I recently learned the mini trucks (Kei Trucks) existed, and I instantly decided I HAD to have one. Did some light research and the Sambar seemed to keep coming out on top of the mini trucks. I've tried contacting my local Subaru dealer, I've tried contacting Subaru.com, I've tried to contact Subaru-Global, I've searched the NHTSA website and I can't find an answer to what I thought would be a simple question. I did search this site to see if I was posting a question that had been answered 1,000 times before and found nothing. So I'm trying to find out if the Subaru Sambar is legal to import to the United States for on road titling and plating. I stumbled across the tradecarview website (any advice on that website?) and found some that seem pretty good, got estimates to have them shipped to Indiana, but then got hung up on figuring out if they could even be legally imported to the US. Any info anyone in the know could share would be greatly appreciated, or if people could give their tips, tricks, recommendations, or advise all would be appreciated as well. Thanks.
I have two 1990 sambar trucks coming from Japan in early December.. One is full time AWD and the other is 2wd with awd low. If anyone is looking let me know!
Check out the "New Minitruck owner near Seattle" thread. Lots of usefull first hand experience there. Also https://wittymelon.wordpress.com/ contains a comprehensive guide to rules regulating the import of Kei vehicles such as the one you're looking for. In general, I do not believe you could street register a kei unless it is 25 years or older qualifying it under the "classic vehicle" exception; then, it's easy. If you find one, take the VIN or model number to your motor vehicle registrar and ask what documents you will need to register it. A dry run for each admin. step ie importing, registration, insurance is a good idea to prevent getting stuck with a machine you can not use or sell.
Also, I did not have much luck with the online marketplaces and there are reports that some have been making shady deals especially to african countries. So beware! A friend of mine once bought a Karman Gia on e-bay. A weeks later a flat bed dropped off a vehicle that had been the home of mice for some time.