Subaru Sambar Van Review: This JDM Kei Car is WILD
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- Subaru Sambar Review: Is this JDM Kei car good? In this video, James Reeves reviews an AWD (all-wheel drive) supercharged 1992 Subaru Sambar Dias II, a JDM Kei van. This isn't just any mini van; it's a vehicle with style, efficiency, and unexpected appeal. James talks history, technical specs, and defines the unparalleled charm of this compact van, which has been turning heads and sparking conversations wherever it roams.
🚐 In this Video: 🚐
- A Deep Dive into the Subaru Sambar Dias II: Get to know the ins and outs of one of Subaru's most iconic microvans, from its inception in 1961 to its evolution into the beloved Dias II model.
- Technical Specs: Discover what makes the Sambar Dias II tick, from its rear-engine layout to its supercharged 660cc engine.
- Walkaround: Join us for a detailed tour of this compact beast with a JDM car expert, Aaron Ross of Bulldog Auto, Japan, highlighting its retro design, spacious interior, and features that make it stand out in the microvan segment.
- Street Experience: Experience the Sambar Dias II in action as we take it for a spin.
- The Ultimate Alpha Male Vehicle?: Hear why owning a Sambar Dias II might just be the subtle symbol of success and magnet for attention you never knew you needed.
🔧 Featured Highlights 🔧
- On-Demand 4WD System
- Dual Sunroofs and Sliding Doors
- Comfortable and Spacious Interior
- Supercharged Engine Performance
- Unique Appeal and Practicality of Kei Cars
🗣 Join the Conversation:
The Subaru Sambar Dias II isn't just a vehicle; it's a lifestyle choice that speaks volumes about the owner. This microvan is more than meets the eye. Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions about the Sambar Dias II or other Kei cars in the comments.
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For more videos, be sure to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss an upload.
CONTENTS:
0:00 Intro
3:30 History and Technical Specs
7:56 Sambar Walk-Around
#SubaruSambar #KeiCar #Microvan #ClassicCars #CarReview #AutomotiveAdventure #UniqueVehicles #CarCulture #SubaruSambarDiasII #JapaneseCars #CarEnthusiasts - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Aaron's contact info if you are looking for a van like this: www.bulldogautojapan.com/
instagram.com/bulldogautojapan
A true man of culture🙏
Thank you, thank you so so so much. I love you James, my algorithm was a "fear loop" I've bought too many guns based off my own fears of being raped or mugged and left for dead(happened to me), I find you extremely charismatic, I could watch you run errands on your day off, I would watch a video of you washing the dishes......... I no longer want to feed into my fear cycle, thank you so so much for This kinda video, "buy a gun because the world is dangerous and here's an example of a news fear mongering clip.... my gun /ammo collection is now over $200k. I've lost faith in America and much of humanity, I plan to move to a foreign country and buy condos where their no cell phone reception signal, I tried being a Mennonite(amish) because I'm rich and mostly German...Mennonites never accept outsiders, so Argentina, Philippines and Burma is where my looking to start living, I'm 43 with no loans, no mortgage, no wife, no gf, no kids. Again, I love you, thank you so much for This,kind of video. Do you have a vacation/ tourist channel, i want to watch that. I have enough guns, I need to get over my fears of assault, I don't want to keep feeding into fear mongering. Fear mongering sells guns but leaves me alone and afraid. What are small towns like in the foreign countries you been to? You must have some travel videos? I'm stuck waiting for my elderly parents to pass away so I can continue on with my life.
Post script: you once mentioned trying to teach your baby boomer parent How to play Nintendo wii, I felt that like a knife to the heart, both of my parents own several businesses but I've spent the last 8years trying and failing to explain Inflation(don't even try, no baby boomer will ever understand Inflation, no matter what you do, if even showed boomers Inflation app calculator, which helps but they still truly don't understand What is Inflation).
Pps: Thank you again James. I love you.
Hilux’s 🤔
This is an awesome video and the van is sweet but the best part was @jamesreeves driving around Pensacola and toward Navarre bringing back all my college memories. I may have helped keep that Tom Thumb afloat between 2001 and 2005.
Driving a slow car as fast as it can go (and not even breaking the speed limit) is a whole lot more fun than tip-toeing around in a high power car.
As someone who has owned a few 80’s/90’s Japanese sport compacts that were under 160hp I can vouch for this philosophy. 😂
Speed is all about perspective
Hence the fun of go-karts
it feels like it must be like when you blast through the earths atmosphere.
