Daihatsu Copen Goes for a Drive

[@888johnmac]

could you imagine if everybody bought a Kei car for running around town instead of a big stupid SUV ?? traffic would flow better , people could actually park in one bay , and these things are so cute it might improve many drivers mood

[@streetkaaccord344]

Useless on a trip to IKEA though.

[@888johnmac]

@@streetkaaccord344 .. since when has IKEA been in town ??

[@Birmingham_racing]

Except you won't able to fit anyone or anything in it

[@televisionandcheese]

@@888johnmac that's what you use the estate car for ;)

[@DashCamSerbia]

Mighty Car Mods are doing it.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

I don't understand why Kei cars aren't everywhere in London or Sydney or every other packed metropolis like Tokyo.

[@foxfx8340]

People either think they're unsafe because they're small, or they're worried about appearing gay, or they're just impractical.

[@cute_man_with_moustache]

It would seem rather prudent, I believe, for the government to offer certain incentives to the owners of Kei cars. Such encouragement might very well inspire the general public to favour these compact vehicles when navigating the narrow streets of London. A most sensible suggestion, if I may say so.

[@Etswe]

I have the 1.3 and it´s a perfect summercar. It´s not suitable for long drives, but for short runs in the sunshine. I also get a lot of attention as it´s 1 of 5 cars in my country.

[@Nickoboss29]

How's it like to drive?

[@Etswe]

@@Nickoboss29 It´s almost like a gocart. You can drive really fast in slow corners. In fast corners it´s a bit unstable probably because the short wheelbase. You will also try to avoid bad roads or else you will get beaten up. It´s not that great on long drives because of the hard suspension and low gearing.

[@gaufrid1956]

Super cute! My wife had a Daihatsu Pyzar for eleven years until it got written off in a flood but it was always reliable and I can imagine how much fun you could have for many years in a Daihatsu Copen!

[@AJT296]

I absolutely love the kei cars. So much variety from such a tiny footprint. I always thought this is one of the better looking ones

[@daaaaavis]

added bonus, liberty walk makes a bodykit for the copen that makes it look like a mini r35

[@redoxpete]

*Hits a cone* Radio in the Copen: *OH YEAH*

[@derlangsame7813]

Sad that nobody understands

[@declan2775]

why did you have to bring up this trauma

[@fhwolthuis]

Nice car! There is also a second gen of this car, it's called Kopen and also available through parallel import in Europe.

[@mark1968]

They certainly cram a lot into these little cars. I love this car.

[@mikesl1573]

Just bought a Copen 2 days ago, one owner 23,000 miles 1.3 engine. Great fun, but anyone over 5ft 8in might struggle You can open the boot by keeping your finger on the remote for 2 seconds This is a very cheap way to enter the classic car market without problems If you fancy one go for it, you won’t regret it and are unlikely to lose money Do make sure you have access to a former Daihatsu dealer

[@rul3s1232]

do you think i can fit? im 6'3 🥲 i want this so bad ngl

[@danieleregoli812]

Awwww!!! I just LOVE the Copen!!! Such an amazingly cool little sporty gem! Thanks a million for yet another wonderful video my friend! Xxxx

[@PTTM2006]

Everytime I went to the UK and saw one of those I thought it would be really nice to have them here in Canada. But they would have sold 3, maybe 5 in the land of compact and intermediate SUV with CVT :(

[@Edd90k_]

we had one a few years ago in the same exact colour combo. Boot is massive with top up, weeks shoping was no problem. The main problem with them is short service intervals(3000m) and rust.. rear arches, front edge of the bonnet etc.

[@YTOnceAgain]

Those service intervals aren't too bad for an old 650 Yamaha 😉

[@stephenroberts9121]

Would love to see you do a drive in the YRV. Smashing little car and not too many of them about these days

[@sprintertrueno1985]

The 1.3 is an awesome engine, I love it so much ! And with a turbo it's a beast!

