Do it! So much cooler than any other car suggested so far.
Don't worry about it being an import, all that stuff about hard to get parts may have been true 10 years ago but not now. I had an imported 300zx for about 9 years and never had any trouble getting anything for it. Don't bother with Nissan Aus, if they do have any parts for it they will cost 3 or 4 times as much as you can source yourself.
Did anyone who recommended a Delica read the bit where he said he could not get a van into parking areas due to height?
If he can't get a normal van in I think a 4WD van may be just a bit harder
I have a Commie wagon (no, not a Lada a Commodore) and a Mitsubishi Challenger 4WD and the Commi takes way more gear.
You'll fit lots in a Commonwhore or Foulcan wagon
My god they are cheap over there!!!
Check out this search result:
www.tc-v.com/used_car/japan car/nissan/elgrand/?eid=1&fid=2003&jid=2011&hp=4&so=1
+$1800 shipping
That leaves plenty of surplus cash for compliance, reg and onroads. I am getting exited, I may have found the perfect van!!!
Umm it is not Japan price + $1800 shipping and the bit left over helps with extras..
Customs duties and mandatory steam cleaning inside and out (AQIS requirement to kills bugs) adds a lot.
Plus stuff that is unique to each car to make it comply with VSR's may be fitting new mirrors, tail/headlight modifications and all kinds of weird stuff that really adds up
I'd not import one myself.
There are a few Elgrands around Sydney and they look great.
Compared to Delicas there are not as many Elgrands and the Elgrand website seems less busy than the Delica one. Of course that could be a good thing as there are less posts about the Elgrands not working.
They seem to be fairly new, 2003, 2004, 2005 which is always good.
In regards to importing from Japan. I've read about people doing this and you can do it. Maybe your brother in law can help out if he imports directly. If you go down that route you would want to find out as much as you can and have enough cash available for unforeseen expenses. Also be aware that Japanese dealers are not always that truthful.
I can't see doing a personal import as an easy option for the problem of "cheap and practical".
I agree with the Commodore/Falcon wagon thing, though a second hand Vito should be looked at too.
Mine fits in all underground car parks.
Commo wagons are huge in the back, and quite cheap to run, nice big lazy motor that is good on the highway too.
I never worry about sail-boards getting nicked off the roof.
No-one ever steals sailboards, even on the skanky GC. A SUP though, might be a different matter.
Short wheelbase Econovan. Fits in underground carparks because of low roof. This one cost $4500 in 2004. I have done over 100,000km. It tows a tradie trailer every day. I have a Mistral Flow plus gear permanently stored on a rack inside as well as tools. I have had 4 of these for work van throughout my life (this is the 5th). They are good for at least 300,000km.