Buy/Drive/Burn: Alternative Japanese Minivans From 1997

In the first van edition of Buy/Drive/Burn, we inquired which luxurious minivan from 1994 you’d relegate to each category. Using typical One Simple Trick methodology, I lured everyone in with a picture of the Previa (above). Then, when the Previa was not a choice in the transportation trio, you all doused me in Haterade.

Well, here you go. Import vans — including the Toyota Previa. Douse me in clicks!

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In Japanese Bondage: The Honda Freed Hybrid and the Mazda MPV

Yesterday, I took a look at the Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear and the Toyota Hi-Ace, the “size queens” of the Japanese market. Today, I decided to look at the odd men out, so to speak, those mini-vans that hit the sweet spot in the market and offer seven seats in a small or mid-sized package. Sticking with that earlier theme, both of these are only available outside of the United States so, sorry, you can’t get them here. But it’s fun to see how other people live so let’s take a look.

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  • Kevin I charge almost exclusively at home with a Level 2 charger. On rare occasions I use a Level 3 charging station, but mostly just to top up a bit on a longer trip over 150mi. For true long range trips we use my wife's Pilot instead.
  • YellowDuck wow that grey interior certainly is....grey. Like everywhere. I wonder what trim level you need to spec to get the black and tan?
  • Ajla With conventional CVTs, drivability is one thing (although most FWD-based 9speeds aren't exactly amazing in the first place) but I think the biggest concern is reliability.Reliability would be the concern on this engine as well. 134hp/L is a little higher than what you get in an M340i. Then add in relatively new variable compression technology. How is it going to hold up on a steady diet of the lowest-priced 87-octane and 12 month oil change intervals?
  • SCE to AUX Those are impressive numbers. I would ditch the Midnight trim as well; I don't like black wheels.I've had a several good Nissan/Datsun experiences (direct and indirect), and I'd consider a Rogue next time around.As for the CVT, I was surprised at how responsive a lowly Versa Note was on a test drive years ago. I'd say it was second to an EV.
  • Kwik_Shift Mitsu Mirage is a rebranded Nissan Micra with a smaller engine.