Year: | 1994 |
Make: | Subaru |
Model: | Sambar Van |
Mileage: | 80,147km |
Transmission: | 5-Speed Manual |
Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
Drivetrain: | 4WD |
Engine: | 660cc Straight Four |
Exterior Color: | Turquoise |
VIN Number: | KV4-1103** |
What a beauty! This clean, fresh Sambar Classic Van that Japan Car Direct has shipped to the USA is a real jewel. It’s what we call in Japan an “Aisha,” a loved car. And it is the perfect second hand Kei van that is ideal for export because it is so clean, is rust free, has no dents or dings (only a very small scuff mark on the left corner of the front bumper), and has quite low kilometers (still under 50,000 miles). This is exactly the sort of vehicle that you are looking for when you decide to export a used car or truck directly from Japan.
I know that the fellow who imported this 4WD Sambar Van to the States is going to be a happy camper. I had a V-KV series Sambar Van for years. Mine was the KV3, which is the two-wheel-drive version. This Classic Van that we are shipping now is a KV4, the 4WD version of this highly capable Kei van. (By the way, the 4WD option package on this series of Sambar Van or Sambar Kei Truck adds only 40kg to the overall vehicle weight. Nice, eh?)
My Sambar Van was the Sun-Sun Roof version, and it was a doll; and a very convenient and economical car. From my own experience, let me tell you some, just some, of the best features of the Sambar: You’ve got forward control (you’re sitting over the front wheel), so you get a good view out of the cabin, and the rear and rear-side windows are big so you still have good rearward and left/right visibility even though you are seated so far forward in the body.
The body itself is big inside but small outside. Exterior dimensions are: just under 3.3 meters long, just under 1.4 meters wide, and just under 1.9 meters high. Coupled with this, the wheelbase of a V-KV series Sambar Kei Van or Kei Truck is only 1,885mm. That’s less that the wheelbase of the old Austin Mini and it gives the Sambar a very tight turning circle.
That tight turning circle, plus the compact exterior dimensions, plus the good visibility from the forward-control layout meant that me and my Sambar Van could get in and (most importantly) out of some very tight spots and narrow roads. And if you plan to import the 4-wheel-drive version of the Kei Van or Kei Truck (and we at Japan Car Direct are very happy to help you find a good example at the Japanese used car auctions, or at the used car dealers that we know here) for use off-road for hunting or camping or whatever, you’ll smile as your V-KV4 Sambar lets you slip through between the tree trunks of your favorite forest stomping grounds. If you buy a Sambar from Japan you will be amazed at this feature of the vehicle. I always appreciated it. In fact, the only reason I sold my 2WD Sambar was because I moved to the mountains here in Japan, where it can snow quite a lot, and I needed a 4WD Kei vehicle to climb up the steep, snow-covered roads to get back home. The sort of roads you need a 4WD Suzuki Jimny for. Those cars are real gems of the Kei class, too. I’ll write about them in a later post. Over the years I have had three Kei Jimnys, and once I start talking about them I’ll never shut up, so I won’t get started on them in this post. There are many really good Jimnys available in Japan these days and at good prices if you want to do a direct export yourself. Japan Car Direct has exported a number of them to the USA and Canada…..O.K., O.K., I’ll stop.
One more point I’d like to make about the Sambar Van: the internal load capacity is excellent. You fold down the back seats and you get a fully flat loading deck. Very convenient. You then tip the rear seats up again and forward against the front seats, and you get an even lower loading area in the middle of the vehicle between the two big side sliding doors. I found this to be an excellent feature of my Sambar Van because it allowed me to put heavy items there and still keep the loaded center of gravity of the whole vehicle low and stable. Another plus of the load layout of the Sambar Van was that the low center floor made it easier for older or infirm people (like my over-weight mother-in-law) to climb in and get settled in the rear seats.
So if you decide to import a used Sambar because you are looking for a practical vehicle that can also function as a people-friendly, old-folks-friendly welfare vehicle, your Sambar Van can do that for you, too. No problem.
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I had an excellent experience working with Matthew at Japan Car Direct. I was a first time auction buyer and importer to the United States. Mathew walked me through... read moreI had an excellent experience working with Matthew at Japan Car Direct. I was a first time auction buyer and importer to the United States. Mathew walked me through every step and pointed me to all the right resources both online and here in the United States to complete the import process successfully. Communication wise prompt and helpful, as well as convenient. his insight into the auction process including the vehicle inspection was especially helpful. I ultimately ended up with exactly what I was looking for within budget. I would work with Japan Car Direct again and recommend them to anyone. read less
Matthew at JCD is the man. I’ve now imported three of my own cars through him. JCD was able to accommodate my unique needs, everything from short turn around inspections,... read moreMatthew at JCD is the man. I’ve now imported three of my own cars through him. JCD was able to accommodate my unique needs, everything from short turn around inspections, expert opinions on bidding, arranging quick turn shipping, and handling of docs. I have no reservations sending more tens of thousands of dollars for future imports. At the end of the day, they really wanted to make me a happy customer. read less
I highly recommend Japan Car Direct. They help you find exactly what you are looking for and are with you throughout the entire process. Import was seamless. Mike was great... read moreI highly recommend Japan Car Direct. They help you find exactly what you are looking for and are with you throughout the entire process. Import was seamless. Mike was great to work with. Highly recommend the team at JCD. read less
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Before this I have never imported any vehicles to NZ let alone one from Japan! I decided to give these guys a shot and bought a JDM Tesla into the... read moreBefore this I have never imported any vehicles to NZ let alone one from Japan! I decided to give these guys a shot and bought a JDM Tesla into the country in the midst of the oil price hikes.
