The Unintended Lupo
Discussion
A first-time and unintended Readers’ Cars thread, so please excuse the initial lack of pictures. I’ll be writing this retrospectively to begin with and try to keep it updated as I go along, should anyone still be interested in my long-winded ramblings.
TL; DR – I’m messing about with a Japanese Lupo that I didn’t know I wanted.
Anyway….
April 2023
I drive about 30k miles a year. My automatic, diesel Mercedes continues to serve me faultlessly as it has done for the last 100+k miles. For all its many virtues, fun and engaging it isn’t.
An impending milestone birthday and a loose plan to drive to Switzerland at the end of the summer was all I needed to convince myself I needed a second car. The requirements were small, light, naturally aspirated and manual – everything the Merc isn’t. It would also need to be cheap.
Having considered a few different options and having read rave reviews from owners and journalists alike, the answer was obvious; a Suzuki Swift Sport.
Contrary to popular (good) advice, I bought the first one I looked at. It was also the cheapest one in the country at the time. A 3 hour round trip to deepest, darkest Gloucestershire had the Swift sat on my driveway; a 2013 3 door, in black and with 100k miles.
I set about preparing the car for our trip, with the focus on tidying it up and improving its dynamics. I had a PDR guy remove a few small dents and I polished it up, refurbished the wheels, fitted some decent tyres, replaced the brake discs, fitted some uprated pads, screwed on a weighted gear knob and replaced the worn OEM suspension with some new wishbones and a Bilstein B12 suspension kit.
The car was much improved, but I just didn’t like it. Maybe mine was a crap one or maybe it was just me, but it wasn’t what I’d hoped for. Then life events conspired to (indefinitely) postpone our trip, so the Swift was advertised for sale.
It wouldn’t be missed, but at least it looked good.
TL; DR – I’m messing about with a Japanese Lupo that I didn’t know I wanted.
Anyway….
April 2023
I drive about 30k miles a year. My automatic, diesel Mercedes continues to serve me faultlessly as it has done for the last 100+k miles. For all its many virtues, fun and engaging it isn’t.
An impending milestone birthday and a loose plan to drive to Switzerland at the end of the summer was all I needed to convince myself I needed a second car. The requirements were small, light, naturally aspirated and manual – everything the Merc isn’t. It would also need to be cheap.
Having considered a few different options and having read rave reviews from owners and journalists alike, the answer was obvious; a Suzuki Swift Sport.
Contrary to popular (good) advice, I bought the first one I looked at. It was also the cheapest one in the country at the time. A 3 hour round trip to deepest, darkest Gloucestershire had the Swift sat on my driveway; a 2013 3 door, in black and with 100k miles.
I set about preparing the car for our trip, with the focus on tidying it up and improving its dynamics. I had a PDR guy remove a few small dents and I polished it up, refurbished the wheels, fitted some decent tyres, replaced the brake discs, fitted some uprated pads, screwed on a weighted gear knob and replaced the worn OEM suspension with some new wishbones and a Bilstein B12 suspension kit.
The car was much improved, but I just didn’t like it. Maybe mine was a crap one or maybe it was just me, but it wasn’t what I’d hoped for. Then life events conspired to (indefinitely) postpone our trip, so the Swift was advertised for sale.
It wouldn’t be missed, but at least it looked good.
Edited by UnderSteerD on Monday 23 September 11:20
September 2023
With the Swift gone and some space on the drive, it was time to find what I really wanted.
A mate had an EP3 Civic Type R back in 2006. I quite liked it and always fancied trying the JDM version. The prospect ticked all my boxes, and I contacted a UK based import agent. Having recovered after learning how much it would cost to import an EP3 now; I decided it was do-able and began scouring the Japanese auction houses and classifieds.
And there it was. Staring right at me:
Grade 4.5B, appearing to be standard (ish), showing 89k kilometres and in a fetching shade of black; a Volkswagen Lupo GTI.
Not the EP3 I wanted, but I’d always liked the Lupo and a nice one would cost about half as much as a Civic. A work colleague had a nearly new one back in the early 2000s and it always looked great when parked next to the tatty Renault 19 16v I had back then. I’d considered buying a Lupo a few times over the years, but always concluded they were ‘too small’ or ‘too slow’ and I was always swayed by the other, similarly priced but more powerful cars that were available at the time.
But this time, and remembering seeing Clayton’s awesome creation at PH25, things would be different. Emails exchanged and the initial payment made, the car would soon be on its way.
The long wait had begun.
The car in Japan, waiting to be exported.
