Subaru Domingo POV Drive & Overview! Kei Van on STEROIDS 

As someone who lived in Hawaii for a while in the early 2000's. I wish Kei vehicles were the norm there. I feel like they're really the perfect vehicles for the islands.

The Subaru Domingo was also sold in Germany as the Subaru Libero (also with EFI engines) and it was quite a popular car back then as it could match up to Autobahn speeds. Nowadays it's still a quite sought after item, with some very good kept up examples (especially these with the retracable glas-sunriof) reaching prices up to 12k€.

Unfortunately, "no replacement for displacement" isn't always right. It may be twice the size, but in reality only makes maybe 5-10 more horses than a nice turbo'd/supercharged Kei engine. The EF12 was pretty sluggish when it came out, but it's built to last. If you did get one, make sure it's got EFI and slap in a turbo. Expensive, but you'd have the fastest Kei-type van around. Really cool van either way, might run a bit nicer in town than your average Kei van too.

Love the seats/ fabric pattern. I own a '91 Supercharged Dias 2. For town driving, I feel that's where these should live. School runs, grocery runs. Even if I could go comfortably highway speed (it would be screaming) I just wouldn't feel safe. Even with that added 'bumper' YOU are the crumple zone.

I didn't know about the Domingo's engine. Nice. 1200cc, if you add a turbo you get that acceleration power you need on american freeways and can cruise without super stressing the engine all the time.

Definitely want to see a full vid on the bongo!

Im picking mine up from the docks in a few days! I'm hyped.

I really want a diesel Hiace I can use to tow my race MX-5 or CRX around.

Should try doing a hill climb test up Wilhelmina Rise, its a few blocks away from the JDM Hawaii Repair shop plus you get a fun winding round to drive down after.

The NIssan Largo is a special edition - The Highwaystar. Updated interior and exterior, seats that swivel 180, the thing is fly as hell. Take a look at the upholstery and the body kit, it's legit.

Dude, you ought to test out the first gen Mercedes A-class (1.9L engine) and Daihatsu Sirion/Storia (1.3L, high rev engine). Both are just like 3 inches longer than the Domingo. Those will definitely scratch the itch. Though I like the Doningo slightly more. There's an undeniable charm in a 7+ people mover with a potential pop top.

It is much fun watching your reviews. Subscribed XD what camera do you use?

The answer might be a Daihatsu Atrai Turbo. They make the same power as the Domingo but is a whole 300+ pounds lighter. Maybe their turbo deck van may be even a smidge lighter too!

The speed limit is 55 or 60mph, if you are wondering I went over that freeway hundreds or even thousands of times and I see thousands of time.

Hey Guy - You need to try and get your hands on a Suzuki Carry (or Every) van with a turbocharged 3 cylinder engine. I owned one for several years. (turbocharger, intercooler, fuel injected, 4WD) It was a ROCKET!! They are rare but they're out there!!

please do some videos on all those Vans!

2nd and 3rd row seats may be a tight fit for adult, but they are excellent for kids.

Do that rocky since it looks like a jimny wide competitor.

Daihatsu Atrai 7 1300cc coming soon 😊😊

I'd like to see you drive a Daihatsu Mira Walk-Through!

I really like the Domingo and would prefer it over a Sambar van. I think 110kph is a fine road trip speed here in western Canada. Keep up the great videos! Here in Canada we can import anything 15 year old or older and I'm really looking forward to getting something JDM in the future.

I think the Honda S-MX is the perfect van that meets your requirements. Yeah, it's not as small as a kei van, but it isn't too long like a regular van. I had a turbocharged S-MX that I sold on cars and bids this year, that thing was loads of fun.

The fact that you can pass people is pretty good. There is a turbo van I really want, but I'm wondering if I'd need the Domingo... How much more powerful (freeway etc) is the domingo over a supercharger or a turbo kei van?

