Suzuki

Suzuki has - and has had - success with its "kei cars" - small, tax-advantaged cars. They have previously collaborated with Fiat and today with Toyota.

Suzuki Carry

Posted by Terje Bjørnstad
suzuki carry
Suzuki Carry

Even small cars can be tough. The Suzuki Carry is a microcar with origins in the Japanese "Kei Car" class. Typical of this class is that every centimeter was optimally utilized.

 

Terje's cars is a forum that discusses many great cars. The most expensive ones cost several million. But few cars are as popular as the Suzuki Carry, at least judging by reader response. We have previously mentioned the model in a post about the import of such cars from Japan. As surely as the sun rises every day, inquiries come in from readers wondering where they can buy a Suzuki Carry. Many believe that Terje's cars sell them. We don't do that.

 

Suzuki Carry

 
Suzuki Carry

Kei car

Before setting out on the market for a Suzuki Carry, you should be aware that these are by no means cars that live up to today's standards in terms of comfort and safety. The car in the pictures is a Suzuki Carry De Luxe van with windows. The external length is only 3,2 meters and the width 1,4 – but the height is almost 2 metres. Everything within the targets for "Kei cars" when the car was built in 1984. Later, in 1998, the requirements for length and width were increased to 3,40 and 1,48 meters respectively. Safety equipment such as bumpers is added. Cars within the Kei conditions offered tax and duty benefits in Japan – as well as exemption from parking permits in the big cities, which made them incredibly popular. Inventive car manufacturers have therefore endeavored to offer as many cars as possible within the requirements. There are "Kei Cars" with space for 7 people (in Japan), as well as countless vans, pickups, jeeps, camper vans, sedans and even sports cars.

 

suzuki carry
Space-saving interior in the Suzuki Carry.
suzuki carry
Suzuki Carry driver's seat

Import to Norway

Several "Kei Car" models were exported to other markets. Since Kei terms did not exist outside of Japan, automakers could fit them with larger engines and more equipment. Cars such as the Suzuki Jimny, Honda N360 (N600) and Subaru Domingo are examples of cars that gained great popularity outside of Japan - but with larger engines than the 660 ccm that the Kei conditions required. The Suzuki Carry also became popular in many places in the world, including in southern Europe. Between 1984 and 1988 several of them were also sold in Norway as 2-seater vans. Here they got 800 ccm engines - enough to keep up with the traffic. The owner of the car in the pictures stated with a twinkle in his eye that it holds up well to reach 85 km/h - downhill.

For use and hobby

Even tall northerners can drive in a Kei Car. But seen from today's eyes, these are not cars that invite the longest trips. But they are well suited for driving in the local environment, for example to the grocery store (IKEA), fishing trips, golf, boating, or to work and school. Today we can add that they are cool hobby cars. If you park a Suzuki Carry next to a new Lamborghini, you should not ignore the fact that it is the Suzuki that gets the most attention. You will be surprised at how much car there actually is er in a car like this.

 

suzuki carry
A competitor to the Suzuki Carry is this 1991 Honda Acty 4×4

car kei

1985 Suzuki Carry bus (Source: CarsWP.com)
The Suzuki Carry is also available as a pickup truck and bus.
Today's Kei Car – 2014 Suzuki Spacia (Source: CarsWP.com)
honda action
Suzuki carry

 

About the pictures

The car in the pictures was photographed while it was at Circle K in Skøyen, Oslo. Thank you Hege Friis for the pictures. The white Honda Acty pickup is photographed in Slemmestad. The white 1997 Suzuki Carry pickup has previously been photographed and sold through CarsFromJapan. The images of the green 1986 model and the 2014 model are images distributed via CarsWP.com.

 

See

subaru domingo
Subaru Domingo - room for 6!
carsfromjapan
Cars from Japan

Cars from Japan

Posted by Terje Bjørnstad
car kei
Now you can buy a "Kei car" online and have it transported on one of the car boats that run between Japan and Drammen.

Japan is not a country from which we normally import used cars. Although there are car boats between Japan and Norway, organizing transport can present problems. But there is a website that connects Japanese car dealerships, transporters and Norwegian car buyers. If you find a fun car, you can order online and have it delivered by boat to Drammen.

 

Japanese automotive history is full of goodies

Although Japanese cars were popular here at home, it is rare to come across real goodies such as the Datsun 240Z, Honda 2000 and Mazda RX-3. But more people have opened their eyes to Japanese cars and are ordering them from American websites. But did you know you can order from Japan, too? A website guides you through the process from when you find your dream car until it arrives at the quay at Drammen.
 
