Mazda AZ-1

An out-of-this-world pocket supercar. Turbo. Mid-engine. Gull-wing doors. Jet fighter looks on regular gas!

Vehicle Overview

Year:	1993
Make:	Mazda
Model:	AZ-1
Mileage:	210,924km
Transmission:	5-Speed Manual
Fuel Type:	Gasoline
Drivetrain:	RWD
Engine:	Turbocharged 660cc straight-three
Exterior Color:	Red
VIN Number:	PG6SA-100***

Enter the wild and wonderful world of Japanese Kei Sports Cars by importing a mini supercar like this 1993 Mazda AZ-1 that Japan Car Direct has now shipped to the United States. Kei sports cars are a class of vehicle that I strongly recommend; with their turbo-intercooled or supercharger-intercooled, high-revving engines mounted in light, compact bodies, these vehicles are fun incorporated; absolutely thrilling machines. I had a Kei sports car. I know.

In a later post I’ll tell you more about these vehicles and what it’s like to drive and run a Japanese Kei sports car but, for now, let’s focus on this very special secondhand car that Japan Car Direct has found here in Japan and is exporting to our customer in America.

All Japanese Kei cars and Kei sports cars made before 1998 have a legally set maximum length of 3,295mm and a legally set maximum width of 1,395mm. Maximum engine capacity is set at 660 cubic centimeters. In terms of engine output, there were no limits on max torque and the legal limit of 64ps for horse power was (thankfully) ignored by the manufacturers most of the time anyway. So you’ve got a small, light, high output engine in a small, rigid, light weight body. This is a winning combination, Ladies and Gentlemen, a winning combination.

There were no limits on drive train layout or body type, and no limits on good looks, as this fine, clean, well-cared-for, rust free Mazda AZ-1 makes clear. So here you’ve got a full-on, mid-engine, two-seater supercar with gull wing doors that weights only 720kgs, corners like it’s on rails (although some guys say that the stock springs are too soft), boots away right quick from the traffic light, and returns 18.4 kilometers per liter on regular gas (43 MPG).

The engine is the tried and true Suzuki F6A. My experience with this engine has been very positive and, while I have not yet driven an AZ-1, I have driven the Suzuki Cappuccino and the Suzuki Alto Works Kei sports cars that use this same engine and transmission gearing. In stock Kei sports trim there are two versions of the F6A turbo-charged, inter-cooled, straight three cylinder power plant: the 2-valve SOHC head and the 4-valve DOHC head. The 2-valver, like what you’ll find in an early ‘90s Alto Works i.e. puts out 9.2kg/m of torque at a nice low 3,500rpm, and 61ps of horse power at 6,000rpm. The 4-valver, like what you’ll find in an Alto Works RS/X or in this Mazda AZ-1, puts out 8.7kg/m of torque at a higher 4,000rpm and 64ps (officially) of horse power at 6,500rpm. (This 4-valve engine redlines at a stratospheric 9,000rpm!)

The power curve does feel different when you drive these two Kei sports cars back to back, the low-end grunt of the 2-valver comes on earlier, lower in the rpm range, while with the 4-valver that you’ll find in the AZ-1 and the Cappuccino, when you floor it from a standstill, you’ll feel a bit of “elastic throttle” and then “whoosh!” as the turbo boost comes on and the little motor soars up into the high revs / high power range and the car rockets you forward.

The owner of one of the Cappuccinos I drove had done some power tuning on the motor and that dramatically changed the power curve of the 4-valver in that car. It was a monster! Mega quick. And that raises another plus about the Mazda AZ-1 that makes importing one yourself from Japan an even wiser move: There are some very satisfying power and suspension mods available for Japanese Kei sports cars. (But not for all of them, I must say. My Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ was not a tuner’s car. For its rare 5-valve engine there were few tuning parts available. But the car was so good out of the box that I never felt it needed any tuning apart from a set of performance shocks, and wider, alloy wheels.)

Now that the best pre-’95 Kei sports cars can be imported to the USA, you are seeing some come up for sale stateside, but at silly high prices. Clearly the best way to get one of these terrific machines is to import it yourself, as many of our customers in the States, Canada, the U.K., and France and other EU countries are now doing through us here at Japan Car Direct.

The thing to do is to let us know what Kei Sports Car you want, consult with us about availability, and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for at the well-organized Japanese used car auctions or at the secondhand car dealers that we deal with here in Japan. We’ll also arrange the (necessary, absolutely necessary, my brothers) pre-bid inspection of your target vehicle, and, when you have won it, we’ll prepare your export documents and shipping as well. This is what we do. This is what we are. Japan Car Direct: A Japan-based used car exporter that can get you a good Japanese Kei Sports Car, like this red spaceship fighter rocket Mazda AZ-1 here, and ship it to you. Direct.

I had an excellent experience working with Matthew at Japan Car Direct. I was a first time auction buyer and importer to the United States. Mathew walked me through... read more read less

Alex Spiegel
8/11/2022

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 more read less

Chan Shin
7/29/2022

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 more read less

Sir Selrahc
7/14/2022
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 more read less

Edward Yuan
7/11/2022

Great experience. Extremely easy process and Kept me well informed. Highly recommend them if looking to purchase a vehicle from Japan.

Antonio Sevilla
7/08/2022

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 more read less

Law_of_the Za
6/30/2022
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 more read less

matthew martin
6/24/2022

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 more read less

TK Mad
6/18/2022

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 more read less

John Penny
6/12/2022
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 more read less

camden lindsay
5/31/2022

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 more read less

Chris Okano
5/24/2022

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 more read less

Phil Stebbing
4/14/2022
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 more read less

Brandon Moore
4/11/2022

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 more read less

MARKNADEN Studio
4/08/2022

Great dependable business! Highly recommended! Thank you Mathew for all your hard work!

Dmitri Gordei
3/30/2022