Being brilliant at the basics is the bedrock of any decent company. We all swoon as sports cars and offroading heavy-duty diesel SUV's come across the pages of our website, but those models are a direct result of over two decades of investment and hard work from the Japanese automotive industry as a whole. While fuel prices soared around the globe starting soaring in the early 1970s, the Japanese were an afterthought in the US market. Emphasizing concepts such as 'Total Quality Management' the Japanese began producing value-packed models, specifically known for their fuel economy, durability, and affordable price tags. After twenty years of improving quality and production techniques, the Japanese were the talk of the town and had behemoths like GM and Ford running scared. The windfall profits from this era led to the development of incredible cars like the GT-R and Supra, but cars like this Nissan Avenir Estate are what made Japan great. Finished in (AJ6) Dark Garnet, the paint retains a good shine, and sans some poorly matched touch up around the body, it is very straight. Utilizing a fantastic all-wheel-drive system, rugged and efficient 2.0L, and a bevy of safety and convenience options, the 1992 Avenir is still a good value in 2019 terms.

The interior of this compact wagon is remarkable for its condition and originality. Even the OEM plush carpet mats are included with the factory user manual. The cognac-colored upholstery is soft to the touch and matches the door cards nicely. The front and rear seats are nicely bolstered and make long drives comfortable. Everyone in the passenger cabin can enjoy cold A/C or heat in the wintertime, should this AWD model encounter some harsher environments. Behind the wheel, the driver benefits from a couple of creature comforts, such as a tilt column, power-folding mirrors, locks, and windows. Audio controls are close, and the OEM head unit functions as best as it can here in the US. The low lying dash and skinny A-pillars allow for better than average visibility, and at nighttime, you can use the pressurized headlight washers if mud or snow has accumulated on them. If you wish to adjust the height of those beams, you can select from four preset heights, which can be adjusted via an electric switch on the center console. The dash material itself is somewhat soft-touch and isn't deformed or cracked in the least. The headliner also shows little to no wear, and is devoid of burn holes, scuffs, or sagging. The cargo area is massive and can be improved with the use of the 60/40 split-fold rear seats. A spare tire is equipped outback and the rear carpet is in good nick.

Under the bonnet, Nissan's venerable SR20DE is fitted. Benefitting from a fresh oil and filter service, this inline-four cranks over and settles into a steady idle. This wonderful, 44K original mile powerplant makes enough power to handle US roadways and drives all four wheels through the ATTESA all-wheel-drive system. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and accelerates easily up to speed. The ground clearance is above average, and the OEM suspension handles everything you can throw its way. Ride quality is on the softer side; and this wagon has the opposite appeal of our firm, lowered sports car offerings. Braking is straightforward, and the light effortless steering makes daily driving pleasurable.

This capable, reliable, go-anywhere wagon is a surefire bet. Its low cost of ownership, low miles, and entry-level price point make this a perfect Japanese Classic. Cars like these are prime candidates for unique daily drivers or for rural route mail carriers who need a more safe option.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.