Someone that gets it. The horsepower war has blinded enthusiasts into thinking they need hellcat power to have a good time. Minivans may have 300hp nowadays but people often forget why the Miata is one of the most popular sports cars of all time. Slow car fast is always a good time.
I fell in love with Kei cars because of Gran Turismo. The fact that some of them are popping up here in the states now gives me hope I can see or even drive or own one at some point.
We are surrounded by Ferraris and Lamborghinis, so when we roll up in our little yellow mid engine Beat at Cars and Coffee half the crowd runs over to us taking photos and asking questions
I imported a silver ‘92 Beat just like this one from Japan last month. When I was in college I owned a MG Midget which is basically a sports car that you wear. So my new Beat is the same thing - slightly smaller, much better made, and more modern (even though it’s 29 years old now) and even more fun. Winding the little engine with three separate throttlebodies out to 9K it sounds like an old F1 car. When I went to register it here in Texas of course nobody at the DMV had ever heard of it. But when I called Hagarty to insure it, they knew right away what it was!
I agree - Hagerty is at the high end of auto insurance. I have a resto-mod ‘90 911 that Hagerty insures under an agreed value policy. I speak with an agent once or twice a year; every time I call it’s clear to me that the person I speak with ‘gets it’.
@@JonathanLong The Midget is definitely fun but it’s a lot cruder and old school in design and execution, with rear leaf springs, carburetor(s), and points ignition. But that also makes it easier to work on. Plenty of parts support for MGs from Moss and other suppliers.
I like the way the body sides cut in to provide air intakes for the mid engine. Similar to the current Porsche Boxters albeit 40 years later…nothings new!😊
Excellent video. I’m with you 100% John! It’s not about how fast you go; but rather, about the excitement of the experience. I have a ‘90 911 - it is such a blast to drive on back roads under 70mph. The sound of the engine, the acceleration to red line, rev matching on down shifts, braking & throttle steering to keep the car pinned to the road in turns - it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.
John that was an absolutely super episode. I guess we’re pretty lucky in the uk as we’re one of the few countries that drive on the left and can therefore fully enjoy some of these more unusual Japanese imports…- Live long and prosper dude! 😊🇬🇧
I’d say you’re very lucky in the UK as you don’t the silly 25 year rule like we do in the US before you can import any car you like. Plus, you have all those very tasty B-roads to enjoy with fun cars.
@@jkk244 yes that’s true and if you get the chance to come over, please try to drive Western Scotland and the highlands. The most beautiful roads and scenery, plus almost no traffic. Kind regards.
@hagerty THIS is why we started our TH-cam channel and why we selected you to insure our 1991 Honda Beat and 1991 Honda CRX SiR. Most people including car enthusiasts do not get it. Why would you buy/ own/ drive an “under powered” Japanese car. But there is so much more to these cars and understanding why they were created is part of the experience. I highly recommend anyone into cars to find a kei car be it a Honda Beat, a Suzuki Cappuccino or Mazda Autozam and take it for a ride and truly enjoy what the sounds and feels of the experience. You just might walk away a changed person inside! 🚗 💨
Petrolicious fans keep asking for classic Petrolicious video's. Happy to see Hagerty giving what is lost and improve it even! Love the style and this guy is wonderful!
Wasn't expecting to see so many Torinos in a video about a Kei car but it makes me happy to see more people out there with diverse tastes in cars. Far too often people let brand loyalty cloud there judgement on what being a gear head really means.
I'm on my second Beat. Bought my first one in Japan 20 years ago and brought it to the UK some years after. Sold it when I had kids but nothing quite scratched that itch, so 5 years ago found another. Such an engagingly raw driving experience. Even now every drive is special.
can confirm 1) Beats are the most fun you can ever have under the speed limit, and 2) unfortunately, that they take a hit far better than you'd think. I was t-boned by a hit-and-run Altima last month and i didn't get a scratch. They did knock me three lanes and up a small hill though, so it doesn't quite undo physics. RIP, little roaring friend.
In comparison to this, my little MX-5 NB with the small 1.6 is a rocket. I love these little slow roadsters, you sit on the ground and have the fun of your life.
lets talk about the Honda motorcycle we got a glimpse of.... the NS400R.... mr John i have a NSR 250r here in the states if youre interested...jus sayin
Nice Honda. Checkout the Mazda AZ-1, still one of the best Kei cars ever made, just imagine it rereleased with an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine.
