I'm Canadian, but live in Japan and export minitrucks. I drive a 4WD 2001 Subaru Sambar with a/c, automatic (column shift rather than on the floor) and power steering. We use if as a company vehicle as well. And, we have a Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo my other staff drive for work purposes. I had a Land Rover Discovery, and at 140bucks a tank of gas, I though, "Wow, I'm getting the same mileage in the kei-truck as I am with the LR, and the Subaru is only 40bucks a tank." As a non-Japanese person in Japan, I get looks from the farmers and workers who drive the kei-trucks here. I sold one to a friend of mine here and he and his wife (both Canadian) drive it around. He told me the other day that he gets the "triple-take". People can't believe that we (non-Japanese) are driving these little guys!
Yeah that's what I figured. I test drove a Diahatsu today and managed to find a Suzuki for tomorrow, and then have a Subaru lined up for monday...so we'll see what will be. But already having at least seen one it has begun a frame of reference to compare with and that seems good.
Mini-Truck snow driving? Hi there, I am really glad I found this forum, it is great! I live in Whistler BC and want to get my hands on an Acty but have some questions about performance in snow. How are these units in snow on hills? Do you need to put a bunch of weight in the back to keep the back tires from spinning? What is considered "high mileage" on a used truck? I am looking at one with 56,000km and wondered if that reasonable for a guy who is essentially useless beyond oil changes? The local municipality uses these as utility vehicles but I can't recall whether they are out on duty in winter. So I appreciate any help. Thanks, t4g
if you consider that 56,000km is about 34,000 miles, would you consider buying a honda with only 34000 miles on it. i ablsolutely would... considering the overall condition of the vehicle. and also note the year of the vehicle, could the odometer actualy be 156,000km? the honda has a mid engine, most of these trucks are very well balanced front to back, and with 4wd, should be able to safely put the power to the ground without having to put a lot of extra weight in the back.
Thanks Milt, I just wasn't sure if these smaller 3 cyl engines had some sort of lifespan of 50,000 and I was looking at a time bomb! The unit is a 1992 Honda Acty with 56,000 kms. 4x4 mini truck from japan, 4 speed standard, allegedly in mint condition. I am super interested but wanted to know about the snow driving situation before I dive in because basically it can snow here almost year round. Anyone ever source studded tires for one of these? t4g PS- I searched the threads and had no luck finding this info so I hope I'm not dredging up common questions.
i've got 104000 km on my hijet, still runs like a champ, it's my daily driver and weekend abuser. somehow it's still chugging along in spite of me trying to kill the motor for good reason to built it better i've heard of 200000km on them, there was a thread went around about that. i know my buddy had a toyota 22re truck with 500000+ miles on it... they just keep running. cheers milt
I've got mine for winter use! it'll be slogging the snowmobile around all winter. Subaru or Honda are pretty balanced. The others with motors up front can be slippy on the rear tires in snow. see ya in wiss!
T4G Regarding studded tires: Canadian Tire or Walmart are an excellent source for studdable winter tires for these. You can even afford to go up to 155 or 165 series tires from the standard 145 they come over with. If your really adventurous, you can find some 13" wheels and your choices will expand greatly for tires.
Canadian owner I just bought a 1984 Honda ACTY TC. It's legal here in N.B. But I'm told there is a movement afoot to ban any more and that if you're registered you'll be grandfathered. I can't believe the shape of my truck. I've seen North American cars a lot newer in a lot worse shape.
back to the thread.... I'm also a daily driver - 1991 Subaru Sambar - just got it three months ago so I have no input on winter driving, but as far as fun to drive.... 10/10 in my books, fuel mileage 8/10 but I also never really thought 50 MPG would be possible. If you are ever in the Sauble Beach area, look me up!
hey i don't drive my mitsu everyday to work but on the weekend i drive it all the time...on the highway or in town its great, i little loud on the highway but nothing some sound deading won't fix. this is a great street truck...i have 14" tuner wheels for it and the 165/60-14's will be in at the end of oct, can't wait wyatt
had mine for a year now!love it! I live in NovaScotia .these little trucks are10/10 for winter driving. i have put on over 13000k on mine,but i caught the tail end of one province tring to ban these little jems from driving on the road did not here where, it was on CBC radiohas anybodyelse heard this ?i hope it was a dream but my wife heard i to ,this would make a growing man cry.
Yes From BC We drive ours all over the place, it's fun to drive till you are holding up traffic on slight hills that are long, a bit embarasing. I am a little disapointed in our gas milage for such a small motor. 350 kms for 35 liters ........I think that's 30 mpg if that, our modified Brabus Smart (diesel) gets twice that milage, and had WAY more power, plus it can do 160kms per hour. But saying all that, I know it's old technology with the 91 Bravo van and doesn't have CDI injection, just an old carb. We still love it lots though, and it carries all kinds of things in the back. Would I buy it again?............Yes I sure would. A bit better milage and a tad more power would make it the ultimate in a practical van. Steve
Steve You are getting the same milage as I get with my Bravo but I am using it as a pizza delivery vehicle so I expect to get less than average. I just had the first real snowfall of the season and am so impressed with the way the 4wd works. You can bank on there being more of these little gems in my delivery fleet
"A van full O' pizza!" OK, dadio thanks for that, I keep forgetting it's 4wd too. Yea those sliding doors would be just perfect for you I'll bet! Can't wait to see some snow, but some years we get none here at all Steve
pizza hut wanted me to deliver for them with my truck. said no way. didnt want to wear out my truck like i have mini vans lol
I drive my Sambar pickup everyday and I love it. Fully legal. Best rig for me. Cheap to run...for now Fits all my bikes Super duper awsome
I am driving my 1990 Daihatsu to work everyday here. Starts great at -25c (only had 1 day that cold this year), I did put a little bigger battery on it tho, the original was lacking in cranking amps. So far no problems, working well for me.
We have one we drive daily in Northern Ontario. No problems....love it. Safety and insurance was no problems at all.