1998 Toyota Century
S/N GZG50003437. 161,100 kilometers (100,100 miles). “5.0-liter V12 1GZ-FE, 4-speed automatic transmission, Dual Electro Multi-Vision Package, 16-inch wheels, soft-close trunk, leather upholstery, digital instrument panel, heated front and rear seats, front passenger’s seatback pass-through, massaging and reclining rear seats, automatic climate control, power-operated rear curtain, rear air conditioning and radio controls.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $10,554. Cars & Bids, 10/13/23.
Uncertainty has hit the Japanese collector-car market in the past several months. Many models are selling for much less than last year. Case in point: When we looked at this “Japanese Maybach” in the November 2022 issue, the car we featured sold for $25,863, which was the going rate at the time. As you can see, our subject car here sold for a considerably lower amount. This price is so low that it’s the same price you could buy one for in Japan with today’s devalued yen (¥149 to $1). So, you can now get into the most luxurious Toyota import for a fraction of what they recently cost. As I mentioned before, these are really designed with rear-seat passengers in mind, as evidenced by the front passenger seat pass-through to give the right rear passenger more legroom, plus the reclining and massaging rear seats. The powerful engine and smooth ride are a bonus for the driver, but this is essentially an executive limousine. Well bought.
1996 Toyota HiAce Super Custom Limited
S/N KZH1061032959. 192,000 kilometers (120,000 miles). “3.0-liter 1KZ-TE turbodiesel inline-4, 4-speed automatic transmission, two-tone paint, tan cloth upholstery, 15-inch wheels, three sunroofs, roof spoiler, automatic climate control, rear window curtains, Panasonic head unit with navigation.” Condition: 2+. SOLD AT $11,025. Bring a Trailer, 10/17/23.
The HiAce Super Custom Limited is one of the more-popular RHD off-road campers. I have been seeing more of them in the Pacific Northwest than the Mitsubishi Delica. One of the local Japanese importers in Portland continually lists these at $25k–$30k and rotates inventory regularly. We looked at a similar van in the February 2023 issue that sold for $16,375 with 36k miles. At the time that one sold, it was already a good price. This example lacks the third-row seats, but that could be a positive if the bidder was looking to build out the rear for camping. Shipping a van from Japan would run around $4,000 and similar vans there sell for around $8,000 at the current exchange rate. If you enjoy the outdoors and want to explore it in a classic RHD van, this would be the one to get. This is one of the best deals we have seen on a HiAce Super Custom Limited in some time. Well bought.
1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS
S/N JACCN57X5X7990691. 139,000 miles. “3.5-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 2-speed transfer case, 215 hp, 230 lb-ft, 16-inch wheels, aluminum monotube shocks, roof-mounted spoiler, leather upholstery, Recaro front seats, air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette stereo with six-disc CD changer, cruise control.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $9,091. Cars & Bids, 10/13/23.
Here we take another look back at a model that was covered in the December 2022 issue. The VehiCROSS we featured then had a wheel and tire upgrade and sold for $12,540. This 1999 version is similar, but one year newer and almost $3,500 cheaper. The VehiCROSS blends the Y2K aesthetic with a capable off-road platform. While most automakers were settling into similar shapes and designs for the new millennium, Isuzu was pushing a futuristic look that still holds up today. With fewer than 6,000 built, the VehiCROSS also has rarity on its side. Similar compact off-roaders like the Suzuki Sidekick are selling for around $7k–$12k, but come with half of the VehiCROSS’s horsepower and torque. Is this Isuzu underappreciated right now? Maybe, but we are also seeing a downturn in the overall market, making this a good time to buy a Japanese collector car. ♥
