masonite
12-09-2008, 09:50 AM
So, i've been toying around with the idea of a second car, and since i can't get a bike (parents will kill me before the bike does) I've been looking at the next closest thing (in my mind): a Kei car.
Specifically, a Suzuki Cappuccino.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u217/masonite2200/cappuccino-wallpaper-1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u217/masonite2200/Suzuki_Cappuccino_001.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/4778/garage/interior.jpg
Normally i loathe convertibles, but this one just does it for me - possibly because its (usually) got a hard top roof. I saw a couple around sydney the other day, and since then i've been unable to stop searching for them, trying to find one.
For those unfamiliar with kei cars, they're basically city cars in japan - the lowest tax bracket that get many benefits in japan's road regulations (such as the ability to park on streets in tokyo without a permit) but which have some fairly strit guidelines to follow:
-must be less than 340 cm long
-must be less than 200cm tall
-must be less than 148cm wide
-must weigh less than 750kg
-must have an engine displacement less than 660cc
-must produce less than 47Kw or power (63 hp).
So, the Cappo weighs in at:
-329.5cm long
-120cm tall
-139.5cm wide
-weighs 700kg
-657cc turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 12-valve, inline 3-cylinder engine (K6A)
-47Kw of power.
It's not super fast, but manages 0-100 in about 8 seconds, which is quick enough to scare most hatches (and give my car a run for its money).
Pros:
-Fuel economy - (gets about 7L/100km on a city cycle, 5.4L cruising on outback roads)
-Handling - Only weighs 700kg, relatively stiff suspension, double wishbones all around (might be singles on the back, but IRS nonetheless)
-Seems to be lots of tuning options in Japan
- Motor apparently has a *lot* of potential - power is limited by regs, rather than what the engine can actually do, power out put can be doubled relatively easily
-From what i can see, relatively cheap - go for about 5 grand for a decent model.
-Revvy engine - redlines at 8,500rpm, engine has reputation for reliability too.
Cons:
-Not actually sure if i can fit in one
- Can't even find one to sit in to work out if i fit in one - bloody rare here in australia.
- Due to low power, and city car purposes, gearing is VERY short - does highway speeds (110km/h) at about 4 grand in top gear...(new difff would fix this, but again, its extra cost...)
-Not sure if local suzuki mechanics will touch it, or how expensive servicing would be
-Importing could be a potential nightmare.
So i want one, i'd like to modify it, but my original hopes of throwing a hayabusa donk under the bonnet have effectively been destroyed by the massive cost (the engine itself is bloody expensive, and has to be pushed back to fit, which means making it sit under the front cross member and cutting through the firewall, which means it required an engineers certificate - also has to be converted to dry sump as sump will sit 1 inch off the road surface otherwise...) but considering the poential of the stock motor, i might keep it instead.
I have no idea who will service it, however, and the costs of importing one and getting compliance might be through the roof - any Aussies tried to import a car? or know someone who has? from what i've read, it seems like compliance is a kind of lucky dip when importing into australia - you might get through easily, or it might cost more than the car is worth. Which is pretty off-putting, to say the least.
Anyway, opinions? anyone had experience with one, or any kei cars for that matter? It's fairly impractical, but i rarely carry much in my current car, and two seats is all i usually need. Economy/performance equation would be great, as long as servicing costs aren't through the roof... The cappo looks pretty cutesy, but i kinda like that - with the right mods, it'll scare the shit out of some much bigger cars. and the handling would be unbeleivable (did i mention its rear wheel drive? ;))
Specifically, a Suzuki Cappuccino.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u217/masonite2200/cappuccino-wallpaper-1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u217/masonite2200/Suzuki_Cappuccino_001.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/4778/garage/interior.jpg
Normally i loathe convertibles, but this one just does it for me - possibly because its (usually) got a hard top roof. I saw a couple around sydney the other day, and since then i've been unable to stop searching for them, trying to find one.
For those unfamiliar with kei cars, they're basically city cars in japan - the lowest tax bracket that get many benefits in japan's road regulations (such as the ability to park on streets in tokyo without a permit) but which have some fairly strit guidelines to follow:
-must be less than 340 cm long
-must be less than 200cm tall
-must be less than 148cm wide
-must weigh less than 750kg
-must have an engine displacement less than 660cc
-must produce less than 47Kw or power (63 hp).
So, the Cappo weighs in at:
-329.5cm long
-120cm tall
-139.5cm wide
-weighs 700kg
-657cc turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 12-valve, inline 3-cylinder engine (K6A)
-47Kw of power.
It's not super fast, but manages 0-100 in about 8 seconds, which is quick enough to scare most hatches (and give my car a run for its money).
Pros:
-Fuel economy - (gets about 7L/100km on a city cycle, 5.4L cruising on outback roads)
-Handling - Only weighs 700kg, relatively stiff suspension, double wishbones all around (might be singles on the back, but IRS nonetheless)
-Seems to be lots of tuning options in Japan
- Motor apparently has a *lot* of potential - power is limited by regs, rather than what the engine can actually do, power out put can be doubled relatively easily
-From what i can see, relatively cheap - go for about 5 grand for a decent model.
-Revvy engine - redlines at 8,500rpm, engine has reputation for reliability too.
Cons:
-Not actually sure if i can fit in one
- Can't even find one to sit in to work out if i fit in one - bloody rare here in australia.
- Due to low power, and city car purposes, gearing is VERY short - does highway speeds (110km/h) at about 4 grand in top gear...(new difff would fix this, but again, its extra cost...)
-Not sure if local suzuki mechanics will touch it, or how expensive servicing would be
-Importing could be a potential nightmare.
So i want one, i'd like to modify it, but my original hopes of throwing a hayabusa donk under the bonnet have effectively been destroyed by the massive cost (the engine itself is bloody expensive, and has to be pushed back to fit, which means making it sit under the front cross member and cutting through the firewall, which means it required an engineers certificate - also has to be converted to dry sump as sump will sit 1 inch off the road surface otherwise...) but considering the poential of the stock motor, i might keep it instead.
I have no idea who will service it, however, and the costs of importing one and getting compliance might be through the roof - any Aussies tried to import a car? or know someone who has? from what i've read, it seems like compliance is a kind of lucky dip when importing into australia - you might get through easily, or it might cost more than the car is worth. Which is pretty off-putting, to say the least.
Anyway, opinions? anyone had experience with one, or any kei cars for that matter? It's fairly impractical, but i rarely carry much in my current car, and two seats is all i usually need. Economy/performance equation would be great, as long as servicing costs aren't through the roof... The cappo looks pretty cutesy, but i kinda like that - with the right mods, it'll scare the shit out of some much bigger cars. and the handling would be unbeleivable (did i mention its rear wheel drive? ;))