Here in America, lots of things are good. But some things that aren’t include how we are repeatedly sent the crappiest versions of otherwise bad-ass trucks and off-road-friendly rigs that would challenge any Wrangler owner for global wheeling domination. This Isuzu MU – short for “Mysterious Utility” – is otherwise known as an Amigo in the states, but the MU is turbo diesel-powered with locking front hubs and a clever fold-flat interior. Find this JDM import here on craigslist for $8,300 with all the necessary paperwork included.
Now, I realize the list of features compared to the U.S. models isn’t overwhelming, but that torquey turbo-diesel would be perfect for off-road excursions – certainly a better choice than the fuel-hungry V6 we saw stateside. The MU has been upgraded with larger tires on familiar “Snowflake” wheels, and other JDM-only bits include the fender-mounted mirror and window shades that Japanese tuners love to add to seemingly every kind of 4×4. Clear turn signals and a front air dam with huge fog lamps round out the MU’s cosmetic upgrades.
The interior is quite clever, with fold-flat seats that convert the short-wheelbase MU into a rig you can absolutely sleep on when your trail excursion goes long and it makes more sense to grab some shuteye than to navigate a craggy basin in the dark. The right-hand drive steering may turn some of you off, but I’m happy to report it’s not nearly as disorienting as it initially looks. The MU thankfully features a manual transmission and the factory hard-top is removable for open-air cruising, just like the Amigo (one of the few potentially unsafe features that didn’t get terminated upon importation to the U.S.)
The seller says they have been importing JDM vehicles and motorcycles since 1996, and you’ll get all the necessary importation paperwork to register the vehicle legally in your home state. The interior looks quite tidy, and there’s no sign of any trickery in terms of gussying up a beater for U.S. sale. Most of these off-road friendly rigs don’t actually see much action removed from the pavement in Japan, so finding a seemingly un-abused example like this isn’t surprising. While it won’t ever be hugely valuable, this MU will be a fun companion on the trail and an attention-getter at your local Cars & Coffee. That combination is tough to find for under $10K.
The fold-flat seats are a great idea, but to be a viable bed they need to fold FLAT. Just look at those. Your body can’t bend like that, no matter how you lay on them. Honda had the same exact “feature” in the Element and I spent the worst night in one, it’s like sleeping on a frost heave.
Curious if it would pass California smog.
I agree that driving an RHD car in the US isn’t the challenge one would expect. However, riding in the front passenger seat is very disorienting. From that position, it feels like you should be in control, but you aren’t.
Never tried to shift left handed but if I shift like I throw a ball it would be very ugly and funny!! 😂😂
My limited experience driving a RHD car (once in NZ and once in England) was not the issue with shifting (conventional 5 spd pattern) but actuating the WRONG stalk on the steering column; since the turn signal stalk is on the opposite side of the column. Using my left hand to actuate the turn signals assured that the wipers would start to oscillate (embarrassing when its sunny weather) – I just could not consistently get the right hand to reach for the turn signal stalk – I was concentrating way too hard to stay on the correct side of the road.
Everybody lie down! Immediately!
This is ticking all my weirdo JDM dream car boxes: oddball proportions, neat Japan-only interior widgets, goofy name, 4×4…where do I sign?
Just the vehicle if you’ve lost everything in Vegas, fold down the seats. You still have a great place to crash and contemplate your next move…
Just looking at that folding seat setup gives me a backache.
Also badge-engineered here in Europe as the Vauxhall/Opel Frontera
Jeff:
I think you are bring a bit harsh in your statement about the US receiving the “crappiest versions” . Let’s face it, in the late ’80s diesels were a hard sell in the US. Less than a decade before, GM produced the Olds diesel and that hurt the sales of all diesel engined cars in the US to some extent for several years.
In the US, the base engine in the Amigo/Rodeo/pickup was a 2.3 or 2.5 L, typically mated to the 5 spd. The V6 was typically paired with the auto trans. Over in the UK/Europe the Fronteras were built (at an Isuzu/GM joint venture called IBC in the UK) with GME engines, including diesels. The same basic vehicle “down under” was sold as the Holden Frontera.
Here in the US, the Amigo was marketed to the youth as a first new car. For the US, the vehicle had a low cost configuration – such as painted metal on the interior rear of the front seats. In Europe, it was typically purchased as second vehicle (I’ve seen several pulling horse or travel trailers in Germany and Spain) – hence a more affluent new vehicle buyer. The Fronteras had the same nice fat steering wheel seen on the JDM and similar interior trim.
My sacrificial winter car for the past 18 years has been a 2.3L Amigo that I converted to 4wd. Gets about 18 mpg in mixed driving for a 4000 lb box shape. And since my Amigo is pre airbag – a nice fat leather wrapped Frontera steering wheel has replaced the thin rim Amigo wheel on my car.