This Daihatsu Mira uses a 659 cc four-cylinder with 63 hp and 74 lb-ft. Mated to the small engine is a five-speed manual transmission and FWD. The TR-XX Avanzato RE model has a slew of aerodynamic and cooling tweaks. Why do we so often yearn for things we can’t have? In the automotive world, there are so many cars that could be considered ‘forbidden fruit,’ and for many Americans, these include Kei cars out of Japan. In their home nation, these pint-sized vehicles are everywhere, but they were never sold new in America, so when we find one, it always gets us interested. Read: Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy The following Kei car is a Daihatsu Mira, and while some of you may not be familiar with it, it’s a quintessential Japanese icon with a big following around the world. This Mira, a TR-XX Avanzato R version, is up for auction in San Diego, California, and should appeal to motorists sick and tired of big, heavy cars. Cars & Bids Whereas many Kei cars from this era have three-cylinder engines, the fourth-generation Mira was the first Kei car that Daihatsu built with a four-cylinder. Displacing 659 cc, it’s not particularly powerful, rated at just 63 hp and 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) of torque, but it is coupled to a five-speed manual transmission, so there should be plenty of engagement behind the wheel. The Car Has Some Minor Tweaks, Too The Cars & Bids listing mentions that the car has been upgraded with an aftermarket turbo timer, a new Pioneer head unit, Kenwood rear speakers, and faux wood trim on the dashboard, but aside from those tweaks, it’s mostly original. A look at the odometer reveals it has just over 121,100 km on the clock, or a touch over 75,200 miles. Cars & Bids The TR-XX Avanzato R was one of the higher-spec versions of the Mira and came standard with several aero add-ons. These include a more aggressive front bumper, a hood scoop, a lip spoiler sitting above the rear window, and a second lip spoiler on the tailgate. It’s cute and full of character in a way almost no modern car manages, the kind of thing that makes you grin before you’ve even turned the key. Kei cars like this don’t come up for grabs on US soil often, and a clean, higher-spec example with a manual is exactly the sort that disappears fast if bidding heats up. If you want in, get your bid down before the clock runs out. Check out the listing over here
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