[@Tourist1967]

They are superb little cars and totally reliable. It's what the MG Midget might have been - but never was. Reminded me a little of the Porsche 356 as well as the TT. The Euro version, with the Toyota 1300 engine, was plenty powerful enough given the power to weight ratio. And that roof is a thing of beauty. The same people who did the Mercedes SLK designed it and they reckoned it was an even better job. Only minor things are a bit of scuttle shake and the plastics inside, like a lot of Japanese cars, feel a bit cheap. But for the price, that could be easily forgiven.

[@sprintertrueno1985]

That's a Daihatsu 1.3 engine, not the toyota one, they're nearly identical but nonetheless they aren't the same :)

[@Nickoboss29]

It's basically a modern version of the Daihatsu Compagno Spider

[@woodrow_mayes]

i wish the uk embraced kei cars more, most people only really need a car of their size anyways...

[@Charstring]

Nice little spoonerism that slipped through at 4'02" - door cards are "nesh metting"

[@pablojones5613]

Although these are a Japanese copy of the Audi TT in many ways, they actually resonate a coolness that's 100% their own. In my mind, the Japanese manufacturers seem to add a degree of quirkiness to their cars, as well as bulletproof reliability that European manufacturers could only dream of.

[@mr.y.mysterious.video1]

an advantage of the 1.3 litre is the service intervals are far longer I had the 660 version and it needed oil changes every few thousand miles. also the turbo was liable to die if you didn't religiously follow that schedule. the tonneau cover only ever came with vivid special edition so definitely more than 1 in the uk. there were hooks in the boot to attach it to so it couldn't really be fitted properly to other copens

[@nickstevenson3276]

Both of my UK Copens came with the tonneau cover, one a 660 the other the 1.3.

[@GoldenCroc]

In other words, the dealer dealer that sold this one tried to pull a fast one?

[@nickstevenson3276]

@@GoldenCroc must have. Though not common plenty have them, but a bit of a pain to fit so rarely used in my case.

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

Drove one wirh the top down at NEC motor show, taster test drive 20 years ago. A surprisingly fun little car.

[@appledjerry]

Daihatsu have produced so many cool, quirky and engaging to drive little cars and vans - the Copen is but one of them. Consider the Midget and Hijet vans, the L701 Cuore, various Charade models over the years and the YRV, to name a few. All compact, reliable with bags of character and fun to drive, even with smaller engines, such as the 3 cylinder 1 litre models we got with many in Europe. It's real shame that they pulled out of the UK and then Europe around 10 years ago.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

what a car. at the 2002 British Motor Show there was a little go-kart track and hooning this around was the absolute highlight. that and my mate telling the Espace rep that you could have a 5er for the price of his french junk! thanks for bringing back the memories

[@peterriggall8409]

Wonderfull. These were sold in Australia but I can’t remember when I saw one last. Beautiful example of the model as is usual from Stonecold Classics.

[@furiousdriving]

He always finds the best ones!

[@callmefoxie2950]

I am surprised you have not had Peugeot 207cc on the channel, the last of the 200 series convertible :) it is not as popular as 206cc but it is actually a step up in many ways, fully automated hard top (no manual levers to lock it), however not that many people loved Prince engine :)

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

One of my favourite Kei Cars so thanks for reviewing Matt, now away to look at Stone Cold Classics.....

[@furiousdriving]

sadly it sold!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

@@furiousdriving drat....

[@chrisbailey1966]

I looked at getting one recently, would have got the later 1.3 as that's basically the Yaris engine with plenty of spares to go at. The boot space with the roof down is the biggest issue, having to put things in the cabin if you want the roof down would be limiting on how you'd use it. I got a NC MX5 roadster coupe instead as the boot size stays the same, so a trip to the supermarket can be fun.

[@PKWeaver74]

Has to be front wheel drive to be packaged that small? Smart Car: Hold my beer ..