If you want a cab-over van with more power take a look at van versions of Toyota "LiteAce" or "TownAce" (sometimes "wagon" added to their name), also rebadged as "Daihatsu Delta Wide".

Could you advise on a cheap reliable van that will also carry 4 mountain bikes and camping gear if we take rear seats out... and cheap on costs... fuel, insurance etc

Remove the rear seat and spare tire, an I bet it could easily each 130, unless the gearing doesn't allow it

Hi. Did you get the Domingo? Just picked up a green 96. Cheers Richard

So what size is the cut off for a Kai car. Cause I swear you mention a del soul is classified as one but CRX isn’t. But the subi you were just in isn’t one either cause of the bumpers and subsequent the overall length. So what is the basic requirements to be a kei car

Been meaning to ask this, you think this performs better off road than an automatic Jimny from the late 90s?

I wonder if forced induction would make it better on the highway, could you even fit a turbo and everything that goes with that in it?

Hey what did you think of this Van? Its up for sale again here in Hawaii by the current owner who got it from Slater. I have a Delica from Slater. Was it way better than a Kei ? trying to decide between the Sambar and this one. Watch your videos all the time keep up the good work.Mahalo David

Quick question, can you import kei cars from hawaii to Québec? I would love one!

how does it compare to a supercharged sambar in terms of top speed?

Somebody somewhere has to put big bike engines in Kei vans

So do you regularly drive over 80 MPH because I think that I’ll be more than fine

the Suzuki every reminds me a lot Bedford Rascal from uk that is what i first looked at buying but uk salt the roads so finding one with little rust at fare price nearly impossible but japan most imports normally very good for no rust and ive found few importers in uk so when 100% sure i want one i have to drive one first but they look fun and love the sound ive got options to import one but have one bookmarked on my browser i really like but great condition 41k miles but quite basic high roof and rwd for £6500 ($8,251) and another still basic but same spec but very low miles £7500 so they not cheap in uk. two options due health modern car with cruise control or kei van i turn in to micro rv so when i need i lye down have rest and what ever option plan to keep for very long time hopefully decades and funny feeling kei van go up in value as petrol/diesel bans kick in and these vans get more rare

Bring it,I'd love to put an exhaust on a "Big Block" LOL.

Double the horsepower is not double the speed. Rolling resistance is linear but aerodynamic drag increases with the square of the velocity. To go twice as fast requires four times the power.

Full time 4WD probably robbed some power, and it looked like the Domingo was geared for 110 KPH cruising, with 130 near redline? I'm not a fan of full time 4WD, partly for the handling but mostly for the fuel economy. I've always thought that the US market should have kei trucks and kei vans, but with 1200 cc engines.

prob 3 cylinder a bit more torque maybe than if same size engine but 4 cylinder

Turbos fix everything. 👨🏻‍🔧🚚

Would love to see a camper build out of it.

You're being way too hard on a 26yr old 1200cc 3 cyl van. That went brilliantly for what it is!

bruh the domingo is my dream car T^T i want it so badly!!! I wish i wasnt broke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks nice but not liking the 3rd row of seats. I'd rather just have a 2nd row and use a foam flip chair for an extra seat and a bed when I need it. That way you can put in some storage space on the side for storage.

Maybe a Toyota Lite Ace.or Nissan Vanette.

Firstly!

Do you guys know the difference between an engine and a motor you keep calling that engine a motor

Bro a hiace isn't so happy over 120. I cruise mine about 110 just to be nice to it.

110 km/h sounds find to me; I drive a Mercedes Sprinter at that speed and I'm still faster than most other cars.

what does JDM mean? What does KEI mean? i love these silly little vans but I want one I can drive on the street legally.

I think if the vehicle had a supercharger it would meet your expectations

What are you excepting from Kei runs too slow for you Then just buy big truck I

Seven seater ? For kids ? Dwarfs ? Dogs ? 🤣🤣🤣

if man if your looking for powerful engine kei cars not for you man.. . kei cars a utility car not a race car..lol