The Honda S660 is the JDM Mini Supercar We’re Not Allowed
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- There are few modern cars I actively want, but Honda produce one that's steadily grown into one of my dream cars - the Japanese-market only S660 kei sports car. With its mid-engine, rear-drive layout, tiny turbocharged engine, and standout styling, the S660 is a tiny supercar that ticks all the right boxes while being both affordable and not too fast.
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As a few of you may notice, this car is rather famous, and despite being a JDM-only car, it seems to be wearing United States plates, which leads to a fair few questions.
This car in fact belongs to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN, hence the US plates, and came over to the UK just before the pandemic. Since then, it's done a fair old little tour, falling into the hands of a number of automotive apologists such as myself.
This video is only possible thanks to both Sion at Morsels and Motors (ruclips.net/user/MorselsandMotors) and the Lane Motor Museum, so if you're in that region of the US, then please do head over to their website: www.lanemotormuseum.org/
and a big thank you to Jim (@thealso)
Of course, he's thanked on my Twitter post, but he doesn't have a RUclips account!
Cough
Good afternoon 🙃🤣
I should have known The Lane had something to do with it. Great episode, Ed!
We need cars like this. Come on Honda, Suzuki, and all you other folks, let's have some affordable fun. PLEASE. Good one Ed.
+1 for getting Honda to bring it to Europe!
Would be nice if it atleast had some storage space
@@dageta7742 are you asking a car that is as small as a fiat 126p to have storage space? are you mad?
@@dageta7742 the whole point of a sports car is for the driving enthusiasts who like to have a fun experience behind the wheel so of course a car like the Honda S660 isn't going to have any of the sort. That's just asking for too much, get a sports sedan or a coupe if you're looking for a storage space in a nice looking performance car.
@@LykanPrototype If it would atleast some practicality to be worth getting. Toyota GR86 has 4 seats and should be both practical and fun to drive.
I deeply regret that the whole bunch of K-Cars is not available in Europe! I love them all, from the tiny pickup truck, over the 4WD-High Roof Van, to the normal K-Car -and of course the tiny sports cars. Europe should subsidize these tiny cars and not 2.7 ton electric bullshit-waste! Why is it not like in Japan?
+1 for this!
To further expand on this: Smaller cars means crashes would not be nearly as dangerous for both the occupants of the cars and pedestrians. They are extremely economical cars, which would mean less of an impact on the environment and the pocket. There is also the benefit that you would need less space to park them, not to mention less space to drive them. People would finally be able to regain some of the space they lost to cars within cities. As for "but we need large cars for vacation", have a garages at the outskirts of the cities where those larger cars are stored.
I don't understand why a car like this isn't way more popular. It makes way more sense as a fun time car then a porsche.
Absolutely! Slow car fast over fast car slow any day :)
@@TwinCam its soooo slow tho
Comparing this to a porsche is a bit of a stretch
Wow Ed,
That was not a Vlog, a video whatever they call them these days; that was a proper journalistic motoring programme. Well done mate.
I’m pretty full of motoring content, you taught me a lot tonight that I had no idea about these beautiful little Hondas, I really want one. I’m only 5’8” so perfect fit.
Why a TV producer hasn’t picked you up I don’t understand. You are a perfect presenter. Yes, anybody can research the stuff but, to talk, explain, enthuse and make it entertaining, without delving into the realms of the clowns of Top Gear or 5th Gear makes a true motoring Journo.
Well done buddy. You is gonna go places 😂
Dave 👍
Yeah, what greerbox said. This was a joy to sit back and soak in.
Thanks Dave, that's really incredibly kind of you to say :)
What a wonderful video, Ed. I never knew of the S660’s existence. Thanks for sharing. On our roads, a car with this footprint will be more fun than a powerful , exotic behemoth.
Thanks Philip, I agree completely!
I bought my own S660 as my first car in Hong Kong (imported from Japan second-handed) back in 2020 and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately given the situation of the city I decided to move to the UK a few months back, leaving most things behind...
But not this car! I spend most of my savings to get my car shipped to the UK. The cost is high and the process is tidenous - appently DSVA only have rules for imports from Europe or Japan, and it took a month just to get them to accept the IVA application. But after months of waiting, I just got news that the car finally passed the IVA test today and should be ready soon. It has been 5 months since her departure from Hong Kong and I can't wait to drive again.
So, I wouldn't say it's not allowed, it's just that the price is high, the wait is long, all for a car that has zero practicality and most of people (at least in the UK) can't fit. Most people would just think logically and get a S2000 or a MX-5 for less instead, but emotionally this car is unlike everything else and I love it.
