I know this might be crazy, but I have a sudden urge to get a little turbo roadster and this has caught my eye.

Has any brisky owners had/ has one? What are they like?

Any extra info you can give will be great

I driven one and they're quite a bit of fun.

Goes well, but very little cabin or luggage space - no surprise really. Seemed well screwed together.

Any particular reason for wanting a turbo roadster particularly? Driving-wise I'd recommend an MX-5 or MR2 over the Copen IMO.

My old boss had a Suzuki Cappuccino. Which was similar.

He loved it. But he was a dwarf and looked stupid.

Like a pink convertible Micra, only certain people can carry it off.

Unless you happen to be a small person in touch with you feminine side an MX5, S2000, Z4 is probably a better choice.

Edited 5 March, 201313 yr by Aspman

And you'll still get stick. For some reason, the general populous consider that as soon as the vehicle has a foldable roof it's not manly anymore!

Weird, but there you go. But yes, with the Copen you might get even more jibes than with other open-topped choices

Cappucino is nice little car but limited to 85 mph if I recall. The Copen initially had a 660 cc turbo four which sounds a lot of fun but latter models had a boggo 1.3 four from the Charade. I would go for an MX5 though if you want a fun roadster (as others have said). Cheap to buy, so many out there, reliable, well made and great fun. i want one myself despite the hairdresser image :p

P.S if you want a Daihatsu that is fun get an 80s Charade GTti: 101 bhp 1.0 triple which revs to 8K and goes like stink. Sadly not many original ones about now. All got into the hands of the max power brigade :(

Cappucino is nice little car but limited to 85 mph if I recall.

Yeah, top speed of the Copen isn't mega either. Think the official is 106mph from memory but would take you a while to get there! Even a std MX-5 at that speed is not that pleasant, I've heard.....

Only 67bhp but the Copen's light - 800-850Kg.

Even a std MX-5 at that speed is not that pleasant, I've heard.....

You've heard??? Yeah Right!

I have almost bought a Copen several times. I borrowed one on my 18th Birthday back in 2004 and have had a love affair with them ever since. If you get one, make sure its the tiny turbo, as once you hear it you will be in love. Its not fast, but it is fun. A lot of fun. There are quite a few mods available should you feel inclined. As others above have said it takes a certain person to pull it off but if you dont care then go for it.

I love the copen but also bare in mind it needs oil changes every 3k.

You've heard??? Yeah Right!

Might have been you that told me!

Thanks guys it was the little turbo I was looking at. I was a little concerned about the image but I don't care. May be a better 'babe magnet' than the skoda too. I like the styling with the twin exhausts and I enjoy modding so that could be a bonus too.

I had thought about some of the others but the daihatsu is a little bit different

When they first came out, before they were imported into the UK, International Motors had a Japanese spec one doing the rounds of the dealers. We took it out for a drive round town and got a few funny looks. The early one, model code L880 is the 660cc turbo model that revs up to around 8 to 9000 rpm, the later one the L881 is a 1.3 non turbo.

Watch out for corrosion to the Aluminium bonnet and rust to the rear wheel arches. The standard repair as paid for by Daihatsu is to replace the entire rear wings, so check to see that it has been done properly. Servicing on the L880 is every 3000 miles, mainly due to the low amount of oil that the engine takes, the L881 is every 9 or 10000 miles.

I had a Daihatsu Charade. Great little car.

However, are you aware that Daihatsu have pulled out of the UK. This may have an effect on spares/servicing.

I had a Daihatsu Charade. Great little car.

However, are you aware that Daihatsu have pulled out of the UK. This may have an effect on spares/servicing.

I didn't realise that. I'm sure most of the parts can be found online though

Seems to go ok too in 660 turbo form even with a 4 speed auto. Though why you would want that with this type of engine I don't know.