Which RHD Import Does It For You? 1995 Mitsubishi Pajero Junior vs 1999 Ford Ka

When automakers from other countries bring cars into America, they typically bring larger and fancier models, often with the largest engine as the only available option. This is a big place, with cheap fuel, and so we like our cars big and powerful. But quite a few enthusiasts appreciate the smaller and simpler offerings that don’t make it here through official channels, so they take it upon themselves to bring one in. Today we’re looking at two tiny vehicles that were never meant for the US, but they’re here now.

Friday’s offerings were definitely not small, or simple. We looked at two W12-powered VW D-platform cars, one Volkswagen and one Bentley. It looks like most of you came to the same conclusion I did: you’re basically lighting money on fire with either one, so you might as well go for the cheaper option.

But honestly, I have no interest in either of these. If I’m going to spend $9,000 on a Volkswagen, it’s going to be the nicest first-generation Scirocco I can find for that price. And if I want a Bentley, it will be from the Rolls-Royce/Vickers era, powered by a 6.75 litre V8 of “sufficient” power as the car gods intended.

As much as I appreciate our domestic offerings here in the US – and it seems I appreciate them more than many of our readers – I have found nearly every car I’ve ever rented in another country to be a delight. Especially the little ones. I’ve driven the ring road around the island of Moorea in a Peugeot 208, gone from London to Edinburgh and back in a Vauxhall Corsa, and explored the interior roads of Barbados in a Suzuki Jimny, and enjoyed them all. I can definitely understand the appeal of bringing one of these small wonders home, once they’ve reached the magical age of 25, of course. After hearing some of the tribulations my friends and colleagues have gone through importing cars, however, I think it’s probably easier to just pick something that’s already here and has all the paperwork done. Something like one of these two, for instance.

1995 Mitsubishi Pajero Junior – $8,750

Engine/drivetrain: 1.1-liter OHC inline 4, five-speed manual, 4WD

Location: Ferndale, WA

Odometer reading: 86,000 kilometers

Operational status: Runs and drives well

You might think of the Mitsubishi Pajero, or Montero as it is known here, as a small SUV. But the one we got is the largest of three sizes of Pajeros offered in Japan. This one, the Junior, is the next size down, and there’s one even smaller than this, the Pajero Mini, which meets the requirements for the kei class in Japan. For reference, the Pajero Junior is about the same length as a two-door Geo Tracker, but considerably narrower.

The Junior, like the Montero that was sold here, is a true 4×4, with selectable four-wheel-drive and a two-speed transfer case. It’s powered by a 1.1 liter overhead-cam engine that makes about 79 horsepower, running through a five-speed manual transmission. It has a new clutch, new wheel bearings, and some other recent service, so it should be ready to rock.

Being a Japanese domestic market car, it is, of course, right-hand-drive. Shifting with your left hand takes some getting used to, but it’s not that big of a deal. I think driving on the right side of the road from the right-hand seat might be the confusing part, but I’ve never tried it. It’s in great condition inside, especially for a 4×4. I don’t know if the Japanese market radio would pick anything up here, but the tape player probably works fine.

It’s absolutely adorable on the outside, like all of these tiny Japanese 4x4s. I think I’d like it better in some other color besides black, but I do appreciate the plain silver steel wheels. At first I thought there might be a dent in the door, but it’s just a trick of the reflection. I do see a blemish in the corner of the rear bumper, but if that’s the worst of it, that’s nothing.

1999 Ford Ka – $8,500

Engine/drivetrain: 1.3-liter OHV inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD

Location: Oberlin, OH

Odometer reading: 72,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

The Ford Ka is the sort of car that probably wouldn’t be made today. It’s based on the Ford Fiesta, which was sold here briefly in the late ’70s, but with completely different sheetmetal. I can’t see any automaker, especially a heavy hitter like Ford, tooling up for a new version of an economy car just to make it look cooler. Cars just aren’t that much fun these days; it’s all features this and integrated technology that, with very little joy to be found. And the Ka is definitely joyful, maybe even a little bit silly.

Like the contemporary Fiesta, the Ka is powered by a simple pushrod engine, a design with roots way back in the 1960s. Old designs aren’t necessarily bad designs; just ask any Slant Six or Chevy small-block aficionado. It drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual, which as far as I can tell, was the only available transmission in the Ka. It runs and drives well, according to the seller. It has an aftermarket air intake, but the stock intake is also included if you’d prefer.

The Ka is a European Ford product, but this one is actually a Japanese market model. RHD Kas aren’t rare, though; Ford sold a ton of them in the UK. In proper ’90s small-car fashion, it has bright body-colored accents and a cool pattern on the seat fabric. It’s all in good condition, too. This car has air conditioning, and the seller says it works well.

The Ka’s styling is sort of a love-it-or-hate-it affair. Personally, I really like it. I’m not crazy about the yellow, though; with the black bumpers, it kind of looks like a tiny taxicab. I do like the aftermarket wheels, though, and they have new tires on them. The seller says it has “little to no rust,” which is a bit ominous. Better take a close look underneath.

I don’t know how practical either of these would be for everyday use, with the steering wheel being on the wrong side for this country, but they do look like fun. Yeah, they’re not cheap, but you’d spend a few grand importing something anyway. So what do you think – would you rather have a tiny little Japanese 4×4, or a well-traveled Ford world car?