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Feb 2, 2026

I miss my Nissan El Grand...

They don't make cars like they used to. Once upon a time, I had a 2003 Nissan El Grand, which was back when Japanese car manufacturers actually made vans that were van-sized.


Here was my beauty:

I miss my Nissan El Grand... photo


The car had seats in the back that could be flipped around to face backwards or front. It could seat seven with ease. The rearmost seats could fold flat or be lifted up and out of the way entirely. There were automatic privacy curtains.


You'd think that something this big was tough to drive, but it was perfectly engineered to fit into every parking spot I ever needed to use in Japan.


As with all good things, it came to an end, and I have not been able to find a similar model among any of the newer inventories. Am I destined to be without another car like this?


If you know of anything that can match the size or comfort as this masterpiece, please let me know!

genkidesuka

genkidesuka

Hitting the books once again as a Ph.D. student in Niigata Prefecture. Although I've lived in Japan many years, life as a student in this country is a first.

Blessed Dad. Lucky Husband. Happy Gaijin (most of the time).


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