Time for another off-topic post! I’m writing this because there’s not a lot of good information on this vehicle. I needed a vehicle to replace my well loved but aging and rusting, 2003 Dodge Caravan.
Why import a right hand drive JDM to Canada?
Because the used car market is pants-on-head retarded right now and I’m a cheapskate. JDMs over 15 years old can be imported into Canada. You can’t really find older RAV4’s (the Vanguard is pretty much a Rav4) with similar mileage on them, so it can be a bit hard to compare apples to apples but $13k gets you a RAV4 with ~200k kms on it or a sketchy rebuild.
This 2008 Toyota Vanguard was:
- A fairly well equipped V6 with 75k kms and no underbody rust
- $12,400 shipped to Vancouver
- $800 for freight to Edmonton
- $250 for an out of province inspection
So for $13k, I’m getting a clean vehicle with 75k kms on it instead of 200k-ish. The Vanguard is practically the same as a well equipped RAV4, which I think will make it easier for me to modify and repair over time.
Why shouldn’t you import a JDM to Canada?
Some insurance companies won’t insure or will only offer liability insurance for JDM vehicles. Shop around.
You may need mods or upgrades to pass an out of province inspection. Ie: Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), DOT-compliant tires, and headlight beam adjustment on top of standard inspection stuff.
Resale value is going to be lower than NA vehicles.
God help you if you break one of the proprietary parts and need to import something, especially large items where shipping cost will really hurt.
Toyota JDM Vanguard vs NA RAV4
What’s the same?
They use the same motor/transmission/etc. Most JDM versions will be AWD. Pretty much everything is the same. You can bolt aftermarket tow bars to it, use an aftermarket wiring harness for a RAV4, etc. It’ll take the cargo cover and grocery hammock thing from a RAV4. Tire and wheel sizes are RAV4: the 18″ wheels on mine match the RAV4 Sport package but I opted to buy an extra set of winter tires on 17″ rims for winters. The roof rails look like they’ll be RAV4 but I have yet to confirm.
Both RAV4 and Vanguards came with an option for 3rd row seats. I didn’t get one with a third row, because I would rather have the extra space than a shitty, uncomfortable third row.
Many of the optional features are shared between the RAV4 and Vanguard but Vanguards seem to be better equipped in general. It’s more common to see keyless push button start, downward hill assist, diff lock, mirrors that dip when you reverse so you can see the curb, and mirrors that automatically fold in when you lock the vehicle.
What’s different?
The headlights, grill, and front end styling aren’t RAV4, so don’t break them. The rear hatch doesn’t have a spare wheel on it. In fact, there isn’t a spot for a spare wheel on this vehicle, instead it’s got goo and a tire inflator. The radio is a double din instead of an integrated unit like on a RAV4. Mine was a nav-enabled radio with voice control that’s in Japanese only with no option to switch languages or make the NAV work in North America.
All of the RHD-specific stuff is going to be different than North American RAV4’s. Steering rack, etc, etc.
What’d I change/upgrade
- Changed motor oil (it didn’t need it but I wasn’t sure what kind of oil they had in there. Used Costco synthetic 5w30)
- Swapped diff & transfer case fluid
- Swapped battery
- Swapped cabin air filter
- Polished headlights (I really like this Sylvania restoration kit)
- Installed trailer hitch & wiring (used standard RAV4 stuff)
- Installed a cheap dash cam
- Put in some rubber floor mats for the winter
- Swapped wipers (Costco)
- Installed a license plate bracket adapter that I 3d printed. Japanese license plates have a different screw hole placement than North American license plates.
- Installed a new head unit, went with a Sony AX5600 so I got Android Auto
Is it hard to drive a RHD (Right Hand Drive) vehicle in Canada?
It takes a bit of time to get used to, but not really. You need to get used to using the right stalk to signal and the left one for wipers/etc, and you need to get used to using the mirrors in their new locations and being on the right side of the lane.
Drive throughs involve a lot of stretching to get your shit but because of Covid, lots of drive throughs still have their debit machines on long poles, making payment easier. Or just make your passenger get the stuff.
Blind left hand turns: turning left from the left lane while the opposing traffic is doing the same can be challenging for visibility in a LHD vehicle, never mind RHD. Lean over or just wait longer for a break in traffic.
Passing on highways is mildly more annoying. Hang back for better visibility, lean over to the left, or have your passenger look for you.
Curbside parking is actually a bit nicer because you’re not getting out into traffic, you’re stepping out onto the sidewalk instead.