Kei Cars in Japan

[shogun]

I also have a 1998 Honda Acty Truck, here is a good youtube to see what they made out of these tin cans nowadays, about 40% of the cars on its own roads are K-cars. "Technically one size down from compact cars, K-cars are trim, economical vehicles that still manage to be stylish and loaded with features. The first four-seat K-cars, selling at affordable prices, shattered the image that cars were only for the rich. Today there are K-cars that are roadsters, and even K-car camper vans"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlDtIdNx2Rc

My present favorite is the Daihatsu Copen generation II http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Copen
http://en.responsejp.com/article/2014/06/19/225797.html

[Javier]

Thanks for this contribution. I have enjoyed this video a lot!

Javier

[Nick.Hay]

This is my little Kei that's been keeping me busy until buying the Touring...
8210

If only I could fit airbags to create that awesome ride-height... Its soooo stiff on cut springs, its almost undriveable!!

[shogun]

Wow, that one must be older than your BMW. What is the built year? Does that also have 660cc or has the Australia version a 1000 cc engine, as it was often done also by other makers to install larger engines for export.
I also have a Nissan March K11 Bolero from 2001 with 1000 cc engine, looks like this, http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/nissan/march/11615077/photo/?sid=300&pn=7
apparently also many March/Micra owners in Australia. I am reading Australian Nissan Board to learn all the DIY tricks like blink code for engine faults, transmission faults etc.
But actually not much to repair on this car, it runs and runs.

[Nick.Hay]

Its a 1986 handivan. Not a 'true' Kei, as it has a 847cc 3 cylinder.

We did get the 660cc in Australia too, but the 'big block' 847cc was more popular.

I'd love to keep it, but its one car too many, especially when the Volvo has just received a brand new engine!!

[shogun]

So that is still the 2-stroke engine? My 1997 HA3 Honda truck has a 4-stroke E07 engine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Acty
Here a pic of my Honda Acty HA3 in action after we picked up some donated stuff for our volunteer project for the Philippines to be sold on the fleamarket http://produkte.bilder-speicher.de/13122307303090/foto/honda-acty-truck.html
Bought it with only 12000 km on the clock 4 years ago, now it has 45.000 km and still runs strong. Only investment/repair/maintenance so far
4 new tires 12" from Yokohama tires
engine oil and filter change
trans fluid change for the 'incredible' amount of $25
new front brake disk pads
brake fluid routine change
2 new solenoids for air for the carb 16031-PZ3-000 and 16024-PZ3-000 for a total of $80. The solenoids are for air adding to the carb depending on accell pushing, if they do not work, too much fuel in fuel/air ratio, here a test of the solenoid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zblyxQzyf4 carb overhaul http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kurumanosentakuya/archive/2012/3/25
Carburetor (PGM-CARB) = a single port fuel injection system Honda called PGM-CARB, signifying the carburetor is computer controlled

E07 engine here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_E07A_engine#E07A
Water-cooled 3-cylinder,Gasoline Fuel,656cc total displacement, 2 belt drive mechanism of the intake and exhaust valve SOHC 2, Bore × Stroke (mm): 66.0 × 64.0

[Nick.Hay]

The engine is an ED10, 3cyl 4-stroke.
Goes well up to about 90kmh, but not much after that!! Very low gear ratios too, so it 4th gear its revving pretty high at 110kmh!!

Also, with the suspension so low, its very dangerous to drive at those speeds!