Back around 2021, a trucker coworker of mine was making a huge fuss about needing a kei truck to clear out some brush around a graveyard on the hill out back. I ended up letting him have this Sambar. It wasn't a 4WD anyway so I wasn't too heartbroken about letting it go lol.
Back in the mid2000s when I had free time, I was always window shopping for cool used rides. Some far, some close. Less than 5 minutes from my place, there was this local body shop. The master craftsman who ran it had serious brand loyalty and in his case, he was clearly a hardcore Nissan fan. His cars weren't delicately stored, though. They were just lined up rough in the workshop's roofed garage.
Visiting one day, after some casual chat so I casually dropped, " 'Hey Oyaji, just wondering... is that Fairlady Z for sale?' playin' it cool." He just grinned and said, " Of course, it might be haha." While I was thinkin' to myself, 'The Z31 might be an affordable price, but the SR311 will need a serious check over...' a few years slipped by. Next thing I knew, the whole shop was gone. Damn it all.
Back in the 90s, I actually had the chance to drive a ton of Inspires and Rafagas since they were massive hits here in Japan. But even with how popular they were I think I only ever came across a manual transmission maybe twice. That's how incredibly rare the MTs were !
Back in '06 this rig kept going unsold at the auctions. I originally thought it was a modified 4-number (compact commercial) and putting it back to stock just to pass Shaken (Japanese vehicle inspection) sounded like a massive pain in the ass. But looking back at it now this thing was definitely already legally registered on 1-number (full size commercial) plates with all the mods approved. Damn it!
In 2006 strict diesel emission laws hit major cities in Japan so these 1HZ cruisers couldn't be registered in places like Tokyo. The domestic market crashed.
I actually tried to get this at the auction. My maximum bid was only around $2,500 USD at the time because I was young and broke lol. The reserve was just a little higher, so it didn't sell to me.
The one that got away...this is easily my biggest car regret ever. haha
Around 2005, I was at a dealer auction looking for a reasonably priced sedan. Those Japanese 5-number size bodies are compact and super easy to drive. That's when I spotted a 2.0L Accord. Back in the day, 1.6L was the mainstream for cars in this size class.
I was hyped thinking, Hell yeah, 200hp! ... but then I peeked inside and saw the auto shifter. Ah, minus 20hp then.
I popped the hood to check it out, and the valve cover was blue! I’d always pictured VTEC motors having black or red tops so seeing a blue one totally caught me off guard.
I ended up passing on it, and another dealer snagged it for a pretty good price. If it had been a manual, I would’ve jumped on it in a heartbeat lol. Looking back on it now, that engine bay was super clean... Come to think of it, I didn't even check the mileage !!
Back in '05, sedans and coupes were pretty much dead in Japan. So naturally 90s rides were getting dumped for stupid cheap. Like prices that'd make you go - wtf? - today. This car was no exception.
Only problem!? It was sitting 400 miles away. Shipping ended up costing more than the actual car man.
I always daily the cars I pick up for a bit, and honestly, the auto tranny and NA motor combo was super chill. I owned an ST185 Celica too, but the Curren had way milder vibes and was just easier to drive. Well for normal street cruising anyway lol.
Looking back at it now... the styling is actually pretty sick -- right?
Back in 2004, I was actually taking on some repair jobs on the side. Before that, I had worked as a Honda mechanic. So when my buddy offered me this Orthia, I turned him down, telling him, -I'd take a Partner (the commercial van), but I don't need an Orthia.-
Still, I figured it might actually have some appeal, so I snapped this pic of it at the time.
I knew it was packing a B20B, built on an EK chassis with 4WD and double-wishbone suspension, but back then, I just assumed that was standard Honda stuff...
I found out later that this friend had bought the Orthia dirt cheap and was trying to pawn it off on me with a crazy markup! ! You really can't let your guard down around this guy.
Posting this out of pure frustration. These are photos of my former U14 Nissan Bluebird from back in the day. Yes, a proper JDM sedan.
This was an EU14 chassis, specifically the Le Grand trim level which means full grandpa-spec with faux wood trim and plush seats. But here's the absolute kicker it was a 5-speed manual (5MT)!
Under the hood was the SR18DE engine. While SR-powered sedans were a dime a dozen back in 90s-00s Japan, seeing an SR18DE, especially in a Le Grand combined with a 5MT, is practically a miracle today. You mostly saw MTs on the SSS sports trim.
I picked this up at an auction around 2004 for a total steal. I absolutely loved rowing my own gears in it. The ride was surprisingly comfy and plush, making it a perfect, unique daily sleeper. I really liked this car.
But then, my friend decided to take it off my hands (long story, let's just say I don't have it anymore). God, I regret letting it go.
Looking back, this setup is just so bizarre. A grandma car with a manual SR engine?
Quick question for the JDM knowledge lords here: What are the actual differences between this JDM EU14 Bluebird and the USDM (2nd-gen) Nissan Altima of the same era?
I know the Altima used the same platform but felt way bigger, more like a Maxima. Was the Altima just a bloated U14 for the US market, or were they completely different beasts from the chassis up, like the U12 vs Stanza situation?
Let me know. And please, press F for my lost 5MT.
Once a "Matchbox car", now a "Kei car" - 2001 Suzuki Alto Van