I DROVE The RAREST Car In The USA *Honda N ONE Premium*

When a couple guys offer to drive days out of their way so you can drive the only Honda N One in the USA, you say I'll see you whenever you get here. Jim and Chris drove across half the country so I could make a video with this 2014 Honda N One Premium that will end up in a museum after this trip. The N One is far more functional than you'd think with tons of storage, all the options you need, and it's not fast but it has enough power to live on US roadways. Once they got here we realized the could use a bit of maintenance so we ended up rotating the tires and changing the oil before they headed back out on the road.
MERCH: shopWatchJRGo.com
Shop Motul: motul.com
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Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
What do I do for a living? Make KZbin videos.
Can you wheelie? No, I suck.
Are you fast? Sort of. I suck mostly though.
Where can I keep up with you off the bike?
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Facebook: WatchJRGo (or JRGo, FB hates my branding)
Do you go to school? College, for 2 classes.
Why do you ride so dangerously? What do mean? I was doing 25.
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Are you afraid the police will watch your videos and arrest you? Something something evidence something something warrants and due process of law
#Honda #KeiCar #HondaNOne

[@Lions7.62mm]

Judging by that driver's side tire, that car needs an alignment STAT!

[@mac4boys541]

arrrr, its rh drive so that lh front tyre would be the PASSENGER tyre. and yes im not american and live in a rh drive country

[@TechGamer45]

That's why it's called off side and near side.

[@ayitsyaboi]

Yeah I was surprised he didn't mention it hah.

[@christophermercon3277]

yeah we swapped them to the rear and it’s got an alignment now

[@adammcallister2260]

@@TechGamer45 that still switches from LHD to RHD countries though. Left and Right don’t since it’s taken from the view of you sat in the drivers seat. Left is still left, right is still right. That would be best to use imo!

[@DSR216]

There are a ton of similarities in this car to the Fit. It's like an 80% scale Fit on the outside (but 100% on the inside).

[@100PercentJake]

lots of parts compatibility as well

[@ssenssel]

I drive a 1st gen Fit 1.3 and I could see some similarities

[@WatchJRGo]

Oil filter and the battery are the same! 🍻

[@sccarguy8242]

I literally just asked if the fit was a Kcar in another post because I also see the similarities for sure.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Just an FYI looks like the price of Honda Fits are jumping like crazy with 2020 being their last year in the US market, so if you want one, and see a good deal grab it.

[@nicholasjungheim2667]

This was meant to emulate the old Honda N360 built between 1967 and 1970. I drove one in Okinawa in the early 70s. It was a lot of fun. Red and black two-tone is the coolest color!

[@bartarkis]

I fully enjoyed 100% Jakes appearance and help in this video. The two of you work well together.

[@IanHobday]

Owned a 2014 Honda N-Box for a few years. Great city runabouts. There are various rules for kei cars, 660cc max engine size, max 64ps/63hp. Forced induction is fine. Big thing is that there is NO torque limit. So Honda built a new kei engine, the S07A Turbo. Using port & direct injection together with DOHC & 12 valves gives it the max 64ps and somewhere around 30% more torque than other kei engines. These are by no means fast cars but they have noticeably more grunt than any other kei engine and are a lot nicer to drive.

[@100PercentJake]

This thing is so cool. I am wildly upset that we can't get anything like this in the US :( It didn't even feel slow!

[@TheBarberShopScott]

I'm jealous I didn't get to check it out 😂 I would absolutely trade the Prius for one of these, so much room for activities in such a small and well equipped package

[@seanwieland9763]

Same!!!

[@CommodoreFan64]

Same, but sadly most Kei cars don't meet NHTSA crash rating safety standards, but if Honda could meet those standards with a new version of the N1, and sell it for $16K or less fully loaded, then I think it would sell like crazy. but of course with the Honda Fit dying off they gotta push those SUVs and Crossovers like we don't get enough of those as it is already.

[@SnoringVids]

Wait till you try a 2009 Toyota Yaris

[@wizen4937]

ya I'd pay 10 G for it.

[@davidklaassen8474]

I would like to correct some of the information in the video. First, the $10.000 price is incorrect, unless it was used. These cars selll anywhere from 15k to 20k new in Japan. Second, as for the stickers on the windshield - the yellow one in the center is the registration/inspection sticker and you need to get one every 2 years after the first 3 years. The round one is more of a yearly maintenance sticker which is not actually required. Finally, in Japan to own a car, you must show proof of parking and that parking needs to be within 2 km of your home, kei cars are the exception. Btw, I have lived in Japan for 15 years. It is cool to see one of these in the US, nice video.

