help me pick a JDM lifestyle mover

[never]

You can JDM lifestyle (but not have to suffer with RHD!) to your heart’s content with this…

https://www.facebook.com/share/tWDk6...ibextid=79PoIi

[Gman.45]

If your lifestyle includes folding stock stainless Mini 14s, loving when a plan comes together - and If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find it....maybe you can purchase The A-Team van.

[bjstare]

I think JDM is never the answer, unless you can't get it LHD (e.g., R34 or something). But also with the activities mentioned, you'd be better off in a monstrosity like a Suburban/Escalade ESV. I assume OP already knows this, but packing a bunch of people to go skiing or play hockey requires a lot of room for stuff haha.

[topmade]

160-200hp hauling around 7 people is very under powered even if some are kids. While some of the RHD vehicles are cool I just see them as novelty's here. I would not recommend a mid sized like a Pilot or MDX cause the 3rd row is a pain to get into and only good for kids or legless adults. Get an older Odyssey, Sienna, 4 runner or Sequoia and call it a day and if I had to pick one it would be a van all day long cause they are much better utility vehicles than a SUV even a huge Escalade or Expedition.

[Team_Mclaren]

There is a reason why JDM vans/suv dont usually work in NA. They are usually very low on power and with passengers it can barely get up the hill on our highways. There are restrictions on engine displacements in most Asian countries (tax) so they make them with the smallest engine possible. It's fine there without a lot of highways or high speed driving. It suffers here.

conclusion: buy a trackhawk. dont be poor.

[pheoxs]

Ford Flex can be had as AWD with the twin turbo ecoboost in a 7 seater configuration

[Pauly Boy]

While I definitely agree they're more a novelty & the safety isn't as good on a 15 yr old car - The value is definitely there if you have a lower budget though...

I debated this a while ago since you can basically find a minty loaded JDM minivan with 50k for the same price as a destroyed Dodge Caravan with 150k+ here.

[riander5]

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I'm going to go against the grain here and say I would not recommend a older RHD vehicle in your current situation.

You have a kid on the way and elders (in laws). You and your lifestyle are not important anymore. Your family is.
Safety tech has come a long way. After I got out of my 2002 Zonda CRV and into a new one, I noticed small things that made a massive difference in terms of safety. The ergonomics of the seats, headrest + neck position, driver seating angle are totally different. It feels more like a cockpit. The car has automatic braking(saved my stupid ass a few times), lane assist (helps in bad weather sometimes) and the brakes are waaaay better. The traction control and AWD system is better managed on ice, and more airbags.

The jump in safety technology you can see from 2015, then 2019 and 2021. I defo feel the difference coming from a 2002 vehicle. When me and my two ex gf talked about long term stuff or we went on test drives. I would make them sit in the driver side. They asked why. I said its a newer vehicle. You, parents and if we have kids are the important ones. So she has to be ok with the size. I talked about this with my last ex. We agreed we would get rid of her Jeep and have my new Zonda as the main vehicle because of new safety technology. We are finally in a place in our lives when we are not driving old shitty used vehicles.

If you are rear ended (I have been 3 times) or T-boned, your lifestyle don't mean shit. The first thing in your mind is, is the baby and family ok.

Toyota 4Runner or Honda Pilot. Come join the club...

Against the grain? Everyone else here has basically suggested what you are

[Gman.45]

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Ford Flex can be had as AWD with the twin turbo ecoboost in a 7 seater configuration

That's a really good option IMO. Flex is far from slow too, even with a lot of people and cargo on board.

[riander5]

I guess I could add to the thread too.

Don't get some JDM pizza crap.

2nd Gen MDX. Most are good to 400,000 kms and are reliable

Here is one for cheap - https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/acur.../#vip=31391830

[BerserkerCatSplat]

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Ford Flex can be had as AWD with the twin turbo ecoboost in a 7 seater configuration

Ecoboost Flex is the ultimate people and shit hauler. 450HP with just a tune if you're feeling frisky.

[brucebanner]

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Ecoboost Flex is the ultimate people and shit hauler. 450HP with just a tune if you're feeling frisky.

If it had sliding doors in the back I would've purchased one of those

[max_boost]

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I cannot advocate JDM in Canada, with a need for 7, in Canada, for a family.

I hate to break it to you but a Sequoia is what you're after whether you like it or not.

Or Nissan armada seems cool and lifestyle lol

[haggis88]

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Or Nissan armada seems cool and lifestyle lol

Probably the worst full size out there imo, closely followed by its sister QX80

The domestics are absolutely the way to go for this class, the imports don't hold a candle to them. People like to feel superior because they don't drive a Ford/Chev/Dodge and imports allow them to do this

My favourite of recent times was the twin turbo Wagoneer

[bjstare]

The wagoneer is cool, but isn’t it a complete and utter shitbox? It’s a Jeep, so that should be implicit, but I’ve read it’s awful.

[SKR]

Why are people still posting like Dajiban isn't the answer?

- 7 seater
- isn't a Suburban or a Dodge minivan
- NOR am I interested in crazy priced new vehicles with insane interest rates
- NOR ridiculously priced in the used market thanks to excessive exports
- lifestyle
- reliability

Checks all the boxes except RHD, but it's Japanese enough to make up the difference.

[haggis88]

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The wagoneer is cool, but isn’t it a complete and utter shitbox? It’s a Jeep, so that should be implicit, but I’ve read it’s awful.

Its not where i'd put 100k of my own money

I've read about some quality issues on certain models, and apparently a lot of the fixes need the body off to repair which is daunting

It was spacious, comfy, quick, had carplay, remote start and heated seats...that's about all I look for in a rental car

[bjstare]

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Its not where i'd put 100k of my own money

I've read about some quality issues on certain models, and apparently a lot of the fixes need the body off to repair which is daunting

It was spacious, comfy, quick, had carplay, remote start and heated seats...that's about all I look for in a rental car

Yes, a bunch of small/common problems that require the body to be taken off is what I was referring to haha.

I could see it being just great for a rental car.

@SKR , dajiban is definitely the answer.

[ThePenIsMightier]

*hits up DuckDuckGo to find out WtF a dajiban is...

[SKR]

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*hits up DuckDuckGo to find out WtF a dajiban is...

It's a lifestyle thing.