Good morning! Today we’re getting just a little bit topical, looking at two cars caught up in Georgia’s anti-Kei-car madness, but these two are safe and sound (for now) here in the Wild West. But before we dive into those, let’s see how Friday’s roundup went:
Wow, it’s a regular LUV-fest around here. The little white truck won by a landslide, despite being panned as “too expensive” earlier in the week. But in fairness, it was up against a really charming old Alfa Romeo for the same price.
A vehicle like a 1980 Chevy LUV is, as many of you like to point out, a deathtrap by modern standards. It has virtually no crash protection, no driver aids of any kind, barely adequate brakes, and only just enough power to maintain highway speeds. And yet, it is still completely legal to drive on any public road anywhere in the United States. Is it safe to drive on any road? That is up to the person behind the wheel to determine.
The wailing and gnashing of teeth over cars imported under the 25-year rule seems to be mostly over safety, a word that has motivated do-gooders, and frustrated car enthusiasts, for a very long time now. And while cars are vastly safer due to their efforts, this latest round of the debate over car safety isn’t being made in good faith. Kei cars, a term that has become shorthand among the uninformed for “Japanese imports,” are too small and too slow for American roads, they say, and can’t possibly be safe because they didn’t pass American safety tests. We know that’s a flawed argument, of course, but what really irritates me is that it speaks to a deeper misunderstanding of the word “safety.” We buy things and pass laws and wrap ourselves up in padding and expect those things to protect us, while we just keep on acting the same way, which will never make us safe. Safety doesn’t come from the things you buy to protect yourself from others. It comes from the things you do to protect yourself and others.
All right, I’ll get off my soapbox. Let’s look at some kei cars.
1994 Honda Acty – $6,500
Engine/drivetrain: 656 cc overhead cam inline 3, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Granite Falls, WA
Odometer reading: 120,000 kilometers
Runs/drives? Yessir!
The classic cab-over kei truck design is at the center of the controversy. Endlessly useful, far more economical than even a compact traditional pickup truck, and as tough as old boots, kei trucks are popular imports to the US for use as runabouts within contained environments, like a farm or a college campus. But they’re also adorable and seem like they would be fun to drive (I’ve never had the opportunity), so plenty of people want one in their own driveway as well. Honda’s Acty is a popular choice, largely because of Honda’s excellent reputation here in the US.
This second-generation Acty is powered by a 656 cc triple under the bed, sending power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. This truck lacks two options that I think really make kei trucks appealing–four-wheel-drive and a dump bed–but the tradeoff is that the 2WD truck can actually reach highway speeds. Driving this at 70 MPH down the Interstate has got to be terrifying, however.
The seller imported this truck from Japan two years ago, and it already wore the wild not-quite-camo paint job, so someone in Japan chose this look. It’s distinctive, I’ll say that, and it is a nice change from the sea of appliance-white kei trucks you typically see. It runs and drives great, and has a new radiator.
More importantly, it already has a Washington state title and registration, so if it stays in the state, you’ll have no trouble with paperwork. Take it elsewhere, and you might have an issue, but most of the Pacific Northwest is pretty import-friendly.
1998 Honda Life – $4,900
Engine/drivetrain: 656 cc overhead cam inline 3, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Ferndale, WA
Odometer reading: ad lists as 64,000 miles
Runs/drives? Indeed it does!
Case in point–this little Honda Life hatchback is for sale from one of many specialty importers/dealers in Washington and Oregon. This car is not the usual fare; most people seem to want Mitsubishi Delicas and Nissan Skylines. But I’ve always had a soft spot for small manual economy cars, and this little guy really appeals to me. And it really is little–we think of the older Honda Civic hatchbacks, or the more recent Fit, as small cars, but the Life makes them look like Escalades.
The Life uses the same three-cylinder engine as the Acty, but fuel-injected, and driving the front wheels. Many non-sporting kei cars are automatics, but this one has a five-speed manual. It’s probably not as entertaining as something like Honda’s mid-engined Beat sports car, but I imagine it’s sort of like driving a non-Cooper original Mini, and that can be a lot of fun.
Inside, it’s almost as Spartan as an old Mini, too–kei cars are not known for their creature comforts. But aside from basic controls and instrumentation, what do you really need? It’s all in decent condition, too, it looks like. It runs and drives great, and the dealership has changed the fluids and replaced the tires, so it’s ready to rock.
I really like this “tall wagon” style. I imagine working within the kei limitations is a bit like those store displays at IKEA, showing what you can do with only 300 square feet of living space, and like a small apartment, if you want more space in a small car, you have to think vertically. The result is this charming little box, perched high on its tiny wheels, taller than it is wide. Not the best thing for handling, but it sure is cute.
Obviously, these cars aren’t for everyone, and that’s another part of the problem with the argument against them. Anyone who wants one really wants it, and they’re well aware of the dangers inherent in driving something so small. Lawmakers aren’t protecting anyone from anything by banning them. And because there are so few of them on the roads, the whole issue seems pointless. Just let people enjoy things. With that in mind, which one of these would you enjoy more?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Life for sure, I don’t want to be mistaken for the parks and rec workers. also with RHD and a manual trans it would be nearly impossible for a thief to figure out.
