Year: | 1994 |
Make: | Subaru |
Model: | Vivio RX-R |
Mileage: | 195,684km |
Transmission: | 5-Speed Manual |
Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
Drivetrain: | FWD |
Engine: | SC 660cc Straight-four |
Exterior Color: | Black |
VIN Number: | KK3-187*** |
The first time I test drove a supercharged Subaru Vivio RX-R I was more than a little impressed. More than impressed. More than very impressed. I was thrilled. And that little car, along with the Suzuki Alto Works, is what turned me onto the world of Japanese Kei Sports Cars. I finally bought a Kei sports car myself, a turbo charged Mitsubishi Dangan, and I had it for eight and a half years of happy, and thrilling, motoring.
This hot little Kei car rocket that we are exporting now from Japan to the USA is the two-wheel drive version of the RX-R. There is also a full-time four-wheel-drive (AWD) version. I’ve driven both on the back roads and mountain roads here in Japan and I solidly recommend either version for serious motoring fans who are looking for something different, something delightful, in their motoring life.
The AWD Vivio RX-R I drove belonged to an oddball friend of mine who works as a mechanic in a car dealership. Now, it’s not that he is a mechanic that makes him an oddball, nor that he works in car sales; it’s his hobby that makes him a bit odd in my estimation: He collects Japanese Kei sports cars. This is not a common hobby, but it is a hobby of which I thoroughly approve. I’d collect Kei sports cars, too, if I could, but I don’t have enough parking space! He does, and at last count he had five Japanese Kei sports cars: A Honda Beat, a Suzuki Alto Works, A Suzuki Cappuccino, a Suzuki Cervo Mode Turbo, and the 4WD Subaru Vivio RX-R that he let me have an afternoon with.
That was a fun car, and it is a bit different from all the other Kei sports cars available here in Japan. The key point about the Vivio RX-R is that, rather than using a turbo charger to give it high power in a light body, it uses a supercharger (with an intercooler).
As soon as you put the accelerator down hard in an RX-R you feel the difference with, say, a turbo charged Cappuccino: No boost lag. With a supercharged engine the power comes on hard in the low rpm range. The supercharged Vivio is like that, and with the all-wheel drive system on the first RX-R that I test drove, all that power goes straight to the road and you just rocket forward. So here you’ve got this little car, with a nice, rigid, very compact and light (well under 800kg) hatchback body, putting low end supercharged grunt down with all four wheels. Like I said at the beginning: Thrilling. Handling was crisp and tight and very responsive. Turning sharp. Just what you’d expect in a sports car weighing 760kg. And all this in the completely stock version of the car.
The two-wheel drive (FF) Vivio RX-R that I test drove later was lighter still, at only 710kgs. That car had been modified with coil overs, much harder springs than stock, and lowered about a centimeter, maybe a bit more. The handling of that RX-R just took my breath away, and all that supercharged intercooled low end grunt going through just the front wheels meant that wheel spin from a standing start was always available if you wanted to horse around. (And I did!)
Both Vivios had the simple, clean instruments that you see on this one here that we are exporting direct from Japan to our customer in America. Just take a moment and click on our picture of the gauges. Clean. Easy to read. There is no visual clutter so that, when you are ripping around corners, or blipping up the throttle for some nice shift matching, a quick glance with your eyes is all you need for these gauges to tell you what you need to know.
And look again, Gents, look again at those gauges. Do you see it? Yes: A true 9,000rpm redline!
Good things come in small packages, Guys, good things come in small packages like a nice, clean Vivio RX-R Kei sports car exported directly from Japan.
Kei sports cars like the Subaru Vivio RX-R, the Suzuki Alto Works, and the Suzuki Cappuccino, are catching on more and more in the countries that we most often export Japanese used cars to, like the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, France, and other EU countries. The reasons for this growing popularity are obvious, and we at Japan Car Direct are scoring good units from the Japanese used car auctions (as we did with this black RX-R), and from the Japanese secondhand car dealers.
Sometimes I worry about telling you guys overseas about these thrilling Japanese Kei sports cars because I am afraid that you are going to buy them all up and export them from Japan, leaving me with nothing to choose from. But that’s o.k. I’ve had mine, and I am well satisfied with my motoring experience in a Kei Sports Car.
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Matthew at JCD is the man. I’ve now imported three of my own cars through him. JCD was able to accommodate my unique needs, everything from short turn around inspections,... read moreMatthew at JCD is the man. I’ve now imported three of my own cars through him. JCD was able to accommodate my unique needs, everything from short turn around inspections, expert opinions on bidding, arranging quick turn shipping, and handling of docs. I have no reservations sending more tens of thousands of dollars for future imports. At the end of the day, they really wanted to make me a happy customer. read less
I highly recommend Japan Car Direct. They help you find exactly what you are looking for and are with you throughout the entire process. Import was seamless. Mike was great... read moreI highly recommend Japan Car Direct. They help you find exactly what you are looking for and are with you throughout the entire process. Import was seamless. Mike was great to work with. Highly recommend the team at JCD. read less
Before this I have never imported any vehicles to NZ let alone one from Japan! I decided to give these guys a shot and bought a JDM Tesla into the... read moreBefore this I have never imported any vehicles to NZ let alone one from Japan! I decided to give these guys a shot and bought a JDM Tesla into the country in the midst of the oil price hikes.
