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?
That little Ford Ka is just prefect.
But I picked the Mitsu.
This is a both day. Pajero makes more sense to me, but love the Ka even if only for the Roddy Ho connection.
This is one of the rare days here where I demand a BOTH option!
Putting a stupid intake on a ’99 Ka might be the most period correct mod you can do. It looks nice (bit heavy on the plastic shine though) and I wouldn’t cast aspersions on anyone who voted for it. But I’ll still take the Pajero Jr. Look at it!
I like the Mk1 Ka, but I can’t see myself owning a Ka not equipped with the 1.6L engine.
RHD manual takes about 5 mins to adjust. I have a soft spot for the Paj mini so it gets my vote, but both are neat! I wish driving around town wasn’t an exercising in trying not to get run over or sideswiped by an overly aggressive lifted, squatted, or skateboarded (is there a term for the ridiculous offset, lifted, brodozer on low profile tires and blinding rock lights?). I don’t think most of those drivers see the normal CUV let alone a little kei car or truck.
I already have a 4×4 (the best 4x4xfar, in fact), so I will take the Ka. Bonus – I LOVE yellow on little Kas.
Hey that yellow/black looks great and works well in Steelers Country. Although I prefer my cars to attain a higher speed than I can achieve on my bicycle
I should not be able to order a beer larger than my engine.
Not needed – where I am, around town a bicycle is faster than a car, so might as well chill out and drive the Ka.
I suspect that of these two, the KA is the faster vehicle anyway. The Pajero has an even smaller engine, and the aero of my garden shed.
The Ka looked cute & fun when they came out, but I remember a lot of them looked really rusty 5 years later. Also, the Kent pushrod engine was a bit of a step backwards at the time – contemporary Fiestas could be had with the Zetec engine.
How many Pajeros can you fit inside of a Canyonero? I’ll bet 4 or 5, but I don’t have that kind of dinero.