The Acty has a shifter that’s screaming “I choose you!” to whomever looks at it.
Also: partial to 2 doors and some kei trucks, even though I may not fit.
I own a 97 Life and it is the perfect kei daily. It’s roomy, it’s relatively quick and the interior design is so delightfully 90s. Thing even has climate control! How can you go wrong?
Swap the prices and I would’ve gone for the Acty. The rust is bothering, but that bed would be handy. The Life is the better deal here.
I need the government to keep me safe from other governments. I do not need the government to keep me safe from my own decisions. Unless my decisions have the likelihood of effecting the safety of others, the government needs to butt out.
I have been thinking about importing a Life for some time; I currently own that car’s predecessor – a Honda Today Associe. My Today actually has shocks and air conditioner from a Life, as many parts are interchangable. The Today is a good foot lower, though – kinda the kei car equivalent of a Mercedes CLS…
There aren’t really any losers here but I want a Honda Fit beater so I picked Life
It comes from both, no? I agree that we shouldn’t all strap ourselves into massive SUVs to feel safer in a crash, but they’re inarguably more protective than a motorcycle. Of course, you should drive either vehicle alertly and defensively, but let’s not pretend the thing you buy has no impact on your safety.
For the price, I just really don’t see the appeal of the RWD Kei trucks. I get the 4wd ones are side-by-side alternatives, and the size can be beneficial offroad, but, the RWD ones? What is this doing for the average person that an S-10/Sonoma/Hombre can’t do for half the price? Are there that many people in the US who just need something a teeny little bit narrower? Just to greatly increase your chances of being hassled by police, DMV, Karens, etc? Not to mention getting parts, highway useability, air conditioning, all that stuff – and that’s going off the bold assumption this one isn’t rusty and everything actually works (and will keep working for a few thousand miles).
Sure, they’re ‘cool’, but, I generally want utility vehicles to be, you know, utilitarian. At $1k-$2k, sure, it’s a neat novelty that you can get some practical use out of. I guess I just want a little more out of something that costs twice what I paid for my daily driver track car.
I’ve always wanted one to bring a motorcycle to/from the track. I don’t want a full-size truck, and a Keitruck the size of a trailer would be a head-turner, indeed.
RWD might make that more desirable – lighter, fewer things to go wrong, etc…
Well, yes, if you just want a Kei truck, then for on-road use, the RWD one is probably going to be a better bet. No idea why they go faster on the road than the 4WD ones, as mentioned in the article (gearing is my best guess), but, that does make it a lot better. And, just wanting one is perfectly fine. I think they’re pretty neat – especially the Mazda Bongo, which is larger and has a much more capable engine (because it’s not a Kei). They just – it’s a 30yo vehicle with the mechanicals of a riding mower. And parts are hard to get. $6500?
I just know, from personal experience of thinking ‘that would make a cool tow vehicle’, at the end of a track day/weekend, I’m completely exhausted. As much as I hope it never happens, if my tired mind leads to a crash, I don’t want to end up as the crumple zone. I also want quiet, climate controlled, and a decent ride after I’ve been beating myself up all weekend. Getting old sucks. Also, my tracks tend to be far away, so that also plays into the math.
Agree, it’s great to have dreams.
But my rational mind kicks in, tells me a 15-30yo micro-truck is a stupid idea, then leads me to borrow my BIL’s trailer and I’ll tow my bike with whatever car I have on-hand (my VW Golf towed it quite a bit).
They are not all that cool. The city maintenance workers use of them seals the deal on them. the Life is also not cool, but you never see them stateside, so they do command a small amount of looky loo’s, which I guess makes them sort of cool to some.
I was leaning towards the Acty, but then noticed the rust started (and painted over) at the base of the right A pillar. I have to wonder what other defects aren’t being shown.
So a Honda Life for me.
buddy of mine has some rental properties up north (der hey) and has a kei truck to maintain them. Don’t remember the make (Daiwoo?) but it looked just like this Honda, with 4WD and the dump bed, and a plow on the front. I got to drive it, and it was a blast! A slow, slow blast! Like an overpowered golf cart.
I like both, but the Life calls to me as a daily runabout (and it’s cheaper) since I don’t usually need more-than-hatchback space – “friendly” is exactly the right word for that little beastie. I hope they both find good homes.
I’m usually always on Team Hatchback, but that Acty has a wonderfully weird Ninja Turtles-esque camo paint versus the boring white “looks like a crossover got shrunk in the wash” vibe of the Life. And it’s not like the Life could handle the weight of people in the back seat anyway, so 4 doors is unnecessary.
It’ll never happen, but it really is time to stop the arms race for vehicle size. It should be illegal to drive a lifted battering ram, not illegal to drive a subcompact car. But in America it’s never the fault of the aggressors, it’s always the fault of those not defending themselves from the aggression.
