In a realm obsessed with horsepower dragons and turbocharged titans, there hums a tiny maestro—a car that trades speedometers for smiles, and drag races for drama-free delight. Enter the Daihatsu Copen, South Africa’s underdog roadster with a 1.3L heart, a retractable roof, and a secret superpower: it’s stupidly fun to drive. Not fast, but quick. Not fierce, but nippy. And in a world of SUVs, that’s pure sorcery.
Chapter 1: The SA Copen’s Secret Sauce
SA’s Copen never got Japan’s turbocharged Kei-car engine. Instead, it arrived with a 1.3L naturally aspirated motor (64kW, 120Nm)—a humble setup that, against all odds, became its charm.
Why it works:
- Featherweight Frame: At 830kg, it’s lighter than a minibus taxi’s ego.
- Short-Throw Sorcery: The 5-speed manual gearbox clicks like a metronome—snick-snick-snick—turning gear changes into a rhythm game.
- Nippy, Not Numb: 0–100km/h in 9.8 seconds? Who cares? It feels quick, darting through Joburg traffic like a meerkat on espresso.
Chapter 2: The Joy of Slow Car Fast
Forget speed. The Copen’s magic is in using all of everything, all the time.
- Rev-Happy Engine: Redline at 6,500rpm? Do it. The 1.3L sings like a kazoo choir—raspy, joyful, gloriously unrefined.
- Cornering Ballet: Toss it into a bend. The skinny tires grip, the chassis giggles, and you’ll swear you’re Ayrton Senna… if Senna drove a toaster.
- Topless Therapy: Drop the roof, slot into third gear, and suddenly the R44 coastal road feels like Monaco.
Chapter 3: The 2024 Treasure Hunt
Today, the Copen is a rare sight on SA’s roads—a unicorn hiding in plain sight. Finding one requires patience, persistence, and a bit of luck.
Where to look:
- Collector Circles: Enthusiast groups and JDM specialists often have leads.
- Online Marketplaces: Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree occasionally list Copens, though they’re snapped up quickly.
- Word of Mouth: Sometimes, the best finds come from a friend of a friend who knows someone selling one.
Recent sightings:
- A 2006 model (87,000km) sold for R110k in Durban – “roof works, gearbox butter-smooth”.
- A sun-bleached 2005 in Bloemfontein: R48k (“needs TLC and a prayer”).
Chapter 4: The Copen’s Foes (Spoiler: It Wins Hearts, Not Races)
Rivals in the Realm:
- Mazda MX-5: The golden child. Faster, but everyone’s got one. Basic.
- Toyota MR2 Spyder: Mid-engine madness. Faster, less forgiving.
- Suzuki Swift Sport: Hot hatch hustle. More power, zero roof-down joy.
Why the Copen Wins:
It’s the only car that turns a trip to Pick n Pay into a Top Gear challenge.
Chapter 5: A Soothsayer’s Prophecy
The Copen’s time is now. Why?
- Analog Renaissance: Gen Z craves cars with knobs, gears, and soul.
- Underdog Love: SA adores oddballs – see the Nissan Sani cult.
- TikTok Fame: One reel of a Copen outmaneuvering a BMW in Sandton, and prices triple.
Epilogue: How to Summon the Joy
- Find Your Steed: Stalk Facebook’s “SA JDM Oddballs” coven.
- Learn the Ways: Parts are rare, but forums hold ancient wisdom.
- Drive It Wrong: Rev it. Shift late. Laugh louder than the exhaust.
Ready to join the cult? Follow DriveZA for more oddball car stories.