The website works for me carfromjapan.com as a safe place to shop used cars online. You get good pictures of the car's condition and can easily enter into an online dialogue with the sales company - hopefully in English. I don't know if Japanese are more honest than other nationalities, but the process seems orderly to ensure all parties. But before you import a car from Japan, you should investigate the possibilities of getting it registered in Norway. In Japan, driving is on the left, so you need to get headlights for driving on the right. It is possible that the seller can help you with that. Furthermore, you should form an opinion about living with the steering wheel on the right hand side (RHD). If you search explicitly for left-hand drive cars, you will find European and American import cars with the steering wheel on the left. Left-hand drive cars may not be very popular on the used market in Japan. It opens up to make a good trade, but I don't see carfromjapan.com as a typical site to trade western cars.

RHD cars

Here at home, right-hand drive cars can be difficult to resell. They are also not ideal if you want a good "driving car" - provided you are not going to drive on closed tracks. If you buy the car for "fun" - for small trips at a leisurely pace, to enjoy the nostalgia and joy of having a special vehicle, a car from Japan may be right up your alley.
 
I envision two situations - those who want a reunion with the car they themselves - or someone in the family owned in the 60s, 70s or 80s - or a fun little Japanese that only Japanese people can make. I then think about Kei cars which has received advantages in its home country given that the car's engine size and external dimensions are kept under strict limits. In order to make optimal use of the limited dimensions, the cars are built as square as possible, which means that they can never win any beauty contests. But that's what makes them cool. Imagine a Kei-car as car number 2 or 3 - a small pick-up that is used in the local environment - down to the marina, to the golf course, to the hardware store and practical errands.

Japanese snacks

I have allowed myself to pick out a few tidbits from carfromjapan.com. All the cars are models that are already represented in the Norwegian vehicle register, so there are good opportunities to get plates on them. Take the mini-pickup, for example Suzuki Carry, there are an incredible 287 pieces of it in Norway without ever having been brought in via Suzuki's normal import channels. Other similar models are Honda acty, Mitsubishi Minicabs og Daihatsu Hijet. I have also brought the micro utility vehicle Subaru Domingo which can also be found in the Norwegian vehicle register, as well as a couple of nostalgia cars.
 
The Norwegian prices are calculated according to the dollar exchange rate when the post was written. Go to the links and the sales site's pages for more information about the cars and the sales process.

 

Suzuki Carry Truck

car kei

car kei


Link to the ad
 
Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1997
Sister model: Bedford Rascal
LHD front light kits are available.
Km: 47000
Type of car: Kei Car - automatic - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 30
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 47
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 11
Total: NOK 62

 

Honda Action Truck

car kei

car kei

car kei


Link to the ad

Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1992 (facelift)
Sister model: Honda Street
Not sure if there are LHD headlights.
Km: 93000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 26
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 40
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 10
Total: NOK 52

 

Daihatsu Hijet Truck

car kei

car kei

car kei


Link to the ad

Production year model: 1991-1994
Year of manufacture car: 1991
Sister model: Piaggio Porter, Innocenti Porter
The sister models are produced as LHD
Km: 23000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 9
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 23
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 5
Total: NOK 32

 

Subaru Domingo

micro mpv

sumo

Free


Link to the ad

Production year model: 1993-1998
Year of manufacture car: 1998
Sister model: Subaru Sumo/Libero
Is also produced as LHD
Km: 32000
Type of car: Passenger car/MPV - automatic - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 113
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 140
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 140
Total: NOK 178

 

Cars with nostalgia value

If you buy a youngtimer or vintage car to experience the nostalgia, the fact that the car is right-hand drive is no showstopper. These are cars you use to drive on quiet Sunday trips or to meetings for like-minded people. The problem is that they are also popular in Japan. An old Laurel or Crown with low mileage are expensive pleasures.

 

Nissan Pulsar


Link to the ad

Production year model: 1986-1991
Year of manufacture car: 1986
Sister model: Nissan Sentra/Sunny
Engine: 1,6 Twincam 120 HP (Sunny GTI)
Available in LHD version
Km: 83000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 62
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 79
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 19
Total: NOK 101

 

Datsun Laurel 200L


Link to the ad

Production year model: 1972-1977
Year of manufacture car: 1972
Sister model: –
Engine: 2000 ccm
Available in LHD version
Km: 41000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual
Price only car: NOK 323
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 348
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 87
Total: NOK 438

About Kei Cars

From 1990, the engine size must not exceed 660 ccm and the engine power must not be less than 64 HP. External dimensions length x width x height in meters must be kept below 3,30 x 1,40 x 2,00 - from 1998: 3,40 x 1,48 x 2,00. Max length does not include the bumpers.

See

Link to Facebook group for Kei car owners in Norway

Suzuki Carry
Subaru Domingo – place for 6
Toyota dyna

 

Suzuki S-Cross – For Norwegian conditions?

Posted by Terje Bjørnstad
Suzuki s-cross
In front of the landmarks at Slemmestad.

No one should choose a car without having last winter fresh in their minds.

Everyone has an icy hill

I think everyone has a hill they have to climb with their car in all kinds of weather. As a rule, it goes well, but occasionally in the winter it happens with my heart in my throat. "Typically Norwegian", I would say. I wonder if the Suzuki importer's slogan is true. They claim that Suzuki was created for Norwegian conditions.
 
