Is This $16,400 SsangYong Korando a Rare Find or a Pricey Oddity?

A 1998 SsangYong Korando diesel has surfaced for sale in the U.S. at $16,400, and its seller claims it is one of just two such vehicles currently in the country. The Korando, a model never officially sold in America, has a backstory tied to Jeep and Mercedes-Benz, making it a curiosity for enthusiasts.

S. forces in South Korea. SsangYong, South Korea's smallest automaker at the time, later partnered with Daimler-Benz, which brought engineering expertise and allowed the company to use Mercedes-designed components. 3-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, paired with a five-speed manual transmission and part-time 4WD.

According to the seller, the truck shows 74,936 miles, though that figure is a calculation because the odometer reads in kilometers, as the vehicle was originally sold in Spain. The seller also notes the diesel engine is sturdy and reliable, potentially lasting 200,000 miles, and that the truck runs without issues.

A new A/C system, new tires, and a fresh battery have been fitted, and the body is said to be free of rust and leaks, though there is a crack in the front bumper and another in the windscreen, the latter reportedly out of the driver's line of sight.

The interior is described as being in fantastic shape, featuring a symmetrical dash designed to ease conversion between left- and right-hand drive, plus distinctive upholstery and large rear-seat armrests. The seller, who has owned the truck for only eight months, admits they do not know the purpose of a snorkel mounted on the right side, stating it is "just for show" and that the exhaust runs out the back normally.

The Korando comes with a clean Florida title and can be insured through regular providers, though registration could be tricky in states following California's emissions standards. The seller justifies the price by saying they are not making money over what they paid and invested.

Whether this one-of-two rarity is worth $16,400 remains an open question, given its oddball history and condition.