Copen Novice

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Dana Fitzsimmons, Aug 11, 2018.

  1. Dana Fitzsimmons

    Dana Fitzsimmons Copenworld Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2018
    Location:
    Northern Ireland
    Car(s):
    Don't own a car
    Hi I am thinking of purchasing a copen as my first car, I'm torn between the 0.66 the 1.3, my main concern being the turbo on the 0.66 seems experience to replace if necessary. I suppose I'm just trying to fing out the pros & cons between the 0.66 & the 1.3. It's very rare to see a copen on the road in northern ireland & I don't know anyone who owns one so just looking for some advice. Thanks in advance.
     
    AFR0N1 likes this.
  2. Barry Copen

    Barry Copen Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2016
    Location:
    Beckenham
    Car(s):
    58 reg. R40 red 1.3 Copen; now gone, I'm afraid.
    11 reg. MX5 2.0 Kendo
    68 reg. BMW 1 Series
    Hello there. I have a 1.3 and although I have never owned a 0.66, I have driven one or two. For what they are worth, my views are as follows:

    The 1.3s are generally more expensive to buy as they are necessarily newer and more likely to have lower mileage.

    The 0.66s are more expensive and cumbersome to maintain because of the regular oil changes required.

    There is more risk of the 0.66s costing a lot of money if the turbo goes.

    I’ve found the 0.66s underpowered in ordinary driving; not that the 1.3 is very fast!

    I did none of this research before getting my Copen 2 years ago; I wasn’t entirely sure what I was buying especially as the car salesman thought he was selling me a 0.66!

    But both models are great little cars. Try & find a low mileage & rust free example tho.

    There are plenty of much more expert contributors to this forum who will have opposite views to mine!

    Good luck with your search.
     
  3. AFR0N1

    AFR0N1 Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2018
    Location:
    East Midlands
    Car(s):
    Daihatsu Copen L880K (KMVZW)
    If buying the 659cc model make sure it has a full service history. That way you know how well it's been maintained and if it has had its oil changes frequently enough. As long as the engine has been taken care of the turbo should last. Or at least I would hope so

    Other things to consider:
    Do you want 8 thousand RPM's to play with?
    Get the 659cc.
    Do you want better aftermarket?
    The 659cc seems to have more options.
    Do you want a proper kei car experience?
    659cc is kei spec.

    I got a Copen as my first car and I chose the 659cc model for these reasons:
    1. Cheaper to buy.
    2. I wanted a true kei spec kei car.
    3. My Copen has a full service history and mechanicaly is in great condition.
    4. I think the 659cc might have been cheaper to insure since it's like half the size of the 1.3, however I haven't confirmed this.
    5. Because 8K RPM.
    6. Less risk of breaking the speed limit = more fun at legal speeds.
    7. I like the sounds turbos make. The Hissss and the tshh sounds are fun.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2018
    Tony and adatara like this.
  4. Dana Fitzsimmons

    Dana Fitzsimmons Copenworld Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2018
    Location:
    Northern Ireland
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    Don't own a car
    Thanks for the info. I'm probably not going to get either model here in northern ireland but I'm not going to let that put me off.
     
  5. Barry Copen

    Barry Copen Copenworld Regular

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2016
    Location:
    Beckenham
    Car(s):
    58 reg. R40 red 1.3 Copen; now gone, I'm afraid.
    11 reg. MX5 2.0 Kendo
    68 reg. BMW 1 Series
    I have seen them for sale in NI on Autotrader from time to time.
     
