1996 Suzuki Cappuccino Limited
Cappuccino: This car is for sale! Asking price is $15,000
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The first three paragraphs are general information. Thereafter information becomes very technical and specific.
The Suzuki Cappuccino was produced and sold only in the United Kingdom and Japan’s domestic auto market. This example was imported from Japan through legal channels under the regulations of both the EPA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. It is titled and registered in the state of Alabama.
This car features a three cylinder turbo charged and intercooled engine displacing an exceptionally small volume of 660 cm³. It features an automatic three speed transmission and power steering, making this vehicle very easy to drive. The star feature of this car is the roof system. The four piece hardtop system is easy to operate and configure. Configuration options range from full hardtop to full convertible. In between you have the option of operating as a target top, or as a T-top.
Acceleration is spirited, and braking distance is excellent. Steering is light and precise. Fuel economy is typically around 31 miles per gallon with city and Highway driving mixed. The owner is 6' 3", and 240 lbs. For a person of this size, it is a tight fit. Generally, people of smaller size than this will find the Cappuccino cozy but comfortable.
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The Suzuki Cappuccino was produced in Japan from 1991 through 1998. The vehicle was designed to meet Kei car specifications for lower tax and insurance in Japan. Weighing 725 kg (1,598 lb), the Cappuccino is light and nimble. Its dimensions also conformed to Kei car regulations on length and width, being 3,295 mm (129.7 in) long and 1,395 mm (54.92 in) wide. Front-rear weight distribution is claimed to be 50/50% when both seats are occupied. Layout is front mid-engine and rear-wheel drive. The hood, roof, roll bar and lower front guard panels are aluminum.
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The Cappuccino were originally equipped with the F6A engine. Later models were fitted with a K6A engine which was lighter and had chain-driven- rather than belt-driven- camshafts and more torque. Both are DOHC 12-valve, inline three-cylinder engines that were turbocharged and intercooled. This example is equipped with the K6A engine, which is considered more durable than the original F6A. The change from F6A to K6A happened in the 1995 production year.
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Our Cappuccino was built with the "Limited" trim, which added very modest equipment such as power windows and automatic transmission. Having attempted to drive a manual transmission Cappuccino prior to buying this one, the owner found that there was not enough room for a person of his height to effectively operate the clutch without striking the steering wheel with a knee. This situation was initially the only reason the search in Japan became restricted to an automatic transmission. After considerable time spend reviewing the available vehicles, a clear pattern emerged: Low mileage, well cared-for manual transmission Cappuccinos are quite rare. A typical hard-driving enthusiasts usually only wanted a manual, those are the cars that saw the most (and hardest) use.
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This Cappuccino has exceptionally low mileage, and it becomes obvious when you drive. Firm suspension, less wear on touch points, and mostly rattle-free driving confirm the low odometer reading (less than 35,000 km / 22,000 miles). Here are some additional specifications, including data for a 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 Club model for comparison:
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Wheelbase: 81.1 inches (2,060 mm)
[Miata 90.9 inches]
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Length: 129.7 inches (3,295 mm)
[Miata 154.1inches]
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Width: 54.9 inches (1,395 mm)
[Miata 68.3 inches]
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Height: 46.7 inches (1,185 mm)
[Miata 48.6 inches]
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Curb weight: 1,598 lbs. (725 kg)
[Miata 2,345 lbs.]
