1996 Subaru Sambar Van · 2WD · 31,800 mi

A Japanese import you can buy now — this 1996 Subaru Sambar Van, finished in Silver. The drivetrain is 2WD and the gearbox is 5-speed manual. It carries the chassis number KV3-183172.

The KV3 Sambar Van explained

KV3 is the rear-drive van from Subaru's 1990s Sambar range, sold plain as the Sambar Van and in trimmed form as the Dias. The rear-mounted 658cc EN07 four sits under the load floor at the very back, which leaves a long, flat, square cargo bay ahead of it and gives the van a distinctly rear-biased feel on the road.

Odometer: 31,800 miles, approximately 51,200 km. Subaru's EN07 is a 658cc inline-four rather than a triple, so it turns over with four smaller reciprocating masses than anything else in the class, and the model's surviving population covers a wide span of readings.

At a glance

• Year: 1996
• Make: Subaru
• Model: Sambar Van
• Chassis code: KV3
• Drivetrain: 2WD
• Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
• Odometer: 31,800
• Engine: EN07 660 cc
• Colour: Silver
• Chassis number: KV3-183172
• Body type: Van
• Stock reference: BUC51861

The configuration

A rear-drive Sambar van carries its engine behind the rear axle, so the load bay sits entirely ahead of it: a long, square, flat-floored box with the drivetrain out of the way at the back. The rear weight bias that makes the truck notable makes the van quieter and more settled at the back than most of its rivals.

The $5,000 to $8,000 band is the heart of the imported van market. For a working vehicle that has to keep tools dry and out of sight, it is the point where supply and specification meet.

Paperwork and shipping

Because it was built in 1996, the federal 25-year exemption applies and the usual FMVSS and EPA conformity requirements fall away. We take care of the entry documents and the title, then arrange shipping to wherever you are. A walkaround clip sits with the photographs on this page. It is listed at $5,380. Get in touch to put a hold on it.