New Copen owner from Japan.

Hello all! Ex-pat living in Japan (from the USA).
I just got my 2003 dark green Copen delivered to my door about 2 hours ago.
I can't legally take it for a spin until next Tuesday... but its still nice to finally have it.

First question is how the hell do I open the hood (bonet)? It took me a few minutes to find the gas cover release. Still no luck with the hood.

My little Copen came equiped with this:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads10/Panasonic_CQ+TX5500D1171830074.jpg

but with only the stock speakers I believe. They are okay.... but I think with for a few hundred dollars I could do some improvements. I see you guys have mods section here. I will checking that out.

There are a few other cosmetic issues I may try to tackle later one. The leather around the gear shift is worn. Stuff like that.

In the USA I would say 90% of us only learn how to drive an automatic transmission car. If not 95% these days. I have loved sports cars since I was in college, but never learned how to drive an MT.

I came to Japan 7 years ago and leased a brand new Gen 3 Nissan Cube. It was cool to have a Japan only car. They didn't export the Cube until Gen 4.

Then I got my first real sports car. A 1997 Prelude SiR. So much fun and such a nice looking car. She was an AT also. I learned how to ride a motorcycle in Japan, and love the experience the MT of the bike gave me, so I swore my next car would be an MT. I can't go through life wanting to really drive a sports car and not have an MT. My heart was set on a Honda S2000. But they are pricey over here and while I love my job, I sadly dont make enough to afford even a used s2000. What about a MX-5 (Miata). Or an MR-S (MR2)? Cheaper options. BUT in japan they have two levels of cars. White and Yellow plate. White plate anything bigger than 660 cc is VERY expensive. Yearly tax, bi-yearly inspection. As you can see I really had my heart set on coupe/roadster convertible. I wanted something stupidly impractical while life still offers me the option. Enter the Copen. As expensive some as MX-5s and MR-Ss but the money I will save in the next 3 or 4 years in tires, gas, car tax, and inspection fees, it will be the cheaper option.

In Japan you have either an AT licence or an MT licence. I just went to a Japanese driving school this past weekend. Just 4 hours of driving "lessons", took the MT test, no problem. I get my official licence converted tomorrow.
My insurance kicks in on Tuesday.
There you have it. That how I came to be a Copen owner.

Sorry for the long introduction.

Cheers.

inaka_rob

 

damn. I checked in the glove box.
I will go look again!
Yeah I found the boot release already.

LOVE that my car comes with seat warmers too. I have nice warm summers, but really cold and often VERY snowy winters. Rear window heater too! nice.
My preludes was busted from day when I got her used (and no seat warmers).

 

I didn't realize that thing was a pull lever.

Its a little dirty under the hood, but no rust and the pipes and tubing all looks good. Everything was going on my Prelude. Air intake hose has 3 massive cracks. I think the head gasket is leaking. Either way its leaking oil. Sad to see the Prelude go, but glad I don't have to deal with any more. Its needs new sports tires too which run about 1000 dollars.

I visted a friend of mine who has a Copen. He took his vehcial badges off. I just loved the look. I would never do it to Honda, but this car I might.
What do you think about a 11+ year old car. Think the shadowing will be real bad? My wifes cars has visibly faded. This copen looks like its still has near original color. But even a little fading will make de-bading it look bad.

I love a clean looking car, but my friend also had front spoiler(?). Really looked sharp. I am not sure what you call it. They call them "areo parts" here in Japan. I don't want to sink a bunch of money into this car. It is 11 years old and I only plan on keeping it 4 years at the max, mabye as little as 2 if we decided to leave the country (looking at the UK actually for PH.d programs... have to finish my masters first! Doing distance learning through Leicester atm.)

 

Yeah. I am learning slowly. I still cant go a day without stalling. In city traffic, I get nervous at a green light a shit of people behind me. I let the clutch out too early. Or rev it WAY too high.
When I am out in the coutnry side, no problems at all.
but I never stalled my motorcycle this much when I was learning on that.

My friend and I would actually like to start a little parts business. Actually selling used cars to foreigners here, because the used car market kinda sucks in Japan and it really hard to navigate for fresh foreigners over here. But parts is something we have looked into.


I am having trouble with my roof. Pretty bummed about it. With the top down, if it will go down, nothing but smiles. With the roof up, nothing but a headache.
Its like the previous owner tighteded the roof too much and now its loose and can be titghened anymore. I am taking it to a daihatsu dealer/friend tomorrow. See what they say and see if I can get the used car dealer to pay for any fixing if it needs it.