Forum:
Hi Everyone,
Just joined the Daihatsu Drivers UK forum today and thought I'd better say 'Hello' before launching into the topic.
I don't currently own a Daihatsu just now - in fact I've never so much as driven, or even ridden, in a Daihatsu. Despite this, I’ve always had a soft spot for their “wee” cars, particularly the UK Cuore/Charade (so the Mira basically).
I’m now really keen to get my hands on a Daihatsu Cuore/Mira TR-XX Avanzato. I know from reading through various articles that these are VERY rare in the UK (only around 80 of the post 97, L500 generation sold for road use I think?).
I am therefore considering the option of importing one from Japan, especially as I am keen to have a pre-face lifted L500 generation, in red (rather than silver), and with 2WD rather than the overly complicated 4WD R4 models that were imported here.
Has anyone ever done this before, and/or can anyone recommend a good website for importing cars from Japan to the UK?
Many thanks in advance for everyone’s time on this.
Best regards
Stuart
(Ford owner today…Daihatsu owner tomorrow?)
Welcome! Okay I take it you
Welcome!
Okay I take it you have done your research before buying one these? As you have mentioned these cars are rare, so what happens if you need replacement parts if something goes wrong? I am no expert on these cars, but maybe a bit more research from other owners may help you. Also try keikars in the Park forum, as there are a couple of owners over on that site which maybe able to advise you better
I take it you haven't looked at cars like the Mark 1 Phase 2 Front end Sirion Rally 2? Okay no turbo but has a 1.3 Litre 16 Valve Engine which produces around 109 BHP and on Insurance Group 9. Or Even a YRV Turbo @ 129BHP, semi-auto box which is a 2 wheel drive car.
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'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
KKITP website is definetly
KKITP website is definetly place to ask this. I thought about doing this before I bought a uk version. Back when the exchange rate was good it might have made sense not sure about these days. A guy called dion somewhere up north used to import them haven't seen anything from him on car and classic for years though again someone on kkitp has one of his imported cars black and red two tone looks really good they will know more. Also remember they made it with two different engines as well as 2wd and 4wd I think all with a R in the name have the 4cly engine the others the three. I have also heard rumours that the uk imported models actually have about 10bhp more than the jap ones as they didn't have to stay under the 64bhp kei car limit, though i'm not sure. The one I had seemed much quicker than an imported mira classic I drove that was suppose to have the same power...
Law
Owned - Daihatsu Mira 850cc, Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato TR-XX R4
Own - Daihatsu Sirion Rally2
Blog - http://carmotives.blogspot.co.uk/
Cheers for the extra advice..
Hi cs3ljw,
Cheers for the extra advice. I actually just read that earlier today that the TRXX (minus the R) has a 3cyl engine, where as the R's all have the 4cyl.
I also, funnily enough, saw a picture today of the pre-facelifted mira L500s in the two tone red and black and its just looked perfect! I really wish Daihatsu hat tried selling these things here normally, rather than as special editions. Its safe to say, they would be popular today what with everyone wanting greener cars that are lighter on fuel...and no one will argue with a car than can achieve almost 50mpg and do 0 to 60mph in 8.5 seconds!
How long have you had your Zato for?
TRXX
I am into them at these little cars at the moment.
The 4cylinder engine is basically the same engine as in the first Copen. So no problem with parts, modification (more power) with
that engine. The 3 cylinder is a little harder to find spares and advice for.
The main problem is the gearbox, if that fails the only real solution is to rebuild the gearbox which is much cheaper than buying a
new one. So I recommend you invest in a Japanese EPC when the time comes for replacement parts.
Not had any issues with any of the electrical items and because they generally sit high, rust hasn't been an issue.
Its amazing how much space there is inside them compare to modern small cars.
Performance is brisk and fuel consumption is excellent.
Unfortunelty I don't have it
Unfortunelty I don't have it anymore I sold it a couple of years ago, looking for a sirion rally2 at the moment. I remember that two tone being for sale around the time I bought mine decided on an english version because of the insurance and I actually prefer the facelifted one (mine had the jdm front bumper). Did you win the ebay one? I really do regret selling mine and like u say performance and economy is both desirable and hard to come by in the second hand market the zato and the rally's are the only two cars I can think off under 5k that can do a 8.5ish 0-60and return over 45mpg
Law
Owned - Daihatsu Mira 850cc, Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato TR-XX R4
Own - Daihatsu Sirion Rally2
Blog - http://carmotives.blogspot.co.uk/
KKITP
Kei kars in the park is definately the place to be asking about zato's. A wealth of information is really starting to build up there in terms of common faults through to modifications etc.
Ive written a buyers guide on there too which may well help you make sure that its a good one. On the face of it the ebay one does look good though so good luck with the auction.
Research and more research
Hi jpor,
Yup, been reading web page after web page on these wee things. And if I'm unsuccessful with the one on sale on ebay, then I'm going to consider the import option. I'll defintely try out KKITP if it comes to that. I'll sign up to that forum anyway no doubt to gain advice.
I think both the Sirion and YRV in their sportier trims are very interesting. I also like the old Charade GTti. However, my heart is set on the 'Zato'
Cheers for the advice