With the Swift gone and some space on the drive, it was time to find what I really wanted.
A mate had an EP3 Civic Type R back in 2006. I quite liked it and always fancied trying the JDM version. The prospect ticked all my boxes, and I contacted a UK based import agent. Having recovered after learning how much it would cost to import an EP3 now; I decided it was do-able and began scouring the Japanese auction houses and classifieds.
And there it was. Staring right at me:
Grade 4.5B, appearing to be standard (ish), showing 89k kilometres and in a fetching shade of black; a Volkswagen Lupo GTI.
Not the EP3 I wanted, but I’d always liked the Lupo and a nice one would cost about half as much as a Civic. A work colleague had a nearly new one back in the early 2000s and it always looked great when parked next to the tatty Renault 19 16v I had back then. I’d considered buying a Lupo a few times over the years, but always concluded they were ‘too small’ or ‘too slow’ and I was always swayed by the other, similarly priced but more powerful cars that were available at the time.
But this time, and remembering seeing Clayton’s awesome creation at PH25, things would be different. Emails exchanged and the initial payment made, the car would soon be on its way.
The long wait had begun.
The car in Japan, waiting to be exported.
Very cool little car that and one I always admired! I actually had a modified Lupo Sport back in about 2009, previous owner had done most of the work and it made a whopping 117bhp on a rolling road. Which actually considering it was an n/a 1.4 was quite respectable. The only thing that I wasn't so keen on was the gear change, really vague but then it was never a purpose built, genuinely sporty model to begin with where as I'd image the GTI is.
Look forward to more updates on this.
Look forward to more updates on this.
MisanoPayments said:
Great car op!
I'll get misty eyed shortly, thinking of mine
I'll get misty eyed shortly, thinking of mine
Alex_225 said:
Very cool little car that and one I always admired! I actually had a modified Lupo Sport back in about 2009, previous owner had done most of the work and it made a whopping 117bhp on a rolling road. Which actually considering it was an n/a 1.4 was quite respectable. The only thing that I wasn't so keen on was the gear change, really vague but then it was never a purpose built, genuinely sporty model to begin with where as I'd image the GTI is.
Look forward to more updates on this.
Thanks for the kind words, both.Look forward to more updates on this.
It seems people really like these little cars. It appears very few ex or current owners have a negative opinion of them.
Edited by UnderSteerD on Monday 23 September 11:16
gobs
te said:
te said: I had mine for 13 years and 167,000 miles
I will have another one at some point, have an up gti as run around at the moment
My lupo gti is litrally the only car I wish I still had,
Get the underselling done as soon as you can as the cills rust
Great car choice pal
Regards
Angelo
That's some mileage covered, you must know the platform pretty well? I might be calling on your knowledge in the future!I will have another one at some point, have an up gti as run around at the moment
My lupo gti is litrally the only car I wish I still had,
Get the underselling done as soon as you can as the cills rust
Great car choice pal
Regards
Angelo
I've bought a Lanoguard kit and I'm hoping the applicator will help me get inside the sills. I'm just waiting on a dry day to myself now!
Tony_T said:
Looks in great nick, do you know what percentage import duty you paid?
The UK agent took care of the paperwork and tax stuff, but I believe I paid 10% import duty on the car, shipping and Japanese-side costs then 20% VAT charged on the whole amount.UnderSteerD said:
Thanks for the kind words, both.
It seems people really like these little cars. It appears very few ex or current owners have a negative opinion of them.
I honestly couldn't knock mine other than it being on KW coilovers and being about 70mm lower than standard, so as a daily car it wasn't the easiest. I actually sold it for a Twingo 133 which is simply a newer version of the same formula to be honest. It seems people really like these little cars. It appears very few ex or current owners have a negative opinion of them.
They have a lot of character and are a lot of fun. I'd imagine a standard GTI is as fun as the 133 is.
Only issue mine had but actually didn't affect my ownership was the pedal box which was sorted by the previous owner which meant it needed a clutch and pedal box (whatever that consisted of) in less than 40k. I sold it with under 50k and the next owner had to have the clutch done again but judging by the clutch control demonstrated on his test drive, that could have been him! haha
February 2024
The import agent was responsive and helpful, right up until I handed over the initial payment. Then it was almost complete silence. Multiple messages went unanswered and when there was a response, it often didn’t answer my questions. I spoke to the agent over the phone a couple of times. They were cheerful and friendly but were far more interested in talking than listening and I grew fearful that maybe all wasn’t right.
