Poll
Question:
I want something fun and/or weird
Option 1: Honda Today
votes: 1
Option 2: Subaru Vivio (Coupe)
votes: 0
Option 3: Subaru Vivio (Hatchback)
votes: 0
Option 4: Renault Twingo
votes: 1
Option 5: Suzuki Alto Works
votes: 2
Option 6: Toyota MR-2 (AW11)
votes: 3
Option 7: Del Sol
votes: 0
Option 8: Mazda (Autozam) Carol
votes: 1
I will have disposable income now. Maybe soon, I'll get a fun or quirky car to have fun with. Kei cars are fun!
Budget, about $3000 ish
The AZ-1 is very expensive. The Beat and Cappuccino less so, but the cheaper examples are usually beat. (ba-dum, tish). Also, those low slung cars seem a little intimdating. Yeah, the hatches are also small, but they're tall ish for what they are.
1. Honda Today
(http://www.imcdb.org/i831943.jpg)
+ Prolly the nicest looking and likely feeling of the Kei cars
- Most are automatics, and 3AT with 50HP is deathly slow, but oh well
2. Subaru Vivio (Coupe/Convertible)
(http://automodels.net/media/subaru/pics/subaru-vivio-%5B9921%5D.jpg)
+ It's delightfully weird, the shape reminds me of a fisher-price take on an old 1920's business coupe. It's also a convertible!
- most are automatics, and non-turbo. They also seem a little pricier.
3. Subaru Vivio (Hatchback)
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/d4/f3/44/d4f344b0116830632dbdaa487c97d97d.jpg)
+ Finding a turbo manual car is fairly easy.
- not sure
Renault Twingo
(https://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/file/width/640/media/6975805/Renault%20Twingo%20(1).jpg)
+ its a gargantuan compared to the Kei cars. Also, the fact Renault made a lot of them means you can find an example for cheaper than the JDM cars. Also, they're manual only
- they usually have more miles and are in worse shape than the JDM cars.
Suzuki Alto Works
+ Sporting looks, and it's considered to be a sharp driver for what it is
- good examples seem expensive, I kinda don't like the way it looks
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/kornitarium/IMG_3174.jpg)
AW11
(http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/uploads/cms_article/4801_4900/toyota-mr2-mk1-buying-guide-and-review-1984-1989-4818_15050_640X470.jpg)
+ I can get this at home
- I can get this at home
Del Sol
(https://car-pictures.cars.com/images/?IMG=U6HOGEC1.JPG&HEIGHT=600)
+ By comparison, this car is a goddamn luxury car.
- It's a del sol.
Mazda Carol
(http://allcarmodels.net/img/mazda/carol/1998-mazda-carol-autozam-mk-hatchback-7.jpg)
+ There are a not insignficant amount of these for sale here in the US already. It's also cute!
- most are automatics, so 3AT and 52HP again
Kei cars were sold up in Canada weren't they? Are you planning on importing one from there? I imagine the market for these cars is very very limited.
Anyway, the Subaru Vivo looks really good and not frumpy. Plus it has cool stickers on the side.
Quote from: Xer0 on January 24, 2018, 03:33:43 PM
Kei cars were sold up in Canada weren't they? Are you planning on importing one from there? I imagine the market for these cars is very very limited.
Anyway, the Subaru Vivo looks really good and not frumpy. Plus it has cool stickers on the side.
Japan import is actually not very hard. I have five friends who have JDM thingies they bought and had shipped over for under $3000.
Quote from: Xer0 on January 24, 2018, 03:33:43 PM
Kei cars were sold up in Canada weren't they? Are you planning on importing one from there?
They weren't, but importing a foreign car 15-years-old or older is relatively simple and has very few restrictions. As such it's very easy for Canadians to import just about anything we want from before 2003.
E.g. I saw two Mitsubishi Delica Space Gears (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/1994-1997_Mitsubishi_Delica_Space_Gear.jpg) on my way home last night.
"Space Gears" :wtf:
Are those prosthetic windows for all-weather smokers?
Import one of these from Mexico:
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-608634192-renault-clio-sport-2003-con-esp-_JM
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-606736100-peugeot-feline-206-2007-_JM
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-609565567-seat-leon-cupra-r-2003factura-originaltenencia17impecable-_JM
Divide by 18.5 for USD price
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on January 24, 2018, 04:07:34 PM
Import one of these from Mexico:
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-608634192-renault-clio-sport-2003-con-esp-_JM
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-606736100-peugeot-feline-206-2007-_JM
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-609565567-seat-leon-cupra-r-2003factura-originaltenencia17impecable-_JM
Divide by 18.5 for USD price
Those are all too new.
