First, the answer to your question is yes. I got clearance from the mighty El Vap133 to post this here, even though it's not an EF.

Nearly two weeks ago, I was headed back to work from my lunch break and some lady pulled out in front of me in wet conditions, and I wrecked my 1990 Civic Sedan. I was pissed and sad - I love my EF! Anyhow, the search began for a replacement vehicle, and I was lucky enough to find a car I've always wanted for sale. Tomorrow I'm flying from Atlanta, GA to Buffalo, NY to pick up my new car - a 1991 Honda Beat. It's JDM y0!

If you don't know what this car is, you should be ashamed. It's the ONLY mid-engine, RWD car that Honda ever produced for sale to the public besides the Acura NSX. Naturally, since this car is the ****, nobody but Japan was able to buy it. The car falls into the Kei class - a class of vehicles that is limited by physical dimensions, horsepower, and engine displacement. By getting a car in this class, Japanese commuters who owned one were granted special plates that allowed them to park on the streets rather than having to buy a garage space.

The Beat has a 656cc inline 3-cylinder engine with MTREC (not VTEC, it stands for Multiple Throttle Responsive Engine Control - pretty much means it has ITB's), produces 64 NA bhp (this car is NOT turbocharged, like some people think), and has physical dimensions of 10'10" L x 4'5" W x 3'10" H. The Beat weighs 1676 lb. The car has four wheel disc brakes, and I think MacPherson struts in the front and double wishbones in the rear.

A few of the cars in the Kei class (like the Autozam AZ-1 and the Suzuki Cappuccino) use forced induction to achieve their 64 bhp from their 657cc engines.

Save your breath, I'm not going to swap in a B- D- or K-series engine. Yes, it's possible - there have been a few B-swaps done (the guy I'm buying it from is prototyping a kit).

There is plenty of aftermarket support for this car - Mugen, Feel's, Back Yard Special, etc. all make parts for the Beat. First order of business when I get home is to get it washed and to get some Bridgestone Potenza RE92's mounted to the Pepper Pot stock alloys that come with the car (13" front, 14" rear). I'd like to eventually see about getting a hard top for it, but for right now the convertible will do.

I'm going to try to attend as many car shows and meets in the southeast as I can with this car, so keep an eye out. As I understand it, it's going to be the 7th one to come stateside.

So go ahead - comment/flame/hate/praise, whatever. I'll be happy to take any of it or answer any questions. I hear it's a blast to drive, and can't wait to find out!

Anyhow, enough jawing, here's the pictures the seller sent me:












































Modified by DaX at 2:14 PM 2/12/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Save your breath, I'm not going to swap in a B- D- or K-series engine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that's bad ***!!!!


time for a B series swap though.

 

Coulda bought this one (yeah right):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

 

 

F'ing sweet! Is it going to be easy to register in GA?

 

I agree that thing is bad ***, make sure to take plenty of pics when you get her cleaned up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stefndogg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">F'ing sweet! Is it going to be easy to register in GA?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Clean GA title. Don't ask me how.

 

Looks hot, Always though they were cool little cars...didn't think you could get them US legal but...

Oh also wouldn't the NSX be a mid engine RWD?? or am i having a brain fart?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If you don't know what this car is, you should be ashamed. It's the ONLY mid-engine, RWD car that Honda ever produced for sale to the public. </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Ok, fair enough, I'll edit the post....but I should have said "badged as a Honda."

 

It was only badged Acura in the US...it was a Honda NSX in japan

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Loserkidwac &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It was only badged Acura in the US...it was a Honda NSX in japan
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doh!

The only affordable MR Honda?

 

true.

still. a dope little car. how much did you pay, if you dont mind me asking?


it kinda like the looks of the mr2 spyder... and they do k20 swaps in em.

 

I have always loved the Beat just because the car is so funny looking. I would of bought that up if i lived on the east coast. The car looks good and good luck

 

I think the wrap-around headlights are the funniest looking part, along with the zebra print floor mats and seats (my seats have been redone).


Modified by DaX at 2:19 PM 5/22/2007

 

That's a 1991? The interior and body certainly look way ahead of their time.

That one front end shot looks like like an EG with fucked up fenders.

Very cool car!

 

very clean car....interior

 

I have always loved these things especially in red! Congratulations and good luck getting it street legal. BTW, those zebra stripe floor mats are so '80s!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type_RS_59 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have always loved these things especially in red! Congratulations and good luck getting it street legal. BTW, those zebra stripe floor mats are so '80s!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I finalized street legality today. All that's left is to get emissions when I get home and pay for the plates.

Speaking of plates, I'm thinking of getting a custom "vanity" tag done for my Beat. Any ideas/comments/opinions/favorites? Here's the ones I've thought of so far (we're limited to seven characters):

660 CC
BEAT
8347
(or any variation of the above two)
MTREC
MIDSHIP

 

thats a pretty cool looking car. i never seen one. i like that its nice and clean.

 

I love the zuba floor mats. Rare and awesome find man. Good luck!

 

Cool find.

 

OMG!!

I was looking at that one on Ebay.

Great car, I'm sure you'll love it. You're going to have to be pretty resourceful when it comes to replacing parts.

It's on the list of cars that I'd like to have someday.

 

not a single pic of the 'driver" side. you sure its ok? why the overkill of pictures of the same **** frmo teh same angle?

Looks good. Needs a drop though. those seats been reupholstered?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I finalized street legality today. All that's left is to get emissions when I get home and pay for the plates.

Speaking of plates, I'm thinking of getting a custom "vanity" tag done for my Beat. Any ideas/comments/opinions/favorites? Here's the ones I've thought of so far (we're limited to seven characters):

660 CC
BEAT
8347
(or any variation of the above two)
MTREC
MIDSHIP</TD></TR></TABLE>

BEAT U

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by danmdevries &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Great car, I'm sure you'll love it. You're going to have to be pretty resourceful when it comes to replacing parts. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've already hooked up with some leads on parts. Japanese Yahoo auctions have TONS of parts, and I've got people over there that can bid on it and send it to me.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B16CRXT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not a single pic of the 'driver" side. you sure its ok? why the overkill of pictures of the same **** frmo teh same angle?

Looks good. Needs a drop though. those seats been reupholstered?</TD></TR></TABLE>



Blurry though, that's why I didn't post it. If it's trashed anywhere, i won't buy it...I just paid a $500 deposit, and will just eat that if it's a **** car. But I've talked to other customers of this guy and all have been pleased with their Beats.

Yep, the seats were reupholstered. The original seats were zebra print like the floor mats.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B16CRXT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

BEAT U </TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha, that's pretty good too, but I bet it's taken.