The process is painless end to end and I was well looked after by Mike. Definitely recommend Japan Car Direct for the auction and shipping service. read less
Great experience. Extremely easy process and Kept me well informed. Highly recommend them if looking to purchase a vehicle from Japan.
It's hard to say anything that hasn't been said from other reviewers! This was my first experience importing a vehicle. Mike Nguyen was super patient with me and my indecisiveness.... read moreIt's hard to say anything that hasn't been said from other reviewers! This was my first experience importing a vehicle. Mike Nguyen was super patient with me and my indecisiveness. He was very quick to respond, and very informative on all my questions. He helped my sort through options until landing a 1kz-te Land Cruiser Prado. It ended up being in better condition than I was anticipating, and was able to drive it 5 hours home from port without a single issue. Cannot recommend Japan Car Direct enough! read less
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I used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The... read moreI used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The detailed videos where Mike would translate and explain the Japanese auction sheets and inspections provided great clarification so I knew exactly what I was getting with my car. I have to also commend Mike's swiftness when it came to replying to emails and phone calls, he would always reply near on instantly and even outside of normal business hours just to ensure I was never left in the dark through the bidding and shipping preparation processes.
I could not recommend JCD enough for any potential self importers! read less
Just picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my... read moreJust picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my hand and help me through the process. It seems pretty daunting at first but if I can do it anybody can. Highly recommend JCD! read less
I worked with Mathew on getting my first Japanese Kei truck. The process and communication were great. For me the back-and-forth communication was the reason why I decided to go... read moreI worked with Mathew on getting my first Japanese Kei truck. The process and communication were great. For me the back-and-forth communication was the reason why I decided to go with japancardirect. Being able to see the auction trucks that are coming out and getting a detailed translation of the auction sheet is awesome. At first, I was a little hesitant sending money for a car overseas that I haven't actually seen in person, but Mathew stayed with me even at times when I was less patient. Thanks for all the help you and your team provide. read less
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Taylor at JCD has been incredibly helpful in my search for a couple of unique rigs from overseas -- We've scored one, and are looking forward to finding another.
Taylor's professinoalism,... read moreTaylor at JCD has been incredibly helpful in my search for a couple of unique rigs from overseas -- We've scored one, and are looking forward to finding another.
Taylor's professinoalism, promptness, clarity of communication has been amazing. He's helped answer a miultitude of questions, and everything went without incident (aside from impacts from Ukraine).f
Thank you, Taylor! read less
After seeing quite a few Kei Trucks on the road, I was intrigued. Seeing the local retail prices gave me sticker shock, so I immediately thought there has to be... read moreAfter seeing quite a few Kei Trucks on the road, I was intrigued. Seeing the local retail prices gave me sticker shock, so I immediately thought there has to be a better way. Sure enough, that way is Japan Car Direct. Yoshi and team are knowledgeable, professional and responsive. They do what they say they are going to do before, during and after the transaction, they are in it for the long haul. The result of reviewing the auction listings and acquiring/importing yourself (with help from JCD) is substantial savings and the satisfaction of paying a fair price. It's also fun if you enjoy searching for and identifying great automotive values. Would not hesitate to recommend their services to others and I will be back for more vehicles in the near future. read less
Can't fault these guys - this was the first time I've bought a car at any auction, let alone one in Japan. The support from Yoshiro was brilliant, very patient... read moreCan't fault these guys - this was the first time I've bought a car at any auction, let alone one in Japan. The support from Yoshiro was brilliant, very patient with me and ensured that I only bid on cars worth having. The car I have bought far exceeds expectations in every way and the whole process of purchase and shipping was all taken care of - top marks and thank you read less
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Japan Car Direct helped me find my dream car. We found a great deal on an ST205. Yoshiro was fantastic and super responsive and patient with all of my questions.... read moreJapan Car Direct helped me find my dream car. We found a great deal on an ST205. Yoshiro was fantastic and super responsive and patient with all of my questions. They made navigating the import process a breeze. This is a reputable company. I highly recommend them if you’re interested in importing your very own JDM. read less
So pleased with our companies new Japanese mini-truck import. Japan Car Direct made it all too easy. We made a few first-timer mistakes on the paperwork but the next import... read moreSo pleased with our companies new Japanese mini-truck import. Japan Car Direct made it all too easy. We made a few first-timer mistakes on the paperwork but the next import will be even smoother. Looking forward to the next experience. read less
MARKNADEN Studio
4/08/2022
Great dependable business! Highly recommended! Thank you Mathew for all your hard work!
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