Japanese Kei Cars

[ramblindoug]

I saw this place on the tv a few weeks ago, this is a car dealer in Vancouver. Some really interesting cars, and the best part is they all have great fuel mileage.


www.japanoid.com

[SVOboy]

I wish that suzuki sold the wagonR over here, sweet car, best selling in japan, I think.

[roflwaffle]

WANT11!

[MetroMPG]

Unfortunately... (the bearer of bad news pokes his head into the conversation)...

Transport Canada is looking at revising the import rules (and effectively putting businesses like Japanoid OUT of business) by changing the threshold age at which a car can be imported from the current 15 to 25 yrs:

http://www.japanoid.com/stop25/

[ramblindoug]

So the moral of the story is if you are planning to buy one of these cars better act soon. I really wish that the car companies would actually sell cars like this in Canada. And a lot of them are really cool looking.

[MetroMPG]

I guess that's the moral. The closest you can currently buy new is the smart car.

I had a Canadian in Japan contact me by e-mail - he was looking for someone to partner with to import & sell Honda Beats (awesomest Kei car ever). Too many other things on the go, though, so I had to say no, sorry.

[ramblindoug]

The Beat is a great car, there was an article in the Toronto Star a while back about importing cars from Japan and they had a Beat in one of the photos. I also like the Mazda AZ-1.

I think we need more cars like these in Canada.

[Peakster]

I'm diggin' this:

japanoid_sambar_cover_keicar.jpg
Go-go Gadget-Van!

A 0.66L engine in a van with the aerodynamics of a cigarette carton? It doesn't sound like fun on the highway.

[ramblindoug]

No, that van doesn't look like a good vehicle for the highway. I believe most of these small kei cars were designed for city driving.

[SVOboy]

I would definately drive a beat,