What Kei Car to Consider?

"AdverseMartyr" (ewilliamson) 10/03/2016 at 00:37 • Filed to: None

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Well, I still have at least a month before my visa is finalized, and there is always the slight possibility of denial, but I need to start looking at cars, and it seems like my family’s first car in Japan will probably need to be a Kei.

I’m just trying to figure out the best option. I need space for me, the wife, the car seat and grandma who is visiting.

Right now I am driving a rented Mazda:

(hopefully, this photo publishes not sideways).

I’ve been looking and thinking I probably just want to go with something a bit more boxy like a N Box, Wake, Tanto, or possibly a Hustler:

Does anyone have some advice on what model might be better for perhaps some tuning to get a more livable amount of HP out of it?

This little Mazda makes a nice little noise when you mash the pedal, but that is about all it does, and it almost stalled on one section of the hill/mountain here where it became fairly steep.

My citroen won't start > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 00:45

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A Lexus CT200H

Seat Safety Switch > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 00:51

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Based on what I saw while I was there, it would be down to an N-Box or a Hustler.

The Lapin is also neat but I wouldn’t put a family in it.

Steve in Manhattan > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 00:52

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In Kyoto in March, and saw a something Flair - looked like a great Kei car.

Berang > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 00:58

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I know nothing about current kei jidosha, but when I was in Okinawa I saw these Daihatsu Miras EVERYWHERE so they must be popular for some reason?

MLGCarGuy > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 01:06

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Honda N-One. They are so cute.

But for practicality, I think an N-Box would do the job nicely.

AdverseMartyr > My citroen won't start 10/03/2016 at 01:27

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Well, I was also thinking about a Skyline sedan, but I was thinking as a second car eventually.

AdverseMartyr > Seat Safety Switch 10/03/2016 at 01:28

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I’ve been looking at the Lapin, but it just doesn’t quite work for my needs.

AdverseMartyr > Berang 10/03/2016 at 01:32

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I like these as well, I’m just not sure it familys. Honda’s N One that MLGCarGuy mentioned is nice as well, but I’m wondering about extra space with that one as well.

Nauraushaun > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 01:45

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The only option: mince your family, get the Kei King:

CRider > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 01:45

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Land Cruiser.

AdverseMartyr > Nauraushaun 10/03/2016 at 01:49

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I’ve considered not worrying about the family, but then I remembered that I plan to buy a motorcycle for me, so why limit myself to 64HP out of a 600cc engine when I can buy a motorcycle that lacks the cage and is so much more fun.

AdverseMartyr > CRider 10/03/2016 at 02:34

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Well, while I like the idea, i’m not certain I am ready to consider guiding a behemoth down the little streets here - especially when I am already at risk of not noticing an open gutter and driving a car into it when I try and make space for another vehicle to get by.

AdverseMartyr > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 02:37

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Though, I’d probably go with something in a darker color with a bit more age and gravitas... if I was going the Land Cruiser route.

CRider > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 03:42

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All the more reason to get a Land Cruiser- if you happen to go in a gutter or run over a kei car, the LC will just roll right through/over as if nothing happened.

CRider > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 03:44

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Black is a good choice.

Flavien Vidal > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 04:34

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If you REALLY want a kei-car, get one with a turbo engine. It will offer a lot more torque and be simply more drivable. Also, of recommend to avoid kei-cars that came out in the past 10 years or so. They are just boring to no end to drive. Most also have CVT transmission which makes it even worse.

As far as a 4 seater kei-car goes, i’d recommend a manual Subaru R2 with 4wd. Fairly recent and actually fun-ish to drive. Forget about trunk space though, there’s close to none.

As far as to understand why I think you should try to avoid kei-cars goes though:

http://jalopnik.com/japans-kei-cars-are-actually-horrible-to-drive-1786250335

Since you apparently are in Okinawa, it might hard to find one in such a trim.

But why a kei-car? Since you’re in Okinawa, I’m gonna go and guess you’re American, working on a military base? You should pay your car registration much cheaper than Japanese if that’s the case no?

Nauraushaun > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 05:26

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Fair enough, carry on

AdverseMartyr > Flavien Vidal 10/03/2016 at 07:19

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I’ve been waiting to see if you had any input.

Actually, I’m not military and I don’t live on a military base. My wife and I work with a missions organization and the Japanese team here asked us to come help them start an inductive Bible study school for local Christians who want to learn that method of study. So finances are a bit tight here starting out. That’s why a kei car to begin with.

