This is the car I used to draw when I was 6

@scaleartsg

Жыл бұрын

well thats how kids in japan draw cars nowadays!

@Pfsif

Жыл бұрын

😅🤣😂😁

Indicators on the right for a RHD car actually make a lot of sense especially if it's a manual. You can keep your right hand on the wheel to steer whilst flicking the indicators with your fingers on your right hand whilst changing gears with the left hand. Once you get used to it it feels like a much smoother process

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

I just wish car companies would be consistent. I've been forever turning on the wipers while trying to indicate.

@moltenriches

Жыл бұрын

@@LittleCar I feel like in an ideal world the indicator stalk would have always been on the opposite side to the gear lever but unfortunately we live in the real world lol

@bri77uk1

Жыл бұрын

The UK has standardised on indicators left since the 90s, which threw me when I drove in Australia and they still have the mix. Japanese and local cars having indicators right, and the rest being seemingly random. My own '87 MR2 has indicators right, but thankfully it's the only stalk, so it's easy to remember!

@moltenriches

Жыл бұрын

@@bri77uk1 Asian cars still have indicators on the right in the UK, I learnt to drive in a Kia Rio and it had them on the right

@bri77uk1

Жыл бұрын

@Moltenriches1 Oh! Interesting. I've driven a few Hyundais and Kias and they were all indicators left, I'm sure (except for in Australia). I know the Japanese makes all switched in the 90s.

I really wish they had kei-cars like this in Europe.

@tedarmavan

Жыл бұрын

Fortunately, in Indonesia (at least), some new Kei cars are got imported last year with fantastic price tag

@mrgurulittle7000

Жыл бұрын

It’s not a Kei car because it seats five people.

@tedarmavan

Жыл бұрын

@@mrgurulittle7000 nope, Kei car didn't specify on how much people you can get inside, as long as it less than 6-7 peoples

@mrgurulittle7000

Жыл бұрын

@@tedarmavan But Kei cars have engines only up to 660cc. That is capable of carrying 4 people anyway. And the number plate should be yellow. This one is white.

@kasperkjrsgaard1447

Жыл бұрын

Engine performance shouldn’t be a problem with 660 ccm. A modern 3-cylinder 1000 ccm can easily have 130-140 hp, so a 660 should be able to have around 90-100 hp, which should be more than adequate in a small lightweight car.

Hope you had great time in Japan, Toyota Roomy is an OEM car from Daihatsu, there’s a Daihatsu variant called Thor. There are 2 engine choices, 1.0L na 3-cylinders, or turbocharged version. The one you’re in is the cheapest trim level mainly for rental car fleets. Mid to upper trim level has LED headlight, 16 in alloy, ACC, USB and USB-C, climate control system, 9 in infotainment system.

@Mnkskanal

Жыл бұрын

The excellent Daihatsu 3cylinder 1KR engines.

Have a nice stay in Japan! Lovely to see your wife!

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes, that was a surprise for me.

@jamesengland7461

Жыл бұрын

Lovely to see her!

I wish we had more cars like this in Sweden. It’s so practical to have something boxy. It’s a different type of car but still reminds me of the old Volvo 740 estate wagons that used to be so popular here. Function before form.

Very interesting :) Hope to see more footage from Japan, fascinating country.

@TheQuirkyGarage1999

Жыл бұрын

hey J 🙂

@mrjsv4935

Жыл бұрын

@@TheQuirkyGarage1999 Hello A ;)

Japan is a quirky nation with an endless supply of odd and obscure vehicles, thanks Granturismo for introducing us TO the JDM.