The sensation of speed is more intense in slow cars, fast cars are more rlaxed in lower speeds and really need a track. I fully agree, but s2000 & miata, is the slowest I'd go
can someone knowledgeable please identify what those 4 cars are? the ones that he walked by on his way to the Beat. they are probably all Fords, but I can't tell what models they are. thank you
Nice ones will go up in value, so I wouldn't wait. Get yourself an unmolested Z version whilst you can to keep under wraps, and a tatty high mileage one to enjoy.
Man, I want that garage. You can even have all the stuff in it (I'd take that too if I could), but just to have SPACE to put and work on things. Things are pretty bleak when any broke person can finance a new BMW, but you need a $650k mortgage in order to change the oil yourself on a 1991 Civic. Let alone somewhere to do a motorcycle engine rebuild. I did get the Kawasaki running, but the storage unit people invited me to GTFO.
When will small french cars get the recognition they deserve, the "Le Car" for example has a number of quirky attributes worth a mention. Longitudinal Front-mid engine layout, different wheelbase between left and right hand side, muffler in the wheel housing, 3-bolt wheels, spare tyre in the engine bay, crazy comfortable independant suspension with torsion springs all around. And thats just one of them.
I suspect our definition of "recognition they deserve" is somewhat different. I had a Talbot Samba and it was horrifically awful in every way possible.
Sorry, but how exactly? I mean for one the relatively bulbous MG F or the TF doesn't look anything like the straight lined Beat. And secondly the Beat came out a full four years ahead of the MG F, in 1991.
Louisiana man driving a honda kei car. Absolute lad of culture.
True car guys have no limits
@Miles Doyle Here cums Sir Spam-A-Lot with their ancient Ponzi scheme again!
This guy is a car enthusiast through and through, mad respect
Finally somebody who actually understands and means the term "JDM"1
Don’t tell that to the JDM ninja!
@Miles Doyle Spammer gonna spam.
Love Kei cars. This format reminds me of old Petrolicious, and that's a good thing.
I miss the old Petrolicious.
@@stuffhappens5681 I know. They really need to bring back Made To Drive
Someone that gets it. The horsepower war has blinded enthusiasts into thinking they need hellcat power to have a good time. Minivans may have 300hp nowadays but people often forget why the Miata is one of the most popular sports cars of all time. Slow car fast is always a good time.
@Miles Doyle Satan also says your mother files taxes in hell.
I fell in love with Kei cars because of Gran Turismo. The fact that some of them are popping up here in the states now gives me hope I can see or even drive or own one at some point.
We have several around in North Texas
They are all over the country. We highly recommend you look into them as they are more affordable than you may think!
@Miles Doyle Wrong place, Sir Spam-A-Lot.
Listening to his accent, I thought he would be like die-hard V8 kind of guy. But man. Truly respect.
It’s cool having the exact opposite type of car then the rest of people in the area.
We are surrounded by Ferraris and Lamborghinis, so when we roll up in our little yellow mid engine Beat at Cars and Coffee half the crowd runs over to us taking photos and asking questions
That's why it's great to have a kei car in Texas... until I get on the highway.
@@rareblendcars ed Reed
@Miles Doyle Sir-Spam-A-lot strikes again!
I imported a silver ‘92 Beat just like this one from Japan last month. When I was in college I owned a MG Midget which is basically a sports car that you wear. So my new Beat is the same thing - slightly smaller, much better made, and more modern (even though it’s 29 years old now) and even more fun. Winding the little engine with three separate throttlebodies out to 9K it sounds like an old F1 car. When I went to register it here in Texas of course nobody at the DMV had ever heard of it. But when I called Hagarty to insure it, they knew right away what it was!
I agree - Hagerty is at the high end of auto insurance. I have a resto-mod ‘90 911 that Hagerty insures under an agreed value policy. I speak with an agent once or twice a year; every time I call it’s clear to me that the person I speak with ‘gets it’.
Its funny you say that, cause i currently own a honda beat that i drive to college and now i want an MG midget just for the hell of it
@@JonathanLong The Midget is definitely fun but it’s a lot cruder and old school in design and execution, with rear leaf springs, carburetor(s), and points ignition. But that also makes it easier to work on. Plenty of parts support for MGs from Moss and other suppliers.
That guy's garage is incredible. I don't think I'd get tired of driving/riding anything in it.
