Vanlife Northwest

I picked up our Fire Truck two weeks ago and drove it back to Wisconsin. No problems, no squeaks, and the truck was a blast to drive. I have a Subaru Sambar, but needed a truck that could go highway speeds. I looked for over two years, and while one can find lower priced imports, I didn't want to deal with importing headaches and wanted something turnkey and "renewed" that didn't cost a fortune for restorative reliability. Vanlife Northwest was the company I kept coming back to as I searched the internet. The work they performed (all import requirements and refurbishment of the vehicle) was exactly what I was looking for and was more than reasonable for the peace of mind it provided driving away. The owner and his team were responsive and helpful throughout the purchasing process. When we arrived, they welcomed us, gave us a detailed walk through of the vehicle, got us through the title paperwork quickly, and off we went up the Columbia River Gorge. The owner checked on us after the road trip, and we do feel that if we have any future concerns, he will take the time to help us resolve them. I have no hesitation in recommending this company for your next purchase of a Japanese "blast to drive" vehicle.

There are a number of people around the Hiace that are pillars of the community. The knowledge that these guys have is incredible and I love the turn around on shipping. I have had five or so interactions over the years with Danny and Jamie, they’re always there with an idea of which direction to go. The in-house fabrication and quick turn around gives me faith that the grass roots are coming back in America. Thank you James, Jamie and Danny. I told James to keep my credit card on file since I have used you so much over the past few weeks.

I bought a van from Vanlife NW last March and I couldn’t be happier with the decision. Danny and his team are super accessible, helpful, and friendly. They go out of their way to make sure you are happy with your ride.

For myself, working with Danny and the rest of the Vanlife Northwest crew was a lot of firsts. First time buying sight unseen, first time buying an import, first time waiting for a vehicle to be shipped from anywhere let alone the other side of the Pacific! Each and every step of the way, Danny and his team were there to make the experience as simple and straightforward as possible. The most difficult aspect of this entire purchase was the waiting (Well, that, and explaining to my insurance company why my 1995 van doesn't have a 17 digit VIN. But that worked out with a couple phone calls!). If you're interested in something as special as an imported Japanese van, patience will be one of the first things you become comfortable with! In my particular case, I ended up selecting a beautiful 1995 Toyota Hiace Super Custom Limited. Everything presented to me was how it came. From the initial photos, to picking it up, I don't feel like anything was hidden or altered. Of course with any 25 year old vehicle, there will be compromises but I am more than happy with my purchase and waited several months to post this review just to make sure! Immediately after picking up our Hiace from Vanlife, it made an 11 hour, 700 mile trip with a cumulative elevation gain of just over 4600 feet without a single issue. All the installed extras worked, all the mechanical components worked, everything was 'road trip ready'! Now, I'm just over 2 months daily driving a 25 year old, right hand drive, Hiace and I am simply loving each and every moment. If you're considering a Hiace, Danny and his crew will take care of you! Major kudos to Vanlife Northwest and if I can ever convince the significant other that we need another, we'd be back in a heartbeat! Thanks again!

Danny and his team delivered an exceptional product. My expectations were surpassed by their level of attention and knowledge. I'm now the proud owner of a 1992 Hiace Super Custom and I love it! I just completed a 1,700 mile road trip from Oregon to Yellowstone and back with ease. What a great rig to have fun in! Thanks to Danny and his team for getting the job done right. Pictures of some smaller adventures below.