Daihatsu Copen. Would I be crazy to buy one...

[flattotheboards]

jimmyb said:

to turn into a sleeper. Ok it may sound gay but i think they are actually quite cool looking little cars. Sure i may look a t*t driving one at 6 foot 2 but i am tempted to buy one then soup up the engine somewhat to make it a lot quicker. Thinking along the lines of a supercharger or something.


Your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

arent they turbocharged already? or is that some other one of these tiny cars.

[biggbn]

tomTVR said:

I like the copen idea - it has the same engine as the Toyota Yaris so there is bound to be plenty of tuning options. Only problem is that they arent all that cheap, probably too expensive for a bit of a novelty.

As said id do something similar with a Smart roadster - they are a fair bit cheaper and weigh less than an elise so stick a VAG turbo lump in it and its going to have almost supercar performance. They are also RWD unlike the copen.

must be new coppen that has yaris lump??..old one was 660cc or so of manic buzzsaw turbo triple...

[MAG76]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKzc5V9bfM&mod...


Wow - Suzuki Cappuccino looks like it can be lots of fun!

[speedtwelve]

You could fit the engine from a Saturn V moon rocket into a Copen and it'll still look camper than a row of sparkly pink tents with Graham Norton and Kenneth Williams charging 'admission'.

I can't think of much that would be more embarrasing for a bloke to be seen driving, sorry.

[jaik]

MAG76 said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKzc5V9bfM&mod...


Wow - Suzuki Cappuccino looks like it can be lots of fun!

Of course they're fun, I don't drive mine for the "man-loving" comments it brings

[tomTVR]

jaik said:

If you want to tune, get a Suzuki Cappuccino, the engine and chassis are much better suited to it, plus they're nippyish (well, more than you'd expect from the engine they have at least) as standard. You'll pick one up for less money and have a lot more fun (rear wheel drive will see to that).

You still get the great fuel economy and the convertible hard-top like you get with the Copen too, plus you will look marginally less gay to people "in the know".

And yes, I do have a tainted view

I agree they are quite nippy. Do you remember following my TVR on the febuary peaks run this year? I only pulled away from you on the straights

[Sporting Bear]

There's a bit of incorrect info posted on this thread

I assume the OP has done some proper reasearch (not all from intrawebthingy)

6' 2"

My wife (a female wife) has a standard FOUR cylinder 659cc turbo Copen that's just about 4 years old and I get to drive it when I'm allowed

I used to own a Cappuccino

Go for the Capp - rear wheel drive and a real sports car (embro Viper) but don't be put off the Copen

6' 2"

[jimmyb]

Ok so lets say i forgive the cap its looks at the end of the day it has one major advantage in that its rwd, my biggest problem is that i am much more keen on the idea of a supercharger than a turbo to kill off lag unless it was possible to twin two stage turbo charge it like the new beemers so that i have fairly linear acceleration. I suppose at the end of the day i should really go have a look at both and see what sort of engine setup they have and space for mods.

[patmahe]

If you want it get it, just be prepared for the usual ghey/hairdresser taunts. But if you're 6ft 2" I'd try it for size, doubt you'll fit comfortably

[Sporting Bear]

patmahe said:

If you want it get it, just be prepared for the usual ghey/hairdresser taunts. But if you're 6ft 2" I'd try it for size, doubt you'll fit comfortably

yeap that's what I meant

Forget the turbo lag with the Copen (or go for the 1300cc) as the turbo comes in at 2000-2200 rpm and the car has loads of real world (not just paper) torque

The Cap is a light car so turbo lag isn't a big issue and their are a few highly tuned Caps around if that's what you want

IMO if you have to massively tune-up a car then it's probably not the car for you, both feel (fun) fast (especially the Cap) as standard

Anyway stop guessing test (fit) drive them, easy with the Copen as they're in the showrooms

6' 2"