Seriously! I was comparing pickup truck tires to full-size city busses, and the pickup tires looked bigger!
Not totally racked by either — I still want a Mitsubishi Dangan ZZ-4 or Toppo — but I could claim to be at least partly practical with the Life. Don’t need a pickup bed, no matter how teensy-weensy it is.
No worries at all about “safety.” I’ve driven both a Beat and Autozam AZ-1 on the freeways and city streets of Los Angeles, and clearly have survived to tell the tale. Small-town streets and lanes are kei cars’ natural elements.
I’ll take the Acty…
…in fact, give me one for each foot!
I’m going with the Life, primarily because the Acty looks like it is in rougher shape, with the crazy paint trying to hide that fact. When I lived in the PNW a few years back, there were loads of Actys all around being used as simple trucks, and I appreciated them for that use. Was this one in better shape, it would get my vote.
I have no problem cruising my 700cc motorcycle down the interstate, why should rolling in one of these make me nervous? Got to be every bit as “safe” as that or old VWs. Plus, there’s no such thing as safe, just less risky (allegedly).
I would have voted for the Acty, but this one has a rust hole in the bottom corner of the windshield on the driver’s side. The prior owner tried to hide it with the admittedly cool paint job. So we’re looking at removing the windshield, cutting out that whole corner, and trying to weld in new metal that will still form an adequate seal when the windshield goes back on. I’ll save money on the Life that doesn’t need a rust repair on day 1.
Talking with an owner of another kei truck, they say that it is so light that it spins the rear wheels too easily when unladen. His is 4WD, so he just engages the 4WD when needed. I’m not sure of the brand, but do all these trucks have the engine under the bed or some under the cab? Having one with the engine farther back in the chasis my alleviate the traction issues.
This Acty has the engine right in front of the rear wheels. I think the Daihatsu and Suzuki ones have the engine under the cab floor.
The made-by-Subaru Sambar was “mid-engined”, and had a reputation for being funner to drive than other kei trucks, confirmed by one Jason Torchinsky:
https://jalopnik.com/you-need-subarus-versatile-little-sambar-pickup-the-ja-5949767
Rumour in Japan has it that Sambars were built to meet the needs of delivery company Akabou, who thrashed them up and down the expressways, so they were tougher than other kei trucks.
I voted for the Acty, but it got me to wondering what it would be like to fly into Washington and drive it home to Oklahoma.
How fast can they reasonably be driven and for how long? I would probably take a more scenic route and avoid interstates where I could, but how would it so going over mountains?
I’m not gonna DO it, but I bet it would be interesting trip!
I picked up a bone stock 850 Mini from Galveston docks and drove it home to Denver. Stayed off the Interstate and it was fine. Fun..in fact.
Gears and Gasoline on YouTube did a similar long-distance road trip in Kei Cars, they didn’t hold up well on highways because they were running continuously at redline to maintain speeds. They went through several cars just to complete the trip, it’s anecdotal but indicative of the limitation of a 25-year old city car. Really made me re-think having one as a runabout here, ans going anywhere further than the grocery store requires at least a brief stint on the freeway.
The Acty is not recommended for that. You’d have to give yourself a week or two.
I own the predecessor to the Life, a Today Associe, which has the same engine and transmission and many other parts. I have never driven it further than three hours in any direction, but it has handled it without so much as a groan.
I never rev it hard and the fastest I have ever gone is 120km/h. The thing is, commercially registered cars in Japan almost always have extremely short gearing to allow them to handle comparatively large loads. This is the main reason why a keitora is so awful for any distance, although the sensitivity to side winds, lack of speed, and cramped seating also militate against interstate travel. If you plan on driving far, choose a passenger car instead of a commercial (some kei vans are passenger cars, but it may take some research to tell what’s what).
I almost, almost voted for the Acty, if only because of the Poké Ball shift knob. I always appreciate a vehicle that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
But I think I have to go with the Life on this one. The tall wagon style appeals heavily and it’s the closest thing I’ll find to a first generation Nissan Prairie/Stanza Wagon that hasn’t returned to the earth as rust chips. Plus, if anyone tells me to get a life, I can casually thumb in the direction of my JDM hatch and nonchalantly reply, “Kei.”
Boooo!
BOOOOOO!!!
These are unsafe but the assbag bros who drive side-by-sides on the roads all around here with no registration, no “safety” equipment, and questionable on-road performance get a pass? Makes total sense.
An Acty van would have taken it for me, but given these options, I have more use for the trucklet. Both would be goofy fun though.
Wow… a cool little kei-truck from the tiny town where I grew up. Back then the town was all meth and mullets. I’m curious now what else has changed over the decades.
Meth and Mullets sounds like a Kid Rock tribute band.
+1 bawittabaw a bang a dang
Or fan club; or promo code for discounted concert tickets; or the secret password for a free backstage pass; or a commemorative T-shirt with matching trucker cap; or a custom 3rd gen Camaro with a personalized kid rck license plate; or the engraving on a kid rock special edition AR-15 …What was the article about again?