I’m just a weird imported Japanese car that calls the Lilac City home sweet home.

I got so tired of looking in the rearview mirror and watching people point and mouth the words “What is that?!” when I could not reply. And then I thought: QR code.

I own two JDM vehicles (Japanese Domestic Market only—not exported) and have written extensively about them on my blog over the years.

If you are looking DOWN on me in a tiny little car with most likely the top folded and tucked away in the trunk, that is my 1991 Nissan Figaro. Only a 20k production run for just one (Japanese) model year.

If you are looking UP at me in a narrow but crazy tall badass minivan, that is my 1997 Mitsubishi Delica Spacegear with the Chamonix winter trim package.

I LOVE the Figaro! Here are a couple of bullet links if you want to read more about how I went down the JDM rabbit hole (spoiler – whiskey was involved).

What got me turned into importing a vehicle from Japan? Oddly enough, it was a parent’s day in Bozeman, Montana.

Why in the world did Nissan build this quirky little car? For that, we have to thank Japan’s bubble economy of the late 1980s and the famous Pike Factory.

For such a small number built, the Figaro has an international following. Amazingly enough, I even won an award.

I LOVE the Delica! The Chamonix holds eight (well, Japanese-sized), and with a 2.8 intercooled turbo diesel and a 4WD high AND low locking center differential, it will take you anywhere (and is easy to park in the Spokane Valley Costco).

The Delica was more of a headache to import, although the process hadn’t changed. Importing in 2018 and 2024 are two different worlds.

But once it landed, I could not have been happier. The interior was incredible (smoke-free!), and I even got a rainbow after the first good washing in the US of A.

Worry not. There will be more to come. I have my eyes on Daihatsu Copen, but they will not be importable until 2027 under the US 25-year rule.

GoatBoy out! And welcome to the herd!