No, it’s not a cup of coffee! The Cappuccino was a 2-seater roadster built by Suzuki in Japan from 1991-98. It was designed to meet Kei (microcar) standards for lower taxes and insurance in its homeland. The car weighs less than 1,600 lbs. and has a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. The little machines were never officially brought into the U.S., so the seller’s car is a one-off import. This fun-to-drive little automobile needs little and is available here on craigslist in Arvada, Colorado for $11,800 OBO. Thanks for the one-of-a-kind tip, Mark_K!
These little cars had three removable roof panels so they could be used as a closed coupé, T-top, Targa, or (on retraction of the rear window and roll bar), a full convertible. The panels would stow in the trunk, although they took up almost all the luggage space. Unlike many convertibles of the time, the rear window is made of glass and wraps around. The Cappuccino’s front-to-rear weight distribution is said to be 50/50 when both seats are occupied. Some aluminum pieces were used such as the hood, roof, roll bar, and lower front guard panels to keep weight down.
This car found its way into the U.S. in mid-2021 and has a clear U.S. title in the seller’s name. The Suzuki is in Colorado while the car wears Montana plates, so we assume it will be street-legal wherever you go in the States. The car is right-hand-drive with about 50,000 miles. We’re told it’s being used daily and runs well, with recent servicing that includes all fluids and a tune-up. It will get up to 45 mpg, so the Cappuccino will miss quite a few gas stations.
The only thing this car may need (besides a new home) is a new dash pad. But since these microcars were never sold in the U.S. and the steering wheel is on the “wrong side” we’re guessing finding a new dash pad will not come easy. You won’t find one in a junkyard and waiting on the international supply chain to come through will be a bit of a wait. But likely worth it.
Looks like a great little car, shame couldn’t buy a car even close to this here but is what it is. So here’s your chance, only critical words I have is those wheels looks a bit large for that cool little car. Yes they fill the wheel wells but just a bit much.
I have a right hand drive Mini Cooper. With a small car, especially a convertible, RHD is not at all a problem. Occasionally I try to enter on the passenger side and have to pretend I meant to do that.
Cute, dependable. Wonder what registering it is going to be like. IMHO that maybe a dealer tag. Nice color tho.
No – just illegally registered in Montana.
I would LOVE to have this, but I would have to find a way to shrink about 4-5″ to fit in the seat with any kind of comfort. really a cute little car!
I was at a business that sold Japanese imports and they had a Cappuccino in the lot. It was hard to get into. The car surrounded you and locked you into one position. Getting out was almost impossible. I had to open the door, roll my body to the ground and use my hands to crawl out while trying to pull my legs out of the hole. The importer said “I predict there will never be a Kei car in your future.”
They were engineered to be comfy for a Japanese person, who are typically smaller.
This car would need to pass an emissions test in the Front Range of Colorado, including an inspection to show that it has all the original emissions equipment. I wonder if that could be a problem for a car that was never imported to the US. Might explain the Montana plates.
Gone already
The Suburu Justy. And that could be had with 4WD!
This thing would make a Justy look like an F250.
These Kei cars sound great. This is a Beat but listen to this with the sound on. All basically while not “speeding” https://youtu.be/EzoOLQ1oQ1Q
I owned a Suzuki Swift GT from 1992 – 2004, and that was a blast to drive. 100hp in a high-revving 4, for a car that weighed 1700 pounds.
The Swift was the same as a Geo Metro except it had the 4 cyl. engine while the Metro had a three.
The ad is gone now.
I still say that cars should have a bare bones light weight option available for those of us who want less weight and expense.
This is really just Suzuki’s take on the Austin Healy Sprite or MG Midget.
I think based on the comments there is a pent up market for a very light weight fun car.
The MX5 comes closest, but it has been getting more sophisticated and heavy as time marches on.