2008 DAIHATSU COPEN

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or under boost, Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 500-1000 mi), Valvetrain tick or clatter, especially when cold, Loss of power and rough idle

Fix: JB-DET engines develop worn valve guides and collapsed lifters due to sustained turbo heat and marginal oiling. Requires cylinder head removal (6-8 hours labor), resurface, valve guide replacement, and all new lifters. Many shops recommend full head gasket set while apart. Engine-out access makes this tedious on the Copen's tight bay.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Pink or milky fluid in transmission pan, Overheating transmission, burning smell, Leaking coolant or ATF around radiator area

Fix: The CVT or 4-speed auto uses an external oil cooler that shares lines prone to corrosion and internal leak into coolant. Once contaminated, the transmission requires full flush (sometimes multiple cycles) or rebuild. Cooler and lines replacement is 3-4 hours; if internal damage occurred, add transmission R&R at 8-12 hours.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for cooler/lines, $2,500-4,500 if transmission damaged

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Visible wobble on crank pulley at idle, Squealing or chirping from accessory belt area, Check engine light for crank position sensor erratic signal, Sudden loss of power steering and alternator output

Fix: Rubber damper ring inside the harmonic balancer degrades from heat and age, allowing the outer ring to separate. If it flies off, you lose all accessories instantly. Replacement is straightforward (2-3 hours) but requires special puller tools and careful torque to spec. OEM part availability is scarce; aftermarket alternatives exist but vary in quality.

Estimated cost: $400-750

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Top stops mid-cycle or refuses to open/close, Clicking or grinding noises during operation, Error codes or warning lights on dash, Manual override required to secure top

Fix: The electric folding hardtop uses multiple motors, micro-switches, and hydraulic rams that wear from repeated cycles and exposure. Diagnosis can be time-consuming (1-2 hours); motor replacement runs 3-5 hours due to interior and trunk trim removal. Latch sensors and hydraulic seals also degrade. Parts are expensive and often JDM-import only.

Estimated cost: $800-2,000 depending on component

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive, Excessive vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Visible engine movement when revving in neutral, Drivetrain shudder under acceleration

Fix: Rubber mounts on this lightweight platform deteriorate faster due to turbo torque and engine heat. Transmission mount is most critical. Replacement is straightforward (1.5-2 hours per mount) but requires lifting engine slightly. Do all mounts at once if one has failed — they age together.

Estimated cost: $350-600 for both trans and torque mounts

Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Hesitation or stumble under boost, Difficulty starting after sitting overnight, Loss of top-end power, Check engine light for lean fuel trim

Fix: The in-tank fuel filter on JB-DET engines clogs faster if lower-quality fuel is used or tank isn't kept above 1/4 full regularly. Requires dropping fuel tank (2-3 hours labor). While tank is down, smart to inspect pump and sender. Filter is cheap, labor is the cost driver.

Estimated cost: $300-550