The Toyota Roomy - A Quick Look

I'm renting a Toyota Roomy in Japan so thought I'd give a quick video with my impressions.

Link to my other channel - Big Car:

#littlecar

[moltenriches]

Indicators on the right for a RHD car actually make a lot of sense especially if it's a manual. You can keep your right hand on the wheel to steer whilst flicking the indicators with your fingers on your right hand whilst changing gears with the left hand. Once you get used to it it feels like a much smoother process

[willadams]

This is the car I used to draw when I was 6

[wertywerrtyson]

I wish we had more cars like this in Sweden. It’s so practical to have something boxy. It’s a different type of car but still reminds me of the old Volvo 740 estate wagons that used to be so popular here. Function before form.

[ftn]

Hope you had great time in Japan, Toyota Roomy is an OEM car from Daihatsu, there’s a Daihatsu variant called Thor. There are 2 engine choices, 1.0L na 3-cylinders, or turbocharged version. The one you’re in is the cheapest trim level mainly for rental car fleets. Mid to upper trim level has LED headlight, 16 in alloy, ACC, USB and USB-C, climate control system, 9 in infotainment system.

[markjustus]

Have a nice stay in Japan! Lovely to see your wife!

[danieljack]

Hello there, fan from Japan here. I am surprised that you are here! The car Roomy is a sort of sub-compact car which is bigger than a kei(軽)-car that has yellow number plates, but smaller than those massive vans you featured(such as a HiAce). It is actually an OEM from Daihatsu, a prominent kei-car manufacturer, hence the similarities with a kei-car. You might feel it is slightly underpowered on highways, due to its small engine and weight, but around town it should carry itself fine. Unfortunately, the linkage with your phone does seem to require a designated app. I would personally recommend using google map, as that is usually updated more frequently than in-car navigation systems. The reason you would see kei-cars without the yellow number plates such as the white Suzuki in the parking lot is because there were commemorative special white plates issued at around the Olympics and Paralympics.
Anyways, I hope this helps, and you find your stay in Japan satisfying! Would you be visiting Tokyo by any chance?

[seanoneillsongs]

I could be wrong but I think this is the first video you’ve left your desk for.
I’m currently in Philippines and there’s a pretty interesting range of cars here.
That ginormous minivan is used for long distances here - it’s calling a Van Van - and yesterday I did a return trip to another island.
This involved some mountain sections with a lot of S-bends, some almost hairpin and the driver just flung it around like a GTI.
It was astonishing how it clung to the road, occasionally bouncing a little sideways for a ramp or pothole.
My only reassurance was the thought that this is what he does everyday.
Enjoy Japan and say hello to my son if you happen to meet him it Tokyo.

[daviddouillet]

Japan is a quirky nation with an endless supply of odd and obscure vehicles, thanks Granturismo for introducing us TO the JDM.

[yuchungman]

As a Hong Konger I'd say there's a couple of quirks worth mentioning:
1. The ETC slot just beneath the driving aids panel, not seen in any other markets but standard for all Japanese cars, didn't it played a speech everytime you start the engine?
2. Japanese Satnav can be easily setup by typing the landline number of the hotel/shop/attraction. Not as convenient as smart phone apps these days but tremendously handy in the Naughties.

[mrjsv]

Very interesting :) Hope to see more footage from Japan, fascinating country.

[toyotacamry]

It's almost like the Scion XB if it has continue the small toaster box vibes in the early 2000s

[Oldsmobile]

I really wish they had kei-cars like this in Europe.

[greekman]

In New Zealand and Australia we Have the indicators on the right hand side. New Zealand imports these cars second hand

[davidhynd]

I recently worked with someone who had purchased a new Nissan (I can't remember the model). This car came with auto-dimming headlights, but there was no option of switching the system to manual only. The owner complained to me that the system was unable to detect all oncoming vehicles which meant that lots of drivers became abusive, beeping their horns and flashing their lights onto high beam. And, frustratingly, there was no way to override the system, so the owner was left looking like a complete jerk. It was enough of a problem that the owner was considering selling the vehicle. Like a lot of modern technology, it's all very helpful. Until it's not. Especially when there are no override options.

[Dawar]

I love these types of reviews too, kindly make these too.

[AllCarswithJon]

Love this! Thank you so much for sharing it! Other than all the cool stuff Japan has, that sliding rear door situation is a winner. We had a Honda minivan and when we replaced it, we realized how inconvenient regular opening doors are in parking spaces!
Awesome little car, thanks for taking us on the journey. Oh, nice to see you out and about, and nice to meet Mrs. Big Car! :)

[MrSheymie]

I like those tiny Japanese cars. Very functional and simple.

[gg_vard]

"there's lots of room in the car" You could say this car is Roomy

[ethanHEART]

I drive a 2005 Ford Fiesta three door in Australia and I’ve also owned a 2005 opel/ Vauxhall/ Holden astra 5 door, both cars are manual and have the indicators on the left, they are both very easy to drive and I’ve owned them one after the other, my parents own a Subaru Xv and a Holden commodore ute, their indicators are on the right, every time I drive my parents cars I turn on the wipers when I want to turn left or right because I’m not used to them being on the opposite side. I much prefer the indicators being on the left because it means I can always just hold the wheel with my right hand and use my left hand for everything else.

I think for me having the indicators on the left is something I have become comfortable with.

[JeffKing]

Fun video - and neat to see you on the road