Daihatsu Copen Cabriolet 2004 - Present

The Daihatsu Copen is an unusual, small car. It manages to combine classic 60s good looks with a futuristic, almost robotic feel. It comes in at a great price, especially considering the level of equipment, and offers a surprising amount of room and comfort for something of it's size.

As the car sits by the kerb it's obviously designed with the female market in mind. It's cute bubbly looks are more than skin deep as you'll discover when you first start the engine and drive away. Originally launched with a tiny 659cc turbocharged powerhouse (can you call an engine that small a powerhouse?), the Copen was able to reach 60 mph in 11.7 seconds, hardly racing time but it felt nippy enough. The models from 2006 on shaved this down below 10 seconds (9.5), with the new, normally aspirated 1.3 L engine. The bigger engine is a much more versatile unit, offering power throughout the rev range and enough grunt to make the Copen more versatile. It's still not good for lugging stuff around as the boot space is small but drivers feel less intimidated on motorways and open roads, feeling that there is enough under your right foot to cope with life on the open road.

Standing next to the Copen the larger framed among us can't hep thinking “well I'm never gonna get in there”. Even with the door open looking in you're still not entirely convinced but as you sit down the car seems to expand, really grow, enough to sit in relative comfort. It's certainly not in the league of an executive saloon, but it's never going to be. You'll get change out of twelve grand for one. The seats are certainly comfortable enough to not cause any fuss and the legroom is good. There is a boot, but with the roof down you'd have trouble getting more than just a dozen eggs in it.

The Copen handles well, no doubt aided by a low centre of gravity. This also makes driving a lees serious escapade and genuine laugh, mile after mile. There is something of the go-kart about it, especially the older small engine model, with it's buzz saw exhaust note and high revs. It corners well and the steering gives a rewarding level of feel back from the road. Engine and road noise are barely suppressed, and the wind noise with the rood down can be somewhat tiresome.

The Copen is a car with a purpose and that is to have fun. It's something for young people to drive with gay abandon while they enjoy some ‘me' time, and as such should be heartily recommended. With 25 seconds to get the roof off the summer will be the perfect time to get one, so if you fancy some fun in the sun what are you waiting for?

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