I've owned faster cars since I had my NA Miata, but none more fun.
Imagine this bad boy rolling up and 4 or 6 guys pop out dressed like nasa office workers armed with gucci ar-15's.
They probably would have women's underwear on as well
It seems like an A team, Fanny pack, short shorts activity.
@@Joe-hz1nw where does one volunteer for such activities?
@@Nightdiver20 right now? Gaza or eastern Ukraine 💀
@Joe-hz1nw haha, well, I refuse to be a part of zelensky's money laundering operations, and I'm not really a fan of anyone in the Middle East. How about South America?
This has increased my love for James by at least 300%...
This just feels like the natural progression of this channel
I saw the notification and I just had to know what a Reeves car review was like
It is reminiscent of early regular car reviews channel
I was waiting for him to toss it into the bayou...
@@OhioCruffler Gotta find out how it handles being immersed in brackish NOLA water.
Brown, brown, brown.
Same
"Are you James from Grindr"?
He didn't say no... 😏
I did a double take when I saw this in my feed.
Tfb, Subaru and JDM? This is the most epic crossover I ever seen
Not the crossover I expected but definitely a crossover I needed
@@draksia I have 3 Subarus so this is my jam lol. I got this sticker that says "Subaru, not just for agates"
I'm trying to take them back
Its not a Crossover, Its a Van
All we need for the epic crossover is Ian, Fat Electrician, Drachinifel, Chieftain making a road trip from Louisiana to see Battleship North Carolina with stops for firing ranges and microbreweries
The line "I am, fiscally, sturdy...and I might like to f###" is the funniest fucking line I've ever heard you say from TFB to now, the delivery was perfect and I have to sample it for a soundboard now
"Cuckleberry Finn" was the G.O.A.T. of TFB TV insults, and if you ever achieve the opportunity to use it on someone you are actively cucking, you become a God among men.
"You are the Crumple Zone." has been my social identity for a long time. I need this car.
I survived being my mom's airbag as a young child. I can handle this.
Could a front crash bar be added, like on a jeep?
@@douglb8960 Yes.
And in the event of a crash, the crash bar would be entirely unharmed. The driver and passenger, however, would be bisected by said bar when it goes through the dashboard.
honestly look at it. its cheap. look at how much a car costs these days. 10k plus whatever he spent in shipping is cheap. you can park it anywhere. it gets stupid gas milage. you can actually throw a matress in the back and use it for a micro camper. you can haul a decent sized major appliance in it. its got plenty of room for the average home depot/lowes run.
there is a van like this in my area that has a high top on it. it parks next to an e-250 based camper. it literally looks like the campers child. its hilarious.
-- what is safer, Kei van/truck OR a...motorcycle?
James out here driving a bastard, wrong-hand drive minivan while ordering a Whataburger.
I've been to that exact Whataburger so many times at 3 am lol
God bless America.
I had a RHD Mini Cooper S. I just went through the drivethroughs in reverse
RIGHT(aka correct) Hand Drive
This cute lil van screams “my concealed carry is chambered in 32acp”
theOneTrueCaliber
32 ACP is based
Developed by John Moses Browning. Can’t go wrong.
not 9mm mak?
@@superdupermax no that would be a Trabant. czcams.com/video/No1-4GsQa-g/video.htmlsi=jZHeuPuRnZQ08fFf
James, been driving a Kei truck for over a year. Glad to see you drank the Kei Kool-aid. To understand a Kei vehicle you have to experience one. The van looks fantastic.
I am absolutely on board with car content from James. More of this, please and thank you.
Same, same
Unexpected, but never unwelcome
Even if it's not a series with regular uploads, I fuck with James Reeves Car Reviews hard. Best car review I've seen in long awhile.
ty
Kinda reminded me of Regular Car Reviews, another great channel
"Are you James from Grindr?"
Get this man a job at TFBTV immediately.
Colion Noir in his Porsche and other exotics.... And here is James Reeves in Subaru Sambar. You go, king.
Exotics are a waste of money unless they're from the 70's or further back
Colion is cool too.
@@jezuzfreek777Colin is a sellout, bought and paid for with NRA and USCCA money to do nothing.
I know some girls in street racing world. Among car girls, Porsche make them dry. A car to impress you need to explain it's German racing lap times. Something only accountant would care about 😂
Never thought James would doing Doug Demouro type of review. Thanks for an education I didn’t need.
