Looking for my second Japanese van SLC, UT.

Donovan Cole

New Member
Hello all! I'm a newbie to forums so go easy on me. I'm a 19 year old from Utah who loves the outdoors (and Japanese vans). In April I purchased a 1993 Mazda MPV 4wd for $1,200 (my first car). It took me to Moab, the Olympic National Park, and almost everywhere in-between. Sadly, as I was driving back to Utah from Washington, my van, Dante, downshifted giving a hiccup and a pop while going up a medium grade slope at about 70mph. after pulling over and popping the hood I got back into the car scratching my head because I saw nothing out of the ordinary. It was only after I started it back up and pressed on the gas that my worst nightmare had become reality. I was stuck in second gear on the side of a highway in the middle of farm country Oregon, for lack of better words. To make the rest of this long story short, I drove 50mph on an interstate where the speed limit is 80 for the remaining 400 miles of the trip.

After it was all said and done, my 1,2oo dollar van would end up costing me double its value to get it back on the road and with the problems it already had, it wasn't worth it to me. As soon as I was back home I started looking for my next vehicle. I looked into 4runners, but everyone and their cousin has a runner, I wanted something that would get me the same comments as my MPV had gotten, I had never met someone who didn't think it was cool. As my search continued I stumbled upon these wonderful beasts and as many have before, I fell in love instantly.

So there's my (not so) short introduction, I'm hoping to have enough saved by this summer (not a clue how much that should be) to be able to go up to Washington and purchase one. I have family in kitsap county to stay with so importing could very well be an option.

please point me in the right direction of threads for first time buyers, anything of that sort. it would be much appreciated!

fffff.jpeg

Here's me and my First Van in the mountains above Lake Chelan WA.
thanks again,
-Don
 
Good morning! I totally forgot that Mazda made a 4wd! What a bummer that she let go on yoi, you, although it sounds like you had fun along the way. My name is Kellyn. I will be happy to answer any import questions that you may have about these vans. There are others here that I'm sure will chime in when the time is right to help you along as well. Cheers.

Kellyn
 
Hey Don, are gonna import from Japan or from Canada? You'll save money by importing from Canada. They've had 'em for quite a bit longer than us (their grey-market is 15 years vs our 25..) and the prices reflect a used vehicle, not a premium import. I'm sure you already know this but watch for rust if buying from the Great White North.
 
Well, a little not so enthusiastic update may be in order. I bought a car for 1200 to get me to work and whatnot. A guy is interested in trading his 88 4Runner for it (if all goes well I'll make the trade) but back to business (delica talk) im aspiring to fight wildland fires this summer, if that happens I'll have enough saved by October to buy one, but I've also recently interviewed with Tesla, and that would put my savings plan on a path putting me a lot further away from finally getting one. The obsession continues. It's only a matter of time and self discipline, whichever route i take.
 
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