You can buy this hybrid with manual gearbox and two crazy Japanese for €7,000

This time a slightly different approach and that gives us space to portray three different body shapes. So there is something for everyone. But what would you want for those 7,000 euros: an MPV-like, a crossover or a coupe? In other words: a Daihatsu Materia, a Nissan Juke or a Honda CR-Z?

Daihatsu Materia, look at those two crazy aftermarket exhaust tips!

Daihatsu Materia 1.5 Soul – 2008 – 107,984 kilometers – €5,500

Almost as wacky as the Nissan Cube is Daihatsu’s oversquare Materia. In our used car database we see that automatic versions are generally more expensive than manual ones and also have higher mileage. If you choose a manual transmission, you keep money in your pocket and drive a slightly ‘fresher’ box of blocks. Like this Daihatsu Materia: from the first owner, who drove barely more than a tonne with it in fifteen years. Still: the asking price is a take-home price and there is no additional guarantee.

What do you get with such a Materia? First of all, a somewhat rare occasion. In four years, 1,660 units have been sold here, so you don’t see them on every street corner. But that’s not the only reason why everyone sees you driving! His appearance is controversial: you either love it or you don’t. In any case, the angular shape ensures sufficient interior space. Your head won’t get stuck in the back either. Legs have less freedom of movement there.

A disadvantage of such a straight carriage is that it catches quite a lot of wind. In addition, the naturally aspirated 1.5 likes to rev. At 130 km/h on the highway, it turns at no less than 4,100 rpm, so a long holiday drive can be quite tiring in the long run. No, this Japanese man feels more in his element when things are a bit more relaxed. Also because the chassis is tuned more for comfort than for sportiness (despite the two centrally placed, thick exhaust pipes!). In faster corners he prefers to go straight: understeer. If you go into the bend, the carriage will want to lean over. The slightly higher seating position is pleasant, the interior has a playful design. However, for an MPV-like, we expected a little more creativity in terms of variability. With alloy wheels, electric window controls at the front and rear and a – manually operated – air conditioning, the equipment is in line with what was in this class fifteen years ago. And knowing Daihatsu, this used car will probably last another fifteen years.

Signaling
Brand Daihatsu
Type Materia 1.5 Soul
Construction year November 2008
Mileage 107,984
Asking price €5,500
Where to buy? Autobedrijf Herweijer, Wekerom

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,495 cc
Max. assets 76 kW/103 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 132 Nm at 4,400 rpm
Luggage compartment 290 l/550 l
Max. trailer braked 1,000 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 13.9
0-100 km/h 10.8 sec
Top speed 170 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Nissan Juke 1.6 Eco Acenta – 2012 – 148,648 kilometers – €6,950

More expensive, but much younger than the Materia, but with this spotless white Nissan Juke we once again encounter a strikingly contoured four-wheeler. It stands higher on the legs and is round instead of square, which makes it look much more sparkling than what we are used to in crossover land these days. The 36-TVX-4 is waiting for its fourth owner in Emmeloord. This is also a take-home price and unfortunately no warranty is mentioned.

The distinctive appearance still looks fresh and has the advantage that the view forward from the driver’s seat is excellent. The top of the headlight units is a nice marking point in the dark. The view to the rear, on the other hand, is much less. The space in the back is more for children than for adults and the luggage space is rather limited for the size of the car, has a modest loading opening and a high lifting threshold. In short, form definitely comes before function for this Japanese man. A shape that suggests attractive driving characteristics. This occasion does not disappoint: the Juke is surprisingly agile and playful, focusing more on dynamics than comfort. On short bumps it even becomes a bit jerky. Having said that, the atmospheric 1.6 does not pull the proverbial vowels from the street. Just a smooth car with a dynamic edge, that is the Juke.

As befits a crossover, the seating position is slightly higher, with a view of an attractive-looking command post. In any case, the creativity of the exterior has continued nicely on the inside. The model shown is the Eco Acenta. With traction control, a start-stop system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise and climate control and factory audio (including auxiliary and USB input) plus all the things mentioned with the Materia, this used car also meets the equipment requirements. and safety image (at the time the maximum five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test) that suits an eleven-year-old car (the Visia is simpler, the Tekna more luxurious). Do you want to go all out? Then look for the rare Turbo Nismo, with or without 4WD!

Signaling
Brand Nissan
Type Juke 1.6 Eco Acenta
Construction year April 2012
Mileage 148,648
Asking price €6,950
Where to buy? Car company Duran, Emmeloord

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,598 cc
Max. assets 86 kW/117 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 158 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 251 l/830 l
Max. trailer braked 1,250 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 16.7
0-100 km/h 11.1 sec
Top speed 178 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Honda CR-Z 1.5 Sport – 2012 – 189,292 kilometers – €6,900

After an MPV-like car and a crossover, we finally set our sights on a cool coupe. Honda, which gained a lot of admiration from the 1980s and achieved success with the CRX, wanted to repeat that trick and – very politically correct – launched a hybrid coupe in 2010, called CR-Z. This raised eyebrows among the still large fan base, resulting in only 384 copies sold in four years. So it’s almost like looking for a needle in a haystack, but here we have one. This Honda CR-Z is also from 2012 and has been well used by its two former owners. It leaves with a three-month warranty; a longer term costs extra.

Under the hood is an engine derived from the Civic Hybrid, including electric assistance. The system power is good for 124 hp, something that will not knock you back. Performance and consumption figures are certainly decent for a hybrid, but does that also apply to a coupe with an illustrious history? The buying public didn’t think so, but you can still drive the CR-Z quite smoothly, provided you choose Sport mode.

There are also buttons for Normal and Eco on the elaborately styled dashboard, the difference being in the degree of throttle response and power steering. From around 1,000 rpm you feel the electric power, which results in an enthusiastic leap forward for the first few meters. The low seating position and flawlessly shifting gearbox (unique for a hybrid!) ensure that this 21st century CRX has inherited something from the past. Also inherited is the limited space in the back and ditto luggage space. The equipment includes just about everything we wrote about the Materia and the Juke, plus hill assist and a rain sensor. Quite luxurious and comfortable, and so is the base: not a plank, but more forgiving. In short: the puritanism that made the CRX so popular is somewhat gone. Other times …

Signaling

Brand Honda
Type CR-Z 1.5 Sport
Construction year February 2012
Mileage 189,292
Asking price €6,900
Where to buy? Car company Van Hest, Veldhoven

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,497 cc, hybrid
Max. power (petrol) 84 kW/114 hp at 6,100 rpm
Max. torque (petrol) 145 Nm at 4,800 rpm
Luggage compartment 225 l/583 l
Max. trailer braked nb
Avg. consumption 1 in 20.0
0-100 km/h 9.9 sec
Top speed 200 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Which of these (crazy) Japanese used cars suits you?

Comparing is difficult, because this time it was about what striking things you can buy from the Land of the Rising Sun for 7 grand. In addition to Materia, Juke and CR-Z, this also includes the Copen, Cappuccino and Cube. And perhaps we have forgotten even more oddities (S-Cargo and Figaro are also really cult!). We’d love to hear from you!