Everytime I deployed to Guam, I always saw a lot of the locals driving little vans like this around, as well as the little trucks that have the little flatbed with short folding doors around the edges. The locals absolutely PACK those little trucks with as much stuff as they can. Always saw them driving around with cargo stacked twice as tall as the truck. I've wanted one of these little vehicles ever since I first saw one.
Guam being a territory allows them to get around a LOT of bullshit our government has done to us.
Importing either from there or Peru is always a good idea, or Mexico but those guys would rather die than sell their hard little working vehicles
Man, you gotta upload more stuff like this, love the content
When I went to Japan, I was as surprised how many tiny box cars like this were on the road.
I was there last year and kept looking at the different scooters delivery drivers were using. I saw a little 3 wheeled one that would be kind of cool to have since it had a huge storage box on back.
Japan has really narrow street roads so those small cars work really well
Japan just stacked on top of their old buildings and their people are all tiny
Why would you expect anything less?
@@victorkreig6089 The people aren't tiny and the kei cars actually usually have plenty of room for someone north of 6 feet. Older Japanese generations were somewhat malnourished and that's why their growth was stunted. With modern nutrition, younger Japanese people are roughly as tall as people in the West. I was surprised at how many tall people I saw when I was in Japan.
Kei cars are simply too advantageous to not choose:
-reduced taxes
-cheaper insurance
-super easy to maintain
-surprisingly roomy for the footprint
-easy to park (sometimes with special kei-only parking that's cheaper)
-easy to maneuver around older streets with narrow passageways or minor impediments
-very fuel efficient
Driving a medium~full size car in Japan is a pain the ass TBH.
No joke one of your best videos ever. The wife is Japanese and had to explain some of the jokes but she is happy you like the vehicle.
Never thought I’d see James talking about one of my favorite classes of car, but I’m fuckin here for it.
I spent some time in Asia and love these little beauties! We definitely need more James Reeves car reviews!
Been secretly on the lookout for a sambar or Honda mini truck. Glad to see Mr Reeves is a fellow connoisseur of mobility perfection 👌
I have a Honda ACTY HA4. Probably the best purchase I’ve ever made
@@Trijiconfucious I've wanted one ever since I spotted one in Sonatine when I first saw it in 99, what always concerned me was the engine being right fucking there. IS that a legit concern or are they pretty quiet?
@@victorkreig6089 so with the Hondas and Subarus, it’s a mid engine, so the engine cover is actually in the bed of the truck. It’s really not loud at all, and the Subarus are even quieter since they’re 4 cylinder. But the issue with that (especially in the Subarus) is they are prone to overrevving and destroying the camshaft. 99% of these trucks don’t come stock with a tachometer, so it’s all by sound or by a quasi tachometer built into the speedometer on the Hondas. The Hondas are still loud enough where you don’t really overrev them. The Suzukis, Dihatsu, and Mitsubishis have the motor under the seats in the cab, so they’re probably a bit louder, but I have no first hand experience with them.
@@Trijiconfucious noted, many thanks
The Honda is a gutless wonder. The Subaru sambar with the supercharger is a significant upgrade. My buddies Honda can't get over about 55 and struggles on hills. Add any cargo to the bed and it will struggle terribly. They are all 660cc but power varies widely. If I couldn't get a Subaru I'd go with the Dihatsu.
Just got back from Japan and when this hit my YT feed, I was saying "perfection" to myself. Completely unexpected but so appreciated. Thanks James.
I can also imagine Aaron getting a bunch of inquiries soon as well.
Idk why, but this gives a Tokyo vaporwave vibe and now I’m in love with this and want one bad.
Coffee Boss kept me awake on the tours, amazing stuff
It's so good. My wife and I crushed 4-5 a day between the both of us in Japan.
It is good stuff. Luckily for me there are Japanese markets in socal that stock it at a reasonable markup.
@@JamesReeves When living in Okinawa my neighbors (husband active duty Navy and wife of Japanese descent) used to put their cans of coffee in a small pot of water on the stove to heat them up. One day we were out in the driveway drinking and heard a loud bang (think gunshot type bang). She went inside and had forgotten that she had put a coffee on the stove and it exploded so their entire kitchen was covered in coffee. Great times. And yes, the vending machine game in Japan is top notch. I just went back and visited my daughter (stationed at Yokota Air Base, just outside of Tokyo) last summer and it still rocks. LOL! Oh yeah, and now I live in Navarre so apparently you were just down the street for this.
I saw something like this for sale near me for around $4500 and I'm so tempted even though I have absolutely no need for another car right now.
