Daihatsu Charade for Sale - Import from Japan

Born into the congested streets of late-'80s Japan, the Daihatsu Charade started as a humble subcompact. Civil, efficient, and—by most accounts—forgettable. But things changed drastically in 1987 when Daihatsu dropped the GTti onto the world stage. This wasn’t just a trim. It was a 1.0-liter turbo-powered street rocket built to homologate their Group N rally efforts. The GTti (G100S chassis) used the CB70: a jewel of an engine—a DOHC, 12-valve turbocharged 3-cylinder that screamed to redline and delivered 105 PS (77 kW) from under a liter. That made it the first production car in history to hit 100+ hp per liter in naturally unmodified form. Suddenly, your city commuter had FIA paperwork and rally stage dreams. Today, while regular Charade sedans and 5-doors have mostly vanished, the 3-door turbo models—GTti and GT-XX—are climbing steadily in desirability. Especially in Europe, Australia, and increasingly the U.S., where they’re only now becoming fully legal under the Import to USA Guide.

Let’s talk numbers. The CB70 993cc turbo makes 105 PS and 130 Nm—which sounds tame until you realize the GTti weighs just ~820 kg. Lightweight? Try featherweight. With a five-speed manual and independent suspension at all four corners, everything about the car begs to be thrashed. Roll onto boost and the little triple rasps with a raw-edged metallic growl, like ripping canvas with a turbo whistle out back. It's vocal without being obnoxious. Steering feels immediate. The ride, while taut, stays composed over flawed pavement. There’s no power steering or driver aids. Pure feedback. You feel the road surface in your fingertips and through your hips. Real-world efficiency isn’t bad either—22-26 km/L if driven modestly. But drive it gingerly and you’re missing the point. This thing wants the redline. It’s addicting.

So how do you actually import a GTti from Japan? Start here: these aren’t common anymore. The GTti and GT-XX were limited builds, and most available today are either modified, sat too long, or need TLC. That said, Japan’s auctions still occasionally yield untouched, rust-free examples—especially auction Grade 4 units, which ZervTek can source and inspect across Japan. You’ll want expert eyes on any car wearing the CB70 badge. Common issues include worn turbo apex seals around 100,000 km, 3rd gear syncro grinds on tired manuals, and dash cracks due to UV damage. Importing from Japan isn’t hard—but it does demand precision. Shipping Methods & Ports vary by country, and inland transport logistics across Japan can get tricky. That’s why ZervTek handles everything—from sourcing via auctions to port shipping. We’ve moved these to the U.S., U.K., Australia, even Uganda. Trust us, customs paperwork in Nagoya is not fun when you don't speak Japanese.

Here's what sets the Daihatsu Charade GTti apart: it drives alive. In city traffic, it darts like a flyweight boxer—tight turning circle (~4.5m), featherlight steering, and compact dimensions (under 3.8m long) make it perfect for slotting into impossibly tight lanes or parallel parking where others fail. But open it up on a backroad and the soul changes. The CB70 engine roars through its 3-cylinder rasp and climbs the tach fast. 1st to 2nd slams are crisp if the syncros are healthy. On sweepers, the short wheelbase dances, the independent suspension keeps things planted, and you find yourself grinning like a lunatic. It’s basic inside—plain plastics, supportive seats, clear analog gauges. But there’s a charm in its honesty. Nothing distracts you. Just boost, revs, and raw mechanical joy.

Name another sub-1.0L car that offers this much fizz and historic relevance. In 2025, the tide's turning. More GTti models are hitting legal age for import stateside, pushing demand up. These are already cult heroes in New Zealand and the U.K. where they’ve gained appreciation for sheer driving fun on a budget. And make no mistake—models in clean, original condition are becoming scarce. JDM values are accelerating, and the GTti sits where the Civic EF9 once was before collectors woke up. This isn’t econobox depreciation anymore. It’s an analog investment with motorsport DNA. Ready to see what’s available? View all used Daihatsu Charade models currently available or through auction.