I Bought a 64-Horsepower Car From Japan. Now Police Officers Slow Down Just to Stare at It

Ever since I laid eyes on the Mazda Autozam AZ-1, I knew I needed it. There is nothing else quite like it. Bright red with gullwing doors, a tail, and sporty air scoops that feed air to its mid-mounted engine, you’d think I was describing a supercar. However, the AZ-1 weighs just 1,587 pounds and features a turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 64 horsepower.

Welcome to the world of Japanese kei cars. While the idea of “tiny cutie cars from Japan” sounds silly and whimsical, the category is actually quite strict. To be considered a kei car, these ultra-compact vehicles have to be 11.2 feet long (or less) and no taller than 6.6 feet high. The engine displacement is limited to 660 cc, and it can’t exceed 64 horsepower. Why? Kei cars qualify for significant Japanese tax, insurance, and parking breaks (they’re cheapskates over there, just like us).

You won’t see many kei cars in the United States thanks to the 25-year rule. And you’ll probably see more Honda Beats and Suzuki Carries. Only 4,392 AZ-1 were made between 1992 and 1994 — and under 100 have made it to America so far. For a while, I stared at that “Car From Japan” site, hoping some would show up. Usually, they were already sold, and the ones left had many issues I couldn’t fully grasp because I could only ask questions via WhatsApp and couldn’t go see the cars myself. It felt like a pretty big risk for someone cheap and cautious like me. But it doesn’t hurt to daydream. Especially not about a tiny little guy.

When I discovered one in San Diego that had already been imported, I felt I had to pull the trigger. It felt like this was my chance. The ones straight from Japan were cheaper, but it was tough to gauge their quality, and none came with the rare leuvers and wing that this one had. It just looked plain awesome, truly a mini supercar. But the Mazda Autozam AZ-1 is more than just its shocking appearance.

It’s cute, it’s fun to drive, and it has gullwing doors

There are so many cars out there. How do you even choose which ones to get your limited parking spots? I think I just go with my gut feelings.

I saw the 1990’s Mazda Miata in an Instagram reel blinking its eyes and zipping around a track, and thought, “Wow, that is so effin’ adorable. I need this.” I learned to drive manual just to get that car.

I have loved the Lotus Elise since I saw it in a car auction show on TV while watching with my dad as a child. The blend of exotic sportiness and small cuteness immediately drew me in. As an adult, I was walking through a parking lot and saw an Elise and went, “Oh yeah, I remember loving that car. Is it on Facebook Marketplace?”

I saw a YouTube video of someone squeezing into the Autozam and driving it around, and said to myself, “That’s really cute. Let’s see if it’s in America somewhere.”

Apparently, my gut feelings tell me to get cute cars. But it’s not that simple, of course. I love cute cars that also make you smile while you’re driving. The Autozam is most definitely one of those cars. I was admittedly pretty worked up before test driving the Autozam down in San Diego. I’d never driven a right-hand manual car before. I hate when random men watch me drive, so I knew it’d be quite the embarrassing experience.

First the seller drove me around in the Autozam. The thing could move. You can really feel the turbocharger zipping the car along. He shot off at lights and took turns almost as wildly as I do in my Miata. I was a lot more boring when I took over, but I could feel how forgiving and welcoming the car was, how enjoyable even a cruise would be. You strangely catch on to right-hand driving quite fast. I was able to drive two hours back to Los Angeles without a single stall (although I won’t speak of the strangely difficult third gear).

And during those two hours, I was smiling. While I generally drove quite slowly to get the hang of the car, I was able to breezily zip forward if I wanted to catch up to my boyfriend’s Mustang GT. It didn’t feel forced at all. In fact, it felt like the Autozam was enjoying it. And so was everyone around me.

Beating supercars at their own game

The number of other people who smile, even police officers wondering where my plates were, is intoxicating. It’s a car that will grab tons of positive attention. At gas stations, people asked to take pictures. At stop lights, people gave me thumbs up. On the highway, people tried to cruise alongside me to get a better glimpse at this tiny supercar. When taking pictures downtown, people drove up to ask about the car. What even is it?!

I love cars that people love. When I’m looking for a car, I honestly do think: “What’s a car that barely anyone hates? What’s a car that everyone will agree is cool?” It’s not that I want anyone’s approval — I’ve luckily never cared about that in any aspect of my life — but I think car meets and car shows are one of the most addicting parts of owning a car. So why not get a car that makes everyone curious and excited? Just admit the pride you feel when you see people gathering around your car at a meet, taking pictures, pointing, smiling. You’re proud of your car, and it feels good when others are.

The Autozam AZ-1 is one of those cars. Despite its tiny size, it will most definitely steal the show. Any show. I haven’t had the chance to bring it to one yet, but I can’t wait. The fact that the Autozam will likely get more attention than an actual supercar is quite entertaining. I don’t need the attention. I don’t even stand near my cars. But seeing everyone circle the Autozam will be so much fun to watch from afar.

There is nothing like being inside the Autozam AZ-1

Inside, the Autozam feels quite unique. Lifting the gullwing doors is an event in itself. You have to then slide inside, similar to the Elise, which takes a very certain maneuver you’ll need to learn.

Once inside, the smell hits you. The smell of a 30-year-old car from Japan. I could sleep inside the car just to feel enveloped in its comforting, vintage scent. I may even go up to the garage later tonight just to start it up and sit inside of it. Who knows?

Speaking of, starting the car up triggers a Japanese voice to say something (I truthfully don’t know what, but it’s very immersive and cool) as everything lights up. For such a small engine, it also sounds pretty nice upon starting it up. The seats are pretty comfortable, and you don’t feel claustrophobic. The seller did tell me I’m the perfect size for this car, so someone above 5’3″ may say differently. But you just feel like you’re in some kind of mini plane with all the lit-up gauges, especially when most cars these days just have a big, flat screen.

I think this is just one of those cars that never gets old. You’ll always smile just knowing it’s in your garage, and always wish you could be driving it. And to me, that’s more important than having excessive horsepower or all the latest features. I think I don’t even have a radio right now. But who needs that when you’re just humming and smiling the entire drive?