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?
The Pajero is cool. I probably wouldn’t want it as a daily driver, but I could see having fun with this thing. Small 4x4s with a proper two speed transfer case are great.
I don’t see much appeal to the Ka. In general, I don’t see much appeal to small cars. I could drive a Geo Metro if I wanted to, but I’d rather drive an F450. I get the appeal of a light, underpowered vehicle you can drive at 10/10ths without getting arrested, but I don’t think the tradeoff is worth it. A car that is too small to fit in comfortably is an inconvenience. Plus, I find the styling of the Ka odd rather than interesting, and the interior materials look abysmal.
To me, the only appeal of this vehicle would be messing with people from Boston. Them: What kind of cah is that? Me: yes, its a Ka. Them: yes, but what kind of cah is it??? Me:you were right the first time… its a Ka. That could be fun for literally minutes.
I almost made that joke, but couldn’t find a place where it fit. “It’s a Ford Ka.” “I can see it’s a Foahd cah, it says Foahd right ahn it. I wanna know what kind of Foahd cah it is.”
Ford and the Boston accent make that joke way too obvious.
“I can see its a Foahd cah, but Foahd makes a lot of cahs.”
“Well, technically the only car Ford makes is the Mustang.”
“I know they sell mostly trucks and SUVs, but Foahd used to sell thousands of cahs.”
“Yes, the Ford Ka was one of the most popular vehicles in Europe.”
“Yes, but which of Foahd’s cahs was most populah in Europe?”
“I think the Focus was Ford’s most popular vehicle in Europe. The Ka sold well, though.”
“Huh. Wait… I thought the Focus was a cah and not an SUV?”
“You’re right. The Focus was a car.”
“So this yellow cah is a Foahd Focus they sold in Europe but not heah?”
“No. It’s not a Ford Focus. It’s a Ford Ka.”
“… …. … you don’t make any sense. I’ll try this one last time – what kind of Foahd cah is this?
“A yellow one?”
“I can see its a yellow cah… but what kind of yellah Foahd cah is it!!!”
(this could go one for a while)
I don’t expect the Ka to win, but I voted for it because it is more unique. I’ve seen plenty of Pajeros on BaT, but I don’t think they’ve ever sold a Ka. Both of these offerings feel $3,000 overpriced though.
C’mon down to Kalamazoo and I’ll let you drive my RHD mini, Mark. Shifting with your left hand is easy, but if you’re stubborn and have long enough arms, you can always reach across your body and shift with your right. You only really notice being on the right hand side of the car when someone is going slow in front of you and you want to pass them.
The Ka would be the basis for a good who’s on first routine involving a parking valet in Boston.
Or a very elaborate chemistry joke.
Really hard choice actually, both of them offer their own particular brand of fun. Have to admit I wasn’t sold on the Ka’s looks when I first saw them, but it’s grown on me. Probably because it was unashamed to be weird.
I feel you on the Ka. It’s not exactly gorgeous, but I now appreciate that the design is very very cohesive – they picked a theme and stuck with it, and didn’t stick 10 extra unnecessary shapes into the body, headlights, etc.
I really appreciate how all the cutlines flow seamlessly from one element to the next. More cars should do this.
I learnt to drive in a Ka – one of the fancier ones with body-coloured bumpers. The engine is a bit agricultural for sure; I had a Fiesta which I used to take to track days, and I remember someone asking if it was a diesel. I said “no, that’s just what the tappets sound like”.
Also, the AC works fine, but it did seem to use roughly 30% of the power available to the car.
but it’s the rust that was the real killer on these (and Pumas as mentioned). Without knowing exactly what was going on with the rust it really isn’t worth buying.
This is the Mitsubishi, by a (small) landslide. But the Ka would be a hoot to wring through the gears.
I’d like to know the story why (how?) someone justified to themselves that it’s a good idea to import a Ford Ka into the US.
Shifting with your left hand isn’t so bad. It’s mentally preparing yourself for the turn signal being on the opposite side from what you’re accustomed to for Japanese cars – you’ll signal with your wipers more often than not.
For me this would not even be a question. Japan any day. And it invites you to explore the rugged roads, what more would you want.
As a city dweller, the Ka is right up my alley. Also, it was one of the first of Ford’s New Edge cars, so would pair nicely with my Mustang.
