I own a 1994 Suzuki Carry. Her name is Old Faithful, and she was my first kei truck. She's the one I recommend to everyone who asks "what should I buy?" Here's why — and why she might not be for everyone.
Why the Carry Is #1
The Suzuki Carry is the best-selling kei truck in America for the same reason the Toyota Camry is the best-selling sedan: it does everything well enough, nothing badly, and the ownership experience is painless. I've owned Old Faithful for years now, and the biggest repair I've done is a timing belt. That's it. Dave Russo gives me grief about it — he says I'm not a real kei owner until something breaks at an inconvenient time.
Parts availability is the best in class. The Carry shares its engine (F6A/K6A) with the Suzuki Every van and the Mazda Scrum. Parts cross-reference to Suzuki motorcycle components. You can get oil filters at AutoZone. Let that sink in — you can walk into an AutoZone, ask for a Carry oil filter, and walk out with one. Try that with a Honda Acty.
The community is massive. The largest kei vehicle community online is dominated by Carry owners. Any problem you have, someone's already solved it and posted about it on Reddit or the forums. When Old Faithful developed a weird idle in the Boise cold last winter, I had three different solutions within an hour of posting.
The simplicity is unbeatable. Front-engine, rear-drive (or part-time 4WD). No mid-engine complications, no supercharger to maintain, no independent rear suspension to troubleshoot. A competent mechanic can work on a Carry with no kei vehicle experience. That matters more than most people realize until their first repair.
Resale value holds. The Carry holds value better than any kei truck because demand is consistently high and the name recognition is strongest. I could sell Old Faithful tomorrow for what I paid. I won't, but I could.
The Generations
There are really two Carrys you'll be choosing between, and they're both great for different reasons.
The DD51T / DC51T (1991-1999) is the classic — the one most people picture when they think "kei truck." It runs the F6A 657cc 3-cylinder making 45 hp through a 5-speed manual, available in 2WD or part-time 4WD. Old Faithful is a DD51T and I love her specifically because the F6A engine is the simplest, most reliable kei engine ever made. Carbureted or basic fuel injection, no turbo, no complications. If you want maximum simplicity and the cheapest parts, this is the one. Perfect for farm work and first-time owners.
The DA63T (1999-2013) is the refined version. The K6A 658cc engine adds 5 hp, better fuel economy, and smoother operation. It's available with an automatic transmission for those who don't want to row gears, and power steering becomes standard. If you want a more comfortable daily driving experience and don't mind spending a bit more, this generation is worth the premium. I've driven several and the difference in refinement is noticeable — but I still prefer the raw simplicity of my DD51T.
What the Carry Does Well
The Carry is a working truck, and it excels at working-truck things. The flat bed with drop-down gates on three sides and a 770 lb payload makes loading and unloading easier than any full-size truck — I used to haul landscaping supplies around Boise and the Carry was genuinely better for the job than the F-150 I had before. You get 35-45 mpg depending on driving style and load, and at 10 feet long, it goes where F-150s fear to tread. The turning radius is absurd — I can U-turn on a two-lane road.
With 4WD, the Carry is surprisingly capable in snow. Light weight plus narrow tires plus part-time 4WD equals genuine winter traction. Idaho winters tested that claim and it held up. And then there's value retention — buy it, drive it for years, sell it for what you paid. The Carry is the only vehicle I've owned where depreciation basically doesn't exist.
What Doesn't It Do Well?
Let's be honest about the weak spots. Highway driving tops the list — 55-60 mph is comfortable, but 65+ is loud and strained. The Carry is not a highway cruiser and never will be. Passenger comfort is minimal — two seats, minimal legroom, no frills. Fine for short trips around town, tiring on anything longer. Don't even think about towing — the engine and brakes aren't designed for it.
And looking cool? I love Old Faithful, but she's a utilitarian box on wheels. If you want style, look at the Sambar or Midget II. The Carry's beauty is in its honesty, not its lines.
Who Should Buy a Carry?
If you're a first-time kei vehicle buyer, the Carry is the safest choice. Full stop. It's also the right call for farmers and property owners who need utility, budget-conscious buyers who want the cheapest overall ownership costs, and anyone who values reliability over excitement. The support community alone is worth the purchase — you're never stuck wondering how to fix something.
Who Should Buy Something Else?
So when should you skip the Carry? If you want driving excitement, the Subaru Sambar with its supercharged 4-cylinder and independent suspension is a completely different animal. If you want mid-engine traction, the Honda Acty puts the engine under the bed. If you want a conversation piece, the Daihatsu Midget II is basically a piece of art on three wheels. And if you want enclosed cargo, the Suzuki Every is the same platform with a van body — I actually have The Van (a '98 Acty Van) for exactly that reason, because the Carry can't do everything.
The Verdict
The Carry is the Toyota Camry of kei trucks. That's not an insult — it's the highest compliment for a vehicle that's supposed to be a tool. It works, it lasts, it costs nothing to own, and if something goes wrong, fixing it is easy and cheap.
Is it the most exciting kei vehicle? No. The Sambar is more fun to drive, the Acty has better traction, and the Midget II gets more stares. But the Carry is the best first kei vehicle, and I'll say that to anyone who asks. Old Faithful has earned that endorsement a hundred times over.