Do many of you use public transportation or have your own vehicle? I've thought about purchasing a Kei-type car, but I'm not really sure on what brand I should go with. Any suggestions for an okinawan resident?
If you can fit inside one, without feeling to much like a sardine in a tin-can, then go for it !! The gas mileage in good, and in the Okinawa area, there are likely not as many ups and downs as there are here in Nagano.
I have always heard that Suzuki is a bit more reliable engine-wise. . . don't know if it's true, but anyway. . . there may not be so much difference otherwise.
I used to drive a Suzuki Escudo (part-time four wheel drive) and loved it. The head room was tight, but the leg room was good enough. I now drive a Nissan Serena; the head room is great, but the leg room is about 50 cm too short...OUCH !!! my knees feel it on those long drives.... !!
If you need room, try to find an old Subaru Rex. They went out of production years ago, but there are still some out there. I drive one. It is beat up, looks like crap, the odometer rolled over last year....but it gives me more head and leg room than most "full-sized" passenger cars I have tried in Japan.
I've always wondered about the safety of kei cars - they are light, and probably crumple at a simple nudge from another car, and I've heard they suffer pretty bad in the power department. Oh, and avoid crosswinds
Do many of you use public transportation or have your own vehicle? I've thought about purchasing a Kei-type car, but I'm not really sure on what brand I should go with. Any suggestions for an okinawan resident?
My wife has a Suzuki Lupin, twin cam with turbo, and it runs really well. Are you looking to lease, purchase new, or used?
Used kei's are not that cheap, particularly ones between 3 to 6 years old they can go for as much as 600,000 to 800,000 yen or more, you may want to shop around a bit before purchasing one.
Oh btw I'm in Okinawa as well if or when you decide what your going to purchase and you needs some help drop me a PM and I could introduce you to some decent folks that sell and lease cars here.
I am driving a Mitsubishi K. 10 Years old and it ticks like a clock. The non-turbos will last forever, but are a bit weak in the mountains. Accident safety is non-existent, though, which might bother you, if you plan to transport children. I would go for a Suzuki Every next time. Enough space, relatively comfortable, relatively reliable, relatively cheap.
I like the Suzuki Alto's. You can get a good one for like 60,000 yen +/- for a simple used one. Of course you pay more for newer ones but it all depends on what you want. Shop around and try to buy one with enough Shaken on it for your purposes.