Things To Know Before Buying A Honda Acty! II KEI Van

[@scottchamberlain5594]

I've got a twin to this van. It had little rust, but those few spots were difficult and expensive to fix to OE quality. Yes, people love it. Yes, they will stop you and want to buy it. Yes, getting p[arts for it has become my second job. Finding a good sympathetic mechanic is important, too. Not only are parts hard to find, but they are expensive, and they go up and down like the commodities market, depending just how the supply stands and how much demand there is. Yes, they are utterly terrifying to drive in cross winds, or around big trucks. Driving past a bridge or stand of trees and catching cross winds is the same. Yes, I changed to Accord/Prelude wheels- slightly bigger, and 13s are much more common than 12s. Anyone with a Honda should download Rob Robinette's user guide with American part interchanges and simple maintenance procedures. Get the English language shop manual. It's going for almost 170$ now, but it's essential, since you WILL have to order parts from Japan, and you will need OE part numbers. Get to know the name 'Yokohama Motors'; sooner or later you will end up there. Having said all this, owning an Acty is like having an engaging adorable but untrained puppy. As badly as it can behave, it's still utterly adorable, and you just find yourself loving it all the more. This past week, I took mine to 'Cars and Coffee' in a well off nearby community. There were plenty of ultra exotics, and cars of every variety. While I sat in the Acty, a well dressed man walked up and simply said 'Best in Show'. That's the effect it has on people. BTW, get the best interior you can, because interior trim is especially hard to find. And finally no, it isn't hard to get used to RHD. Just remember that the turn signals are on the right. Oh, and check those window channels. Those stupid rain deflectors trap water and rub through the paint causing rust.

[@massingales710]

We just bought one, same 1991 Honda Acty gray just like that. My husband found it online and we absolutely love it!!

[@stopactionsam]

What website did you guys buy it from?

[@saladbar21]

I’m curious who did you buy your van through?

[@daniiobregon]

So lucky that you got a van with tinted windows. We live in Miami and tinted windows are a MUST which we will need to be getting asap

[@keithhooper6123]

Had four Acty, over more then twenty years,in the UK,and went all over the country,on main roads and motorways.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Thank you for the review! Good Heads Up for those considering the purchase. Those KEI cars/trucks look like so much fun, 660cc engine (how cute!), but in reality - outside of major city driving that they are meant for - like my Suzuki Sidekick - punishing to drive for long stretches of the open road.

[@saladbar21]

I couldn’t agree more with the fact that they are punishing to drive on long stretches of open road!

[@lupebrown1246]

I hope your still going hard with her❤️ those vans are gorgeous I’m thinking about hitting the trigger on a blue one ugh

[@DaihatsuMiraWalk-Through]

I can relate as I own a Daihatsu Mira Walk-Through Classic. It's one of the most rarest Kei vehicles in the US. I imported it myself in 2022. It's awesome to drive❗️ I've considered getting a Kei passenger van also.

[@michaelcardoza6482]

I'm looking for one of these too! Did you use a specific site or service to track one down?? I'm having a terrible time locating one...

[@truballr32]

Just saw one at the gas station and I was just in awe lol now I’m on KZbin searching for these. The guy told me that they can’t be older than 25 years or Japan won’t import them. Not sure if that’s regulation from the U.S. or Japan. I wonder what year they stopped manufacturing these because soon you won’t be able to ship them here

[@saladbar21]

Honda Actys were made into the 2000's. I do not recall the exact date they were discontinued. Regardless any Acty that is 25 years or older can be imported in the United States. A few states likes Oregon will not register them for road use. Most states will register them with no problem.

[@truballr32]

@@saladbar21 oh ok that’s cool that they made them into 2000’s

[@azelia2464]

They still make kei cars in Japan, even 2022 models. Kei cars are all over Japan they will never go away. Also its U.S. law to import cars they need to be 25 years or older

[@testaccount8999]

thanks for the video. as much as i want a van like this, it sounds like living in a rural area where i would be primarily traveling on 55mph roads is not going to be practical in this vehicle.