Then I received the message that the car was in the UK and that the final payment was due. Post payment, the usual silence resumed and my requests for photographs or a report on the car’s condition went unanswered.
Finally, I was notified that the car was registered and ready for collection.
My other half and I caught the train up to Newcastle and I won’t deny I was a little bit nervous.
But upon arrival at the agent’s premises, there was the car AND it looked alright! (Please excuse the lack of collection photo) My optimism was short-lived when I discovered that the replacement washer cap cover I’d posted up a few weeks prior was nowhere to be seen. Neither had the car been detailed properly, had a radio band expander fitted or filled with a quantity of fuel as was supposedly included in the ‘prep package’ I’d paid for. They had however, given it a quick wash and vacuum and fitted a set of UK spec MPH clocks and changed the odometer to suit, which was something.
So, with the fuel light illuminated and a sense of foreboding, we began the 200-mile journey home.
Initial impressions were actually quite positive. It was clearly in need of a wheel alignment, but it looked decent enough, ran nicely and was better to drive than the Swift. They make for an interesting comparison being of similar size and performance but the exhaust note, mid-range torque, driving position and gear change were much nicer in the Lupo. Predictably, where it loses points is in its body control – the chassis was much better tied down in the Swift.
Home and given its first clean.
A decent poke around didn’t uncover anything worrying. The body needed a polish and the interior a deep clean. The tyres were only half worn but were 8 years old and starting to perish and the air con didn’t blow cold. Nothing too terrifying at all.
Translating the Japanese service history indicated that the timing belt was also 8 years old, so the car was booked in for a timing belt change, wheel alignment, air con re-gas and 4 Michelin PS3s.
The wheel alignment highlighted very little castor on the N/S/F wheel, which I’d need to investigate. A quick strip-down of the front suspension revealed worn top mounts and wishbones, typical VW of this era.
The import agent was responsive and helpful, right up until I handed over the initial payment. Then it was almost complete silence. Multiple messages went unanswered and when there was a response, it often didn’t answer my questions. I spoke to the agent over the phone a couple of times. They were cheerful and friendly but were far more interested in talking than listening and I grew fearful that maybe all wasn’t right.
Then I received the message that the car was in the UK and that the final payment was due. Post payment, the usual silence resumed and my requests for photographs or a report on the car’s condition went unanswered.
Finally, I was notified that the car was registered and ready for collection.
My other half and I caught the train up to Newcastle and I won’t deny I was a little bit nervous.
But upon arrival at the agent’s premises, there was the car AND it looked alright! (Please excuse the lack of collection photo) My optimism was short-lived when I discovered that the replacement washer cap cover I’d posted up a few weeks prior was nowhere to be seen. Neither had the car been detailed properly, had a radio band expander fitted or filled with a quantity of fuel as was supposedly included in the ‘prep package’ I’d paid for. They had however, given it a quick wash and vacuum and fitted a set of UK spec MPH clocks and changed the odometer to suit, which was something.
So, with the fuel light illuminated and a sense of foreboding, we began the 200-mile journey home.
Initial impressions were actually quite positive. It was clearly in need of a wheel alignment, but it looked decent enough, ran nicely and was better to drive than the Swift. They make for an interesting comparison being of similar size and performance but the exhaust note, mid-range torque, driving position and gear change were much nicer in the Lupo. Predictably, where it loses points is in its body control – the chassis was much better tied down in the Swift.
Home and given its first clean.
A decent poke around didn’t uncover anything worrying. The body needed a polish and the interior a deep clean. The tyres were only half worn but were 8 years old and starting to perish and the air con didn’t blow cold. Nothing too terrifying at all.
Translating the Japanese service history indicated that the timing belt was also 8 years old, so the car was booked in for a timing belt change, wheel alignment, air con re-gas and 4 Michelin PS3s.
The wheel alignment highlighted very little castor on the N/S/F wheel, which I’d need to investigate. A quick strip-down of the front suspension revealed worn top mounts and wishbones, typical VW of this era.
I must say it does look very tidy and it's tonnes better looking than the Swift, although I never warmed to the look of that era of Swift really. Always felt it looked too tall despite the reviews saying how well it handled.
I guess that cambelt is the main urgent point but it's very smart, hope it's as good as it looks!
I guess that cambelt is the main urgent point but it's very smart, hope it's as good as it looks!
Alex_225 said:
I must say it does look very tidy and it's tonnes better looking than the Swift, although I never warmed to the look of that era of Swift really. Always felt it looked too tall despite the reviews saying how well it handled.