It's almost like the Scion XB if it has continue the small toaster box vibes in the early 2000s

Hello there, fan from Japan here. I am surprised that you are here! The car Roomy is a sort of sub-compact car which is bigger than a kei(軽)-car that has yellow number plates, but smaller than those massive vans you featured(such as a HiAce). It is actually an OEM from Daihatsu, a prominent kei-car manufacturer, hence the similarities with a kei-car. You might feel it is slightly underpowered on highways, due to its small engine and weight, but around town it should carry itself fine. Unfortunately, the linkage with your phone does seem to require a designated app. I would personally recommend using google map, as that is usually updated more frequently than in-car navigation systems. The reason you would see kei-cars without the yellow number plates such as the white Suzuki in the parking lot is because there were commemorative special white plates issued at around the Olympics and Paralympics. Anyways, I hope this helps, and you find your stay in Japan satisfying! Would you be visiting Tokyo by any chance? P.S. Some extra info on the car from Toyota's global page: global.toyota/en/detail/14142579

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

:) Thanks Daniel. Yes, it was a little gutless on hills, but I'm used to that - I drove a 1.0L Nissan Micra from Scotland to France. We saw Tokyo last week - a great trip! On our way home now unfortunately (I'm typing this at the airport).

@danieljack8735

Жыл бұрын

@@LittleCar Thanks for writing back! Hope you have a pleasant journey home and I look forward to seeing your content again!

In New Zealand and Australia we Have the indicators on the right hand side. New Zealand imports these cars second hand

I could be wrong but I think this is the first video you’ve left your desk for. I’m currently in Philippines and there’s a pretty interesting range of cars here. That ginormous minivan is used for long distances here - it’s calling a Van Van - and yesterday I did a return trip to another island. This involved some mountain sections with a lot of S-bends, some almost hairpin and the driver just flung it around like a GTI. It was astonishing how it clung to the road, occasionally bouncing a little sideways for a ramp or pothole. My only reassurance was the thought that this is what he does everyday. Enjoy Japan and say hello to my son if you happen to meet him it Tokyo.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

I did a chat about the mp3 playback feature of the Tesla model 3 from the drivers seat. Does that count?

@seanoneillsongs

Жыл бұрын

@@LittleCar probably but I’m still a fan of the CD and must have missed. It’s good to see you out and about. My son sent a couple of pics of a pretty rare car he spotted a couple of days ago - a Toyota Origin - just over 1000 made. In my opinion really nice - if you only see it from the back. If you don’t know it - maybe a quirky story there.

Fun video - and neat to see you on the road

I like those tiny Japanese cars. Very functional and simple.

I love these types of reviews too, kindly make these too.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

I don't get to borrow funky cars like this very often!

Love this! Thank you so much for sharing it! Other than all the cool stuff Japan has, that sliding rear door situation is a winner. We had a Honda minivan and when we replaced it, we realized how inconvenient regular opening doors are in parking spaces! Awesome little car, thanks for taking us on the journey. Oh, nice to see you out and about, and nice to meet Mrs. Big Car! :)

I just came back from a week-long trip in Japan, and I rented the same car. I found it to be a brilliant mode of transportation, The size is perfect, not as small as a Kei car but small enough to fit anywhere I wanted to park it. My version of it was the fully loaded version. It had cruise control and automatic sliding doors on both sides, as well as flip down trays behind the front seats. Brand new this car retails for about 2 million Yen, and I am considering importing one to South Korea, where i live.

I recently worked with someone who had purchased a new Nissan (I can't remember the model). This car came with auto-dimming headlights, but there was no option of switching the system to manual only. The owner complained to me that the system was unable to detect all oncoming vehicles which meant that lots of drivers became abusive, beeping their horns and flashing their lights onto high beam. And, frustratingly, there was no way to override the system, so the owner was left looking like a complete jerk. It was enough of a problem that the owner was considering selling the vehicle. Like a lot of modern technology, it's all very helpful. Until it's not. Especially when there are no override options.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

There needs to be an override option. Computers can't get it right all the time.

As a Hong Konger I'd say there's a couple of quirks worth mentioning: 1. The ETC slot just beneath the driving aids panel, not seen in any other markets but standard for all Japanese cars, didn't it played a speech everytime you start the engine? 2. Japanese Satnav can be easily setup by typing the landline number of the hotel/shop/attraction. Not as convenient as smart phone apps these days but tremendously handy in the Naughties.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

No speech, but a random beep when I was driving that didn't seem to relate to anything!

