These Are The Cars You Wish You Could Import

The United States infamously established a 25 year import rule for vehicles sold in other countries, but that has never stopped us from looking at what else is out there, and the longing we feel when we see something we like. That lead us to yesterday's question.

We wanted to know what you'd import if that rule didn't exist, meaning any car that is younger than 25 years of age, but never sold here.

You all gave us answers that were all over the place. We've got new cars. We've got old cars. We've got expensive cars, and we've got cheap cars. So, let's take a look at what you all would import if we lived in an imaginary bizarro (more fair) world.

A right-sized EV, not some behemoth that weighs four tons and goes goes 0-to-60 in 2 seconds flat, but an EV that gets the job done—period.

Throw in the knockout styling and Honda quality, so why the eff is this car not sold in the US? I bet Honda couldn't import them fast enough if they chose to make it happen.

The Honda E is a very neat little car, but we have to remember that it's pretty expensive for what it offers. A low range doesn't help matters at all. I like it a lot, but I cannot see a world in which it would sell well in the U.S.

Submitted by: the 1969 Dodge Charger Guy

The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. The sedan looks good, don't get me wrong, but this thing just looks...wow.

As a person who currently has multiple tabs for G70 Autotrader ads open, goddamn. I want one very badly.

Submitted by: paradsecar

Suzuki Jimny, of course.

I've driven them on vacation a few times in Costa Rica, over some fun dirt roads, and I loved it. Like riding on the back of a mountain goat.

The Jimny is such a cute little guy. I know if they were here in the U.S. they wouldn't be nearly as cool, but that's not the world we live in. Because of that, the Jimny is incredibly cool. Give me one, please.

Submitted by: wætherman

Alpine A110, without doubt.

Light, lovely to look at, and by all accounts even lovelier to drive.

I've never driven (or even seen) an Alpine A110, but I love the way it looks. On top of that, if it drives half as good as people say it does then it must be amazing. I do wish it came with a stick, but beggars can't be choosers in this game.

Submitted by: EnemyOfCrossovers

I'm going with the weird and quirky-cool Renault Avantime.

This is the most correct answer. Avantime supremacy 4eva.

Submitted by: skeffles

I always wanted an El Camino, but I have been told they are horrible as DDs.

Still, A Holden Commodore SS UTE from Australia would be a cool toy useful for my thrice-annual trips to the garden center.

Utes are cool. They're neat, but you could just get a wagon?

Submitted by: Earthbound Misfit I

Even if only to mess with people, a Lancia Flavia sedan from the early 20-teens.

I do wonder what would be needed to repatriate them, since I'm pretty sure these were built in Sterling Heights like my 200 was and it's just a matter of getting the Lancia specific trim pieces to make a 200 look like a Flavia.

I like the way you think, you strange, strange person. Also, you've got a very appropriate username.

Submitted by: 200 Touring.

Mazda 6 Estate – Just look at it, it's beautiful.

Ohh, that's a pretty, pretty car. What is it about wagons that really just make a good looking car look even better? I won't question it, I just wish we got them here.

Submitted by: B1gMattAttack

Pretty much the modern day MG Midget or Austin Healey Sprite.

The S660 is obviously very cool, but I also very much get why it doesn't exist here. Honda would sell -2 of them.

Submitted by: Witchy Whale

As the Alpine A110 has already been suggested I'll go with the Renault Clio V6 phase 2. Better looking and apparently better to drive than the phase 1

The Clio V6 is so fucking cool. I remember falling in love with it when Top Gear reviewed it in the early 2000s. I know it's a first generation Clio V6, but I am still waiting for Doug to release the video.

Submitted by: 365Daytonafan

This guy here – the VW California Camper Van. Basically, it's just a new version of the Eurovan, which they did sell in North America. Putting aside the absurdity of not selling a vehicle in the jurisdiction it's named after (despite having sold a similar van – but named after Europe there two decades earlier) – it's also an incredible thing. We owned a Eurovan when I was young – and it was just an wonderful way to travel. Small enough to be easily driven through big cities. Roomy enough to comfortably sleep everyone. Came with water and a fridge and a stove and a table – and still plenty of room for stuff.

No. Stay in a hotel. Not a van. This isn't it. However, an updated Eurovan would be cool.

Submitted by: TheWalrus

TVR Sagaris, no questions. Give me the B*****h Viper and let me someday die in wild style. There's just *something* about this car in particular that makes me feel intense things. My desire for it is primal, like frothing-at-the-mouth rabid fuckin barely restrainable wanting. If presented the window of opportunity, I would do some truly heinous things to get myself one of these. And I probably wouldn't even comfortably fit in it, and it wouldn't stop me.

The Sagaris is sooooooo badass. The whole thing was so crazy from bumper to bumper. I yearn for one of these in mystichrome.

Submitted by: Vegibomb

The obvious answers of utes and wagons aes the best. I'll suggest a 2003 type 1 beetle. For no other reason other than to see people's faces when I tell them I have a 2003 bug and this is what they see.

Nah, this is junk. Also there are few cars in history that have worse origins than the Beetle. Hard pass on the Type 1.

Submitted by: HotSauceIsTheBest

I have one kid, so I don't need something enormous – the Honda Step WGN is a relatively modestly priced EV van (assume pricing in line with a CR-V if they brought it here), but is also at least a little cooler than the Sienna.

The Step WGN is pretty neat, but much like the closest thing to it sold in the U.S. recently (the Mazda5) it would not sell at all. For better or worse, those are the facts of life.

Well, you already posted my answer in the main image – the Alfa Brera. What a gorgeous car. Here's a nice one I saw in Japan back in '07:

Other than that, I'd say a Mazda 6/Atenza wagon, or a Honda N-One.

You're a person of taste. God bless you.

Submitted by: Evan Hayden

It's just a massive "WHY?!" and it makes me laugh.

Owning a Cygnet would be the best bit known to man. I love a good bit, which means I really should get one of these. Too bad Aston doesn't want us in the U.S. to have one.

Submitted by: T2400.

Skoda Yeti. It would do all the things without being too big or too small, and for less than any crossover in the US. Also, manual

I applaud the Yeti for giving us one of the best Top Gear bits near the end of the mid-2000s run. Other than that, I can take it or leave it.

Submitted by: Black B5

The latest small Honda

Honda, I know no one would buy it, but please bring our small hatchback friend back. I miss him.

Submitted by: Pinkerton