[@manofthehour6856]

NOW....WE....ARE....TALKING!!!! I always loved these cars like the Figaro and probably more-to-my-tastes Cappuccino! Just love sports cars along the lines of the seat-of-your-pants driving experience of a 1960s Sunbeam Alpine, MGB, etc., but with the modern build quality, efficiency, and performance needed for most situations in modern driving. I'd want a Cappuccino, but this Kei-car is certainly tempting! THANKS, MATT!!!!

[@Tourist1967]

It's far superior to the Cappuccino. More modern, airbags, ABS, heated seats, A/C..............

[@devlad]

They're so damn cute. See a few of them around here in Melbourne, along with the usual slew of Kei imports

[@grahamallen1531]

I had 660cc virtually had to dismantle it to change oil and filter . Good half a day . I got rid and found a 1300cc with 26000 miles . Now oil and filter change 15 minutes .

[@mojoe7951]

I’ve always liked the look of these little Copens. Great video of a cool car.

[@BatshitmanTheBomberman]

C O F F E E B R E A K

[@markotango54]

There's one close by where l live and it's on one of our dog walks, l always admire it every time l walk past

[@markonmotoring]

I love a good Kei sports car. Sadly we didn't get very many, these and the Cappuccino probably being the most common. I love that Momo steering wheel. The roof set up and boot area not only look like a Mercedes SLK, the roof operation time is the same 25 seconds.

[@adamkenney2110]

Not the only tonneau cover in the UK. My Copen had one also.

[@yogibear5995]

Love these cars try the autozam az-1 lovely looking motor but not that many made

[@vidfletch]

Would love one but typically with Daihatsus..... rampant rust issues.

[@Tourist1967]

Nonsense. Lasted very well in Scotland, where there's salt on the roads four or five months of the year and it rarely stops rai ning!

[@darrenwilson8042]

I have recently seen a red Suzuki Cappuccino several times round where I live in the last couple of months - a Copen rival at the time

[@maxidyne]

Mini Audi TT! Love these little cars, great review Matt. Enjoyed it!

[@furiousdriving]

Thanks! 👍

[@tomjones7593]

Excellent review- amazing little vehicle- I think I need to get one...!

[@TheStobb50]

I think these K cars could do well especially in the UK they hark back to the days of the midget or even the original mini, Austin a 30 & 35 fun adequate power rather than the oversized cars you get these days

[@darwinsao4575]

Love it !!! Stunning convertible ❤❤❤

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

Thanks for letting us drive with you 😀

[@Knackebrot]

I think this car falls under the radar of so many because it's not RWD. I would agree that my "perfect sports car" would also have to be RWD, but I don't currently live in a perfect world where I can financially afford an Elise.

[@crisrose9707]

for the power this thing is an absolute hoot in fwd. its got a huge X chassis brace under the whole car and 3 layers of door sills keep it super super stiff. If you jack up one corner you can rock the car across the axis to the opposite tyre - it will hold a wheel of the ground over a curb if the other 3 were on the pavement. All of this means that it handles like those racing minis on goodwood - if you go into a corner fast enough the back will come out better than a rwd car anyway :D

[@Knackebrot]

@@crisrose9707 Man, you're getting me hyped up to buy one. and that's probably for the better ;)

[@marts500]

Looks like mk2 mx-5 dash

[@YTOnceAgain]

IIRC, those were relatively expensive in "central" Europe, where I live. Just checked: Yes, they were seriously somewhere in the neighborhood of the MX-5 and Barchetta. Probably the reason I have never seen one of those on the road _driving_. Only saw a couple in front of dealerships. I reckon this is one of those cars that are fun to drive for a day, and then constantly having to rev it gets annoying. It was a car for people who actually didn't need a(nother) car.

[@olisipocity]

What's with you all reviewers about the cup holders. Cars are not pubs, bars or restaurants. Cars are meant for driving, being safe and if possible having some fun. The Copen tics all the boxes. And by the way, it looks gorgeous (much better than the TT - personal opinion - and drives a lot better).

