If You Had To Choose: Japanese Kei Cars

"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88) 09/27/2014 at 18:59 • Filed to: Oppo Question, IYHTC, Kei Cars, Japan

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If you had to choose one new Japanese Kei car to use as a daily driver, what would you choose and why?

Two rules.

1. It has to fit within Japanese regulations for Kei classification.

2. It has to be able to be bought brand new from a new car dealer, so no zero/extremely low mileage 'stowed away' older model finds.

I'm sure many of you would go for the obvious choice with Daihatsu's reborn !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and I wouldn't blame you. It's a tiny little roadster that makes the Miata look big.

Personally, my choice for a logical daily driver would be a bit different.

If I had to choose, it would be between...

- ...Daihatsu's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , because screw the whole 'chick car' stigma, I like it, and it's available in two tone and AWD...

- ...and Suzuki's new !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which is kinda like a more SUV-like cousin to the Cocoa, also offered with AWD and it's also two-tone (3 if you count the gray trim at the bottom).

So, what would your choice be?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:11

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Suzuki Jimny

carcrasher88 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/27/2014 at 19:17

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Ah, yes. The off-roading fan's Kei car.

Question is: would you choose the regular Jimny or the new Jimny Land Venture ?

Steve in Manhattan > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:20

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Bien sur!

Josh Brinzo > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:23

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Suzuki Cappuccino. It is basically a smaller Miata. I love the Cappuccino!

carcrasher88 > Steve in Manhattan 09/27/2014 at 19:27

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Ah, yes. The Honda N-ONE.

The second model in Honda's N line of Kei cars, which also includes the original N-BOX, N-BOX+, and the N-WGN.

Very charming little car with great retro design.

carcrasher88 > Josh Brinzo 09/27/2014 at 19:29

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Yeah, but it hasn't been production since 1997.

Please refer to Rule 2: It has to be able to be bought brand new from a new car dealer, so no zero/extremely low mileage 'stowed away' older model finds.

Great choice, but sadly it doesn't meet the rules of the question.

Josh Brinzo > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:30

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Ah whoops, ok, let me find a new one!

Josh Brinzo > Josh Brinzo 09/27/2014 at 19:33

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Ok, Daihatsu Copen. I have always liked these cars. Really funny looking to me, just a small, cute car that looks like it would be really fun to drive. Cute is not the way I would want to describe it, but it really is. I would love to zip around the roads in one.

Steve in Manhattan > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:34

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Just showed the Cocoa to my girlfriend (actually Japanese) and went "Kawaeeee!"

carcrasher88 > Steve in Manhattan 09/27/2014 at 19:39

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Makes sense, really. It's an adorable little car, but I really think that he car shouldn't be stuck to the idea of being just for the ladies.

It really looks like it could appeal to people of all genders and personalities, as with pretty much all cars, and that's why I really like the Cocoa.

If I ever make the journey to Japan in the near future, I'm getting one as a rental car.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:41

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Regular.

carcrasher88 > Josh Brinzo 09/27/2014 at 19:41

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I definitely agree. Kei roadsters are awesome, and the world needs more of them.

Daihatsu really makes a lot of cool kei cars, from the Copen to the Mira Cocoa, and everything in-between.

Josh Brinzo > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:42

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I think we need to get some here in the US. I would totally buy one!

carcrasher88 > Josh Brinzo 09/27/2014 at 19:48

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Same. It's a shame they'd have a hard time figuring how to get those kinda cars to be legal here, because it would make a great addition to any Toyota dealer's lineup, or even perhaps to spin Scion dealers off as separate and just have standalone Scion-Daihatsu dealers.

webmonkees > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:49

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Assuming 660 is kei class.

Tohru > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 19:51

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I'd have to drive them to make the final call, but it would come down to 3 choices:

1. Daihatsu Copen

2. Suzuki Carry 4WD

3. Smart K

carcrasher88 > webmonkees 09/27/2014 at 19:58

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Yep, that counts. The Japanese government regulations limit Kei class vehicles to 660cc displacement.

carcrasher88 > Tohru 09/27/2014 at 20:07

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Choices 1 and 2 sound good, but choice 3 wouldn't work because the smart K isn't in production anymore and current ForTwos in the Japanese market don't meet Kei class regulations on engine size (660cc, where the smallest engine in the current ForTwo in any part of the world is a 799cc diesel) or size (it's too wide).

Tohru > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 20:25

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Oh, I thought they still made the smart K. Oh well - Copen or Carry 4WD it is.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 20:42

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Daihatsu Move Custom

I've written abut it many times. It may not be the best Kei Car but it is definitely my Favorite.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/if-you-could-b…

The Honda N-Box gets a very close second place.

check out this awesome shot TwinCharged- Hong Kong Jalop took of one when he visited Japan.

carcrasher88 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/27/2014 at 20:50

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Love 'em both. They're really nice looking cars.

Then again, has there ever been a truly ugly kei car? I know the Subaru 360 was marketed in the US as 'cheap and ugly', but I like the look of the 360.

But, yeah. If I was forced to buy either of them, I'd be happy with them.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > carcrasher88 09/27/2014 at 21:05

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I'd drive a 360! did you know they had suicide doors?

That is Chiharu Tamura the chief engineer of the Lexus LFA and his 360. If it's good enough for him it's good enough for me.

carcrasher88 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/27/2014 at 21:14

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I know, it's awesome.

If I was to get a 360, my choice would probably be either a Custom...

...or a Young SS...

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/28/2014 at 00:30

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Thanks for the credit! ^^

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 09/28/2014 at 00:31

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I'm still planning on blowing up this picture and putting it in my house.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > carcrasher88 09/28/2014 at 00:34

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Honda N-Box, just like the one I saw in Japan this summer! I saw a few when I was in Kyoto and Osaka and they're just so cool with those little sliding doors. And they come with blue or purple lights!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/28/2014 at 00:35

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I'm flattered!

webmonkees > carcrasher88 09/28/2014 at 04:50

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Meanwhile in the US, A 1993 Justy, they want $3,500 or a golf cart.