# Did you own a Daihatsu (or know anyone who did?) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352 "2017-09-26T15:14:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/1 "2017-09-26T15:14:36Z")
The Daihatsu Motor Co made a brief foray into the U.S. market in the late 80s. Did you own one? Was there anything novel or exceptional about it? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/2 "2017-09-26T15:28:27Z")
I’ve only seen them in the Caribbean, where Daihatsu cars and small trucks are very common. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/3 "2017-09-26T15:47:03Z")
My ex father-in-law owned one. It was the small suv thing like [this.](https://i1.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/RR-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/4 "2017-09-26T16:02:54Z")
There was one parked on the street next door off and on for a while a few months back. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/5 "2017-09-26T16:04:59Z")
Weren’t they the ones who sold a three-wheeled car? ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/6 "2017-09-26T16:29:04Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > Weren’t they the ones who sold a three-wheeled car? Once upon a time, apparently. (But never in the U.S.) > **[Daihatsu Midget](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Midget)** > > The Daihatsu Midget is a single-seater mini-truck, later a microvan/kei truck made by Japanese automaker Daihatsu. Several distinct vehicles have borne the Midget name over the years, but all have had in common a single or two-seat utilitarian design, with an enclosed or semi-enclosed cab. > In August 1957 the original DKA Midget was introduced. It featured three wheels, a single seat, a doorless cab, and handlebar steering. The engine was an air-cooled two-stroke single-cylinder design of 250 cc... ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/7 "2017-09-26T16:31:35Z")
Accoirding to this article, the novel and exceptional thing about them was that they were stunningly [unnovel and unexceptional](http://autoweek.com/article/classic-cars/daihatsu-other-toyota-budget-brand-left-us). I’m not even sure they were sold in the Midwest. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/8 "2017-09-26T16:42:31Z")
Although someone probably should have told them calling their car the [Charade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Charade) wasn’t the greatest idea. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/9 "2017-09-26T18:33:02Z")
> [@2Bits](#): > > Once upon a time, apparently. (But never in the U.S.) > > [Daihatsu Midget - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Midget) Strange. I can swear I saw advertisements in the 1980s for a three-wheeled car that looked like any other normal car (there was either no left rear wheel or right rear wheel–I can’t remember which). Maybe it’s not Daihatsu I’m thinking of. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/10 "2017-09-26T23:47:59Z")
[Moderating] I’m not seeing that this is particularly artistic. Off to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/11 "2017-09-26T23:55:32Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Accoirding to this article, the novel and exceptional thing about them was that they were stunningly [unnovel and unexceptional](http://autoweek.com/article/classic-cars/daihatsu-other-toyota-budget-brand-left-us). > > I’m not even sure they were sold in the Midwest. yes my cousin bought a charade but her brother ended up driving it and all he could say that was special on it was it was cheaper on gas … But the reason he sold it was the parts were impossible to find and a 20 dollar part ended up being 80 because having to have to be shipped from Korea when he did find one place an hour in a half away to work on it … It always reminded be of a budget mid 80s car … ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/12 "2017-09-27T00:40:28Z")
I have heard of them and may even have seen a couple in the late 80’s but I don’t know anyone well that had one. I did know someone that had a [Yugo](https://www.google.com/search?q=yugo&tbm=isch&imgil=mkdcxS8s-RQRuM%253A%253BkaCfxtXH6ggwqM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.bbc.com%25252Fautos%25252Fstory%25252F20151126-in-praise-yes-praise-of-the-yugo&source=iu&pf=m&fir=mkdcxS8s-RQRuM%253A%252CkaCfxtXH6ggwqM%252C_&usg=__y528ZmRkDC4jQ94KP2-0srEtwNE%3D&biw=1024&bih=506&ved=0ahUKEwj-q_ekkMTWAhXE4iYKHY_LBGMQyjcIOg&ei=JfPKWb6FGsTFmwGPl5OYBg#imgrc=mkdcxS8s-RQRuM:). That is still the biggest piece of shit vehicle that I have ever personally witnessed (but they sure were cheap). ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/13 "2017-09-27T03:42:33Z")