[@censport]

When I bought this car new (yes, this very car), a base N-ONE was ¥1,000,000 (about $10K with the exchange rate at the time), but this car was twice that because it's a Premium and I checked EVERYTHING. Turbo, sport suspension, LED interior lighting, SATNAV/entertainment system, everything.

[@davidklaassen8474]

@@censport How did you manage to the the car into the US. I was love to import a diesel Mazda 3 from Japan. It’s something that I don’t believe can be bought or ordered in the US.

[@censport]

@@davidklaassen8474 The museum imported it as it's theirs now.

[@toolzshed]

America needs more Kei cars 🤘🏽

[@garygallagher5978]

Funny to see a Northern Ireland number plate from Ballymena County Antrim, it's very popular to use or transfer NI plates to mainland cars as no one knows how old your car is.

[@PFIBrent]

This is amazing!! I could definitely use one of these ! Reminds me so much of my 72 n600!

[@TheHoosierDrifter]

yo Brent, when will we see a kei car on your dyno!!??

[@fritsdotinga6624]

My old N600 is still on the road here in the Netherlands ,it was for sale a couple of months ago...they asked € 7000,- for it 🤔

[@VanisleNSX]

Honda always seems to build cool, unique stuff!

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

Before I even clicked on this video, I just knew this car was on its way to the Lane Motor Museum.

[@WatchJRGo]

Haha, I'm not supposed to mention the museum it's headed to... but, that one. 😂

[@chrisdooley6468]

Damn lol. I figured it was going to a museum like that one. Shame we can’t get neat stuff like this here. I’d love to get an S660 Honda as I rented one over there and loved it

[@brendanmurphy2312]

I thought the same thing too when he said Nashville then something about a museum. I have been there only once I think I should stop by again since I am a couple of miles away.

[@davidkane4300]

That explains the UK plates... I was thinking it was owned by military stationed in Canada and just "visiting" the US temporarily. There are a lot of non-US market cars around military bases as they're allowed to bring their cars over (just like we bring our cars over to their countries).

[@seanwieland9763]

I love cars like this. Big fat Americans want big fat SUVs, but little roadsters and Kei-cars are so much fun. Which is why I love my Fiat 500.

[@aenoymotors]

The closest we had to that sold here is the Mitsubishi Mirage. Before prices went nuts you could get a new one for close to 10 grand. They're actually really good little cars.

[@sidekick258]

Nice to see Jim in this channel, I've been folowing him for years on Instagram, love his cars too, especially the Fiat's...

[@jamesthefordman]

Love your dedication to your channel always the best content

[@LAChinthaka]

Daily driving a K-Car in my country and I think you forgot to mention one more interesting fact. The fuel economy of the petrol engine is amazing. Which is roughly 32-36 mpg in city (with heavy traffic) and 70+ mpg on highways.

[@censport]

Even driving enthusiastically with the Econ mode off, this little car routinely delivers 45-50 mpg. Which is good because it runs 93 octane.

[@mr_jake.y8348]

I like how pops got in there at the end. Good video JR I look forward to your videos every day.

[@AndreMarek64]

That was neat! Thanks for sharing, JR!

[@digitalrailroader]

0:53 I think I know EXACTLY where this Honda is going; there is only ONE place in Nashville that houses cars as unique as this one: Lane Motor Museum!

[@CommodoreFan64]

I was wondering who was going to beat me too this comment. I can't wait for Jason from Jalopnik to drive this, and hear his thoughts on it. Same for Mr. Regular, and Roman from Regular Car Reviews, and Robert Dunn from Aging Wheels.

[@digitalrailroader]

@@CommodoreFan64 and since I’m actually a Tennessee resident, I’ll be able to see it in person!

[@ChosenBC]

Something I didn't get to see while there a couple weeks ago.

[@CommodoreFan64]

@@digitalrailroader Awesome! 👍

[@dgkushi]

How did he get this into the U.S.? I thought you couldn't get a car imported unless it was 25years or older?

[@hebneh]

14:53 - The identification for the three buttons for the audio read (from left): "Fade / Balance", "Equalizer", and "Surround".

[@Frenchcrop]

Amazed that the MOT gets a mention in a JR video!

[@wronggg]

I'm an American who knows all about MOT only because of Car Throttle's channel.