I drive a 2005 Ford Fiesta three door in Australia and I’ve also owned a 2005 opel/ Vauxhall/ Holden astra 5 door, both cars are manual and have the indicators on the left, they are both very easy to drive and I’ve owned them one after the other, my parents own a Subaru Xv and a Holden commodore ute, their indicators are on the right, every time I drive my parents cars I turn on the wipers when I want to turn left or right because I’m not used to them being on the opposite side. I much prefer the indicators being on the left because it means I can always just hold the wheel with my right hand and use my left hand for everything else. I think for me having the indicators on the left is something I have become comfortable with.

Your wife is such a great person 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼, of course her videos are great too. Greetings from Germany.

I am in the UK, my first 2 corolla had the indicators on the right. This was many years ago. It is a throwback to Japan looking at British cars post WW2, building them under licence

Japan is like another world - both in cars and generally, very fascinating

Wow I'm only used to the BIg Car videos. This is a nice reality video 👍

Grew up over there & where I lived, those "Splats" on the road signified a fatality... rather "subtle"... "slow the hell down".

@DavidCurryFilms

Жыл бұрын

I feel the need for this in the UK...

@JTA1961

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidCurryFilms their "underlying" belief in spirits double the effect

You can use some apps to translate an address into map code and input the map code into the satnav for an easier navigation experience. Map code for popular spots is also available in some tourist guides as well.

Even though most people are right handed, I think it's good that japanese engineers realize this and put the most important features on the right side of the dashboard. Just don't understand right hand drive though, maybe there's more left handed people out there. Great video showing how ingenious japanese engineers are Thanks for the video

@bri77uk1

Жыл бұрын

It's entirely what you're used to - I'm from the UK and I just don't get LHD - I'm right handed.

@hynestimothy411

Жыл бұрын

@@bri77uk1 true

@davidhynd4435

Жыл бұрын

I'm in Australia. Our vehicles are all right hand drive. Left hand drive seems weird and foreign to me, so I suppose it's just what you're used to.

@mvevitsis

Жыл бұрын

I am from the US, left handed, prefer RHD

A car like this would be perfect for me. Very frustrating that they aren't sold here (UK).

@carlarrowsmith

Жыл бұрын

Toyota tried it with the Yaris Verso, not a sales success. You can get JDM import of cars like this and they are not expensive.

I Love the Roomy! I rented a few times during my trip’

You wonder why more Japanese car models aren't sold in the UK - that Roomy looks a very practical vehicle (I guess not a very exciting one) and I can never understand why none of the Japanese makers haven't tried to sell a few Kei cars here - I would have thought that they would attract a decent number of buyers.

@DavidCurryFilms

Жыл бұрын

I used to see Nissan Cubes, and further back Daihatsu Move + Suzuki R Wagon in the 90's... Then some European riffs on the Kai theme, Agila etc . Is import price very high now I wonder, or do folks want a crossover?

Love it

Hmm. A Japanese Exclusive Toyota that I never seen or heard of before. Not even in video games that I've played. And I've seen lots of JDM exclusive cars like the FunCargo, bB, (Scion xB) Celsior, (Lexus LS400 to LS430) ist, (Scion xA to xD) and Windom. (ES250 to 300) Oh, I forgot to mention Altezza, (Lexus IS200) Vitz, (Toyota Echo to Yaris) and the Toyota Crown. (Now available in the US)

The indicators are on the right because that is the correct location for right hand drive cars. Not like my UK built Honda Civic that has the indicator stalk on the wrong side. The Japanese built Hondas have it on the correct side thank goodness.

Reminds me of the Scion xB. That thing had so much space.

Watching this video in Japan, sitting in my Honda stepwagon, looking at this very car.

That's called a "Pacific RHD steering column". All Japanese, Indonesian, Malayan and Australian cars to my knowledge have the indicator on the right and wiper on the left. The Japanese did not care for long in export RHD models. My English aunt drove a 1980es Nissan Sunny that had a Pacific column as well. She was used to it, so it drove her mad if she had to drive my uncle's Vauxhall Cavalier and vice versa.