I have a fleet of Kei vehicles, mostly turbo Kei vans. Perfect range vehicle, and it’s the only vehicle I’ve ever had that women actually like
Which vans do you have? I have a 94 Bravo GT w/ 5spd turbo intercooler with super aero glass tops, and also I have a 96 Dias 5 spd w/ supercharger and glass tops
@@dougnashz I have a 92 bravo awd turbo with the glass roof. And a turbo Autozam Scrum, also a turbo Jimny and a Subaru RX-R which is supercharged.
@@AtomicCheesegodwow, super jelly.
As a long time fan of your videos and an Australian owner of a 1994 Sambar minitruck, I loved this video
So amazing seeing my separate interests come together on one channel. The algorithm brought me this video so fast it was was still being uploaded probably. Love it!
Informative and entertaining. I had already seen the Doug Demuro review of the Sambar and you both have a lot of the similar thoughts, as well as the same conclusion that it's a really cool car.
This review was everything I expected and more!!! Thank you Sir
Awesome review of the Sambar. Great to see your unique perspective and razor sharp wit on a vehicle.
Please do some more. 👌🏻👌🏻
How crazy! I was actually curious about that when I heard about at a show.
And low, James Reeves does a video.
Well done sir, well done.
Gotta love the tasteful masculinity of a kei van. Great choice of wheels and a phenomenal video!
Anybody else wondering " How did I get here?"
I was waiting for the mini gun to pop out the top
No cause this is the most James Reeves thing to exist since booty shorts and golden Berettas
Well damn, I didn't realize James Reeves was a JDM hipster.
I've been wanting an Alto Works for years now. I'd also 100% rock that van.
The branch into car reviews is unexpected but welcome. Always loved your production style but this review took it to a whole other level. Kei cars of any stripe are always super fun and exciting to see in the wild just for how different they are. Always wanted an Acty.
I appreciate that. Thank you.
Informative and hilarious commentary. Congrats on a totally Alpha car that is in mint condition. Hilarious that it has the side step optioned on one side, in case one finds it too tough to climb in.
Honestly the only questionable design feature of this vehicle. I think it's less convenient and far more dangerous to use the side step than it is to just, you know, step into the cab of the comically tiny vehicle.
I was stationed out in Japan for 2 years. Fell in love with these types of vans and trucks.
Confirmed man of culture, didnt expect this kinda video from you but thoroughly enjoyed it
Does it takes Glock mags?
Tf?
I knew James was a weeb
would never have expected to see James in a Kei car. Wild. I used to have a Suzuki Alto Works.
James. So cool to you branching out. I have an idea for a new topic you could be really good at. How about some FREAKIN MAILROOM!!!!
😁
F-ing awesome to see you talk cars. As well done as any pew pew video or other top car content creator. More car content please!
I would never have expected James Reeves to own a car like this. Bro can’t get much cooler.
I've been looking at kei trucks recently since there is an importer not far. So this is a welcome review from a channel i was least expecting to do one
From this year you can now buy the 1999 6th generation Subaru Sambar as well.
That car actually has some safety as well, kei car regulations were updated that year allowing making the cars 80mm wider and 100mm longer, due to concerns of side-impact safety, and as such has crumple zones both on the side and front as well as airbags.
Worth noting that as it doesn't have an engine in the front (an engine block of course won't be crumpling much) the crumple zone is bigger than it looks.
I love its simplicity, and durability !!!!!!
The big sunroof is so damn cool
The Honda dealership near me has a few of these for sale. I’ve watched a few videos on CZcams about them, and by far this is the best one. Great job!
This is awesome content, thanks for sharing! editing is *Chef's kiss*
This is amazing. Please do more car reviews 😂
My gun fandoms and my JDM car fandoms have collided.
They were always in the same venn diagram
James Reeves is a car guy?! You sir are now my idol.
i clicked on this video not even knowing what channel it was...i was quite confused, and very amused when i realized it was James!
Any chance we'll see more of your car collection?
One more video already made. We'll see how these two do.
Ok, but does it take Glock mags?
Yes, yes it does
K cars are melted to make glock mags. Why glockenspiel so reliable
As always, the best background music 👌
Love the content James. Do more!
This van is why the UAW union and Government regulations have ruined the US car market.
Damn, we out here!
Dope video, James. You look effing cool in that ride.
dude, your presentation/reviewing skills fit perfectly for auto stuff. More car videos!!
Did you crank Yung Gravy's "Skiing in Japan" while you rode around with your bros in your Pokémon van?
I love this type of content, please make more
Loving the new content.