Now that you mention it, no. And that really surprises me. I knew several people who bought Yugos and even a Volga once so you would think ---------- ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/14 "2017-09-27T04:00:33Z")
I hadn’t thought about it in years, but I think the security department at my college (91-95) used Daihatsu mini trucks. Like this one: [http://x-img.autorevo.com/2010-suzuki-eaton-co-6143487/1661147-0-medium.jpg](http://x-img.autorevo.com/2010-suzuki-eaton-co-6143487/1661147-0-medium.jpg). They drove them around the pedestrian area of the quad. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/15 "2017-09-27T05:23:00Z")
I had a dachshund. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/16 "2017-09-27T12:51:37Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > But the reason he sold it was the parts were impossible to find and a 20 dollar part ended up being 80 because having to have to be shipped from **Korea** when he did find one place an hour in a half away to work on it … My bolding. That would be Japan. Sure, I know a lot of people who drive / drove Daihatsu cars. My ex-MIL had one which I drove quite a bit while we lived with them. They’re cheap cars and you simply get what you pay for them. Nothing particularly special. Because of Japanese automobile registration, tax structure, insurance and parking requirements, there are many [kei cars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kei_car), with a current maximum of 660 cc engine. When I was first in Japan, it was 550. Daihatsu is competitive in that market. Now I’m here in Taiwan, I do see some Daihatsu here as well. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/17 "2017-09-27T18:23:17Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I have heard of them and may even have seen a couple in the late 80’s but I don’t know anyone well that had one. I did know someone that had a [Yugo](https://www.google.com/search?q=yugo&tbm=isch&imgil=mkdcxS8s-RQRuM%253A%253BkaCfxtXH6ggwqM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.bbc.com%25252Fautos%25252Fstory%25252F20151126-in-praise-yes-praise-of-the-yugo&source=iu&pf=m&fir=mkdcxS8s-RQRuM%253A%252CkaCfxtXH6ggwqM%252C_&usg=__y528ZmRkDC4jQ94KP2-0srEtwNE%3D&biw=1024&bih=506&ved=0ahUKEwj-q_ekkMTWAhXE4iYKHY_LBGMQyjcIOg&ei=JfPKWb6FGsTFmwGPl5OYBg#imgrc=mkdcxS8s-RQRuM:). That is still the biggest piece of shit vehicle that I have ever personally witnessed (but they sure were cheap). Know why the factory installed rear window defoggers on every Yugo? To keep your hands warm in winter while pushing… ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/18 "2017-09-28T00:41:49Z")
My sister’s third car was a Daihatsu Rocky. It was kind of a jeep/car\* when SUV’s were relatively new. It was pretty darn sturdy and got great mileage. She and her husband used it as a supply/chase vehicle for a team that competed in the Baja races. It was certainly not fit for actually competing in those races, but it was a true 4-wheel-drive machine that held up well. But then, as it aged, parts got harder and harder to find. Eventually she traded it in. –G! \*Jeeps were typically known to have soft sides that could be removed or dropped somewhat spontaneously. She could remove the rear roof/sides but it was actually solid so she would have to do the work at home and leave the shell in the garage. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/19 "2017-09-28T00:51:12Z")
sorry it was his kia that had the Korean parts that gave him problems … but they were still expensive ironically he traded in the Daihatsu for the kia … ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352/20 "2017-09-28T06:20:36Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Although someone probably should have told them calling their car the [Charade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Charade) wasn’t the greatest idea. Just as I always thought. I think it also didn’t help that the ads stopped barely short of implying that their product was so unbelievably awesome as to rank somewhere between a Boeing 707 and the Starship Enterprise for its earthshaking contribution to humanity. The commercials had such dramatic sounding music and voice-overs, and every time they popped up on the TV I wanted to shout, “It’s just a car, people. A little econobox hatchback car!” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-own-a-daihatsu-or-know-anyone-who-did/797352.md?page=2)