[@carlmclaughlin6574]

Has karmann ghia vibes. At first i was gonna say porsche speedester but then i couldnt get the fact it eeminded me of a karmann ghia. Supper cool

[@jo_clarke1960]

Nice car, deserves to be driven. Don't understand those who buy and don't use, where's the pleasure?

[@coolcarbon4709]

We fitted a boot rack on ours and toured Europe with it, great fun.

[@fritzkuhne2055]

i love this. so well thought out

[@mickles1975]

Did you say nesh metting?

[@richardgreenwood3355]

It was my favourite feature! 😂

[@furiousdriving]

probably...

[@frothe42]

Also reminds me of a Lexus SC430 with its retractable top. I like this, a lot!

[@mercedesw211classic]

Cool kei car but not as cool as the Storia X4.

[@stevewilson8467]

Nice Aston at 11:52! And Matt, please don't audition for Top Gear, you're better than that..

[@BonesyWHU]

I saw images of this car and was 99% sold on buying it for my first car, checked youtube and you had uploaded this video about a week before I viewed it. The stars had practically aligned, I bought it a couple weeks later and I have never looked back, I fucking love this car. Thanks for your service 🫡

[@furiousdriving]

Amazing! I loved driving this and it was the best one Id ever seen so youve got a really good one there

[@Nickoboss29]

How does it drives?

[@carchap]

I was looking at bidding on one of these little Copens with the 0.7, but even with a failed roof motor (which are scarce and pricey!) it went for over 2k.. brilliant little cars though. Becoming very popular these days

[@Mirage8v]

I have a hard time copen' with this car.

[@furiousdriving]

I tried so hard not to use that pun!

[@petertrinder3127]

Would love one of these , so cute . Love the colour combination a bit like a baby Audi TT

[@Birmingham_racing]

I always like small engined turbo cars but never driven one that small

[@GeorgeTsiros]

On youtube I see reviews and shorts only for the turbocharged 660cc one, none for the 1.3L non-turbo. 🤔

[@sprintertrueno1985]

9:40 Woops, you didn't complete the roof operation, you need to hear the motor stop, then it will beep and you can put the latches and you're good to go

[@bigmeatyhooks]

This car is so cool, I want one after I finish college

[@atsignin]

mmmmmm ooohhh yeaaaaahhhhh

[@gg_vard]

A dream car of mine! I love them

[@grayfool]

Pretty little car. "Everything has to fit in front of the firewall due to the size". Unless you are a Cappuccino of course. Ooops!

[@suznet]

road tax UK £220 for the 660, £165 for the 1.3l crazy

[@Tourist1967]

Emissions are much higher for the 660 turbo. Fell foul of Euro regulations, which is why they used a Toyota 1300 from the Yaris in European cars.

[@fattuchi]

I'm 180 cm or 5'11 tall, I don't like cabrios, so I will mostly drive with roof, will it be comfortable for my height?

[@fattuchi]

I'm considering it as a car in Ireland because I need something fun to drive with cheap insurance

[@brusselssprouts560]

Cool and cute little cars.

[@streetkaaccord344]

There's 2 parked on the road near me Gotta be owned by the same guy!

[@tonys1636]

That is what I call a convertable, 2 seat saloon to topless in a few seconds, Interior snugness not a problem for me as I'm a Japanese size person, small and compact. That might overcome your aversion to rag tops and topless motoring. (The roof, what were you thinking). A shame our weather here is not conducive, apart from today, just a couple of cotton balls in the sky and a sweltering 23℃. Typo edit.

[@Tourist1967]

Dunno. The UK's mild climate is ideal for drop-tops. No surprise it is, or was, the biggest European market for convertibles. Lived in hot countries and a convertible is torture in the heat. You want a tin roof and the AC on full blast!

[@tonys1636]

@@Tourist1967 It's not the sun that is the problem here in SW Ireland but the liquid sunshine and the wild Atlantic weather.