This dude is the last person on earth i would have expected to see driving a little 600cc japanese car from the 90s (and it's awesome)
I love my Honda Beat. Thank you Hagerty for your support in insuring it is protected for me. ❤️
We knew you would chime in here! Haha! 😎👍
I've wanted one of these for quite a while. High-rpm screamer, lightweight and the epitome of slow car fast driving fun. Thanks for the video!
We can highly recommend them for fun!
I like the way the body sides cut in to provide air intakes for the mid engine. Similar to the current Porsche Boxters albeit 40 years later…nothings new!😊
It's uncommon for me to see a car I've never seen before, so thanks for enlightening me!
Right there with ya. Never even heard of this one before. Great little car!
We have a project Beat that we are currently working so feel free to ask any questions! Great little cars and lots of fun!
Excellent video. I’m with you 100% John! It’s not about how fast you go; but rather, about the excitement of the experience. I have a ‘90 911 - it is such a blast to drive on back roads under 70mph. The sound of the engine, the acceleration to red line, rev matching on down shifts, braking & throttle steering to keep the car pinned to the road in turns - it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.
John: Well said. Every word of it.
Great collection as well...the Z and the S800 coupe! Amazing!
"If you wanted something else, you had to go somewhere else." Sounds good for me hahaha
John that was an absolutely super episode. I guess we’re pretty lucky in the uk as we’re one of the few countries that drive on the left and can therefore fully enjoy some of these more unusual Japanese imports…- Live long and prosper dude! 😊🇬🇧
I’d say you’re very lucky in the UK as you don’t the silly 25 year rule like we do in the US before you can import any car you like. Plus, you have all those very tasty B-roads to enjoy with fun cars.
@@jkk244 yes that’s true and if you get the chance to come over, please try to drive Western Scotland and the highlands. The most beautiful roads and scenery, plus almost no traffic. Kind regards.
@Miles Doyle God has forsaken you because you haven't driven a Honda Beat yet, stay on topic nerd.
@hagerty THIS is why we started our TH-cam channel and why we selected you to insure our 1991 Honda Beat and 1991 Honda CRX SiR.
Most people including car enthusiasts do not get it. Why would you buy/ own/ drive an “under powered” Japanese car. But there is so much more to these cars and understanding why they were created is part of the experience.
I highly recommend anyone into cars to find a kei car be it a Honda Beat, a Suzuki Cappuccino or Mazda Autozam and take it for a ride and truly enjoy what the sounds and feels of the experience. You just might walk away a changed person inside!
🚗 💨
Petrolicious fans keep asking for classic Petrolicious video's. Happy to see Hagerty giving what is lost and improve it even! Love the style and this guy is wonderful!
Love the little nod to Honda's original advertisements when they first launched in the U.S, you really do meet the nicest people in a Honda
Wasn't expecting to see so many Torinos in a video about a Kei car but it makes me happy to see more people out there with diverse tastes in cars. Far too often people let brand loyalty cloud there judgement on what being a gear head really means.
Have driven one! A friend had a red one. Scariest bit was how little you feel in traffic but boy what a hoot to drive!
I'm on my second Beat. Bought my first one in Japan 20 years ago and brought it to the UK some years after. Sold it when I had kids but nothing quite scratched that itch, so 5 years ago found another. Such an engagingly raw driving experience. Even now every drive is special.
"You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda"
- The Hondells (1964)
PS Go little Honda!
Love, love, LOVE that little yellow Honda!!!
He ain't wrong. Driving slow cars fast is sooooo much fun.
Slow car fast > fast car slow
I never understood the saying "its more fun to drive a slow car fast" until i owned a fast "ish" car, And i completely get it now.
Wow Louisiana? I’m in Baton Rouge and would love to meet this guy!
Congratulations 🎈🎊🍾🎉
I hope to meet John at a Cars & Coffee.
can confirm
1) Beats are the most fun you can ever have under the speed limit, and
2) unfortunately, that they take a hit far better than you'd think. I was t-boned by a hit-and-run Altima last month and i didn't get a scratch. They did knock me three lanes and up a small hill though, so it doesn't quite undo physics. RIP, little roaring friend.
Damn man :( Sorry for your loss. Why do all these hit and run drivers always drive an Altima?
Owning a Daihatsu Mira I know exactly how he feels. Love driving the little thing!!!