Even though now I would have to use it as my daily car for groceries since I can't afford a second car just yet, which is going to be hilarious.
光復香港 時代革命! Welcome you and your car to UK. Hope you'll enjoy driving in the UK streets.
Glad you made it out of Hong Kong. Absolute shame what's happened there.
I would love to be able to have this instead of the Smart for 2. Same size/practicality but 3x the style
I've a Beat. It's been a fabulous 12 years. I'll import one of these this year. Can't wait!
S660 currently in transit from Japan!!
My S660 is tremendous. I wanted an auto and I can't get over how quick it is. No need to engage the sport button. Reviews reckon it has modest performance. Not mine! 0.6l goes like 2.0l. Amazing. [I've had an S2000 so can judge]
What an utterly beautiful little car! I expect it is also extremely fuel efficient. I loved the engine cowl and size-what super-cool young lady wouldn’t want to be seen tooling around in this ?! 👩⚕️❤️
I’d love to be tooling around in one, especially with a Lady 😜
This channel is so underrated!!!
Thanks mate :)
Excellent Ed. Remember seeing the S800 models on the UK roads in the 1970s . Used to rev to the dizzy heights ( for then anyway) over 8000 rpm . Small sports cars show maximum fun can be had with minimal costs, look at previous models , Midget, Sprite , Spitfire as Uk models or Fiat 850 spyder/ coupe , later X19, etc all defined that same ethos
This truly professionally and forensically researched, perfectly presented and edited review has become your hallmark for which many congratulations. Totally informative and enjoyable. Roll on the day that you can test them so we can hear and 'feel' all the cars you provide us to enjoy. As Del Boy would say - Cushty!
Dude this cars looks SICK. I’m a German fan but this looks straight up amazing I want one!
When I was Ed’s age I had a series of MG Midgets. Love tiny sports cars.
I'd love a Midget!
We need more simple affordable little sports cars like this one. Shame it's not been sold in Europe.
Another excellent and informative video about a genre that I've never really looked at before. Your enthusiasm for this particular model is clear for all to see.
Oh, and if you're feeling a failure having achieved all this before hitting 22, imagine how the rest of us feel!
Thanks as always Martyn :)
I recently went to Beaulieu for a Japanese festival and out of 1400 visitor cars there was no Honda S800 / 600 only one Suzuki Cupertino and two Daihatsu Copen of which I own one and in the UK it is the only real prospect of owning a K sports car. Not as exotic as the Honda but great fun to drive with unbelievable handling. Being owned by Toyota with a 1.3 Yaris engine and 800ish Kg it only needs to be revved to 4k for it to fly. They are available from around £2k up to £7k depending on mileage and condition. Mine is a 2 owner 28k mile that has avoided rust and is the most fun and a real drivers car
I call it my late life crisis car. Your presentation was fantastic
Always loved the S2000 never knew it had a baby brother what a shame it'd never come to us, great video Ed 😀
Thanks John, the S2000 is a 23 year old car now!
I love this, desperately want one, and don't care that it is right-hand drive!
Ha Ha all the best cats come in RHD.
So do I!
Great video, and a nice presenting style. Now for the S660. I had a Smart Roadster which I miss dearly. I have to import one of these. Less is clearly more.
As a Honda driver I would have bought this if it was available. Now I have to buy a Mazda MX5. In the Netherlands Honda only offers the Jazz, Civic and the HRV at crazy prices. People move on to other brands. So do I.
Do we even have vehicles like this available in the Netherlands? I would love something like this just for fun.
I was waiting for you to take it for a drive
I wish I could have done, but the insurance placed on the car by the museum did not cover anyone under 25.
Hey, it also was filmed by furiousdriving!
Indeed, it was.
Awesome video. The quality is jut up and up and up.
Thanks Tim, that's very kind of you to say :)
Never understood why this type of car was never more widespread. Here in continental Europe, the equivalent to this was the Smart Roadster, and it had no direct competitors and was rather popular. I heard Smart killed it off due to high numbers of warranty claims but I digress. The appeal of a car that's small, affordable, cheap to run and above all cool is undeniable.
Agreed. I do like the Smart Roadster, but the combination of very iffy quality and the poor automatic gearbox meant it never stood a real chance.
I do love Honda. A true engineering company. Their engines are second to none. I currently run a 2003 Civic VTEC that runs like new. Even the air con still blows chilled air.
You are a great reviewer man. Such a breath of fresh air from the over hype and overly energetic of others! Keep it up! Subscribed
Thanks John, that's very kind of you to say :)
Absolutely wicked video Ed, I envy you so hard for being able to have a go in this little motor!