[@paulsz6194]

Is it actually the UK? To me, that license plate ( registration plate in other parts of the world) looks like its from Singapore, not the UK ...

[@hamiltonr]

@@paulsz6194 it's UK but Northern Ireland.

[@Simon78]

I was thinking that… UK plates

[@paulsz6194]

@@hamiltonr OK, thanks. It's just that Singapore License plates are also square and begin with "SG"... That's why I thought it was from Singapore..

[@Czechbound]

That thing is PERFECT !!

[@mikeholbrook5084]

What a great car. I've been a big fan of Kei cars since being stationed in Japan many, many years ago. I'd buy one in a minute if they were available here. Thanks for the video!

[@ryanputnam9462]

That's pretty awesome. Thanks to those that shared it!

[@LukeEdward]

Now THIS was such a cool video. Thanks

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

I love it!!

[@kirkacola7942]

I know right and they should sell those Honda N1 here in the States

[@Parknest]

The car was UK registered (Northern Ireland). I could tell by the plates and the accent of one of the guys. The UK MoT is the equivalent of the annual state inspections .

[@hebneh]

I wondered where those license plates were from, since this car is a Japanese home-market example yet the plates are obviously not Japanese.

[@Parknest]

Yes it was a JDM car that had been imported to the UK at some point in the past.

[@31dknight]

Great video from JR.

[@madmex2k]

I love small cars! Can't fit most of them though. Reminds me of my Chevy Spark. I can open both driver and passenger windows and wave out each window at the same time.

[@TheGwflow]

When he said it’s going to Tennessee I’m guessing that means it’s going to lane motor museum

[@danpaul4975]

The older guy's (Jim?) Northern Irish accent is a bit of a giveaway to where the registration plates are from 👍

[@rpmrallysport7071]

Loved your Dads comment at the end. Hes great

[@jimschafer9196]

That was a very cool reveal, quite the build.

[@westonmickey3890]

Great video John..

[@mikemontgomery7337]

Fantastic video !!

[@charlescanter2628]

Good video bud keep up the good work

[@charleykeenan6171]

Bet it is headed to the Lane Auto Museum in Nashville. A must see for the microcar enthusiasts everywhere! Thanks for the introduction to a cool little ride!

[@petzouqi76]

Can’t wait for RCR to check this out.

[@K0Kaz]

Keis are great. Thing is most makers lose money on em cause with a few exceptions, they're only sellable in Japan so they can't get economies of scale. But also because of that, all the crazy tech and styling gets thrown at em.

[@intrepid5684]

That's a neat car! My wife drives the Honda HRV which we really enjoy. It's so practical and is great on gas.

[@Lfg_legacy]

Gathers radio with navi 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@powershin12]

It is really amusing to see you guys just mesmerized by Keis. The blue sticker on the front is the annual inspection sticker valid until Heisei 27(2015), the yellow one is for mandatory inspection, usually done every other year. Two oval stickers at the back both means the car passes certain level of emission standard.

[@censport]

I bought this car new in Japan, spec'ed it out and everything. A base N-ONE was about $10K with the exchange rate at the time. But because this is a Premium model and I checked all the options (and added more stuff that I bought at the dealer, like the Mugen grill), it was a little over $20,000. If you want to know anything else (besides how you can get one, of course), ask.

[@az7378]

This is a very interesting cool little car. I like it.

[@Big_M_T]

Since when is Kansas on the way from Rhode Island to Nashville? 😜😂👍

[@ProductofNZ]

I live in Japan and you see these virtually everywhere. Japan has so many cool little kei cars that never see other shores.

[@Potatofarmer1898]

This is probably going to Lane Motor Museum. They are the only people in the US that can legit import forbidden fruit like this.

[@talon262]

As a Nashvillian, that was the first thing I thought of when JR said they were driving the N One to here.

[@RichieRouge206]

Always loved Kei cars. That is a UK plate with a Northern Ireland format (three letters, four numbers). Such a great little car

[@danielmartin583]

Closest thing we have to this is the Honda Fit. Love the way this looks and would totally buy one

[@jonathankwok3380]

Correction to those stickers: the green oval one is the fuel consumption, and blue oval is the emission. They shows this model has achieved a certain standard within it's class, so a huge minivan may have the same sticker, but doesn't mean this N One consume as much gas as a minivan. Silly me have got them genuine parts for my Toyota and Honda here in the States, just for the extra taste of Japanese lol ironically this is one of the "first mods" real Japanese would do, is to remove them for coolness

[@bmpman]

Aye yo, coming to Nashville, I’ll be looking out for it.

