
1991 HONDA BEAT PP1

1991 HONDA BEAT 2WD

1991 HONDA BEAT E-PP1
Buying Guide
Back in 1991 with a production run of just 5 years, Honda Beat turned out to be one of the best Kei cars of all time due to its tiny dimensions, impressive powertrain, and unmatched driving experience. With all these outstanding features, that's why many car enthusiasts are hunting for a Honda Beat for sale nowadays. If you are one of them, let’s check the Honda Beat review from auto experts and car lovers below to make the right decision before buying this car.
Honda Beat Overview
The Honda Beat is a rear-wheel-drive, mid-engined two-seat Kei car manufactured by the famous Japanese automaker Honda. Honda Beat is the predecessor model of the S660. The Beat was produced from 1991 to 1996 and became a typical JDM car at that time.
In Japan, cars like the Honda Beat are often called “keijidosha” which means K-cars. Keijidosha cars were invented back in 1949, becoming the smallest legal cars in Japan for convenience in traffic in busy urban areas.
Honda Beat was the last car that Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda Motor Company, approved before he died in 1991. Over the 5 years, there were around 33,600 units produced. Two-thirds of this number occurred in 1991, and then the sales and production decreased significantly in the later years. The design of the car was bought from Pininfarina, an Italian car firm. As this car belongs to the Kei-car class, it has many features to take advantage of Japanese tax regulations.
In the first phases, Honda Beat was mainly sold in Japan, however, now these cars are gradually becoming popular in the US market as they have met the 25-year import rule so you can now legally import the Beat from Japan.
Honda Beat 1991-1996: A Full Review
If you are interested in driving a vehicle like the Mazda Miata, Beat probably won't disappoint you. Furthermore, driving a Honda Beat will attract a lot of attention because of its uniqueness. Now, you may want to know what made this Beat unique, right? Let’s roll your sleeves and discover with us:
Specifications
Production |
1991-1996 |
Class |
Kei car |
Body style |
2-door roadster |
Layout |
Transverse mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
Number of seat |
2 |
Engine |
656 cc (40.0 cu in) E07A MTREC I3 |
Transmission |
5-speed manual |
Top speed |
135 km/h (84 mph) |
Maximum power |
64 PS (63 bhp) at 8,100 rpm |
Wheelbase |
3,295 mm (129.7 in) |
Length |
3,295 mm (129.7 in) |
Height |
1,175 mm (46.3 in) |
Width |
1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
Curb weight |
760 kg (1,680 lb) |
Successor |
Honda S660 |
Unique design
Interestingly, the Honda Beat design wasn't originally a Honda concept. It was created by Pininfarina, and Honda later acquired the design plan. You probably wonder why the Honda Beat is too small in size. That's because, in Japan, there is a special regulation that these K-cars fit under which allows for cheaper registration and reduces tolls. The Beat is under the kei car category in Japan, known for its tax breaks and regulations on size.
At first sight, you are probably surprised at how tiny this Beat is in size. It's half the size of a Honda S2000 but it's still a very sporty-looking car. The compact design coupled with the small phone dial alloy wheels and the rear spoiler provides you with a design that only a Kei- car can have.
Interior
Like any Kei car out there, the interior of the Beat will not be as spacious as the American or European cars, Honda Beat possesses a minimalist interior typical of cars produced in the period 1991-1996. The car is equipped with basic adjustment buttons and an air conditioning system and buyers can add a radio. On the driver's seat, Honda equipped the Beat with a unique zebra pattern. Because the car space is quite small, the distance between the driver and passengers is also narrowed; however, it still remains an adequate comfort.
Honda Beat engine
Honda Beat is one of a few Kei cars with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Because the Beat must comply with Keijidosha regulations, power comes from a 656cc three-cylinder engine that only produces 63 horsepower and 60 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, and there's no automatic option, plus the engine doesn't reach peak power until 8,100 rpm.
Unlike other Kei cars, the Honda Beat does not use a turbocharger system, however, it still reaches a maximum speed of 135 km/h. 5-speed manual transmission and RWD system are standard on the Honda Beat which help the car reach from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
Driving experience
Lightweight (only 760 kg) and sorted chassis make the Honda Beat very fun to drive, even though the performance of the Honda Beat is slightly mediocre when compared to the turbocharged engine found in the Suzuki Cappuccino that doesn't make it any less fun to drive.
The low curb weight gives the Beat an excellent power-to-weight ratio and the non-powered assist steering wheels make the drivers even more excited while driving. For all of those things, the Honda Beat was an absolute hit, in the first year they sold over 30000 cars.
Honda Beat price
It's quite affordable for you to buy a Honda Beat, at present the Honda Beat price ranges from $6000 to $39,416 depending on the condition, model year, and other factors so you can refer to this price range to choose a suitable Beat for you. If you are looking for a used Honda Beat for sale, you can visit our website to have more options with prices from $3517 to $14777 (not including the shipping fee).
In recent years, some people tend to import used cars directly from Japan rather than buying cars from their local showrooms. This is a pretty smart idea as it can help you save some bucks but still get your ideal car in good condition. However, importing a used car sometimes is quite challenging, especially in a strict market like the US. Therefore, choosing a reputable importer is always the optimal choice to help you get a smooth process and the best deal.
Conclusion
To choose a unique sports car with a small size, perhaps the Honda Beat should be one of the top choices you should consider. Even sports cars that are often considered small like the Mazda Miata and Toyota MR2, when placed next to the Honda Beat, still look quite large. If you are planning to buy one, visit carfromjapan.com to have support.