Flotti Karotti

I find the car very suitable for everyday use. It’s super practical – you can transport things, take friends along, and go camping with it. Parking is easy, and it always attracts attention. The fuel consumption is reasonable, and spare parts aren’t really expensive. It’s pure driving fun, and it puts a smile on people’s faces whenever they see it. You often end up having conversations and get to meet nice people.

Two people can relax comfortably on the roof under a huge sun umbrella with an LED starry sky and enjoy a movie at a drive-in cinema.

I’m not finished yet, but it’s important to me that I can always restore it to its original state, and that I stay flexible in how I use it. So everything has to be easy to install or remove, depending on the purpose.

The only mistake I made was trusting the dealer too much. I probably could have saved myself the expensive replacement engine otherwise.

Only the Netherlands

I found it difficult to find one with the Daihatsu (HC) engine that still had a body in good condition—and then even in orange with windows all around. I had to get a rear bench seat and seat belts separately. Luckily, it already had a tow bar.

It’s absolutely amazing how many people it attracts and fascinates. I’ve never experienced this with any other vehicle. Not even an Audi R8, an AMG, or a Mustang comes close to this level of attention.

1️⃣ Small but mighty – fits almost anywhere With a width of only about 1.39 m, the Piaggio Porter is slimmer than many Smart or Fiat 500 models. That’s why it can squeeze through narrow alleys where other cars already give up – and sometimes even parks sideways. 2️⃣ Engine in the butt – mid-engine vibes In the 1.3-liter petrol version, the engine sits right under the seats – pretty unusual for such a tiny utility vehicle. It gives the Porter a slight “mini mid-engine van” feeling… just with 65 horsepower and a whole lot of heart instead of brute power. 3️⃣ A folk hero in Japan The Porter is based on Japanese kei cars – a vehicle class designed for ultra-compact transporters. In Japan, they’re seen as everyday delivery heroes navigating old town streets with ease – tiny boxes on wheels full of charm and capability.

Grayan-et-l'Hôpital, France

Bring a professional with you to the viewing. Don’t buy purely on emotion. Look closely. Be aware that this is a vehicle that needs love more often—care and repairs. Ideally, buy from someone who knows the vehicle well and has genuinely loved it.

The nozzle for the windshield washer is absolutely poorly designed from the factory.

Two little boys were accidentally locked in behind a big gate in Dormagen/Zons. They climbed up a high wall and managed to escape, but they didn’t dare to jump or climb down. So I drove my car with its wooden roof right up against the wall, so they could climb down over my vehicle. I became their hero – and afterwards I drove them slowly through the narrow streets of Zons, sliding doors open, like a little adventure ride.

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