"there's lots of room in the car" You could say this car is Roomy

@peterkragger4824

Жыл бұрын

It lives up to it's name

My previous car was Nissan Almera 1.5 DCI Renault engine, also used in the Megane, I think (not commercially popular but I loved that car), a lot of the dashboard layout was strange, the speedometer and the odometer were with switched places compared to most cars, the wiper controls were reversed also, it created some bad habits of mine I cant root out to this day with my current car. The big brother of that car Nissan Primera dashboard was moved to the right of the driver in the middle of the console for some reason. Japanese designers do strange design choices sometimes.

my first thoughts on the styling is it looks like a mini hinda element, an SC with colormatching fenders and all that!

Bit of Daihatsu Materia about it.

@peterkragger4824

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, but Materia is bigger. This thing is the size of Aygo

Indicators are on the right (as they should be & were in the UK until EU) so you can change gear when manouvering.

That car would suit me, big upright doors an seating position loads of rear legroom and low loading rear ideal for loading and easy for our dog.

That Toyota at 07:40 is a HiAce, it’s a delivery van. The Nissan is a Serena MPV.

@claudiobizama5603

Жыл бұрын

The HiAce has a ton of configurations, the one in the video is a passenger van rather than a delivery one. There's even a truck version, including a double cab.

All right hand drive cars either have or used to have the indicators on the right. All Australian built, Japanese and older UK cars had them on the right. It is the correct place for them in a right hand drive car. The UK changed them to the left because of Europe. American cars have them on the left too because they are left hand drive.

@BoomChockolaca

Жыл бұрын

I believe that indicators on the right is much more convenient for a righty person. I've owned JDM Toyota and I was feeling super comfortable about it (as a righty person)

Thanks for this video - I love Japan, it's my favourite holiday destination, and I got to go back last month for the first time after Covid. As I don't have any family or hosts there, I only do public transport with the occasional taxi as a last resort. So while I look at the plethora of Kei and strange cars, I never get to drive or have a look in one. I did find it interesting that I managed to not see a single Honda e (my car), as I had assumed that the pathetic sales outside of Japan would have been somewhat balanced by the home market. I guess it's a combination of price, a less developed EV market and Kei cars doing the job for most who want a cute small car. I have to ask, did you see a Suzuki Hustler? It's a Kei car that looks like a Humvee - if I ever win the lottery I'll ship one over and convert it to electric, possibly the only car out there that looks even more absurd than my one!

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

There's a kei car that looks like a smaller Honda e here. It seems to be copying the style. Sorry, I haven't noticed a Hustler.

@garywilton1514

Жыл бұрын

@@LittleCar Honda One is the K-car - similar retro vibe

hiya great vid, its a good car I enjoyed punting it in Fukouka. Do you know the total interior space? seemed to be heaps

7:11 that Suzuki spacia is normally a kei car but due to the fact it has a white plate, it's displacement must be higher than 666cc

I hope one day they'll make an electric that gets sold in Ireland I love boxy cars!

Very Nice!... Humble, Spacious, an Aisin transmission, made in Japan. One couldn't ask for more. As a conservative American, I would happily and proudly drive one here, if they were available.

Mrs big car very cool😅

No mention of cup holders, reversing cameras and phone holders ... I always imagined these 'modern' features on every car in Japan. Mechanical heating and vent controls!

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

It’s got a reversing camera

Interesting. 📻🙂

Love everything about Japan, apart from the dolphin catching and what me liking that is.

Really neat! Have you driven RHD before? I just started looking at a few import shops here in Seattle (beautiful GC8, etc.....) and the RHD could be worth it but sadly my left eye peripheral vision would drop too much :(

@Pipsicle330

Жыл бұрын

He’s British. We all have RHD!

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I grew up in the UK so I'm familiar with RHD.

LOVE IT!!! Looks like an updated xb or Bb (JDM). I’d LOVE THAT!!! Especially if it was 2 feet longer fur larger rear door and front interior space……

@rolandsuch

Жыл бұрын

And the fact that Japan drives on the left with RHD, like in the UK. Having the indicator stalk on the right means that, in cars with a manual transmission, the indicator is on the opposite side of the steering wheel to the gear lever and so is operated by the hand that remains on the steering wheel.

