Guides
Everything you need to know about buying, importing, and owning a kei vehicle in the US.
New to kei vehicles? Start here
The Complete Guide to Buying a Kei Vehicle in the US
Everything from the 25-year rule to finding a dealer, getting insurance, and registering in your state.
54 guides
The Chicken Tax, the 25-Year Rule, and Kei Truck Import Duty — Untangled
The single most confused topic in kei importing: do you pay 2.5% or 25% customs duty? What the 'Chicken Tax' is, why the 25-year rule does NOT waive it, and how importers end up at one rate or the other.
Is Buying a Kei Truck Smart? The Honest Pros and Cons
The brutally honest case for and against buying a kei truck. Cost, practicality, safety, resale, legal issues, and who should (and shouldn't) buy one.
Just Bought a Kei Truck? Your First 30 Days Checklist
You just got the keys to your first kei truck. Here's exactly what to do in the first month — registration, insurance, maintenance, mods, and the stuff nobody tells you.
First Maintenance Checklist: 10 Things to Do on a 25-Year-Old Kei Truck
You just got a truck that's older than most TikTok users. Here are the 10 things you need to do before you trust it with anything important — from a mechanic who's learned the hard way.
The New York Kei Truck Crisis: What's Happening and What You Can Do
New York is canceling kei truck registrations. Here's what happened, who's behind it, what your options are, and how owners are fighting back.
Daihatsu Hijet vs Suzuki Carry: The Ultimate Head-to-Head
The two most popular kei trucks in America, compared on every metric that matters — price, reliability, parts, power, comfort, and the stuff nobody tells you.
Kei Truck Troubleshooting: Won't Start, Overheating, and 10 Other Common Problems
Your kei truck is doing something weird. Before you panic, check this diagnostic guide — 12 common problems with step-by-step fixes from a mechanic who's seen them all.
Subaru Sambar Buyer's Guide: The Kei Truck (and Van) That Does It All
The Sambar is the Swiss Army knife of kei vehicles — truck, van, supercharged, rear-engine, AWD. Here's everything you need to know before buying one.
Honda Acty vs Suzuki Carry: Which Kei Truck Should You Buy?
Honda Acty vs Suzuki Carry head-to-head comparison. Engine, drivetrain, parts availability, price, and which one wins for your use case.
Kei Cars: The Complete Buyer's Guide for the US
Everything you need to know about buying a Japanese kei car in America. From the legendary ABC sports cars to practical city commuters — what they are, what they cost, and how to get one.
Can You Daily Drive a Kei Truck? What It's Actually Like
What it's really like to daily drive a kei truck in America. Speed, comfort, highway driving, parking, fuel economy, and the reactions you'll get.
Kei Truck vs Full-Size Pickup: Which Is Better?
Kei truck vs full-size pickup comparison. Size, bed length, payload, fuel economy, cost, and when a tiny Japanese truck beats a Ford F-150.
Why Are Kei Trucks Banned? States That Restrict Mini Trucks
Why kei trucks are banned or restricted in some US states. The safety arguments, state-by-state breakdown, and what's changing in 2026.
How to Import a Kei Truck from Japan: Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-step guide to importing a kei truck from Japan to the US. Customs, shipping, EPA forms, DOT paperwork, and timeline from purchase to your driveway.
The 25-Year Rule, Properly Explained: It's the Build Date, Not the Model
The single most-misunderstood thing about importing a kei vehicle: the 25-year rule is calculated per individual vehicle, not per model. Here's how to check, with worked examples.
Spring Maintenance Checklist for Kei Trucks
Your kei truck survived winter. Now make sure it's ready for spring — rust check, fluids, brakes, tires, cooling system, and everything the salt did to it.
Daily Driving a Honda Acty: What It's Actually Like
What it's really like to daily drive a Honda Acty truck or van. Mid-engine quirks, cab comfort, highway performance, maintenance reality, and why Acty owners are fiercely loyal.
Kei Trucks for Landscaping: The Small Truck Making Big Business Sense
How landscapers, contractors, and small service businesses are saving thousands by switching to kei trucks — and whether it makes sense for your operation.
How to Find a Mechanic for Your Kei Vehicle
A practical guide to finding a US mechanic who can work on your kei truck or kei car — where to look, what to say when you call, red flags, green flags, and how to build a lasting relationship with your shop.
Kei Vehicle Statistics: US Market Data and Trends (2026)
The most comprehensive collection of US kei vehicle market data — import volumes, price trends, popular models, top states, and community growth metrics for 2019-2026.
Kei Truck Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before You Buy
The pre-purchase inspection checklist for kei trucks. Frame, engine, transmission, electrical, body, tires, and documentation — with red and yellow flags.
Kei Vehicle Tire Guide: Sizes, Brands, and Where to Buy
Everything you need to know about kei vehicle tires — correct sizes by model, best brands, where to buy in the US, how to check tire age, and when to replace them.
The 25-Year Rule: What's Importable Now and What's Coming Next
Which kei vehicles can you import today, and which ones become eligible in 2027, 2028, and beyond? The complete 25-year rule forecast with model-by-model timelines.
Kei Vehicles in California: What's Actually Possible
California bans kei vehicles from road use. But thousands of Californians own them anyway. Here's the legal reality — what you can and can't do, and the gray areas in between.
What's That Sound? A Kei Vehicle Diagnostic Guide
Knocking, whining, rattling, squealing — every weird sound your kei vehicle makes and what it probably means. From 'ignore it' to 'pull over now.'
The Import Gotchas Nobody Warns You About
Hidden fees, surprise delays, customs nightmares, and the things that go wrong when importing a kei vehicle. The stuff the step-by-step guide doesn't tell you.
Can You Actually Road Trip in a Kei Vehicle?
660cc, 45 horsepower, top speed of maybe 70 mph. Can you actually take a kei vehicle on a road trip? I drove my Carry 800 miles to find out.
Owning Multiple Kei Vehicles: The Collector's Guide
Why stop at one? Insurance, storage, registration tips, and the economics of building a kei vehicle collection. From the guy who accidentally owns four.
New York Is Canceling Kei Vehicle Registrations — What You Need to Know
New York has started canceling existing kei vehicle registrations, effective 2028. Here's what happened, who's affected, and what your options are.
Where to Find Parts for Every Kei Vehicle — Model by Model
The complete parts sourcing guide for every kei vehicle model. OEM part numbers, US suppliers, Japan ordering, and cross-reference tricks. Stop searching — start finding.
Building a Fast Kei Vehicle — The Performance Guide
Turbo upgrades, exhaust work, weight reduction, suspension tuning — how to make a 660cc kei vehicle genuinely fast. From bolt-ons to full builds.
Kei Truck Rust Prevention: How to Stop Rust Before It Starts
How to prevent and treat rust on your kei truck. Undercoating, frame inspection, salt protection, and when rust means it's time to walk away.
Should You Buy a Suzuki Carry? The Complete Review
The Suzuki Carry is the most popular kei truck in America. But is it the right one for YOU? An honest review covering what it does well, what it doesn't, and who should buy one.
Winter-Proofing Your Kei Vehicle
Snow tires, block heaters, cold start tips, antifreeze, and 4WD techniques. Everything you need to keep your kei vehicle running through winter.
Buying a Kei Truck on Facebook Marketplace: What to Know
How to buy a kei truck on Facebook Marketplace without getting burned. Red flags, questions to ask, what to inspect, scam avoidance, and negotiation tips.
How to Register a Kei Truck: Title & Registration Guide
How to title and register your kei truck in the US. Documents needed, common DMV roadblocks, and state-specific tips for getting street legal.