Mazda AZ-1
An out-of-this-world pocket supercar. Turbo. Mid-engine. Gull-wing doors. Jet fighter looks on regular gas!
| 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.
-
It was my first time buying a car online, let alone overseas. These guys are legit!!!
Yoshi has been very patient, transparent and prompt with all queries. The car was exactly... read moreBobby Capa11/22/2022FIRST TIME BUYER
So…. I have just ordered my second car from Yoshiro Nakajima at Japan Car Direct. Keep in mind my first car has only just gotten to the port,... read moreAlpesh Patel9/11/2022Great service. This was my first time importing a car from Japan. Everything was well explained and the whole process went very smooth. Would highly recommend!! Thank you Yoshi!
John Power9/08/2022 -
Importing through Japan Car Direct has been a great experience through and through. Their assistance in the auction and bidding process and arranging shipping is top notch. More importantly their... read more
Peter Hagemeyer9/07/2022Awesome experience working with Taylor, he was extremely helpful and patience. It was my first time exporting a vehicle and he walked me through step by step and didn't... read more
Eric Southerland9/06/2022Japan Car Direct made buying a car from Japan dangerously easy. 🙂 Yoshiro was a great help. He was responsive and supportive through the whole process. They have... read more
Tim Meunier9/04/2022 -
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
Alex Spiegel8/11/2022A great experience for my first time importing a car from Japan. Mike’s customer service was second to none and all the paperwork was in order.
Bobby Crumpley8/03/2022Matthew 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
Chan Shin7/29/2022 -
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
Sir Selrahc7/14/2022Before 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
Edward Yuan7/11/2022Great experience. Extremely easy process and Kept me well informed. Highly recommend them if looking to purchase a vehicle from Japan.
Antonio Sevilla7/08/2022 -
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
Law_of_the Za6/30/2022I 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
matthew martin6/24/2022Just 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
TK Mad6/18/2022
We accept refundable deposits by PayPal to ([email protected]). Log into your account, and lets start working together today! 
- There are no features available