Well, the trip didn't go over fjords and mountains - or on the ice fjord. After a week with a home office, it was wonderful to pick up one of the new Suzukis Hyre.no have placed around Oslo. This week's Sunday excursion continued in a brand new Suzuki S-Cross with four-wheel drive.

- Very tight undercarriage, I thought. There is McPherson suspension at the front and torsion springs at the rear. Much tighter than I expected.

Good grip

The S-Cross can withstand pulling hard through sharp bends - without losing grip - with minimal roll. Remember that the effect of the four-wheel drive is given by applying gas. In difficult driving conditions, you must drive in such a way that you can give gas through the bend. Fun. You hear that the chassis is working, but the car still sits like a stick on the road. The price for the hard chassis is that small irregularities, such as asphalt joints and the like, are propagated into the passenger compartment. The car industry has used many silly slogans over the years, but Suzuki has a point. This car is well suited for navigating difficult Norwegian rural roads where accessibility is more important than comfort.

 

The S-Cross provides grip for whatever capricious weather and road conditions may bring.

Suzuki s-cross
The instrument panel.

Facelift

When today's S-Cross saw the light of day in 2017, I thought it was a completely new model because it had a completely different look than its predecessor. Much tougher. More masculine. Looking closer, the aggressive grille with vertical chrome teeth is just one facelift. I like the front. Tough in the nose, without the risk of being mistaken for Audi or BMW.
 
However, the most important part of the facelift happened under the hood. Today's 1,4-litre BoosterJet with 6-speed automatic is better suited to an SUV than the sluggish self-aspirated 1,6-litre. The new engine has 20 more horses - and with 140 HP and good turbo torque, it feels nimble, while it is possible to drive on long-legged gears. But starting from a standstill often ended with an involuntary jerk - no matter how careful I was with the gas. I don't know if it was because the engine was brand new, or if it was the automatic gearbox? This casts an unrefined, cheap stamp over an otherwise good drivetrain.

More Budget than Premium

The er a clear cheap feel over the S-Cross - even though the top-spec GLX version has all the relevant equipment, including leather seats and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, it cannot be hidden that the design originates from 2013, the year when the model was originally introduced.

The fact that Suzuki is not in the premium class does not mean that the cars are bad. It is natural to compare "our" S-Cross with the Audi Q2 that we drove on winter roads a few weeks earlier. It is undoubtedly premium and looks very nice. But with 2-wheel drive, it behaved mediocre on the smooth - and would have had no chance of asserting itself with a four-wheel drive like the S-Cross. If you had ordered four-wheel drive in the Audi, it would have cost over 150 more than "our" Suzuki.

On the road

I head west and south towards Slemmestad. Behind the wheel, I form different impressions. I noticed early on that the steering feel is absent, especially around the middle position. It is annoying to have to "herd" the car all the time instead of letting it follow its natural path. The engine runs well and the automatic gearbox shifts well. I choose between "Auto" and "Sport" driving mode. "Auto" works best for me. "Sport" immediately downshifts one notch, and can be good to have when preparing for a quick overtaking. You can also shift with the paddles on the steering wheel. In terms of noise, you hear practically nothing from the engine. The soundscape is characterized by a somewhat harsh and monotonous room reading noise - quite on par with other cars in this class.

Tough in the nose, without the risk of being mistaken for Audi or BMW.

Suzuki s-cross
Nice blue color - Sphere Blue

Place

The distribution of space between the passenger compartment and luggage compartment makes the compact SUV suitable as a family car. The trunk holds a decent 430 liters under the hat shelf. With a loading grid against the compartment (recommended extra), you can load up to the roof. Furthermore, the rear seat backs have two positions for tilting, so that you can create a more box-shaped luggage compartment and still use the entire rear seat. There is plenty of space in the front seats. They are unusually hard in the stop, but do not feel uncomfortable. I could use a little more support at shoulder height for long rides, but I guess the seats are better for people shorter than me.

Security

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross was tested in 2013 by Euro NCAP. It was the model before the facelift that was tested then. It had neither distance warnings nor automatic emergency stop - which the new model has. The S-Cross came through the tests with 5/5 stars. The total score for protection of adults was 92% and for children 80%. The tests were carried out without critical results - only "Good" and "Adequate". Measurement of whiplash injuries ended with the best grade. Several of the test procedures, including for children, have now been changed. Audi Q2 got 93% for adults and 86% for children, then the was tested in 2016.
 
The Suzuki's 4-wheel drive helps prevent accidents - so-called active safety.

Conclusion

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross' best arguments are that it provides proper road holding with 4-wheel drive and space that is sufficient for a family - at a price that few can compete with. It appears solid and practical. In terms of class, it is more Budget hen Premium. The minus points are vague steering feel and that the drivetrain jerks when starting.