The process is painless end to end and I was well looked after by Mike. Definitely recommend Japan Car Direct for the auction and shipping service. read less
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Great experience. Extremely easy process and Kept me well informed. Highly recommend them if looking to purchase a vehicle from Japan.
It's hard to say anything that hasn't been said from other reviewers! This was my first experience importing a vehicle. Mike Nguyen was super patient with me and my indecisiveness.... read moreIt's hard to say anything that hasn't been said from other reviewers! This was my first experience importing a vehicle. Mike Nguyen was super patient with me and my indecisiveness. He was very quick to respond, and very informative on all my questions. He helped my sort through options until landing a 1kz-te Land Cruiser Prado. It ended up being in better condition than I was anticipating, and was able to drive it 5 hours home from port without a single issue. Cannot recommend Japan Car Direct enough! read less
I used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The... read moreI used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The detailed videos where Mike would translate and explain the Japanese auction sheets and inspections provided great clarification so I knew exactly what I was getting with my car. I have to also commend Mike's swiftness when it came to replying to emails and phone calls, he would always reply near on instantly and even outside of normal business hours just to ensure I was never left in the dark through the bidding and shipping preparation processes.
I could not recommend JCD enough for any potential self importers! read less
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Just picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my... read moreJust picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my hand and help me through the process. It seems pretty daunting at first but if I can do it anybody can. Highly recommend JCD! read less
I worked with Mathew on getting my first Japanese Kei truck. The process and communication were great. For me the back-and-forth communication was the reason why I decided to go... read moreI worked with Mathew on getting my first Japanese Kei truck. The process and communication were great. For me the back-and-forth communication was the reason why I decided to go with japancardirect. Being able to see the auction trucks that are coming out and getting a detailed translation of the auction sheet is awesome. At first, I was a little hesitant sending money for a car overseas that I haven't actually seen in person, but Mathew stayed with me even at times when I was less patient. Thanks for all the help you and your team provide. read less
Taylor at JCD has been incredibly helpful in my search for a couple of unique rigs from overseas -- We've scored one, and are looking forward to finding another.
Taylor's professinoalism,... read moreTaylor at JCD has been incredibly helpful in my search for a couple of unique rigs from overseas -- We've scored one, and are looking forward to finding another.
Taylor's professinoalism, promptness, clarity of communication has been amazing. He's helped answer a miultitude of questions, and everything went without incident (aside from impacts from Ukraine).f
Thank you, Taylor! read less
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After seeing quite a few Kei Trucks on the road, I was intrigued. Seeing the local retail prices gave me sticker shock, so I immediately thought there has to be... read moreAfter seeing quite a few Kei Trucks on the road, I was intrigued. Seeing the local retail prices gave me sticker shock, so I immediately thought there has to be a better way. Sure enough, that way is Japan Car Direct. Yoshi and team are knowledgeable, professional and responsive. They do what they say they are going to do before, during and after the transaction, they are in it for the long haul. The result of reviewing the auction listings and acquiring/importing yourself (with help from JCD) is substantial savings and the satisfaction of paying a fair price. It's also fun if you enjoy searching for and identifying great automotive values. Would not hesitate to recommend their services to others and I will be back for more vehicles in the near future. read less
Can't fault these guys - this was the first time I've bought a car at any auction, let alone one in Japan. The support from Yoshiro was brilliant, very patient... read moreCan't fault these guys - this was the first time I've bought a car at any auction, let alone one in Japan. The support from Yoshiro was brilliant, very patient with me and ensured that I only bid on cars worth having. The car I have bought far exceeds expectations in every way and the whole process of purchase and shipping was all taken care of - top marks and thank you read less
Japan Car Direct helped me find my dream car. We found a great deal on an ST205. Yoshiro was fantastic and super responsive and patient with all of my questions.... read moreJapan Car Direct helped me find my dream car. We found a great deal on an ST205. Yoshiro was fantastic and super responsive and patient with all of my questions. They made navigating the import process a breeze. This is a reputable company. I highly recommend them if you’re interested in importing your very own JDM. read less
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So pleased with our companies new Japanese mini-truck import. Japan Car Direct made it all too easy. We made a few first-timer mistakes on the paperwork but the next import... read moreSo pleased with our companies new Japanese mini-truck import. Japan Car Direct made it all too easy. We made a few first-timer mistakes on the paperwork but the next import will be even smoother. Looking forward to the next experience. read less
MARKNADEN Studio
4/08/2022
Great dependable business! Highly recommended! Thank you Mathew for all your hard work!
Yoshiro and the folks over at JapanCarDirect are the best! They were super helpful with my first time importing a vehicle to the US and were quick to answer all... read moreYoshiro and the folks over at JapanCarDirect are the best! They were super helpful with my first time importing a vehicle to the US and were quick to answer all of the first-time questions I had about the process. The vehicle I got was exactly as I expected based on the pre-bidding inspection that they organized and I am beyond thrilled with my new (to me) little van. I'll definitely be working with them again for the next vehicle I look to import read less
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