New Guy Here, Long Time Toyota Fan

[Khunk]

Greetings everyone, I am new to this site, but not new to Toyota. I am currently living & working in Japan. I am in search of a vehicle to bring back to the States with me when I return in a few years. I would love to find and bring back a 40, but they are hard to find and very expensive, So I am looking for any advice on a second choice. What say the experts out there? What would be a great vehicle to transport back to the states. What ever I find it must be 25 plus years old, most likely will be a right hand drive, I am thinking anything diesel and 4x4 as well. Should I aim for a manual or automatic transmission? How much money should I spend, how much $$$ is too much? Not really looking for a "rock crawler" but something to be proud of? Any ideas?

I'm looking forward to any and all recommendations from you experts out there, also looking forward to learning from you as well.

 

[pappy]

Boy. Loaded question. Keep in mind you are in the mini-truck forum. Any questions about diesels, or LCs, can be directed to those respective forums. But since you ask. A 70 series would be cool. Or a Hilux. I think they also get some cool cars in Japan we don't get here.

 

[KLF]

Everybody will have different opinions on this. But hands down this would be my choice:

 

[The Eradicator]

Everybody will have different opinions on this. But hands down this would be my choice:

The 75 trucks weren't sold in Japan, unfortunately. My vote would be for an HZJ73 or, if you want more room, a 77. A JDM LN106 (early 90s double cab hilux with a solid front axle and the better 3L diesel) would also be pretty sweet.

 

[pappy]

I am currently living & working in Japan. I am in search of a vehicle to bring back to the States with me when I return in a few years.

In case you didn't know, being a newbie and all ... there is an Importing Forum here at MUD. Go check it out.
Importing

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Big problem now is the 25-yr old desirable vehicles in Japan are getting up there in price, and they often aren’t in good mechanical shape.

The dealers shine them up, but many are just polished turds. Which sucks because many you have to buy sight unseen, and the pics are all you have depending on where on the mainland it is getting shipped from

 

[Jeremy9A]

As for the original question.... Why don't you buy whatever vehicle YOU like best and what works for YOU? Auto vs manual- What do YOU want to drive?

Are you asking what vehicle will be easiest to profit from? If that's the case then do some homework and see what they've been selling for . Completed listings from ebay are a good start.