My New Car Arrived! First Impressions of the Daihatsu Copen

My First Kei Car

In my 20s, I was a hardcore street racer. I owned an FC3S and then an FD3S Mazda RX-7. After graduating from the mountain passes, I drove a BMW convertible. Both cars packed well over 300 horsepower. In contrast, the Copen is a 660cc car with **only 64 horsepower**. I had some anxiety. But this week, my new Copen arrived. I peeled off all the plastic wraps and climbed in.

"Thud!"

I immediately **hit my head** on the roof. It reminded me of a sake bar I visited once. The entrance was only 150cm high, and everyone hit their head. When I asked the owner why, he said, "To show gratitude for sake, I have customers bow at the door." Well, gratitude is great, but tipsy customers kept bumping their heads on the way out.

Hitting my head in the Copen brought back that story, but it was just because the car is tiny. Once inside, though, the cabin was snug but exciting for my 170cm frame. It felt like driving a go-kart—like playing with an engaging toy. It brought back the inner boy in me (even though I am nearing 60!).

Not a Powerhouse, But Unexpectedly Good

I headed out onto a wide highway. The engine note is surprisingly good. It doesn't sound like a typical cheap Kei car. While it is no match for the 3.0L twin-turbo BMW N54 engine, **it exceeds my low expectations**. Apparently, the first-generation Copen engine (JB-DET) was even more legendary. Some say it was so over-engineered that **Daihatsu lost money on every unit sold**. It was a 4-cylinder engine despite being only 660cc (meaning 165cc per cylinder—about three 50cc scooters). It was a high-revving engine that loved to spin, though mechanics hated working on it due to tight spaces.

In comparison, the current 2nd generation engine focuses on **better fuel economy** and thicker low-to-midrange torque, making it much easier to drive around town without revving, and maintenance is simpler.

During this purchase, I was motivated by a dream of **touring all around Japan**. I am convinced this reliable, fuel-efficient convertible is the perfect choice.

Fast Electric Hardtop Roof

Just like my previous BMW, a **hardtop electric roof** was a non-negotiable condition. I briefly considered a Mercedes convertible, but they are mostly soft-tops, so I ruled them out. Audi also mostly uses soft-tops and their cars are **far too heavy**. Rule that out too—some soft-tops are heavier than my old 2-ton BMW convertible, which is absurd. While a heavier car is more stable at high speeds, nobody drives at 100 km/h with the top down anyway unless they want **everything in the car to fly away**.

Back to the Copen's roof. You have to manually unlatch it, and the windows do not roll down automatically. It feels very old-school Japanese. But because the car is so tiny, I can easily reach the passenger side latch from the driver's seat. It's actually effortless. And the opening speed is incredibly fast. Even though it is a folding hardtop, it opens in **about half the time** of the BMW. Actually, even faster.

A High-End Toy and a Masterpiece

Honestly, **I do not recommend this car if you want space**. But since I love vintage Mini Coopers and the Fiat 500 from Lupin III's *The Castle of Cagliostro*, small cars spark my sense of wonder. I do wish it had **a little more horsepower**... but considering it is a 660cc Kei car, this is the optimal balance. I can feel my old modification urges waking up, and I am fighting hard to suppress them. All in all, it is **a Japanese masterpiece**.