2016 Honda S660

Overview: The Honda S660 is a mid engine Kei Car (軽自動車). This is both to its benefit and detriment and if you like it will truly require you to drive it. This car is trying to balance many things at once practically and that makes it quite a strange creature. The biggest thing it has going for it is that it is gorgeous and it steers perfectly. Very small, but even when other bigger cars are running the market: the visual design of this car is outstanding. I'd call it one of the best looking designs on the road.

Cons: This is unfortunately where the car takes a turn for the worse in my opinion. The worst part is its transmission gearing on the low end. Between 10 and 15 kph the car bucks terribly if you let off of the gas worse than even revving a manual car to far and letting off. This car isn't designed for stops and starts, but for you to get to open road good enough to enjoy, the journey there will be not as fantastic. Also, due to the car being a Kei Car, it is under strict power limitations. On one hand that's good because it keeps you safe; on the other hand, it feels like your pocket race car got its soul ripped out by regulations. You could drop a bigger turbo and fix this probably but aftermarket adjustments are not my specialty.

Score: 6/10. I want to love this car and I can't find it in myself to recommend it without serious time with the car before purchase. Also for the market, the amount of money you would spend on this car could buy you something much better feeling without the cult love price tag. To end on a positive note, this car has excellent steering and sound resistance on the convertible roof. You can sit beside a Semi-Truck and barely hear it through the soft top and that's very nice. Finally, that monster steering is its best and worst aspect. When you change lanes to pass someone it feels so tight and tuned in, but then you give the car gas and remember its a Kei Car. It is niche and unique and truly beautiful: but it is a baby NSX for better or for worse.