@apachehelicopterah64

Жыл бұрын

@@rolandsuch oh my god!!! And don’t forget that Nerf makes a blue football that’s incredible hard to throw if it’s been soaked- I mean ABSOLUTELY SOAKED in water!!!! Wait- wtf does this have to do with your comment??? Well, wtf does your comment have to do with my comment that you’re replying to?!?!?!

@rolandsuch

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, this was a reply to another comment, I am not sure how it ended up under your comment. Sorry that I upset you so much.

@apachehelicopterah64

Жыл бұрын

@@rolandsuch not upset. Just really odd. I had assumed you were commenting on another comment, it was just sooo jarring. We’re “fine”, now. How are you? *Blaster fires* Boring conversation anyway…….

The reason that there is no USB port is that the car you got as after market head unit. Many Japanese rental companies buy there car with 'audioless option' so they can put their own system inside. I think post-facelifted Daihatsu Thor/Toyota Roomy/Subaru Justy got display audio thus has that feature. To be fair, Toyota Roomy isn't really Toyota. Toyota asked Daihatsu to develop the car to compete with Suzuki Solio. However, as a person who drove both cars, I can say that Suzuki is the car to go. More powerful, comfy, generally a better car.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Makes sense.

Interesting

Makes me wonder why doesn't Toyota bring their local cars to the UK and other rhd countries

@Lando-kx6so

Жыл бұрын

Most them find their way to these countries through grey imports. Tons of jdm mpvs are all over the UK & most bolts/ubers in London are jdm Priuses

You should try and meet wheelsboy he can give all the info you might need for the car market in general

I’ve managed to find a single Subaru Justy variant of this car in the six months I’ve lived in Japan; everyone gets the Toyota or Daihatsu variant.

On the fly reviews. I like it, and a potential business write off lol. There might be cars in other places you don't have out your way...hmmmm...

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

If I hire another car I'll see if I can do a quick review like this one.

How the Kei car never took off in Europe I’ll never know. Would’ve been great competition against the Mini and the 500.

@peterkragger4824

Жыл бұрын

We had a few kei-cars in Europe. We had Suzuki Wagon-R or Daihatsu Move in the late 90s but these weren't very strong sellers

Mrs. Big Car 😂😂😂

I believe the original car behind this design was the Toyota bB, we in the states got it as the Scion xB, it got a generation 2 before becoming the Roomy/Tank, we didn’t get that however, we got the Corolla Rumion as the gen 2 Scion xB(Toyota Rukus in AU). We should have gotten these in the states instead of the stupid Corolla Rumion

If they could bring this car to the us with a manual transmission and a price point below 20,000 usd for MSRP. Would also be cool if hybrid or electric.

Hi, any other methods charge mobile phones in the roomy?

oh wait you're in Kyoto? I live here!

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

We were. Lovely city!

Car lighting is one of my bug bears. I don‘t like auto lights on/off. They work on ambient light levels and so do not turn on when you have fog during the day when visibility is low but ambient light is quite high. I generally drive with dipped beam on all the time. I also find DRL‘s a silly idea as many people rely on the lights being on but do not realise that DRL‘s are only at the front, and on most cars , the rear lights are not illuminated. Next, rear fog lights; they dazzle when used when the road surface is wet, in fact in Germany you are not allowed to use them in rain and snow. When it is foggy people tend to hang on to your rear lights and get blinkered, not paying attention to other visual signals. Pile ups in fog occur because drivers are used to focusing on the rear fog lights, but quite often when there is an accident ahead the power to the lights has been interrupted or the lights themselves have been damaged. Then there is the problem that many people switch them on and forget to turn them off, others don‘t turn them on at all. My solution,DRL‘s are replaced by the dipped beam and rear lights being switched on with the ignition only leaving the driver with the choice of activating the msin beam, although this is now becoming automated with adaptive front lighting. At the rear only „normal“ lighting, delete rear fog warning lamps.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

You’ve clearly thought about this a LOT!

@rolandsuch

Жыл бұрын

@@LittleCar lol, I maybe a bit obsessed with this subject. I have just driven back from visiting a friend on the Autobahn in the pouring rain and again noticed that, although the vast majority of cars were driving with dipped headlamps and „standard“ rear lights, a couple of cars had the rear fog lights switched on, a couple of older cars had absolutely no illumination, and a few cars had just DRL’s illuminated (ambient light conditions!).

