-Tune) from Thailand to USAbut if money is not object and I’m able to dream nonsense then Nissan R390 GT1 roadcar from same era of R34 but never succeed at all.Still it’s the fastest and most powerful roadcar Nissan ever made, even more than Skyline GT-R Z-Tune R34 until Nissan released GT-R50. (And no, I don’t believe the rumour of how stock Skyline GT-R Z-Tune R34 can run quarter mile in 10.06 seconds)I love how Nissan followed the rules by making road-car version first, so it doesn’t feel like a thinly disguised race car. However just like R34, perhaps it was too expensive compare to its german competitor such as 911 GT1 which not only cheaper but also have better brand prestige and racing recordsfortunately VRH35L in Nissan R390 GT1 found life albeit indirectly via McLaren later onWith entire population of R390 GT1 roadcar is even fewer Skyline GT-R Z-Tune R34 (which itself based on normal Skyline GT-R R34, which itself based on Skyline coupe R34) this is the ultimate Nissan I would have try to buy and imported if it’s money not object at all and yet it’s still a Nissan so your neighbour probably think it’s just fancy 2-door altima coupe
Sure, okay, the R390 might technically be faster on paper than my beloved R34. It may also be equally blue. But, dear readers, which looks better? This one, huh? Philistines, the lot of you.
Land Cruiser Troop Carrier
1999 Land Crusier Troop Carrier.
The Troop Carrier isn’t a new-for-’99 option or anything, but why mess with success? Great trucks, great looks, great capability, great utility — what more could you want?
FD Mazda RX-7 Type RS
An unmolested 1999 RX-7 Type RS. The Spirit R isn’t available for another couple years, unfortunately.I know it’s basically unobtanium, but this is MY hypothetical situation. Go get your own!
Some day, Tacos, you’ll get that Spirit R. I have full faith in you. Once you’ve got it in hand, though, you’ve gotta let me drive it. That’s the trade offer, in exchange for all the faith.
Submitted by: Give Me Tacos or Give Me Death
Pagani Zonda
OK, let’s go all the way—a ‘99 Pagani Zonda:A mid-engine car with a Benz V12 that’s even more boy-toy silly with the styling than a C8 Vette? Sure, why not? (Except for not having the money.)
I’ve always felt that Pagani and Koenigsegg are two sides of the same coin — similar in aims and in methodology, but different in execution. Pagani is all points, while the Koenigseggs are rounder, softer.
Submitted by: the1969DodgeChargerFan
Daihatsu Mira Gino
There are a couple kei cars that debuted in 1999 that I really like, the Daihatsu Naked and the Daihatsu Mira Gino. Let’s go with the Mira Gino here. I saw these all over the place when I lived in Japan, and smiled whenever I saw one. Here’s one of many that I photographed in Nagasaki:The principal at one of the junior highs that I taught at drove one just like this green one, and I rode in it a few times. Pretty small for my frame, but a cute and fun little car.
You know your audience here, Evan. We’ve got a tiny ‘90s Daihatsu, we’ve got a green car with yellow fog lights, and we’ve even got original photography from a Jalop. That’s the QOTD version of three 7s coming up on the slots.
MST Escort
An MST MkII “Ford” Escort in “Fast Road and Touring” Spec!
Apparently MST still makes these, which makes me wonder exactly how you’d have to go about importing them. Do they come in as just a heavily modified old Escort, paperwork all saying Ford, or is this functionally a whole new vehicle that needs its own papers? The Escort of Theseus.