Thanks mate :)
I’m also a big fan of the Honda S660
Here in the UK/Ireland we are very fortunate that it’s easy and inexpensive to import a JDM car from Japan, our friends in the USA have no such luck they have to wait until they are 25 years old. I imported a JDM Kei car 10 years ago and I chose a Daihatsu Avanzato TrXX over the Honda Beat/ Suzuki Cappuccino. It was a great choice as it was amazing fun, those 660cc Turbos are great fun but they all have electronic speed limiters.. Last year I bought an imported JDM Honda in Dublin straight off the boat, but it’s a rather boring hybrid. I would love one of these Honda S660.
I know a few people that have imported cars from Japan, and I've always wanted an S13 Silvia, so maybe one day I will import something myself.
Good review Ed , thanks for bringing that to us.
Thanks Mike :)
Another great video. You have a great style and format for doing these reviews. Hopefully one day you will be able to get insurance on some so you can drive them.
Thanks mate, that's very kind of you to say :)
Fortunately, the insurance situation may be sorted.
Another great video, ED...well done! It would have been an interesting mention to talk about the TN, USA registration plates. Is the car from the Lane Motor Museum? If you ever get to Nashville, you've GOT to have a visit to the Museum. It will be the highlight of your trip!
Indeed, it is. See the pinned comment!
Slow car fast will always be better than fast car slow. Beating gears while going traffic speeds is hilariously fun and doing so keeps your engine healthier. Ever heard of an Italian tune-up? That's not just some old saying, driving your car spiritedly every now and again helps blow out carbon build-up and and allows for more consistent wear on the motor, give it a go, take grandma's old kia that's never been over 50mph, take it for a quick rip. Then after about an hour to cool down, go for another drive and see if it doesn't feel healthier (given that everything was in working order to begin with)
I`m usually very well up on cars BUT this time you got me!... Always loved the 1960`s Honda S800 roadster & coupe with their brilliant little jewel like engines but i`ve never even heard of the S660.. what a brilliant commentary and information you gave us on it, it surely is time the UK went back to basics and like Japan gave incentives for building smaller cars... I too love it !
Thanks Peter, that's very kind of you to say :)
Also, I agree completely!
I appreciate the effort that went into making this video both informational and well shot. Too many other videos on the S660 were, for lack of a better word, cringey.
As a youthful sortof car enthusiast whose insurance has only just started to become reasonable on my 10 plate polo with 60hp. If this had come to the uk i would have been all over it in the second hand market about now. i hadn't even heard of it before but now i want one!
So would I!
Brilliant video. Seeing pics of the other models your talking about makes the video so much more informitive. Excellant job!!
Thanks mate :)
MX5 for 23yrs but hey this is good 👍 I’m a 6ft man but love small cars. Will make enquiries re this automobile.
Don't worry, I am from Nepal and despite having the steering on the right side we are not allowed to import used Japanese cars
I would love to have this available in the U.S., then go about figuring out how to fit a K-series engine in there.
Had a good look around and sat in it at the NEC, I really liked it.
Nice job on this except there was no example of the engine sound mentioned.
I still want one.
Even more forbidden fruit here! Beat,you can now get here👍🏻 BTW…great video! Thank you, i’m now obsessed with this car lol
The 660 is great little car Ed, Kei car's are cool we should have that same incentives over hear in the UK.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I have a mid engine toyota mr2 with 2zz 1.8 engine with race header and intake its 195hp only 2200 lbs
I wish kei cars were available in the US I’d love this more than our land boats
nice vid. good overview of the history of the honda kei cars. my favorite is still the honda beat.
I periodically tell myself that, as soon as the American 25-year rule elapses in about 5-6 years, I’ll find a LHD Copen and import it to the US for my own use. I don’t mind its FWD at all. So was the original Mini. For a car with this level of power and performance, it doesn’t really matter which wheels drive it. Although I suspect cabin space is probably a bit better in the FWD car, not that my long-waisted 5’8” frame needs the space. 😂
But I completely agree with your entire thesis. The existence of these cars makes me incredibly happy, even if neither your market nor mine has access to them anymore.
I was a young kid when the early ‘90s kei sports car era began, and that explosion of tiny, affordable, cute little fun cars sparkling with character and personality was partly responsible for my love for cars today.
To know that cars like the Copen and S660 have done similarly for you and a new generation of enthusiasts makes me extremely happy.
I would buy this in a HEARTBEAT in the USA.
I'm about to buy a Honda Beat. I'd rather have an s660 though.