Voted for the one with 4WD, OHC engine, and a tachometer – Pajero Junior all the way. The Ka just isn’t my type of jellybean.
I have owned two Kas, and absolutely adore them.
The platform is perfectly balanced and are incredibly fun to drive fast on the twisties. Also, the 1.3 is very frugal and stout.
Parts are cheaper than candy if you are willing to wait for delivery.
Absolute win in my book, despite my minority condition.
No question which one I’d take. Man, that’s an eye-wateringly expensive Ka! Those things were dime a dozen when I was in the UK.
I’m sure they still are.
I appreciate what the Ka is going for, but it’s not cool enough (even in that super-weird way) that I’d confidently drive it around. The Pajero Jr is my choice.
Pajero Jr. by a kilometer.
The Ka is cute (ish) but that Mitsubishi is the total package.
I hate SUVs and love small cars, so for me this is an easy choice. I’ll take the Pajero, please!
‘m gonna betray my JDM tendency today. Because ew, off-road. If I lived where the off-road scene was rock crawlers and desert bombers, and not diesel and gas pickups with low profile wheels that stick out past the fenders, and sled pulling and mud, mud, and more mud, my opinion might be different.
On the other hand, UK Ka means the speedo is in MPH, which means, really, it’s easy to live with. Unless this one’s Australian or actually JDM, which, well, nevermind, but still, super cool car. And more my thing. Just needs giant Ford oval rally decals. I get in the Ka today.
It’s a JDM Ka.
Initially I was suspicious of a car for sale in Oberlin, Ohio with Virginia plates, but then I remembered Oberlin College (which would be a perfect place for a car like this).
Still, if I’m getting a Ford Ka, I’ll get one from the UK so I can get a speedo in MPH (and maybe a compatibly radio to US broadcasts).
I’m a huge import fan, but never thought about RHD. It seems like it would be a pain to deal with but I’ve asked a few owners at C&C events and they say it’s easy to adjust.
That said, I’d be close to a “both” today for different uses. The Montero looks amazing, always liked the Samurai. But the Ka looks like it’s ready to be my next rallycross toy. Not a fan of the yellow, but wrap it in 80s Group B and throw some snow tires on it. It already has the ride height.
The Montero Pinin, because if you want a Ka you can import it in LHD from mainland Europe…
It’ll be more expensive that way. Importing costs from Europe are about double what they are from Japan. Been there, done that, won’t mess with it again.
I didn’t know that. However, living in Barcelona I don’t have that problem.
(Well I do if I want to import a ‘68 Oldsmobile 442, but that’s another story…)
Ah. Yeah that would work better for you haha. Yeah the import costs when I brought in a Peugeot from the UK were more than double what I’ve paid bringing stuff in from Japan. And when I’ve looked at mainland Europe, it’s been worse than that even whenever I’ve looked at it.
And with the Ka you could, you know, just drive it. Pajero – or Oldsmobile – you have to swim really hard.
I’ll take the Pajero, but it’s gonna be a PIA at the Starbucks drive thru
Go through backwards.
Just reach across. It’s small enough.
For real, it’s practically bite sized.
That Pajero is right up my alley! Easy choice today
I’ll take the Ka – I’ve loved those silly little things since they came out. It’s not my favorite color, but cheap and cheerful FTW.
Shame it’s not LHD though. I’ll have to source one from Spain instead.
In the UK the Mk1 KA was pretty popular after it appeared in 1997, especially as it was very much a braver design than the Fiesta it was based off. Also the same for the original Puma, also Fiesta based. They both liked to rust though, so a good KA is hard to find in the UK. Personally I would take the Pajero Junior. And change the badges to UK Shogun so not to draw attention of my Argentinian friends… IYKYK.
Makes sense…
That Mitsubishi looks just about perfect.
So close to being a “both” day for me. They’re both charming and I could put both to use.
I’ll take the Pajero, though. I could still find low-mileage Fiestas, Sonics, Rios with manual transmissions here and get close to replicating the Ka experience. But there’s nothing like that Pajero anymore unless you barn-find a mint Tracker somehow. I’ve admired the Jimnys I’ve seen around Ecuador. This would get me pretty close.
The Pajero Junior would be the ultimate weekend vehicle for me, maybe even the mini version. Why cant we have nice, small things in America?