Yellow Plate Cars

[TheNoNamedOne]

There was a time when I looked at people driving those mini cars as kind of silly. They just look so small and toy-like. Occassionally it would even seem more silly if an American were the driver and occupant.

We've always had two cars, both normal sized white plated cars. Until 6 months ago, that is. Then we decided to buy a mini car for my wife, and now, I have to say I have been converted to liking them and would recommend one. I am pretty sure that when it is time for me to get rid of my RAV4 I, too, am going to buy a mini car.

I particularly like the 4door Terios Kid. I am just wondering that if they could set the seat rails on the floor back an extra 5 cm as I order it new from the factory, nad if they would charge extra for that, and if that little change would be a lot in cost?

What do you think of mini cars?

[dk]

I really can't stand yellow plate drivers. It's not so much the cars I hate. I hear they save their owner's a decent amount of money. But I swear I have more problem with yellow plate drivers than any other drivers on the island. It's almost like all the flunkies from the DMV are required by law to purchase yellow plates.

So, I'm neutral towards the cars in general, but as far as the actual drivers are concerned, everytime a yellow plated car somehow manages to get in front of me, it usually ends with me throwing a hissyfit yelling "*^%^%@ yellow plate!!"

[TheNoNamedOne]

LMAO!

Yeah, I feel the same. Those cars do seem to attract a certain kind of driver as the owner. Admittedly, most are women or older people.

When my wife first bought hers, I noticed that she was driving extra cautionary, and I asked, "Why are you driving so freakin slown" and she replied, "Because the car is new and I don't want to damage it with wear and tear from hard driving." Then I replied, "Speed the feck up, damn it!"

But seriously, if you get in a wreck in one of those things, it is not pretty. You can be 10 mins late, dk, if it means my wife gets home safe to me. <smile>

[dk]

When my wife first bought hers, I noticed that she was driving extra cautionary, and I asked, "Why are you driving so freakin slown" and she replied, "Because the car is new and I don't want to damage it with wear and tear from hard driving." Then I replied, "Speed the feck up, damn it!"
I said the same thing to my wife when my car was in the shop and we were given a *gasp* yellow plate for a week.

But seriously, if you get in a wreck in one of those things, it is not pretty. You can be 10 mins late, dk, if it means my wife gets home safe to me. <smile>
I've never gotton myself in an accident in over ten years of driving, so I'm not too worried about my driving ability. It's those freakin yellow plate drivers who have a tendancy to step on their breaks before even THINKING about using their turning signal who worry me.

[P_chan]

Some of the mini cars look nice and I wouldn't mind driving them. But then again there are a lot of ugly boxy looking ones out there too.

My wife drives a suzuki Kei and I hate that thing. The pedals a so freaking small I can't push them. I try to push the clutch and I end up pushing the clutch and the break at the same time. I don't have huge feet either.

I always wanted to drive one of those suzuki cappuccinos. They are small as hell but don't look too bad. Since they are so light I bet if you modded it a little bit it could be pretty fast.

I do believe that most kei cars are unsafe. I saw an accident where one flipped over upside down! I guess the driver wasn't paying attention and went off the road and hit a tree. Well they drove up the tree, bent it, and flipped their car.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I do believe that most kei cars are unsafe. I saw an accident where one flipped over upside down! I guess the driver wasn't paying attention and went off the road and hit a tree. Well they drove up the tree, bent it, and flipped their car.

Interesting you should mention this P_chan. More than 20 years ago the Japanese tried to get mini cars into the U.S. market. The first one in the U.S. was marketed as the Suzuki Samurai. I liked it. Thought it was a fun car for college students, which is what it was really marketed toward.

Ralph Nadir, though, from Consumer Reports decided to make that car an example of his org standing up to large corps imports. He targeted the fact that it was a tad top heavy and likely to roll over at U.S. speeds. The upshoot of that was that virtually all mini cars from Japan are banned (I think) from import regs to the U.S.

But when I came to Japan, I was so shocked to see the Samurai still going strong here -- named the Suzuki Jimney. Have you seen it? Know which one I am talking about.

Kind of looks like a Pajero Mini but usually has a soft top.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Here is the Suzuki Jimney (newer model):
http://www.staycaribbean.com/i/1/car/jeep_jimney.jpg
Pretty spunky lookin', huh?

And here is the Suzuki Samurai of yesteryear:
http://www.cyprus-car-hire-4u.com/cyprus-car-hire_files/SuzukiSamuraiJeep.jpg

[DoctorP]

I bought a suzuki yellow plate van last year to offset my gas guzzler! I like it. It is strictly for me though. I yanked the extra seats out and use it strictly for cargo.

AS for ordering one with the seats moved back. You could probably order it, and I'm sure that they would do it, but it will cost quite a bit more. The way the factories are built now, any major changes like that would cause a complete stoppage of production or they would have to assign one worker to that specific modification.

[P_chan]

Here is the Suzuki Jimney (newer model):
http://www.staycaribbean.com/i/1/car/jeep_jimney.jpg
Pretty spunky lookin', huh?

And here is the Suzuki Samurai of yesteryear:
http://www.cyprus-car-hire-4u.com/cyprus-car-hire_files/SuzukiSamuraiJeep.jpg

Yep jimneys are actually quite famous over here. Kinda pisses me off because I wouldn't mind to own a kei car in the states as a work car to save money.

Oh one thing I don't like about kei cars is the way the mod them out. I've seen a guy driving a kei car with little rims, a little exhaust system, and white fuzz all over the dash with stuffed animals. He was driving around like his car was fast too! I would have loved to smoke him but I've been heeding the advice of my wife and trying to drive slow.

[bad_karma]

A couple of comments...

