Favorite car not imported to the US

tmsautoart · 10-02-2009, 08:04 PM

Another thread got me thinking: I've always liked some funky cars, many of them never OFFICIALLY imported to the US. Besides a 930 during the grey market years or 959, what cars do you love and wish were imported to the US.
My list in no particular order:
1. VW Rallye Golf. I lust over this car.
2. Ford Cosworth Escorts
3. Cosworth Sierra RS
4. Renault R5 Turbo (I guess Sun International and a bunch of other import co. brought enough of these over)
5. Nissan Skyline
6. VW Golf limited 1989 (Supercharged 16V w/ 210 hp built by VW Motorsports/ not Wolfsburg)
7. Subaru Impreza RS WRX 2dr This was a few years before the 4dr WRX came to the US. I believe 1998. I remember seeing a Subaru RS in CT when I was living up there around 1998. I got all excited thinking it was the same as the ROW Rally car. Then I found out it had a plain 2.5 NA motor. Looked the part at least....
8. Audi Sport Quattro
9. BMW Evolution M3 (E30)
10. Audi Avant RS2

I'm sure I will think of more.

So what have you guys and gals wanted to import?

jyl · jyl's Garage

I like

The hot UK Sierras and Escorts
Lancia rally cars - Fulvia, Stratos, 037
Renault Alpine
Citroen 2CV - the sedan and the van

tmsautoart · 10-02-2009, 08:27 PM

OH...Yes..The Lancia Stratos. One of my all time favs. I had the 1976 Pirelli Rally champion car model toy when I was just a little guy. It was 1:18 or 1:24 scale. Great car. There is a company in the UK called Hawk "something" that makes a very accurate Stratos kit. One day.....

tmsautoart · 10-02-2009, 08:28 PM

This one!

EDIT: just noticed from the background that this IS one of those Hawk kit cars.

LakeCleElum · 10-02-2009, 08:36 PM

Toyota 4x4 extended cab - Turbo Diesel.........

Nostril Cheese · 10-02-2009, 08:39 PM

Audi S3
MINI One D
Renault Clio V6 Sport
Ford Focus RS
Lada Niva

Nostril Cheese · 10-02-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakecleelum

toyota 4x4 extended cab - turbo diesel.........

+1

aigel · aigel's Garage

+1 on the light trucks and SUVs with diesel.

And on the older cars, I always liked this one - NA in US:

George

tmsautoart · 10-02-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aigel

And on the older cars, I always liked this one - NA in US:

George

Renault Alpine?

ckissick · 10-02-2009, 09:07 PM

I'd like the VW T5 4WD Camper van. It's the newest Eurovan-type van, with a bigger engine and, unlike Eurovans, you can get it in 4WD with good ground clearance. With a full camper setup. They're popular in Australia.

tmsautoart · 10-02-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Audi S3
MINI One D
Renault Clio V6 Sport
Ford Focus RS
Lada Niva

Yup...S3.
How about the old early 1990's S2? I don't think they ever made it over here.

tmsautoart · 10-02-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckissick

I'd like the VW T5 4WD Camper van. It's the newest Eurovan-type van, with a bigger engine and, unlike Eurovans, you can get it in 4WD with good ground clearance. With a full camper setup. They're popular in Australia.

That would be neat. I like the Euro vans and camper vans, but they are so darn expensive used. I guess thats great if you have one. Looks like they hold their value. I see you have a Syncro. Any probs w/ the diff.? I heard you have to be very careful w/ tire wear related drivetrain issues.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

VW 16v Corrado....

New Scirocco....

959!

pavulon · 10-03-2009, 08:19 AM

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

959.

I think the TVRs aren't either.

ckissick · 10-03-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmsautoart

That would be neat. I like the Euro vans and camper vans, but they are so darn expensive used. I guess thats great if you have one. Looks like they hold their value. I see you have a Syncro. Any probs w/ the diff.? I heard you have to be very careful w/ tire wear related drivetrain issues.

No problems at all. Tire wear isn't an issue. The car does need maintenance, mostly because of its age. For example, I think I need to replace the fluid in the viscous coupler; front traction seems to be diminished.

LWJ · 08:31 AM

Landcruiser w/ turbo diesel. There is a real "utility" version that I believe is called a "troopy" in Australia. Can't remember the designation.

GG Allin · GG Allin's Garage

E36 M3*
964 RS

*Don't call what they sent here an M3, it ain't. I got one, '332is' would be more appropriate.
Oddly enough I used to have one of the those phony 964 RS's too.

VaSteve · 10-03-2009, 09:53 AM

M5 Wagon

vash · vash's Garage

land rover DEFENDER! the only unobtainium that i want. hands down.

if i could get my hands on one...if they still imported them, i could afford a used one. current situation, cost are getting higher.