Suzuki Cappuccino. Any good?
Discussion
I've been looking around for a cheap(ish) sports car for the summer. I will probably pass it on to my parents eventually, so I don't want to spend loads of money but still want something nice that will be fairly reliable and last a while. I was considering something like a well-used TT Roadster, Z3, SLK or Boxster but reading up a bit about them, they don't seem to be as reliable and well-built as their reputations might suggest. Also, my budget would probably only stretch to a tired example, I think I'm more in MX-5/MGF territory. The MX-5 is the obvious choice but I have already owned one and fancy trying something different. I have a soft spot for the MGF but am put off by the poor build quality and head gasket issues. I've heard that the 3rd generation MR2 is a great car but the lack of any boot space would limit its appeal. I remember liking these (Cappuccinos)a few years ago and remember one coming up at a main dealer but it was sold before I got a chance to go and see it. I had temporarily forgotten about them and can't remember the last time I saw one.
I know they're not that quick but I like the look of them and they offer the promise of Japanese reliability and low running costs and I know that it would fit in my (small) garage. They also seem to be fairly cheap to buy and I like the fact that they are quite rare. Also, I have always found Suzukis likeable, unpretentious little cars.
I know that my wife and my mum and dad would love it as my dad doesn't like buying petrol and my mum doesn't like anything too flash! (I know that my dad would love to own a sports car though). The only negative things I have read about them is that like many older Japanese cars they can rust and some parts can take a while to get hold of. I know the engine is only 650cc but turbocharged and they are very small and light so i would expect them to be quite nippy. Are these engines tough? (My wife used to have a 850cc 3-pot Daihatsu which simply refused to die so I would imagine these would be equally tough). I believe that the roof is actually metal but can be removed and stowed in the boot but I guess this would take away what little boot space there is when removed.
Has anyone had any experience of these either good or bad and are you aware of any specific problems?
I know they're not that quick but I like the look of them and they offer the promise of Japanese reliability and low running costs and I know that it would fit in my (small) garage. They also seem to be fairly cheap to buy and I like the fact that they are quite rare. Also, I have always found Suzukis likeable, unpretentious little cars.
I know that my wife and my mum and dad would love it as my dad doesn't like buying petrol and my mum doesn't like anything too flash! (I know that my dad would love to own a sports car though). The only negative things I have read about them is that like many older Japanese cars they can rust and some parts can take a while to get hold of. I know the engine is only 650cc but turbocharged and they are very small and light so i would expect them to be quite nippy. Are these engines tough? (My wife used to have a 850cc 3-pot Daihatsu which simply refused to die so I would imagine these would be equally tough). I believe that the roof is actually metal but can be removed and stowed in the boot but I guess this would take away what little boot space there is when removed.
Has anyone had any experience of these either good or bad and are you aware of any specific problems?
Not any experience of them per se but I've always fancied one but I find for a decent one they're a lot more than a decent MX-5. And they rust like other early 90s jap cars (last UK ones were 1995 iirc).
They're not supposed to be the quickest but apparently good for a rapid 0-60 thanks to very low weight (sub 750kg).
But it's a perfect opportunity to post this:
Was at PPC in the Park a few weeks back and this thing was a little terror on the track, amazingly rapid. I believe suzuki bike engined.
They're not supposed to be the quickest but apparently good for a rapid 0-60 thanks to very low weight (sub 750kg).
But it's a perfect opportunity to post this:
Was at PPC in the Park a few weeks back and this thing was a little terror on the track, amazingly rapid. I believe suzuki bike engined.
As has been said you'll need to have a really good nose around for signs of rust but other than that I've only heard good things about them. There's a current owner goes by the name of Switch who's had one for a while. If he's not registered on here then send him an email via PetrolheadNirvana.com and check out the next Ace Cafe meet in case he's going
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