Australian Delivered Kei Car?

[ScaryTed77]

Hi all,

I'm considering purchasing a Kei car for my daily driver. Specifically, something like a 2003-2005 model Daihatsu Charade.

My reasoning:

• Cheap to buy
  
• Cheap to run
  
• Similar power/weight as an original cooper s! (from what I can tell)
  
• Would be like driving a go-kart :-)
  

Now maybe this is wishful thinking, but I have these grand designs in my head of getting one of these things, removing the rear seats and performing a few minor mods to improve handling (and power, if possible).

Keen to hear from people that have driven these cars, and any other suggestions / ideas.

Am I completely crazy? ;-)

Thanks

[SKITTLES]

I've seen what you're talking about, kinda.

It was a tiny car, tiny wheels lots of noise, not much go.

Kinda like this: http://noriyaro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/noriyaro_odaiba_rex_kei_car_drifting_001.jpg

Don't get toooooo caught up about power/weight either. You won't be destroying HSVs in one of those

btw I think small cars are kinda cool. I've always wanted to mod my excel, put 180atwKW into it and take it out against a few HSVs to see how I stack up... but eh... money effort and time aren't in great abundance.

Why not buy it to get from A to B and dedicate your money to making your Skyline faster?

Edited January 9, 2011 by SKITTLES

[ScaryTed77]

I don't have any plans on destroying anything with it. More after something that is fun to drive (well, at least more fun than my boring lancer gli). Wouldn't be spending a cent on looks or 'noise'

I'm actually between skylines at the moment- and will be for some time :-(

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

buy R31 - thrash - buy anoher

[Birds]

If you get the Charade, try and source a De Tomaso engine = fun times.

[ScaryTed77]

If you get the Charade, try and source a De Tomaso engine = fun times.

Heh, I'm not sure that there would be a De Tomaso engine that would fit in the model Charade I'm thinking of. Pity ;-)

[Birds]

They came with them from factory and the other engines were carried through the years, should be able to fit without too much work.

[JonnoHR31]

my brother has one of these with a 1L EFI daihatsu motor and 5 spd box in it, very zippy little car and great fun to drive. even thrashing it 20 bucks of fuel lasts forever

http://www.evalbum.c...jpg&w=300&h=191

Edited January 11, 2011 by JonnoHR31

[rgr34]

suzuki cappucino 3cyl 660cc turbo charged, rear wheel drive, convertible... cant look past it...

[NYTSKY]

If you can find a decent one, get a 91' Corolla Seca hatch with 1.8L 100kw engine.

Exhaust, intake, low and wheels. They hammer

[Chris Rogers]

that or a micra.

the other is a cuore' .

had one of those for a loan car for a while - great on fuel and fun to punt around. parts are easier to find for them. thel later charade is hard on parts.

[Stinky Rooster]

what about a Diahatsu Naked?

Purely for its name

[MacGuyver]

My wife had a 2003 Daihatsu Charade in metallic pink, owned the car for 3 years and loved it. Very cheap to run and great around the city, we tested it out on the highway a few times and it was fine once it got up to speed. Inside it was pretty basic however, but there was a decent amount of room for passengers in the back and the boot could hold more than a set of golf clubs. I always felt worried that a good strong breeze could have blown it over though, the tires were small and very thin.

[Miguelone]

I had pictures but they didn't work

Diahatsu Move

Suzuki Cappuccino

Nissan Figaro

All dope!

Edited January 18, 2011 by miguelegant