It’s a new year, and that means a new selection of Japanese-market cars will become eligible for import in 2026. Our 25-year import law states that cars built in 2001 can now enter the country. While the thought of a second-gen Nissan Stagea or DC5 Honda Integra Type R is tempting, this era was peak minivan. The year 2001 saw the introduction of the Toyota Noah/Voxy, Estima Hybrid, E25 Nissan Caravan/Isuzu Como, Suzuki Every Landy, and our favorite, the Honda Mobilio.
Which car from 2001 would you import?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your new year’s resolution for 2026?“.
2001 Car would choose Daihatsu YRV Turbo with steering paddle shift and four wheel drive.
A cute, but very fast, reliable 4 door hatch back. Still have the car providing me commute 25 years and 230,000 km later in Australia.
Ideally, I want to acquire a Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo coupe. Probably snag one within the next 3 years. I really like that generation Skyline, but I need a non-AWD version to reference its front suspension for a custom build I’m working on.
Toyota Verossa VR25. Extremely ugly, extremely cool
It’d be very hard to pass up on a DC5 Honda Integra Type R , since it’s everything that the North American Integra Type S was not: a real engine, limited-slip diff, real seats, real brakes, far better handling, much less body roll. A complete car. Where as the Type S (I had a couple of sessions with a student of mine’s Type S at an HPDE event at a “handling” track, and it was just lousy) was such is a disappointment.
But something much more rare and interesting would be the S2000 Type V – with the VGS steering system. Technically fascinating and extensive, although not altogether successful in road tests then. But a bold stroke and one worth collecting and taking good care of.
Not a “car” but a Honda Gyro Canopy with the factory cargo box.
A 2001 Honda Accord Euro R in Milano Red. I had previously bought and very-briefly owned a 1991 Accord EX sedan with an H22A, but it was DOA because the clutch wasn’t installed properly; I offloaded it and never truly got a chance to experience VTEC on a larger Honda sedan.
Fast forward three years, and I have the itch again. The 6th generation still retains the three-box shape that, in my opinion, looks more tidy than today’s “swoopy” lines. My parents bought a 2002 Accord SE new back in the day and I had put a few miles on it during my college days; it was a spacious, quiet, and comfortable car, but was just missing the Euro R powertrain.
H22A, LSD, Recaro, subtle body kit, dual exhaust, slightly lowered stance, I love these sleepers.
My wish list won’t be JDM. If I can import a 25 year old car, it would be in my hot hatch wheel house… a Ford Focus RS MKI. Rally bred and in limited numbers. I’ve just always wanted one to go with my FoST MKIII . Esp after watching them in WRC or seeing Jeremy Clarkson hooning one on Top Gear. Then someday a MKII RS just because they are awesome.