I used to feel the same way about kei cars. Small, cramped, knee scraping your chin while you drive, etc. Swore up and down I'd never own one.

Never say never. Back in early April I bought one. A shiny new 2007 Daihatsu Tanto sport version. If you've never sat in one of these, go to your nearest Daihatsu dealer and do so at once. You will not believe you are sitting in a kei. I've owned quite a few vehicles in my years here, and none -- I repeat, none - have had the leg and seat space this one does. When i bought it I discussed this with the dealer. He told me that the Japanese auto makers have started making the most of the size dimensions (L x W x H) allowed to be still considered a kei. And they're making some smooth-looking vehicles in the process.

DK, no need to worry should you ever find yourself behind me in traffic. With that nifty little turbo that came with it, I won't be the one slowing you up.

"This ain't your Granpa's kei car anymore."

peace,

BK out

[TheNoNamedOne]

Never say never. Back in early April I bought one. A shiny new 2007 Daihatsu Tanto sport version.

My wife and I just bought the Tanto Custom version about 5 months ago. Great ride! Lots of room inside and I am 6ft.

[Asshat]

I've heard good things about the newer crop of minis. I rode in a couple and was quite surprised. Some of them can be easily modified to produce very good performance.

I had a Jimney about 20 years ago here. Two stroke engine, it was great for driving on the beach. The two-strokes are real bad for the environment though.

I'll stick with my slightly modified race car though. Sometimes I need the rush that comes with lighting up the tyres and accellerating enough to feel the gee's push me back into the seat. It doesn't cost that much more than a yellow plate to operate, gets over 22 mpg, and allows me enough room to sit comfortably.

[bad_karma]

Prosecutor: Amen, brother. Daihatsu Tanto Custom VS.

I'm up and down the island for work, so when I can hit 329 or the expressway and kick my left leg out at a 45 or 50 degree angle, sun shining down, tunes playing...

Good to see someone else who knows where I'm coming from in regards to this particular vehicle.

peace,

BK out

[TheNoNamedOne]

BadKarma, what do you think about Daihatsu's Terios Kid?

It is a little smaller than Tanto but it has a more sporty mini SUV kind of look which I like. The only thing I don't like about Tanto and most other mini cars are that they have low ground clearance. I hate the small looking tires, too.

Terios Kid on the other hand sits high, has high ground clearance from ground to carriage, and the tires are normal size. When my RAV4 dies I am thinking of going with a Terios Kid.

[bad_karma]

Good question. A good friend of mine just bought a Terios Kid. When I took a look at it, the first thing I noticed is the absolute lack of space in the back seats.

If you plan to just tool around in it yourself, then I'd say go for it. If you plan on the transporting your whole brood in it, then I'd give serious thought to the factory mod I believe you mentioned earlier in the thread.

Definitely sporty looking, though.

peace,

BK out

[DoctorP]

I like the Terious Kid. My neighbor has one and you are right when you say it has no room in back! If I were just using it for commuting though I think it is a good car.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I also really like the Jimny -- another sporty mini like the Terios Kid. The only thing I don't like about the Jimny is that they seem to only come in a two door version -- a major pain in the but for passengers or grabbing grocery backs from the back seat.

Also, I have never owned a Suzuki and am not sure about its long term reliability. I have only had Toyotas since being here and they are built strong to last -- engine and all -- and the Toyota Shops that service them give great service, even if you buy them used.

That is why we went with a Daihatsu Tanto mini -- because their engines are Toyota built and supplied.

[dk]

So both the moderators are yellow plate fans? :mad:

[DoctorP]

So both the moderators are yellow plate fans? :mad:

Don't hate the car, hate the driver! Just like...the skyline is a nice car, but most drivers of skylines suck!

I don't pull out in front of people and then creep down the street. Neither do I pull out then turn again immediately!

Besides...I also love the environment and try to do what I can whenever I can!

[dk]

I'm so tempted to give you both infractions! XD

[roxy_skyy]

Haha! I'm going to have to say that kei cars look very unnatural to me. I mean, they're so tiny but they have so much room! I seen 6 people fit into once without one ounce of hesitation! However, there are times when I seen how easily the maneuver through those back road,all the while while here I am sitting there thinking in my head "Do I gotta enough room?? AH! I'm stuck! No, wait, yes, yes I am...now...how do i fix this??" haha. I will never own one (I've just cursed myself) but I'll continue to admire them from a distance.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Mini cars will rule the streets some day.

[thistle]

Cos they are cheap, cheap to run, cheap road tax, and easy to park!

never dream of driving anything else.

[Tempestuous]

You know we laughed at some of the mini cars over there.....we come back to the states and the phenomenon is over here as well.

Of course with gas prices many have been drawn to that aspect of them, but even before the rise of gas, they were "in".

[roxy_skyy]

JDM is in!!! lol For some reason most of the magazines I read over here, it's crazy, they have a magazine now completely devoted to kei cars and advice on how to fix them up. I believe the name of the magazine is called....Siphon, but you know how it is.....everyone is looking for something new.

If i went back to the states, I'd probably get one just so that I'd be different from all the rednecks in my town who think it's 'cool' to lower your truck and then take the bed off, honestly.....what purpose does that serve besides you looking ridiculous??

[Muku]

My wife drives a leased Suzuki Lupin, it is small but quick as it has a great turbo engine on it. Most the the Kei Cars nowadays have turbo engines so while having more power suck up the gas a bit more.

Kei cars have gotten larger since the engine size allowable was raised to 660 cc's, It is a bit tight in the back but I am over 6'3" and it is really easy for me to drive, almost like a go-cart but with a lot more power.

http://ms-g.net/suzuki/lupin.jpg