[@danmccarthy4700]

I have a Pontiac G6 convertible which is exponentially larger than this car yet somehow has less trunk space with the roof down.

[@sennacorps]

That's cool, but where's the cone ?

[@timhancock6626]

It's a classy little car beautifully made. I really liked them, but inevitably, rust is what kills them in the UK. It's a kind of MG Midget concept for the modern age.

[@clarksonoceallachain8536]

Unlike other kei sports cars The copen got a 2nd gen I don't know why other kei sports cars last only around 7 years while the copen (including 2nd gen) is still going strong at almost 2 and a half decades

[@milksheihk]

There is a second generation which is still in production.

[@jeremywentworth1833]

As an ex Copen owner ive never seen 1 that hasn't heated leather seats !!!

[@Landie_Man]

Looks like it Copen’s well with dailyr life

[@kevinnye5132]

That car just screams FUN FUN FUN 😁, plus no room for Mrs or kids 😂 so that’s an added bonus right there Matt 😉, me and my toy Chihuahua would love it 👌🏻.

[@cooper_gaming8154]

dream car

[@grahamallen1531]

Lovely car nightmare servicing half a day oil and filters . I now have 1300cc same job 30 minutes

[@thatcopenguy]

Copen!! I got a LHD with the big block 1.3, it's quite a punchy little car on the streets. The little car gets more attention than I had ever anticipated when I got it but it's fun to see people's reaction to it. The car is... mostly just vibrating all the time and drives hard but it's always enjoyable. I always end up going through backroads whenever I can so I can avoid driving on highways.

[@Nickoboss29]

What kind of reactions did you get?

[@michaelarchangel1163]

An Audi TT Covertible for dwarves. Is there a smaller version of Coventry ? I may be sent there, any minute.

[@cooper_gaming8154]

i dont think u can drive this car without a smile on your face

[@jimclark1374]

You didn't mention the virtually non-existent suspension which drives your spine into your brain if there's any change in road surface, or the the whole body of the car shaking and shuddering when you go over 20 MPH, or the interior noise which means you and your passenger have to shout at each other in order to have a conversation, or the lack of legroom because the seats are not adjustable in any way, leaving your legs at a very awkward, uncomfortable angle, or that the boot can barely carry a small briefcase. Apart from that, it's fine.

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Lovely little car 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@bcfairlie1]

These are a clever little car. The 1.3 was a better way to enjoy them. I would own one except I'm 6foot 2i clinches tall.

[@nickstevenson3276]

I'm 6'2 and fit in mine with room to spare.

[@bradleyfilimon3596]

It looks so cute wish if I could afford 1 I'm sure it wilbe fun to drive

[@shivnegi6614]

Why not available in INDIA? I love kei car 🚘

[@ishmael4489]

I want this car. It's so small and cute. Smaller than my smart!

[@MaartenVanhoutteghem]

Am I the only one that finds the dash and middle console oddly similar to an NB Miata?

[@nigelrudd670]

Nice 👍

[@crusinclassicslucas6218]

4:46 BEEP! BEEP!

[@hondamonkeyboy]

I would have bought this but see it's sold.

[@furiousdriving]

It sold in a day!

[@hondamonkeyboy]

@@furiousdriving I'm really not surprised.

[@liamcinq]

Focus is constantly readjusting and camera very jerky, not up to usual FD standards.

[@JamesAllmond]

looks like a mini Audi TT!

[@mrmcgraw3706]

64 horsepower.

[@Jon-es-i6o]

As a concept, if this car is anything like the Audi TT, then it’s over engineered (well built).

[@grahamallen1531]

Don't forget to tell the ordeal to change the oil and air filter : nightmare

[@jeremywentworth1833]

When Americans find out the UK version 660cc Turbo has 5bhp more than the Japanese version they will try buying them all starting in 2027..i don't think many know that we had the Copen & Cappuccino from Brand new .