[@SIXPACFISH]

Love that JR is rocking the Alfalfa from The Little Rascals hair style. Very brave look, Dude. And glad to see 110% being his normal witty self instead of his Gloom, Despair, and Agony On Me KZbin persona. Not to say I don't like the KZbin 110% Jake also, but good to see him just be himself on camera for a change. Jake in absolutely correct that this car should be on sell here! I would buy one in a flash. No one needs 300hp just to go buy grocerys. That would be the perfect car for my old retired ass.

[@P.Galore]

What an ideal candidate for a city electric car!....GREAT interior room packaging.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Why limit its market? it would make a great first car for a high school/college kid, someone on a budget, or someone commuting to work on a long drive, and still be able to fit a family of 4 if need be more comfortably then something like a Toyota Corolla/Camry as it is now only with the updates needed to meet NHTSA crash safety standards. If it had any other power source than a normal ICE engine, I think it should be hydrogen, or natural gas which are both cleaner burning, and take about the same amount of time to refuel as normal gas, of which we here in the USA really should be pushing full throttle with a pump or 2 for each at every gas station in the USA.

[@Ram14250]

JR's most impressed comment about the Honda: (pointing to a standard 12V Automotive battery): "What a battery!".... 🤔 ... 🤣

[@mjfromjersey]

I feel like this would be a great car when you’re first learning how to work on them

[@WatchJRGo]

Everything is very easy to service 🍻

[@mjfromjersey]

@@WatchJRGo it’s really cool, almost like a motorcycle in that sense. if auto shop was a little more well funded I could see importing these for high schoolers to tear down and put back together. Really wish I had something simple like this start off with

[@tbozzz8785]

Or also learning how to drive, considering it's size I'm sure it would give the teenager clear perspective in the event of an accident that they would be obliterated..no pun to Honda ofcourse just based off the size. Might help show some fear in the beginning to clarify how serious an accident could be and help make them pay attention more and take driving properly little more serious maybe but we'll never know since we don't get the small little guys

[@azroadposer]

8:10 it even has heads up display!

[@iancolePRD129G]

I should have known the car would be something to do with Jim, met him at the classic car show in Birmingham UK in November, great little car

[@rpavlik1]

All the stuff you pointed out, are why we bought a first gen Versa hatchback. Sold it after a $3k suspension repair and not really handling two child seats well. Would love an electric version. Would really love a 4' opening in the back, but not even the Outback has that. (It's just shy of 4' which is maddening)

[@tmoz1228]

That things pretty cool!

[@RemedialRob]

Wait wait.... Hold on.... They started in Rhode Island and are heading to Nashville.... by way of Kansas? I think you just broke my geography brain... TO GOOGLE MAPS! Yeah... Those guys are like 800 miles off course which is almost impressive.

[@Jamesonthebench]

It was the most interesting thing about this video and it was barely referenced.

[@valter_vava74]

That SatNav must have helped draw that "straight" line route...

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

Wow, I thought that was a brand new car but it's a 2014! Great design.

[@testaccountusa4828]

What you need is a first generation Daihatsu Move, it's a kei car. I owned several, they came in left hand drive for the European market from 1997 to 2001 and they're absolutely marvelous little cars. 1.0 same sort of compartment designs, high roof like this car, BUT the best part was they came in manual.

[@dreww3810]

Nice Northern Ireland registration 😉👍

[@johninama585]

It looks like a miniaturized Fit. It even has a lot of the same features - central gas tank, the "magic" seats, even the heated/cooled cupholders. :)

[@yodasbff3395]

Way cool and much more sensible than a Smart Four Two. 👍

[@spceinvdr6603]

I own a first gen honda insight, they're really neat little cars.

[@Amazingeverything99]

Its funny to think you guys have only one of these we have these absolutely everywhere

[@bearing_aficionado]

I'm an hour late, JR!!! You're killing me, smalls!!!

[@kingchaos7522]

I live in Rhode Island I wished I had seen this car driving around it looks so cool 😂

[@richc9503]

Love that thing. I was in Taiwan a couple of years ago, they also have small trucks. I would love to get one of the trucks, they're super cool.

[@worldofrandometry6912]

Looks like a Northern Ireland plate and registered as 'SORN' (off the road notification) by the DVLA. Great little car.