What a cool little car….. good stuff!👍
Very cool older dude, I've got 3 Kei cars in my collection including a Beat, Rj in Oz
What a man
In comparison to this, my little MX-5 NB with the small 1.6 is a rocket. I love these little slow roadsters, you sit on the ground and have the fun of your life.
lets talk about the Honda motorcycle we got a glimpse of.... the NS400R.... mr John i have a NSR 250r here in the states if youre interested...jus sayin
A can't agree more, I've had 3 Kei cars,but here right hand drive is the correct side.
That NS400 is sweet AF ❤️
The Kei cars shift like rally cars! Love to zip around in Kei micro vans
Well done, that man!
Please do a tour of his shop and toys.
ABC: AZ-1(Mazda), BEAT(Honda), Cappuccino(Suzuki)
Daihatsu Mira? Lol
I would love an AZ-1.
@@s70driver2005 and copen
This is my very favorite series of all on TH-cam! Thanks for doing this!
Glad you enjoy it!
@@Hagerty I always enjoy the "Why I Drive" series. I am a Haggerty customer and would love to be featured with my 74 Duster some day!
I also have a kei car....an 02 perodua kenari from Malaysia....great little minivan
I've never heard of that car ! You guys sure know how to make a good TH-cam video.
1:30 Used to own a 600 Z Coupe! called it "the Fishbowl"
So much cool in this vid.
The man is a legend
Absolutely Phenomenal Car Video All The Best.
Nice Honda. Checkout the Mazda AZ-1, still one of the best Kei cars ever made, just imagine it rereleased with an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine.
2:46. Nice yellow S 800 coupe.
Grandpa got my respect...
True enthusiasts & rebels don't care what people perceive them. This guy is the example. It's all about him and the machine.
The Comet GT in that you walked by would be my choice...
Smiles per hour is sometimes better than Miles per hour
The sensation of speed is more intense in slow cars, fast cars are more rlaxed in lower speeds and really need a track. I fully agree, but s2000 & miata, is the slowest I'd go
Top bloke
can someone knowledgeable please identify what those 4 cars are? the ones that he walked by on his way to the Beat.
they are probably all Fords, but I can't tell what models they are.
thank you
The hatches are day to day
What's the Honda S lurking in the background? 500, 600, 800? :-)
Would be nice to have that Michael Jackson song in it somewhere - "Just beat it..."
Great, I've been saving for one of these for a year. Anyone got one for sale before they get overpriced?
Nice ones will go up in value, so I wouldn't wait. Get yourself an unmolested Z version whilst you can to keep under wraps, and a tatty high mileage one to enjoy.
Those size cars would save the auto industry for new buyers. Too bad we're all fat or way too tall.
Is tomorrow a cammisa day?
Cool vid
Man, I want that garage. You can even have all the stuff in it (I'd take that too if I could), but just to have SPACE to put and work on things. Things are pretty bleak when any broke person can finance a new BMW, but you need a $650k mortgage in order to change the oil yourself on a 1991 Civic. Let alone somewhere to do a motorcycle engine rebuild. I did get the Kawasaki running, but the storage unit people invited me to GTFO.
in my country, honda beat is a name for scooter motorbike from honda 😁
Yes, Honda recycled the Beat name from a car to a modern scooter.
Oh great. After this video, there go my hopes of finding one for reasonable money.
Prices are still very reasonable but they have started to climb a bit this year!
@@rareblendcars well I mean now with this video they're going to start to climb even further. Just wait until some major TH-camrs get into them
@@RetroGamerr1991 the TH-cam Tax!
Baby nsx!
I miss my convertible
"Redline and brakes".
JDM namba wan!
this guy's the shizz
It´s so tiny, so small, cute but i imagine... if you crash with this at 50mph = RIP
Takiro Honda beat motor
When will small french cars get the recognition they deserve, the "Le Car" for example has a number of quirky attributes worth a mention. Longitudinal Front-mid engine layout, different wheelbase between left and right hand side, muffler in the wheel housing, 3-bolt wheels, spare tyre in the engine bay, crazy comfortable independant suspension with torsion springs all around.
And thats just one of them.
I suspect our definition of "recognition they deserve" is somewhat different. I had a Talbot Samba and it was horrifically awful in every way possible.
Done!!!
14th liker and 2nd comment 😉😎
Here’s your cookie 🍪
A bad copy of MG TF. *Google it....*
Sorry, but how exactly? I mean for one the relatively bulbous MG F or the TF doesn't look anything like the straight lined Beat. And secondly the Beat came out a full four years ahead of the MG F, in 1991.