How does it feel to get back behind the wheel on the correct side again?

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

I'm in the UK on a regular basis, so not too weird. I have been using the wrong stalk for the indicator for the past few days though!

2:53 If I didnt know better that slot looks like a floppy drive 💾

@peterkragger4824

Жыл бұрын

It's for Japanese electronic toll collection cards, you use it for cashless payment for the expressways

@DavidCurryFilms

Жыл бұрын

@@peterkragger4824 hmm, that sounds organised 👍

Looks interesting, but i prefer the VW Up! shows over there. This is too weird for me!

It's the UK is that is peculiar in having left-hand indicator stalks with RHD. In all other RHD countries, Japamee carmakers leave the stalk om the right.

I really wish you could get your hands on the Toyota Hydrogen car to review. I think it's called the Mira? Although I have 0 interest in anything other than a gas powered car it seems the hydrogen car far out performs an ev for a practical alternative.

How about a Little Car feature on some of the weird Japanese car names? Daihatsu Charade Social Poze and Mitsubishi MUM 500 Shall We Join Us? for starters.

Looks a bit like a Sienna Toyota lobbed the rear end off of. "And then punched it in the schnoz."

Lack of auto lights is very much a japanese thing. It’s always a Toyota driver that’s trundling along at night with no clue that their lights aren’t on.

The Toyota Roomy is a badge-engineered Daihatsu Thor.

What is "main beam"? That's not a term used outside I assume Commonwealth countries.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

High beam.

Never knew Toyota made a Doblõ

I am either buying this, or a Nissan Caravan. I am 6'5" though, so... 🤔

Asian RHD cars have the indicators on the right for some reason.

The car is black, but the hatch and inner doors are white. It looks like a repaint.

Isn’t that a Scion xb in the US?

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

I did a quick look on the Internet and it seems to be a different car. It makes me think the Scion won’t drive well though!

@JohnsonBuck

Жыл бұрын

@@LittleCar A xB drives just fine, although that is certainly subjective. Toyota reliability, no frills and simply functional in a beautiful way I feel that has been lost in translation here in the USA in 2023.

4:25 When in Rome as they say.

It looks like a "rent a short bus", and I bet it drives like whoever would buy it doesn't drive unless they absolutely have too, because they hate to drive.... Literally. As in they literally get pissed off. Or the perfectly boring rental special education bus, but in some kind of undercover kid commuter color scheme. I'm sure the insurance is cheap on it without ever having to set eyes on the contract, or the receipt. 😅

At least you can stack them neatly in a Japanese car park. When I think back to Datsuns and Toyotas of the 1970s, which were basically miniaturised Detroit designs, Jap cars (or particularly Toyotas) have got weird and ugly. There’s barely been a good looking Toyota since about 1998.

@peterkragger4824

Жыл бұрын

I'd disagree. The GR lineup 86, Corolla and Yaris look pretty cool imo

they used to produce way cooler cars what happened now?

@claudiobizama5603

Жыл бұрын

The economic bubble happened

🤍

Good choice, I like Andrew Lloyd Webber.

@LittleCar

Жыл бұрын

"The Likes Of Us" is the first musical he wrote - never produced.

This is a rebadged Daihatsu Thor. All micro cars from Toyota and Subaru are rebadged Daihatsu cars.

These Japanese city cars are designed so front seat occupants can exit either side of the vehicles in case you have to park hard against a wall, due to the lack of parking space.

Its clearly not made for Westerners, but for the country ur using it in...

Indicators on the Right of a right hand drive car is correct and feels better. Europe is wrong. Auto Headlights are pointless, dumbs down drivers.

I guess we just have to accept what we're given, being in the minority that drive on the left and no longer a manufacturer either.

quirky

Why are their cars shape like that? Is it regulations from the gov?🍺

Japan is sooooo weird

Such a cheesy name for a car

All of these smaller cars are extremely unsafe and Japanese people die all the time in accidents that wouldn't even scratch you in something the size of a Crown or E-Class

I hope we got this in the Philippines 🥹