I guess that cambelt is the main urgent point but it's very smart, hope it's as good as it looks!
I have to be honest, the Swift handled far nicer than the Lupo, but that was its only virtue. There really wasn't anything else about it that I liked. It was disappointing, having read so many positive things about them. I really wanted to love it.I guess that cambelt is the main urgent point but it's very smart, hope it's as good as it looks!
The Lupo really is a nice little car, but there are a few little things that'll need attending to in due course.
Whitline rear arb, £140 ish great none invasive mod,
I worked through and changed all the bushes in mine to the road spec powerflex ones,
Had a few sets of coilovers on the car, all set as road height so lower than standard but not stupid, did 45k on ST coilovers which are the cheeper brand of kw, then ran KW v3 as I was using it on track more.
I have bc coilovers on the up gti and there decent for the money.
I also had a Bilstine road kit with lowering springs that was on and off the car which was also good.
I had an Ashley 4-1 manifold (mild steel) that was adjusted to fit, they need a plug welding in for a lamba sensor then a ss exhaust with sports cat from pipeworx,
Kam racing do a made to order system including the manifold out of stainless steel now that was not available when I had the car.
Engine wise, there is not much off the shelf, I had head work done, ported and polished and a set of cams, induction was a bmc system with mandrel bent aluminium pipe work that picked up in the inner arch (cost a small fortune)
I had probably 4 different set ups of the years but the above was the best.
Sprogley do a bespoke kit which is the best on the market (imo) now.
Power wise it was 167bhp peak and 150 lbs, was an absolute peach of powerplant,
Gearbox, I had both but found the 5 speed better for me.
I did have a throttle body set up at one point but could never get it to work properly for the road,
I also had a 1.8t converted one fo 6 months but if I’m honest the standard engined car was better, less weight over the front axel and your could thrash the car at sensible speeds,
The bam engined car was rapid when you got going but would torque steer all over the place.
Also had the standard tank so would need to fill up after 120 miles
Brakes, you can use g60 Caliper carriers and put 280mm disks on the front, this with decent pads along with the rear arb is what I would do to a car if you want to keep it standard.
Both are reversible and enhance the driving experience.
As you can tell, I absolutely loved mine and will have another one at some point.
Happy to chat anytime pal
Kind regards
Angelo
I worked through and changed all the bushes in mine to the road spec powerflex ones,
Had a few sets of coilovers on the car, all set as road height so lower than standard but not stupid, did 45k on ST coilovers which are the cheeper brand of kw, then ran KW v3 as I was using it on track more.
I have bc coilovers on the up gti and there decent for the money.
I also had a Bilstine road kit with lowering springs that was on and off the car which was also good.
I had an Ashley 4-1 manifold (mild steel) that was adjusted to fit, they need a plug welding in for a lamba sensor then a ss exhaust with sports cat from pipeworx,
Kam racing do a made to order system including the manifold out of stainless steel now that was not available when I had the car.
Engine wise, there is not much off the shelf, I had head work done, ported and polished and a set of cams, induction was a bmc system with mandrel bent aluminium pipe work that picked up in the inner arch (cost a small fortune)
I had probably 4 different set ups of the years but the above was the best.
Sprogley do a bespoke kit which is the best on the market (imo) now.
Power wise it was 167bhp peak and 150 lbs, was an absolute peach of powerplant,
Gearbox, I had both but found the 5 speed better for me.
I did have a throttle body set up at one point but could never get it to work properly for the road,
I also had a 1.8t converted one fo 6 months but if I’m honest the standard engined car was better, less weight over the front axel and your could thrash the car at sensible speeds,
The bam engined car was rapid when you got going but would torque steer all over the place.
Also had the standard tank so would need to fill up after 120 miles
Brakes, you can use g60 Caliper carriers and put 280mm disks on the front, this with decent pads along with the rear arb is what I would do to a car if you want to keep it standard.
Both are reversible and enhance the driving experience.
As you can tell, I absolutely loved mine and will have another one at some point.
Happy to chat anytime pal
Kind regards
Angelo
Edited by gobste on Monday 23 September 20:47
te on Monday 23 September 20:47gobste said:
te said: Whitline rear arb, £140 ish great none invasive mod...
That's a very comprehensive post, thank you!Edited by gobste on Monday 23 September 20:47
te on Monday 23 September 20:47How did you find the Bilsteins?
I see they still make a B12 kit for the Lupo. My previous experience of their B8 dampers is that they were very hard and at the time I swore not to use monotube dampers on a road car again. How did you find the ride/handling compromise on them?
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