Evening all.

 

Well I was watching James May's Cars of the People episode 2 where he was talking about the world of the microcar.

 

Towards the end of the programme there was a very shiny red Daihatsu Copen in the Japanese sunlight - it looked great!  

 

So I am giving myself a treat by thinking what a great idea it would be to keep the Octavia workhorse for family duties and have a wee roadster for weekend motoring (containing me only!).

 

I realise that a new Copen is no longer available in the world(?) definitely not in the UK(?) but was thinking what other/similar models are available now, could be launched in the near future, that I can investigate.

 

Have members any suggestions?  Not really thinking about TT or Porsches here and nothing too girlish/hairdresser style please.

 

Cheers.

 

http://www.japanesesportcars.com/galleries/data/media/199/daihatsu_copen.jpg

Copen copen copen. Don't go for the 1.3l later versions but the earlier turboed 0.66l. They are a hoot to drive and sound epic. Reliable too but the only pitfall is it needs an oil change every 3k. The red ones were pretty much all 'vivid' special editions and came with red paint and cloth heated seats. My personal choice would be a black (very rare) or silver with red leather heated seats.

Love them..and if I had a spare bit of cash I'd be after one too.

New or Used MX5,  or a Honda S2000.  

 

Maybe  In the near future soft top GT 86 / BRZ

New - there's only the MX-5 before it starts getting expensive (TT, Merc SLK, Z4, Boxster etc)

 

Used - Nissan Figaro, Suzuki Cappucino, Ford Streetka, FIAT Barchetta or maybe an Alfa Spider or BMW Z3

The Figaro is underpinned by Micra tech so pretty much any garage that can fix a Micra can work on them. And they look like something proper old when in fact they are circa 1992 I think.

The copen looked a bit like noddys car though

We were looking for a weekend / sunny day toy and after looking around at the likes of Capuccino, Copen etc, the next level was starting to get silly, MR2, Elise, Boxter, S2000, My sone & his Fiance who both have MX5's suggested looking around.

 

Upshot was, there are lots around & prices vary considerably so you have to be careful which one you get, Insurance is very reasonable, road tax is ususal cost, & as i have found spares are very reasonable and plentiful.

It is a hoot to drive & you actually drive the car, unlike the modern cars which you guide to your destination.  With the mx5 you just go out and arrive somewhere

 

I just wouldn't feel safe in it. A distracted mum in a Discovery and it's game over.

I just wouldn't feel safe in it. A distracted mum in a Discovery and it's game over.

to be fair, that could happen with most soft top weekenders....

There really is nothing to the Copen though, even the MX-5 has more front and back.

 

If I wanted something small and compact to throw around the backroads on a weekend it would have a metal roof.

 

If I wanted a soft top it would need to be alittle more substantial, a TT for example.

 

Granted, well out of budget with regards to the OP's budget.

The copen does have a hard roof. When its up

Me and my ex had a Mk 3 MR2 roadster. Brilliant car, reliable, comfy, and could fling it around. Much more fun to drive than a MX5 IMO and evo car magazine agrees too.

I know a bloke that was well into his Jap sports cars and had a few very powerful Supras and Celicas but the only car he really talks about is the Suzuki Cappuccino he had. He loved it and misses like an old pet.

I'm too tall for all these little jap cars

 

Would love a little Copen. Think they're ace but since I can't even fit in an MX5 then I reckon I have no chance with a Copen!

 

Phil

The bonnets of them make terrific sledges.

I'm too tall for all these little jap cars

 

Phil

 

I'm 6'4" and my Del Sol fits me just fine. Even my 36" inside leg and size 14 plates 

 

G'wan, you know you want to  :sun:

 

Gaz

I'm 6' 7".

 

I tried Sharkrider's MX5 and it was very tight and my head stuck up above the windscreen!

 

Phil

Cappuccino's hold their value like you wouldn't believe.... Rust is an issue on the body too, so budget around 5K for something.

 

Also, take a look at the MGTF.... 3K gets you a mint one with dirt-cheap everything and a community similar to Briskoda. (NOT the MGF... that runs on hydrogas suspension!)

I'm 6' 7".

 

I tried Sharkrider's MX5 and it was very tight and my head stuck up above the windscreen!

 

Phil

 

Normal blokes look odd in a Cuopen.

 

I'm afraid you'd look like you'd stolen a kids car from Toys-R-Us

I'm too tall for all these little jap cars

 

Thankfully I'm a short-ar$e Scotsman.

Normal blokes look odd in a Cuopen.

 

I'm afraid you'd look like you'd stolen a kids car from Toys-R-Us

 

Haha Yes I would.

 

I saw a Copen this morning strangely.

 

The new concept one looks awesome!

 

Awesome, me want...

 

Assuming the concept gets produced but we do not get a RHD version in the UK, what are the mechanics (how easy?) for importing into the UK?

 

Is running about in a LHD vehicle in the UK just a nightmare and not worth the hassle?

 

Edit - just noticed that is a RHD version!

Edited 2 September, 201411 yr by BA Baracus

Yes... they drive RHD cars in Japan so would be great to import one!

 

Phil

Yes... they drive RHD cars in Japan so would be great to import one!

 

Phil

 

It's one of the reasons Jap imports are so popular. You do have to watch some things like a lack of fog lights and a lack of underbody rust protection on some models.

 

that new Cuopen concept does look good and very real.

Edited 3 September, 201411 yr by Aspman

It's one of the reasons Jap imports are so popular. You do have to watch some things like a lack of fog lights and a lack of underbody rust protection on some models.

 

that new Cuopen concept does look good and very real.

 

Done a wee bit more research.

 

Concept is in production and has been available for the last few months - and I believe selling like hotcakes in Japan.

 

Just pricing up shipping costs to bonny Scotland.

 

https://www.facebook.com/copen.jp.official/photos/pb.168626670012097.-2207520000.1409776396./271806456360784/?type=3&theater

 

https://www.facebook.com/copen.jp.official/photos/pb.168626670012097.-2207520000.1409776396./267267266814703/?type=3&theater

 

http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/japan%20car/daihatsu/copen/?fid=2014&jid=2014