> don't meet random punitive safety or emissions rules
citation needed, please!
I guess you are agreeing with me then as I said "unless you build it yourself or manage to import from a country with lax laws."
The problem here is that "random punitive safety or emissions rules" is subjective and up for debate. That is what regulation and politics are for, nobody will ever 100% agree so compromises are made.
I suppose if this is the most important issue for someone, they could move to Japan and have their J70.
Cars very close to the "dream car" do exist, and they are cheap, but they are not available in US/EU due to our absurd regulations. Look at the new land cruiser 70 series. Simple, reliable, affordable - but not available in the US because they don't meet random punitive safety or emissions rules.