Hello! I had already posted a question on the forum, but I’m sorry for the delayed introduction.
My name is YUMINA, and I’m a university student in Japan. I currently own a Daihatsu Mira (known as the Daihatsu Cuore outside Japan), which I’ve swapped with a K3-VET engine from a Daihatsu YRV as a DIY project.
Sadly, even though Daihatsu originated in Japan, many Japanese people tend to see Daihatsu cars as simply affordable but mediocre vehicles. As a result, there are very few people like me—or like all of you here—who are truly passionate about driving and customizing Daihatsu cars. That’s why I’m really happy to have found this community and to be able to join it.
I don’t yet have a deep knowledge of Daihatsu vehicles, so I might not be able to contribute much just yet—but being in Japan, there might be information I can access that could be helpful to others. I look forward to learning from and sharing with you all. Thank you!
I’m still in the middle of building it, so there are many parts of the finish that I’m not completely satisfied with—but this is my Mira as it is now. I’ve modified the front end by changing the bumper and grille to give it a look similar to the Italian Autobianchi A112.
It’s still an automatic at the moment, but I’m planning to swap it to a manual transmission eventually. When the time comes, I may have some questions for you all as well.
I really love the look of your Mira. I think you have done a great job. We are all here to learn from each other. It doesn’t matter if you know a lot or a little. Everyone with a love of Daihatsu is welcome and even those that just have them as an affordable option.
I haven’t modified the engine itself at all, so it doesn’t look like a heavily customized car. I think someone who isn’t very knowledgeable wouldn’t even notice that it’s been swapped.
I’m satisfied with how it drives, but since it’s a large engine crammed into a small body, the maintenance accessibility is pretty terrible, which is one of my complaints.
The oldest model I’ve seen on public roads is the A35/55 Charade. Also, the G11 Charade, especially the DeTomaso model, is quite popular, so I often see them at gatherings or events where vintage cars come together.
next time you go to one of the events can you share some pictures for us of the older Daihatsu’s . If they are at any of the event’s. The oldest I have seen is a Compagno. I think there is about 4 in Australia.
I like to keep things looking “unswapped”. I’ve been pulled over in heavily modified things and when the police have looked over the car and there was no bling, lots of factory looking black, silver and cad painted they didn’t ask any question. Friends though have complained about being picked on, but their colourful engine bays did scream “I’m highly modified”. Thanks for the pics. Cool to know there are old Charades still getting around.