[@itsnotme07]

Cool little ride. We have to get one each for you and @100percentJake in what? 17 years? LOL Very surprised by the room and all the features packed.

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Nice little car!

[@mycosys]

the indicators on the other side thing is mainly on Japanese RHD cars (used to be on Aussie built cars too) - European RHD cars dont swap the column stalks which is really confusing for us poor RHD countries lol.

[@jkk244]

Yes that gets confusing. I have a classic Mini imported from the UK with the turn signal switch on the left of the wheel, and I have two cars I imported from Japan (one is a Honda Beat) and the turn signal is on the right of the wheel. All of them are right hand drive course. I have to remember which car I’m in when I want to indicate a turn.

[@steveg9162]

seen on in burlington, vt two weeks ago. its awesome!

[@speedbuggy16v]

A modern N600 that is toooooo cool! I really wish we could get the Kei cars here, One of those would likely be the only new car I would buy, especially if they make a 2 door version like my old Honda Z coupe.

[@jamespn]

I really like the Kei cars especially the Mitsubishi and Daihatsu. The Suzuki Jimneys were everywhere in Japan, only wish we could get these sooner than the 25 year import rule.

[@DjTspaRoLEoffIcER]

Very cool episode… especially refreshing after all the supercar, rolling coal truck builds, and LS swap YT videos. Kei cars would sell big time in the States. Thanks for showcasing a very cool car.

[@mmonkeyman1403]

Except they wouldn't. The US has never been a market for the tiny cars. People in cities (real cities like NYC, chicago, etc) either don't drive because they don't need to, or drive full-size cars because they can afford to. People in more rural areas want at least a full-sized car because there's space for them.

[@mycosys]

@@mmonkeyman1403 lol

[@blackcountryme]

Try mighty car mods for kei cars

[@boilerhousegarage]

Turbos on Kei cars are actually very common since the 90s. They are normally 3-cylinder 0.6 litre turbo, which is the "sporty" kei car engine, as they have a capacity limit of 660cc. Look up a Suzuki Cappuccino for an idea of this type of car class with the maximum permissable limits-yes, it's turbo also.

[@stevegroark2034]

Ross is the GOAT

[@eddy7346]

This thing is just adorable

[@bgee461]

Looks like the Honda E concept 👌

[@Scruffy32]

Seems very similar to my 2014 civic coupe lol love it!

[@snowyowl7042]

Wow, great looking K car, need to get you Honda S660

[@paulsengupta971]

Regarding the plexiglass printing of number plates, it's to make them reflective. They have a prism based backing which reflects light at night like road signs.

[@DaimitsuShokai]

Looks Perfect to America! Fiat 500 + Mini Cooper = Honda N-ONE

[@kirkacola7942]

I would buy that Honda its soooo cute! 😍 They need to sell those Honda N1 here in the States tbh

[@6ettinold]

It's obviously been imported to Northern Ireland prior to the US as that Z prefix is Irish, though they are legal anywhere here in the UK. The plexiglass plates yellow and white backing is reflective for the benefit of the Police and ANPR camera's. Love the car.

[@jamesblonde2271]

Cool little car

[@Rogerjr96]

Headed to my neck of the woods, hope you do not get stuck in the snow this weekend.

[@collinsup]

Saw Chris' journey on Facebook, weirdest crossover episode I've ever seen haha

[@georgevr8416]

Esos autos me encantan el N One, N BOX son mis preferidos

[@ryanmartinage]

Wish Toyota would bring back some iteration of the xD and incorporate this type of styling / usability.

[@JB-sb1qg]

You need to check out the Layne Museum if you're in Nashville. A lot of micro cars and unusual cars from the past.

[@jacquesc3166]

The only video ever that features the words "It's like burgundy plastic, I love it!". Quirky. JR doing Doug's work, JR is just everywhere. Can tell Jake doesn't like sharing armrests lol...

[@rileypart1]

Actually no, that would be 2nd Honda N One landed in the States. The 1st N One RS is already in Southern California at Spoon Sports USA in Orange County.

[@1985toyotacamry]

RS? Like sporty version of it?

[@rileypart1]

@@1985toyotacamry Yes, just google you know what I’m talking about.

[@donreinholz8121]

That would be a great car to run around town with. Yes it needs an alignment and 2 new tires.

[@bassybossy]

Cool cool cool!

[@claysmell]

drum brakes in the rear just like my FIT sport. would love to have that mini-turbo/intercooler setup