I’ve already learned they are horrible to drive. My wife compares me to Dr. Nefario in his little scooter.

Once we have been around a bit longer, and I’m more familiar with all the driving customs (I’m seriously shocked at how many rules are ignored - is it really ok to leave a Family Mart via the crosswalk in your car to avoid the stoplight while driving against traffic?) then I will get something better, and my wife can have the small car all to herself.

She loves the kei cars because they are so small. It’s also a little bit political as far as the group of people we are working with. The boss, and other people in the leadership here keep recommending the small displacement cars. I’m already shocking enough that I can ride a 600cc motorcycle.

As far as the turbo aspect- that’s one of the main things I am looking for.

I’ve seen the R2 and desperately want one for all the Star Wars puns to be had. Breaks down - “This R2 unit has a bad motivator.” etc. It’s good to know it’s a fun one to drive as well.
I’d love to hear what other slightly older kei cars you think would be decent choices. Turbo and 4 doors are what I am thinking about.

RT > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 08:01

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Want something with a turbo that is decent to drive, but still fits a family and is new enough to keep on the road easily?

http://www.suzuki.co.jp/car/alto_works/?mode=pc

Suzuki Alto Works!

http://www.suzuki.co.jp/car/alto_turbo_rs/?mode=pc

Also available in cheaper ‘Turbo RS’ trim.

Flavien Vidal > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 08:37

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Well I think the best four seater you can get is the Suzuki Alto Works RS-R. By far... It only has two doors though, not sure if it’s important for you or not.

Since it is significantly older I didn’t know if you were interested in those... But yes, by far the best.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 08:50

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If you want one with a manual, go for an older Suzuki Wagon R RR or Suzuki Alto Lapin SS! Both came with 5-spd options, both are Turbo, and the Wagon R RR had AWD as an option as well! :D

I’d go for the Alto Lapin SS...curse them for not being made until 2002 so I can’t import one yet! :/

And the Lapin SS just has an angry puppy look to it! :P

carcrasher88 > Steve in Manhattan 10/03/2016 at 09:05

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Flair is a Mazda model name. Rebadged Suzukis, like the AZ-Wagon above.

Sounds like you either saw a Flair (rebadged Wagon R), Flair Custom Style (rebadged Wagon R Stingray), Flair Wagon (either a rebadged Palette or Spacia), or Flair Crossover (rebadged Hustler).

carcrasher88 > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 09:27

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The great thing about the Kei market, especially today, is that there are so many great options and a rather diverse selection of models.

Just remember that some brands don’t build their own kei cars, but rather rebadge another manufacturer’s models.

Subaru and Toyota kei cars are just rebadged Daihatsus, Nissan sells a mixture of rebadged Mitsubishi (which they now own 34% of) and Suzuki models, and Mazda sells rebadged Suzukis (that AZ-Wagon is literally a rebadged Suzuki Wagon R).

Also, if you look at used kei cars and come across ones badged as Chevrolets...yep, rebadged Suzukis.

There was also a kei version of the smart Fortwo, but...yeah, just a two seater.

The only manufacturer who’s kei cars are unique to their brand is Honda.

So, unless you have a preference of one brand over another, there might not be much of an advantage of going for a rebadge over the original OEM version.

AdverseMartyr > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 10/03/2016 at 10:25

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I would like manuél, but I’m sure my wife wants an automatic. Good options though. Thanks.

Seat Safety Switch > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 10:56

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The Hustler has a cool camping package available from the dealer.

Doesn’t hurt that I’m sort of a Suzuki fanboy at heart.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > AdverseMartyr 10/03/2016 at 15:50

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The Wagon R RR had an auto available, but not sure about the Alto Lapin SS!

Steve in Manhattan > carcrasher88 10/03/2016 at 16:11

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Shot this from a taxi.

carcrasher88 > Steve in Manhattan 10/03/2016 at 21:29

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Ah, yes. That’s the Flair Crossover, a rebadged Suzuki Hustler.

Like I mentioned in another response, this is very typical of Japanese automakers in their home country. Some build their own kei cars, others just sell rebadged versions of other’s kei cars.

Suzuki fits into the former, while Mazda fits into the latter.

Steve in Manhattan > carcrasher88 10/04/2016 at 01:57

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So many interesting cars in Kyoto ... could not take too many photos b/c SigOther did not want to slow down for me to take them. But there was this in Tokyo: