Cars We Drive!

[Texasmade]

IYKYK

Yeah...Idk.

 

[patrick_b]

My Indy German car mechanic has one of these he uses for dump runs. My wife would like one now.

I never knew about these mini trucks. Apparently you can import them from Japan for under $10K.

 

[VaderDave]

Dunno where you live, but in sunny CA the process looks prohibitive.

Imported Vehicle Registration - California DMV

If you have imported your car from a foreign county, you must follow state laws for registering your vehicle and complying with state emission standards.

www.dmv.ca.gov

 

[HRoi]

We had a couple of those (Suzukis) for my dad’s business when we lived in Asia. Definitely have your wife drive or at least take a ride in one. I think she’ll change her mind right quick

They’re underpowered (for US roads), tippy and ride really uncomfortably.

Although have her look at the van versions, they’re better

 

[otc]

They are cool, but IMHO they aren’t really designed for American roads.

You have to import old ones, so they are pretty unsafe compared to modern cars and the lack of top speed rapidly becomes problematic even in suburban areas due to the way our planning sprawl is set up.

Would be a different story if more modern ones were available because the form factor of the kei truck is pretty sweet.

 

[HRoi]

There’s a rabbit hole of cuteness you can go down with kei cars if you choose to. Have her peep the Nissan Pao and Figaro

 

[patrick_b]

Just spent a while looking at all the Kei vehicle options. The vans are even cooler! I'd never even seen one before. You aren't kidding about a rabbit hole.

For Sale

Tell us what you're looking for and we can do a custom search for a truck with your exact specifications. Shoot us message and let us know your preferences,

minitrucks.net

I doubt we'd seriously look at them but it could be a feasible vehicle for our needs, to take yard waste to the local compost/recycling station once or twice a month. It's only a couple of miles from home so it would never need to be highway driven and the uniqueness factor is so much cooler than buying an old Ford Ranger or S10 for the same purpose. Since she got the Volvo, she's [thankfully] reluctant to dirty it up going to the dump.

 

[HRoi]

These guys have a lot of good JDM stuff

Duncan Imports & Classics | JDM Vehicles in Christiansburg

For the largest selection of classic and JDM vehicles nearby, visit Duncan Imports & Classics. Sell or buy a classic car or JDM right-hand-drive vehicle.

www.duncanimports.com

 

[Tim Apple]

We had a couple of those (Suzukis) for my dad’s business when we lived in Asia. Definitely have your wife drive or at least take a ride in one. I think she’ll change her mind right quick

They’re underpowered (for US roads), tippy and ride really uncomfortably.

Although have her look at the van versions, they’re better

Just up for auction today. You can have one here in the US now too. 0.6 liters of bone crushing horsepower.

No Reserve: 1997 Suzuki Carry Pickup 4-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1997 Suzuki Carry Pickup 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #132,685.

bringatrailer.com

 

[patrick_b]

Also of interest, I signed up for Audi Club of NA's winter driving school. They hold it at a Rally school a couple of hours north in NH. Anyone ever do one of those?

North Atlantic: Winter Driving School II - North Atlantic Chapter - Audi Club of North America

Feb242024 - Feb252024 @ All Day - Winter Driving School Picture yourself on an icy road, in a bit of a hurry. Going into a turn, you feel the car begin to slide. You’ve hit the brakes, turned the wheel, and still the car continues to slide…with a stone wall on the outside of the turn. What do...

audiclubna.org

 

[jcman311]

They are cool, but IMHO they aren’t really designed for American roads.

You have to import old ones, so they are pretty unsafe compared to modern cars and the lack of top speed rapidly becomes problematic even in suburban areas due to the way our planning sprawl is set up.

Would be a different story if more modern ones were available because the form factor of the kei truck is pretty sweet.

Whats that, you want a modern equivalent?

Home | AYRO EV

AYRO designs and produces electric low-speed vehicles and other solutions that leave minimal impact on carbon emissions and the space itself.

www.ayro.com

Edit: ugh… low speed.

 

[Fueco]

No EVs for this trip…

 

[sugarbutch]

My Indy German car mechanic has one of these he uses for dump runs. My wife would like one now.

I never knew about these mini trucks. Apparently you can import them from Japan for under $10K.

View attachment 2100577

Get the leccy version! https://www.troposmotors.com/models.html

Dunno where you live, but in sunny CA the process looks prohibitive.

Imported Vehicle Registration - California DMV

If you have imported your car from a foreign county, you must follow state laws for registering your vehicle and complying with state emission standards.

www.dmv.ca.gov

This one lives near me: https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/a...iny-Japanese-fire-truck-bringing-16137119.php

 

[HRoi]

wtf…there are two of them?! Purely coincidentally, I just saw this one (it’s for auction, so @patrick_b can actually buy it)

1995 Subaru Sambar Fire Truck - ~10,600 Miles, Japanese-Market Truck, 5-Speed Manual, 4WD, U.S. Title

This 1995 Subaru Sambar Fire Truck is for sale on Cars & Bids! Auction ends January 4 2024.

carsandbids.com

 

[wumpyfish]

BMW in Bama and a VW owner in Idaho seems illogical,

Ram, Tesla and Subaru Have the Worst Drivers | LendingTree

Our analysis uses QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data to determine which car brands have the worst drivers.

www.lendingtree.com