Does looks pretty cool, especially in the rear and side
The bs that went on with the suzuki samurai was a killer for us all
Saw this car at The Late Brake Show Tour in Kent and Manchester, it is deeply impressive in the flesh! Sadly the import cost of one was too much for my budget (but not by much) and with production ending I fear prices will keep it out of reach. Fully agree on they would have sold well here, maybe not to the youth market instead of Fiesta's etc but definitely as a second car for city and weekend use.
Great video as always, Ed. Very informative and equally very entertaining. I will never know what this wee beastie is doing to handle like. I did try to test drive a Honda S2000. They very nearly had to call the building manager to resolve things. Oodles of fun.
Thanks as always Michael :)
Don't know why I have never heard of this ? Because I am on the lookout for a replacement for my wifes 3rd CRX del sol. But that needs luggage space for weekly shopping as well as longer trips with her mum, a simple (max 5 gears) transmission, an electric rear window ( up/down not heated ; ) which this car might have- no info . . . and LHD would be nice (we are in Germany) but RHD is a possibility. Altogether still not quite there, sadly . . . very interesting anyway.
It reminds me a bit of the old Peugot 207
Love the old Volvo behind. My taste ;)
Having owned a classic mini and a fiat 126 I really want one of these !!!
Unfortunately I am not as flexible as I was in my younger days and, at 6'4'', I doubt I would have any chance of getting in....
Thanks ED. What a fantastic car. We will just have to make do with a Smart roadster for a small sports car with a small engine. Perhaps you could review a Smart roadster, definitely a future classic.
Thanks mate :)
I have a big soft spot for the Smart Roadster, and I'd quite like to own one, but I'm a little bit afraid of the gearbox!
Absolutely fascinating! Thanks Ed.
Thanks Pete :)
That little thing is great. I bet it would have sold very well here, what with these cheap lease deals made available by all manufacturers. Honda may have missed one, unless it fails crash testing or something. Youngsters need something like that to learn how to drive. Notice a certain white metro in the background, reckon there can't be much size difference.
I bet it would have been a success. Might not have done amazingly on the crash tests, but by 2015's regulations, it wouldn't have been horrifying I don't think.
Another great video Ed on a great looking car, can defo say if that came to the UK the Youth Car Scene would be over that and modifying it.
Ed, you come up with one great video after the other, good job. Wish that was sold here, I drive a full sized 4 door truck so something like that would take a "little" getting used to. Did you drop some of your early video? I was looking for one when you reviewed a Porsche 928 on a rainy day. Thanks for your time and work, this was a very well-done video....
Thanks as always Mike :)
Unfortunately, I've never done a video on a Porsche 928. The only Porsche I've done is a 924!
@@TwinCam I stand corrected....
Saw this on the gccg stand at the NEC back in November, was very surprised at just how small it was 😂
It's properly tiny!
I wish I could get one of these. My dream is to give it a hayabusa swap, liberty walk widebody and chop it so the roofline is flush with the engine cover humps.
What a joy of a car. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Russell :)
A great educational video Ed. I think the ship sailed a long time ago for the UK to really appreciate the sports 'K' cars. I remember when Suzuki launched its frothy coffee the 'Cappuccino' in the UK a long time ago it failed to get the sales that in my humble opinion it deserved. Ultimately I think the British public just found it too small. Now if the JDM 'K' sports cars were exported back in the 70's when the MG Midget et al were still in production there may have had a huge effect on the way the affordable sports car landscape could have evolved. People in the UK were used to small sports cars like the MG Midget back then but when they disappeared there was nothing of note in mass production to consider. It was many years before the first MK5 to drop and sell like hot cakes. If the 'K' car was available in those gap years it might have changed all that. Even then I'm not sure if the two seater sports car would have survived with the advent of the more practical hot hatch. Once again well done Ed.
Thanks Anthony :)
I think part of it may have been demographics and the rest of the market at the time. In period, most people wanted a hot hatch, so sports car sales were relatively low, though the MX-5 craze did begin to make them take off again. Second of all, no young people could get a brand new car, as opposed to now, where easy finance makes a car like the S660 or Cappuccino viable for a young driver. Second to that, and the MX-5 has grown up considerably and become a lot more expensive than it was in the '90s!
@@TwinCam All good points Ed. Thanks for your thoughts. Certainly there a lots of things to consider and a bunch of what ifs that we just don't know. Many thanks for your reply.
This would be a perfect beginner sports car. Sucks how it’s not available in the US
Thank you for a fascinating post about a rare & intriguing car. Impeccably presented, of course!
I will point out that Honda is the largest producer of motorcycles in the world & has been for decades. It's a niche market in Western countries but a big deal in areas like Southeast Asia. I would like to think that Honda's cars have that light-weight, high-revving motorcycle engineering in their DNA, along with the influence of Honda's historic & iconic sports cars.
