Buying a JDM Copen with an Aftermarket Exhaust: Five Systems Compared
Factory, D-SPORT × 5Zigen, HKS, FUJITSUBO and MoFAC exhaust sounds from five LA400 Copens
Throughout our JDM Import Journal, we have looked at the choices involved in buying a Daihatsu Copen from Japan: model, colour, transmission, condition, auction grade, mileage and budget.
There is another part of the car worth examining before you bid: the aftermarket parts already fitted to it.
A good Japanese-brand exhaust can add genuine value to an imported Copen. It also saves you from buying a large exhaust system separately and paying to ship it from Japan to the UK—particularly when international freight and fuel surcharges are added.
Conveniently, our current stock cars and demonstrator have arrived with several different exhaust systems. So, rather than discussing them in theory, let us listen to five LA400 Copens side by side.
Why an exhaust already fitted in Japan can be valuable
An aftermarket exhaust is one of the larger parts you could import for a Copen. Even when the purchase price in Japan is reasonable, its packed dimensions can make air freight expensive.
Finding the right car with a desirable exhaust already fitted may therefore be more economical than importing a standard car and ordering the same system afterwards.
However, the brand and quality matter.
A recognised Japanese system from D-SPORT, 5Zigen, HKS, FUJITSUBO or MoFAC is a meaningful addition. An unbranded exhaust of unknown origin may be a reason for caution rather than an advantage.
You should also consider the age of the car. Vehicles less than ten years old normally require vehicle approval when imported into Great Britain. Exhaust modifications can complicate the evidence required for noise and emissions compliance, so our policy is to import these younger vehicles in standard specification wherever necessary.
That brings us to the first car.
1. Factory exhaust: 2020 Toyota Copen GR Sport
Our 2020 Copen GR Sport retains its factory exhaust.
Because the car was less than ten years old when imported, we kept it in standard specification for the IVA process. That does not mean it sounds disappointing.
The factory exhaust produces a surprisingly lively and sporting note. It is light, crisp and well suited to the character of the car. The sound feels intentional rather than incidental; the engineers clearly did not treat the exhaust note as an afterthought.
Exhaust: Factory system
Character: Light, crisp and sporty
2. D-SPORT × 5Zigen: 2015 Daihatsu Copen Cero
The red 2015 Cero is fitted with a D-SPORT × 5Zigen exhaust.
Its sound is noticeably deeper and heavier than the factory system. The large tailpipe and titanium-style finish also give the rear of the car a much more assertive appearance.
This is the sort of established Japanese-brand component that can make an auction car particularly interesting. Buying the exhaust separately and shipping it to the UK would add a substantial cost to the upgrade.
Exhaust: D-SPORT × 5Zigen
Character: Deep, muscular and substantial
Design: Large-diameter outlet with a titanium-style finish
3. HKS: 2015 Daihatsu Copen XPLAY
Our khaki 2015 XPLAY came from Japan with an HKS exhaust.
Compared with the D-SPORT × 5Zigen system, the HKS note has a higher pitch. It sounds sharper and more energetic, giving the car a distinctly different personality.
This comparison illustrates why the name on the silencer is only part of the decision. Two reputable Japanese exhausts may both be desirable, but their sound and appearance can be very different.
Exhaust: HKS
Character: Higher-pitched, sharp and energetic
4. FUJITSUBO: 2015 Daihatsu Copen Robe S
The blue 2015 Robe S is fitted with a FUJITSUBO exhaust.
Its character feels close to the factory sound, but with additional depth and presence. It retains the lively nature of the standard car without becoming too aggressive.
The titanium-style finish also suits the Robe S particularly well. For an owner who wants a more purposeful sound and appearance without moving too far away from the original character, this may be the most balanced option of the group.
Exhaust: FUJITSUBO
Character: Factory-like, with greater depth and presence
Design: Titanium-style finish
5. MoFAC 60 mm cat-back: 2015 Daihatsu Copen Cero demonstrator
Finally, we have our 2015 Copen Cero demonstrator.
It is fitted with a MoFAC 60 mm cat-back exhaust—the largest and most dramatic system in this comparison.
The difference is immediately apparent. Its deeper and more forceful sound gives the little Copen an unexpectedly serious presence. This is the least subtle option here, but that is precisely its appeal.
It also demonstrates how far an imported Copen can move beyond its original character when the right Japanese specialist parts have already been selected.
Exhaust: MoFAC 60 mm cat-back system
Character: Deep, forceful and dramatic
Which exhaust would you choose?
These five cars show that there is no single correct Copen exhaust.
The factory system is light and sporty. The D-SPORT × 5Zigen is deeper and more muscular. The HKS has a sharper, higher-pitched character. The FUJITSUBO adds presence without losing the nature of the original car. The MoFAC system delivers the biggest and most dramatic sound.
Your preferred system will depend on the character you want from the car—not only the volume.
When searching Japanese auctions, it is therefore worth studying the aftermarket parts as carefully as the mileage and auction grade. A car equipped with desirable parts from recognised manufacturers may justify a higher bid, particularly when those parts would otherwise be expensive to purchase and ship separately.
Conversely, an unidentified or unbranded exhaust should not automatically be treated as added value. Its quality, condition, noise level and road legality may all be uncertain.
The exhaust does not have to decide the car
Of course, an otherwise excellent Copen should not necessarily be rejected because it has the wrong exhaust.
Through our Bespoke Import Service, we can assess the parts fitted to a Japanese auction car before bidding. Where appropriate, we can retain a quality aftermarket system, return the car to factory specification or arrange a different upgrade according to your requirements.
The important point is to understand what you are buying—and what it would cost to create the same car afterwards.
If you are considering an LA400 Copen from Japan and are unsure how to assess its specification, condition or aftermarket parts, contact TR Imports UK before you bid.
Tell us what kind of Copen you want, and we will help you find the right starting point in Japan.
Bonus: now listen to the revs
Engine-start sounds only tell part of the story. Here are the same five cars under revs.
Once you know the Copen you want and the budget you have, talk to TR Imports UK. We will help you choose the right route to find it.
Discuss a Bespoke JDM Import
View LA400 Copens currently available in our UK Showroom
Or would you still like to know the costs for a good Copen?