[@Sebastian-eg5iu]

What do you think about trying to tow with it? It would be perfect.

[@saladbar21]

I would not recommend it for towing. With just four people in the van, I can feel how much harder the engine is working.

[@Sebastian-eg5iu]

@@saladbar21 Gotcha. Just looked up the engine sizes on these. Thanks for the video! These are so cool.

[@dylanbundy3101]

I thought you couldn’t get plates on those in Oregon

[@saladbar21]

Official you are not able to. The DMV is not friendly with KEI vehicles and is extremely inconsistent. Whenever a KEI vehicles gets registered in Oregon, it is luck.

[@glenmichaellodevico7070]

Just got the truck version. The axle is busted. Any way you can do a video or offer any tips on how to remove the front axle? Thanks.

[@brentmahoney4410]

Any thoughts on using one for rural mail delivery?

[@saladbar21]

Two concerns come mind. The first is cargo weight. I can feel a noticeable strain on the power train when I have four people in the Acty. My second concern is speed. I personally find it terrifying on the highway. Around town, it is fantastic.

[@scottresch9912]

Just dound your channel im a mechanic and i live how informative you are subscribed

[@saladbar21]

Thank you!

[@scottresch9912]

@@saladbar21 oh man i just read my comment. Apologies i had grease fingers. ( embarrassed )

[@portlandcarlover]

I own a 1993 Honda Today Assoscie GI 4dr. This is one of the more odball kei cars, but is also one of the best older ones to own. Reason being is it was one of the first economy/daily drivable kei cars, with lots of features, and good gearing. I drive this at 55-60 mph constantly, and while the engine is revving a bit high its not very loud at all (actually quieter than my 2002 Insight). Kei cars are going to continue to go up in price, so be very careful with what you buy. Many of the cheaper kei cars will be coming with issues (like rust). While the engines, and transmission (AT or manual) are bulletproof, you don't want to buy a car that's falling apart.

[@saladbar21]

Do you happen to live in Portland Oregon? I just googled your car, and I feel like I may have seen a picture of one of those on a local facebook group.

[@portlandcarlover]

@@saladbar21 I live in Oregon City, OR. Only a 20 minute drive from Portland. And mine is the light green/blue color. If the photo was taken in Oregon then that was me! Lol

[@omspizza._5664]

Ayo where is the link that was supposed to be in the description

[@jonathancrincoli6263]

Your engine mount is torn and is resting on the safety catch washer

[@saladbar21]

Yeah I know, its one of the things that will be getting replaced down the road!

[@jonathancrincoli6263]

salad-bar21 awesome I was able to snag it for $63 from jp-car parts.com way cheaper then all the other websites/sellers

[@saladbar21]

Thanks for the tip!

[@tannerroberts4109]

Do you know where I could get one of these? I'm having a hard time finding them

[@saladbar21]

I would talk to an importer. Another is option is messaging the people from the “allthingzjdm2” channel. They live in Japan and have been exporting vehicles for people.

[@scrapbongo]

Awesome job and thanks for the info. New Sub /cheers ScrapBongo Liked

[@frankrizzo8617]

Thinking about imprting a 2015 but they all look like they're rusted and spray painted. I want an acty, not a project

[@saladbar21]

Unfortunately a lot of the vehicles coming out of Japan will have rust. I have learned that even the cleanest vehicles will end up needing some work. I plan on getting a Suzuki cappuccino down the road, but instead of importing it, I plan on buying one that is already state side. I know I’ll pay a premium, but I think it’s worth so I can inspect everything before purchasing.

[@frankrizzo8617]

@@saladbar21 I'd say that's probably the way to go. If u can inspect it in person you can verify wether or not it's worth the money. Overseas car purchases seem dicey at best