Nippa-ing it in the bud

[Station]

I've wanted a Daihatsu for years, and have always come close to owning one, and then scuppered in the last minute. I was offered this recently and I was taking it home about an hour later. (ps I know it's a Daihatsu Mira/Cuore underneath).

 

 

It's a Perodua Nippa 850GX Sepang. How May Left says there's one Sepang left in the country, which makes it feel special. It has metallic black paint, red chequered flags on the side, original wheel trims, two keys, a few nice options inside (remote boot/fuel filler flap, rear wash/wipe, etc). It really isn't too bad to drive and economy is ridiculous. I calculated I did 70mpg on a constant 56mph run. Interior is great, the seats are a little hard, but I can't really fault it. Rust free, serviced every year, it's been well looked after, two previous owners, languished on the forecourt before someone bought it in 2004 (or maybe used as a courtesy car for my local Perodua garage where it was originally purchased from), and then owned previously by an elderly lady for about 7 or 8 years.

There is a terrible clunking/knocking under neath the front end when it goes over bumps or undulates in any way. I presume this may be the suspension top bearing as it sounds like the springs are catching. I have no plans other than possibly put some 12" ATV steel wheels on it - I already have 4x110 ATV alloy wheels, but they're way too big (14") and way too wide (9"). Everything works, it's fine on motorways and no horror stories about the engine exploding or getting run over by a HGV have happened yet!

[Wilko220]

Nice buy.

I think Daihatsu are a real loss from the UK car market. They always seemed to at least try to be a little bit interesting.

[dollywobbler]

Brilliant. I thought I was alone in my love of the Perodua Nippa. Can't help thinking that we'll probably have one on the fleet at some point - deliciously low tech, which is what my wife loves in a car.

[Partridge]

The clunking? Maybe shagged bushings?

[face]

Awesome.

 

I suggest this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Knight-Rider-Scanner-16-Red-LED-Chaser-Light-Show-7-programs-9930-Free-Post-/130878918366?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e78fdcede#ht_1140wt_1161

 

and this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/short-black-curly-wig-for-Costume-party-/261194336305?pt=UK_Women_s_Wigs&hash=item3cd0654831#ht_25wt_1399

 

and this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Leather-Bomber-Jacket-80s-Size-M-L-/221211907256?pt=UK_Men_s_Vintage_Coats_Jackets&hash=item338141d4b8#ht_63wt_1399

 

and this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-daf-lf-7-5-ton-box-lorry-tail-lift-LEZ-add-blue-make-horsebox-manual-Auto-/271186429195?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item3f23f8850b#ht_454wt_1399

 

and these:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3700-kg-Aluminium-loading-ramps-459-99-for-recovery-trucks-plant-trailers-/321096129749?pt=UK_Trailers_Transporters_Parts&hash=item4ac2d21cd5#ht_1972wt_1161

[Jim Bell]

That does look interesting.

 

Nice purchase!

[warren t claim]

I've driven this Seeping and it's actually an alright little car. I think it would make an ideal LADA replacement for MM5.

[Spiny Norman]

I remember James May saying on Top Gear when they tested the Nippa that he thought it was just like the original Mini in terms of size and nippiness. Smart wee car, well done.

[Minimad5]

I've driven this Seeping and it's actually an alright little car. I think it would make an ideal LADA replacement for MM5.

You sir are delusional

I vote we fit a tow bar and make it DA UNIT Drag Slag

[Guest]

I've driven this Seeping and it's actually an alright little car. I think it would make an ideal LADA replacement for MM5.

You sir are delusional

I vote we fit a tow bar and make it DA UNIT Drag Slag

 

I don't think you're getting this 'get a car, doesn't matter what it is so long as it works' thing, but you crack on. Did the insurers say the Volvo was too dear?

[SambaS]

Love love love the Perodua Nippa.. Never so keen on their later stuff though, was it the Kenari? Or Kelisia

[dollywobbler]

Love love love the Perodua Nippa.. Never so keen on their later stuff though, was it the Kenari? Or Kelisia

 

Kelisa was the later Cuore-based one. Bit bland. Kenari was the Daihatu Move with a new circular headlamp snout. Not a bad looking bit of kit (for lovers of shite, oriental small things anyway).