It wouldn’t be price mentioning kei automobiles with out speaking concerning the Honda Beat. The Beat was Honda’s reply to Japans love for small automobiles. So, what are kei automobiles? Effectively, from a far, kei automobiles appear like a scaled down model of a daily car. They arrive in all completely different physique sorts, however by far the rear-engine, RWD, two-seater ones identical to the Honda Beat are probably the most enjoyable. Though not lots of them have been seen in North America, Japan at one level had round 40% of the automobiles on the street being kei automobiles.
The Honda Beat was produced for less than a
quick time frame (1991-1996) and was one of many final initiatives to be
authorized by the well-known engineer Soichiro Honda earlier than his passing in ’91. In
complete, simply over 33,000 items have been produced, with 2/3 of the being produced in
the primary years. And the remainder slowly trickled in as demand dropped over the
subsequent 4 years.
With a purpose to adjust to the kei automotive
necessities, Honda stuffed a naturally aspirated 656cc 3-cylinder engine into
the Beat outfitted with the MTRC system that made 63 hp at an astonishing
8100rpm. The highest velocity was maxed electronically out at 135km/h (84mph).
Surprisingly nevertheless, the engineers determined towards compelled induction resembling
turbocharging or supercharging versus their opponents at the moment.
Ultimately, the Beat was phased out and its place was taken by the Honda S660, which was very properly obtained by critics and was additionally significantly quicker because of a brand new turbocharged inline 3-cylinder engine.
Professionals and Cons
Professionals:
- Convertible
- Mid/Rear-engine, RWD setup
- Inexpensive value in comparison with different kei automobiles
- Nice gas economic system
- Implausible dealing with
- A/C was customary
Cons
- Felt sluggish as a result of lack of torque
- 0-60 in 13 seconds
- Was fairly loud
- Components could be laborious to seek out
Frequent Points
There isn’t quite a bit to go unsuitable with such a
fundamental, small automotive that didn’t come full of electronics to complicate it and
add weight. That being stated, there are a couple of widespread points that it is best to look
for earlier than shopping for a Honda Beat. The most typical difficulty that has been reported
was the extreme oil consumption. As a result of these small engines have been naturally
aspirated, they have been labored fairly laborious. If the earlier proprietor didn’t hold an
eye on the oil degree and used dangerous high quality oil when it got here time to alter it,
greater than possible it did harm to the piston rings. This in flip will trigger oil
to seep previous the pistons and produce blue smoke that comes from the exhaust.
One other difficulty was rust. Like many automobiles of
this period, the Beat was plagued with rust within the traditional areas such because the hood corners,
door sills and wheel wells. The excellent news is that the reported rust was by no means
on the structural elements of the automotive, such because the body. Different kei automobiles, just like the
Suzuki Cappuccino weren’t so fortunate within the rust division.
Common Costs
The typical value of there enjoyable little sports activities automobiles stays constantly round $10,000, though some could be had for method much less, whereas different can go as excessive as $20k!
The typical value for a Honda Beat appears to
hover proper across the $6,000 to $7,000 mark. Needless to say the value
listed above is the common. You possibly can mannequin for slightly below $4k, whereas the well-maintained
examples can go for as a lot as $15,000. In conclusion, there’s a Beat out
there for everybody’s price range, nevertheless, we by no means advocate getting the cheaper of
something as a result of greater than possible there shall be hidden points that make
themselves identified when you’ve bought it. The very best recommendation we may give is to
get a pre-purchase inspection completed at your native mechanic store earlier than pulling
the set off.
Now we have listed a couple of of the most affordable and
costliest fashions out there on JDMbuysell.com under
View all Honda Beat vehicles listed for sale.
Comparable Options
The Honda Beat is a part of the holy trinity
of rear-engine, RWD, two-seater kei automobiles. The opposite two automobiles are the Suzuki
Cappuccino and the Mazda Autozam AZ-1. Be at liberty to take a look at these purchaser’s
guides in an effort to stand up to hurry with the opposite two kei automobiles.
Listed below are some hyperlinks to comparable fashions:
Fashions and Specs
All Honda Beat fashions got here customary with an
intensive listing of kit that was fairly unprecedented on the earth of kei automobiles
as a result of imposed wight restrict, however Honda made it work some how. These options
included air-con, energy home windows, 3-point seatbelts, entrance stabilizer, laminated
windshield, toughened aspect glass, smooth prime, metal wheels, halogen headlights,
and solar visors. Non-obligatory gear included an out there drivers aspect airbag.
Three particular version variations have been
out there throughout its five-year manufacturing run. There have been:
Model F
The Model F was launched in February of 1991 and it featured an Aztec Inexperienced Pearl coloration and alloy wheels.
Model C
Model C was unveiled in Might of 1992 and
had a Captiva Blue Pearl paintjob together with white alloy wheels.
Model Z
The final model, often known as the Honda Beat
Model Z was launched in Might of 1993 and it consisted of a Blade Silver
Metallic or Everglade Inexperienced Metallic paint coloration, three black gauges, mud
guards, rear spoiler and exhaust tip, and naturally, alloy wheels.
Manufacturing Numbers:
| Mannequin | Beat |
|
Yr of manufacturing |
1991-96 |
| No. produced | 33,635 items |
|
Measurement (L / W / H / WB) mm |
3295 / 1395 / 1175 / 2280 |
|
Format, Gearbox |
Mid-engined, Rwd, 5M |
| Engine |
Inline-3, sohc, 4v/cyl |
|
Engine capability |
656 cc |
| Energy |
64 hp / 8100 rpm |
| Torque |
44 lbft / 7000 rpm |
| Weight | 760 kg |
| Prime velocity |
84 mph (restricted) |
| 0-60 mph | 13 sec (est) |
FAQ
Sure and no. Though there was just one official era, about midway although its lifecycle Honda revised some mechanical points.
No. They solely produced the Beat solely with a 5-speed guide transmission.
Sure. The Honda Beat is over 25-years outdated, which means it may be legally imported to the US. Particular person state legal guidelines might range.
It may be difficult for the primary few days. After that you simply received’t even discover that your steering wheel is on the unsuitable aspect.
Sadly, there aren’t any left-hand drive (LHD) manufacturing unit produced Honda Beats. The Honda Beat, like many different kei automobiles have been solely produced for the Japanese market. Which means that all 33,000 automobiles have been RHD solely.
Since these little automobiles have been constructed for the Japanese market solely, discovering elements right here in North America could be slightly difficult.
Sources
- https://www.autozine.org/Archive/Honda/basic/Beat.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Beat
- https://www.jdmbuysell.com/for-sale/honda/beat/
- http://andrewsjapanesecars.com/honda-beat/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/feedback/cd8v9f/buying_a_kei_car_fwd_vs_4wd/
- https://www.carthrottle.com/put up/a79q2d8/
Easy methods to Import a Honda Beat
Learn our final information, How to Import a Car from Japan.
Are you able to make this information higher? Are you an enormous fan of the Beat? If that’s the case, please contact us.
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