Thanks Anthony, you're far too kind!
Perfect for the uk roads
I remember there is a S660 in the UK. imported by someone. I saw it from FB..
Brilliant vid as always Ed. I've loved the K-cars for years but I'm 6'1 23 stone :-(
Thanks Steven
When these start to be imported more I quite fancy 1, I had a look last year if any were for sale in the UK,I found a couple they both were £14,000 to £15,000 1 was definitely Northern Ireland,in the 90s and 00s obviously we got the Suzuki cappacino and Daihatsu copone, I've driven the Suzuki it's like shit of a shovel in a car the size of a shoe.Being Rhd kei cars should be on sale now in the UK.
And instead of listening to our pleas, they closed Hondafan, a source of a lot of cool things including 3D model kits of Honda classics for free download (which are now lost to time as Wayback Machine archives are sadly incomplete) and discontinued the S660. They made ASIMO. I have… had… so much respect for them. :(
Great video Ed cute little car :)
You seem to have skipped over the CRX and Del Sol of the eighties. Do you not consider them to be sports cars because they were front wheel drive?
Not because they're front-drive, but because they weren't conceived to be anything like the original S-cars, the Beat, or S660.
This video is talking about Honda's kei sports cars, giving a fleeting mention to the NSX because it's the NSX, and to the S2000 purely because it has the S-name.
The S660's predecessor is the Beat, and the Beat's predecessor is the S800.
Pretty much any fwd car isn't a "real" sports car according to everybody (except me)
Please add the background to your access to this car. Is it UK owned, how did the owner go through the importation process?. Would you yourself be prepared to do a video, based on owner experience of that process?. Any information on UK specialist broker insurance premiums, would UK Honda dealers be able to locate the service and maintenance manuals to look after them?. Your video prompts lots of questions, that I believe your viewers would like you to address. Thanks.
I believe Honda had brought it over to the UK to show at some auto events but Covid etc delayed it being shipped back to the US. Someone can correct me on the exact details but it was never actually imported to the UK and will eventually return to the US.
All in the pinned comment.
Great video.
The UK did have a car like this back in the mid noughties, the Smart Roadster. Once it was remapped, the gear changes were vastly improved and with 120bhp and no weight, it was pretty quick. I loved mine, but it was massively let down by poor build quality. Another car I think should make classic status.
However sales were poor and it was dropped after only 4 years. Sadly cars like that Honda and the Smart, just don't sell well here.
You should review one.
Thanks mate :)
I have a big soft spot for the Smart Roadster, but as you say, the iffy quality and gearbox let it down in period. With the remap you referred to, what difference did it make to the gearbox?
@@TwinCam the remap made the gear changes snappier and quicker, more how it was supposed to be. Adjusting the clutch regularly via the computer also helped them.
Nice one
Why does it have Tennessee plates? It couldn’t legally have been imported to the US
Great report TC. I saw one of these at a "Mall" car show in Bangkok in 2016 and it looked amazing. It's not the prettiest car but for something so tiny it is really well designed and you have to pat it as you go past. NB: Grey import market must look at this, already RHD so what's the hold up?
If they sold this in the U.S. it'd be my only car.
Awesome video 👍
We want this car in Canada
We want it in the UK too! :)
i wish we could get good cars like this in the US
so tired of the oversized, overpriced land yachts that rule the roads here.
What a pleasant diversion while I sit at my desk with my feet in an inch of floodwater. lol (We've had rainfalls of half a *metre* daily for three days; it's a tad damp here in northern New South Wales, AU.)
Odd contradictions in that car, though: righthand drive with a Tennessee plate.
Oh no! I hope two days on that things are slowly recovering?
See the pinned comment, the S660 is Japan only.
Great review, lad.
How does the 660 shown have a UsA Tennessee license plate? Do tell…
Great review, how did he get hold of this car? It sounds like great fun to drive.
I own a 1991 Honda Beat and am annoyed that I will have to be almost 50 years old by the time I can have a S660 in the states......
Yeah but, Beats are cool ;)
The new honda N one rs uses the name gearbox
Noticed it has Tennessee plates on it?
Motorcycle tuners could have fun with that engine.
How do you have one with a Tennessee plate? Does that mean it’s imported into the USA?
Why does it have Tennessee plates I thought it wasn’t sold in the USA ?
See the pinned comment.
Would love to see this in INDIA😍
I have to disagree
I find it a Great Smiley car and Pretty ❤
I think u said that wrong bcus it is not available globally
Awesome little package. Tuners?