But can you mount a M2 on it?
You can, it's a Japanese vehicle.
Practical Toyota Hilux
I guess one can spend a truckload of money on a supercar and continue to spend ridiculous amounts of money on its maintainance or one can spend a 20th of that on something silly that is still fun. Enjoy!
Hey James, hope your saturdays going well so far! Would love to see more witty funny reviews of other cool things you have sprinkled in with gun videos.
Dude these are so cool. Thanks for sharing
I can’t believe I Fing watched this
It was sick of Macklemore to sell you this Japanese child's van.
I had one when I lived in Sasebo, Japan in '05-'08. Mine was a '91 and had an actual supercharger (tiny). It was SO fun to drive it was just insane. I rattle canned it flat black and called it the Van of Death. The idle was messed up and at idle the throttle would keep spiking every few seconds by itself so it sounded like it was trying to race everything. It was a good time.
I just clicked on a video of this cool car and I was like "this guy driving looks like the guy from tfbtv" so I checked the channel and figured out its james. Very cool. Greetings from Czechia.
As a k-truck owner and a longtime viewer, very unexpected and welcome :-)
Worked for Subaru in the 80’s as a test car driver for the Advanced Vehicle Development Division. We had an early Sambar and other cool early Subaru stuff in our shop “museum’. The Sambar Dias II is essentially a supercharged Rex that got super sized - the most fun car you can drive next to a classic mini.
I’m highly interested in getting one of these, especially since I work for Subaru, but I never thought I would be getting a history lesson about one from the James Reeves!
Neat to see something other than a guns or gear review, would love to see you review a Pajero Mini or Suzuki Cappuccino. Both are in my dream garage. Who doesn’t want a micro 4x4 or sports car?
James!!!! This is amazing!!
Seeing a new video about the Farmer's Porsche, awesome. Wait, what? It's JAMES!!!
Actually got my '91 supercharged manual (RWD, red, with the sunsun roof) a couple years ago as a surprise birthday gift from my wife. Was planning on my 40th B-day party then COVID happened, so got me this instead. Yes, she's a keeper.
Banger of a video! Where was this filmed? Looked really nice!
Awesome lil van. Just saw a mint Honda K van. Great video as always.
Finally, James can rock the little shorts in his little van.
Seriously though, love the van and you seem like a solid good dude James. Keep the great content coming but feel free to wear better shorts.
James Reeves made a video about his own personal kei car!? Dude that made my day. I’m living vicariously.
Great job on a car review. Definitely gotta do more fun and unusual cars.
Had a small Toyota Van like this when I was stationed in Okinawa from 86 t0 93 , it was awesome for making runs all over the island, for fishing and diving trips around the island.
Would be perfect for where I live right now, but awful for where I'm moving. Between this and the shorts, you're such a tease, James.
BIG fan of this video, absolutely need more weird car reviews from my favorite lawyer
In ca, those suntori boss cans are about 3.50-$5.00. I buy them and love them as a grab and go, or to keep in the car. I’m half Japanese and can attest to the vending machines in Japan. I used to buy alcohol, and a few packs of cigarettes “Hope,” and “faith,” and they were strong, and very good tobacco. My buddy loves imports like this and I’m sharing this, immediately, James. This van is so cool to me. It’s full of character and could get some fun use out of it- I hope you have many adventures in that van.
Classic Reevesy, really good video
:) WOW and OMG! Too KOOL! I want 1 :) THANKS SO MUCH for sharing and I may have to look for 1 soon :) ALL the BEST!
Perfect review, nailed everything. Excelsior work, Jameothy.
While all the cool fun stuff is true, but you really nailed it pointing out the ECVT being the weak spot - that’s what killed mine. It melted down and my wife was like “no, we’re not dropping $4K on a new one.”. She was very cool in supporting my need to have this car AND a Mitsubishi Delica, so it wasn’t going to be a fight.
I shall live vicariously through you. Long live the Sammie!
Did you look at finding a manual for a transmission swap?
@@JamesReeves In retrospect, that would have been an excellent idea lol, but no I did not. They are quirky little cars and I think my betrothed was just ready for a normal car for a while.
I just did a quick Google search in Vancouver and not a lot came up for manual trannie, but I suspect places like Japanoid would do it.
Now I want to get a quote ...
THIS IS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!
Looked at the thumbnail and thought "Mighty Car Mods got a new Kei car"... Started watching the video and was bit confused at first. Nice one, mr. Reeves.
The design and simplicity is what makes that so awesome.