  6. Dana Fitzsimmons

    Dana Fitzsimmons Copenworld Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2018
    Location:
    Northern Ireland
    Car(s):
    Don't own a car
    I've been checking auto trader for a while but I haven't seen any for sale in NI. I rang the main daihatsu dealer in NI yesterday and I was told it's been over a year since they have had one up for sale, i'll keep looking, unfortunately time is of te essence but I'm not prepared to settle for a fiat 500 or whatever - a copen is definitely what I want
     
  7. Salieri

    Salieri Copenworld Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Location:
    Germany
    Car(s):
    Used to have a White Copen, but I sold it in 2023
    I guess you have to travel a bit. I had to go roughly 400km one way to get the car I wanted - and so can you :D

    If you do not / cannot travel, maybe this one is easier to acquire: Daihatsu Trevis – Wikipedia
     
  8. Dana Fitzsimmons

    Dana Fitzsimmons Copenworld Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2018
    Location:
    Northern Ireland
    Car(s):
    Don't own a car
    I've never seen that before, it looks like a cross between a copen & a mini. The problem with living in northern ireland is all of the cars for sale are in mainland UK which means a plane journey or a ferry. Might have to try the south of ireland but if there is anything for sale it could involve anything between a 2 -6 hour car journey to view it
     
  9. Salieri

    Salieri Copenworld Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Location:
    Germany
    Car(s):
    Used to have a White Copen, but I sold it in 2023
    It's always been expensive to have good taste :D

    Trevis is based on the Cuore/Mira by the way, in Japan its called "Mira Gino".
     
  10. Dana Fitzsimmons

    Dana Fitzsimmons Copenworld Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2018
    Location:
    Northern Ireland
    Car(s):
    Don't own a car
    The Trevis seems to be rarer than the copen. I spoke with a guy at my local daihatsu dealership he was pretty knowledgeable in regards to copen's and I got afew tips on what to look out for when buying one second hand.
     
  11. BarnsleyRob

    BarnsleyRob Copenworld Veteran

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Location:
    South Yorks
    Car(s):
    2009/59 silver Copen 1298 cc (now gone to a new home)
    Decent MX5 for sale in Dublin.

    WE HAVE REALLY CLEAN MK2.5 2001 1.6 SILVER IN Dublin ,FOR SALE, WITH GUARANTEED NO RUST PROBLEMS.ALL GOOD WITH ONLY 57K GENUINE MILES , T.BELT DONE.SILVER, NEW SOFT TOP NEXT WEEK. 20 MINUTES FORM dUBLIN pORT OR AIRPORT. EMAIL; ROBERT.MAGUIRE@EIRCOM.NET
     
  12. ronalddoes

    ronalddoes Copenworld Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2016
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Car(s):
    2004 Copen 659 cc, 2009 Sirion 2 1000cc, 2010 Subaru Justy 1000cc
    Already getting rid of the MX-5, are you? Looking to return to a Copen or trading further "up" the roadster-ladder?

    Hope you are well.
     
  13. davydha

    davydha Copenworld Newbie

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2016
    Location:
    northern ireland
    Car(s):
    fiat lunar motorhome nissan quashqai ntec copen 660
    Hi Dana if u r looking for a copen I have got one coming up for sale, just putting it through mot next week 48k miles 2005, Co.Down
     
  14. BarnsleyRob

    BarnsleyRob Copenworld Veteran

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Location:
    South Yorks
    Car(s):
    2009/59 silver Copen 1298 cc (now gone to a new home)
    No, not changing Ronald. Just saw an ad on the MX5 forum and thought it might help. I reckon buying a car off a fellow enthusiast is always best.
     
  15. Dana Fitzsimmons

    Dana Fitzsimmons Copenworld Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2018
    Location:
    Northern Ireland
    Car(s):
    Don't own a car
    I have found a copen close to home - stoke of luck but I'm just wondering how you cope with such a small rear windscreen
     
  16. BarnsleyRob

    BarnsleyRob Copenworld Veteran

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Location:
    South Yorks
    Car(s):
    2009/59 silver Copen 1298 cc (now gone to a new home)
    Same way as in your other post.
     
  17. ronalddoes

    ronalddoes Copenworld Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2016
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Car(s):
    2004 Copen 659 cc, 2009 Sirion 2 1000cc, 2010 Subaru Justy 1000cc
    Glad to hear you're ok and will keep on enjoying the Mazda!

    I couldn't agree with you more on your buying from an enthusiast point.
     

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