Quote from: 2o6 on January 24, 2018, 04:15:48 PM
Those are all too new.
What model year is the threshold?
1993
I see:
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-605694774-volkswagen-otros-modelos-_JM
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-605694774-volkswagen-otros-modelos-_JM
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-609923161-renault-l4-_JM
Big budget stretch but oh so nice:
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-609224281-renault-florida-1961-verde-_JM
https://auto.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-609740550-mini-cooper-_JM
I might have to get a Mexican Mini sometime. Probably cheaper for better condition, since they made them for longer.
I vote MR T!!! I had an '85! FUN car! Loved the steering!
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-C6 on January 24, 2018, 07:07:42 PM
I vote MR T!!! I had an '85! FUN car! Loved the steering!
Agreed... Those were fun cars
Figaro!
(https://www.thenissanfigaroshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Boot-Rack-With-Basket.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/01/75/5c/01755c773bcc7d2ee5fe3d52b8193890--nissan-figaro-car-illustration.jpg)
(https://images.summitmedia-digital.com/topgear/images/2016/12/09/figaro_7.jpg)
Pro-tip... many of these cool cars were also sold in the Philippines and other Asian nations. That means you can import a LHD version.
Pao!
(https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5733b2f7d51cd4ebf822db39/t/5962f6b76b49982be92e7722/1499657926618/)
(http://classicvehicleslist.com/pics/bigpics/nissan-pao-designed-by-pike-factory-jmo-1989-4.jpg)
Jalopnik's Jason Torchinsky just bought one of these and raves about it.
Of those you posted, I love the Alto Works.
Quote from: Rockraven on January 25, 2018, 07:00:20 AM
Pao!
(https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5733b2f7d51cd4ebf822db39/t/5962f6b76b49982be92e7722/1499657926618/)
(http://classicvehicleslist.com/pics/bigpics/nissan-pao-designed-by-pike-factory-jmo-1989-4.jpg)
Jalopnik's Jason Torchinsky just bought one of these and raves about it.
Of those you posted, I love the Alto Works.
That's awesome.
I voted for the Alto Works
Figaros are expensive and I don't want a Pao
I vote Honda Beat. If I had infinite money and space, I'd buy one for the hell of it.
Quote from: CALL_911 on January 25, 2018, 09:02:33 AM
I vote Honda Beat. If I had infinite money and space, I'd buy one for the hell of it.
My only concern is that these cars are very low. There's also one for sale across town for like 4K.
Quote from: 2o6 on January 25, 2018, 09:11:23 AM
My only concern is that these cars are very low. There's also one for sale across town for like 4K.
Planning on 4x4ing it? It's no lower underneath than a Miata, and the front/rear overhangs are really short. Your concern is bizarre, considering the huge appeal of the Beat.
Quote from: Rockraven on January 25, 2018, 10:34:33 AM
Planning on 4x4ing it? It's no lower underneath than a Miata, and the front/rear overhangs are really short. Your concern is bizarre, considering the huge appeal of the Beat.
No, my concern is that other drivers won't be able to see me
Quote from: 2o6 on January 25, 2018, 10:36:00 AM
No, my concern is that other drivers won't be able to see me
Ah, ok. Legit concern, considering I almost got creamed in my Miata, twice, by people changing lanes and not paying attention. Still, it's a small concern (pun intended). I wouldn't dismiss a Beat or Cappuccino because of a little paranoia.
Damn, '93? Lot of boss ass cars we can import now. But what's left that's still roadworthy?
If you can wait a year, I'd get one of these.
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5HmhTm8glvo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on January 25, 2018, 01:35:50 PM
Damn, '93? Lot of boss ass cars we can import now. But what's left that's still roadworthy?
If you can wait a year, I'd get one of these.
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5HmhTm8glvo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Many of these JDM cars are still in great shape, because Japan has the most advanced public transit system in the world, and most only have a few thousand kms put on them a year.
Also Shaken is rough, and it takes cars off pretty easily
Out of your options I like the last two. (Del Sol and Caro)
Quote from: giant_mtb on January 24, 2018, 03:56:24 PM
"Space Gears" :wtf:
Some Japanese cars have laughably silly names. I still haven't seen an Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard (what we know in NA as the Rodeo), but I want to just for the laugh.
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-C6 on January 24, 2018, 07:07:42 PM
I vote MR T!!! I had an '85! FUN car! Loved the steering!
(http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/b1017online.com/files/2013/04/26304806.jpg)
... who don't like Mister Twos
Quote from: 93JC on January 26, 2018, 12:41:40 PM
(http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/b1017online.com/files/2013/04/26304806.jpg)
... who don't like Mister Twos
:lol:
Subaru BRAT.
Any kei that's turbo and manual.