A modern microcar, the Secma Fun Extr'm 500

[sodachris3000]

i'd do a drive-by in that car. :)

[ogatobranco]

I my country it would be cheaper to buy a Skoda Fabia... but fun little car, the F16 looks quite impressive

[nestofdragons]

@ogatobranco Yes, the F16 is truely a small "racer". Lightweight and power like in a heavier "normal" car. Yes, gives a lot of potential. ;)

[vabalistas]

Hi, what's about heating in this car? Possible to drive in rain?

[nestofdragons]

@vabalistas There is no heating at all in this car. Just a small fan to defog the window. But more than that it does not. Just wear a good coat and gloves (for me thin leather gloves like those they wear in racecars are ok). I had not large problems in the winter.

Rain is not problem. The gullwingdoors are good enough. Mine were a bit damaged and i had sometimes a small amount of water in the car when i opened the door and the water in the middle of the "roof" did not follow its normal way.

[gio59con]

All ok, very nice, but I've seen in a video that needs an extra mirror to the right when it is closed, the original is too low .... sorry....all seems right...why this nonsense?

[nestofdragons]

@CarAddicts007 No, i bought the car. It is a productioncar. Build in North France.

[roboduke1086891]

im mine opinion the car is just too small to transport anything or at least lean back on the seat to relax. I the way the guy got out of the car looked difficult? Im just saying what i think. overall nice car and good for the environment.

[nestofdragons]

@roboduke1086891 Gettting out of the car is as easy as getting from the ground when sitting on a 10 inch high cushion. It is reaaaaaallllyyyyy low. ;)

Relaxing in the seat is no problem. It is a ergonomic shape.

Good for the enviroment, but ...a bit loud.

[FMX189]

i hope you paid 20$ for that,,, other wise, bad buy.

[nestofdragons]

@FMX189 No. New they cost 12000 euro. High price because of low production quantity. And not a bad buy. It all depends on what you are looking for. I was looking for a new experience and for fun. I got both. :D

[yorrickwi]

home made awesomeness

[JonAxDrayda]

Am I right in saying this is taken in Belgium? The license plate on the microcar looks the same as on Belgian motorcycles.

[nestofdragons]

@JonAxDrayda Yep, it is Belgium. But soon our plates will get a new look. Euh ...when the politician stop their game of discussions over the colors. :(

[Xarcht]

@nestofdragons Colors matter?

[nestofdragons]

@Xarcht if you are refering to the political game in our license-plate-renewal, yes, colors matter. Most contrast is with yellow and black. Sadly those are the colors of the Flemish spoken part of Belgium, the French spoken part does not like that idea of seeing to much yellow-black. Ah ...always this kind of game between both parts. Even we, Belgians, do not longer understand our politicians. :(

[doomdayjudge]

Microcars will come and go. Their problem is that they are way more expensive relative to their usefulness than slightly bigger cars. Another factor is that there is a threshold when it comes to gasmilage: If you look at a moped, it will use as much gas going 30 mph as some citycars use at 40 or even 50 mph. I can't explain the math behind it, but there will always be a point where there is no more to be gained going lower in size. Then fewer miles driven will be the answer ;)

[nestofdragons]

@doomdayjudge You are right about normal mopeds. But ...a lightweight microcar and has aerodynamic shapes will do much better than a classic moped. Currently I am building my own lightweight aerodynamic scooter (semi-enclosed). I wonder what the concumption will be of that one. Ok, it will be electric, but ... kW are still kW. So ... you might see the relation to a small engine of classic style. :D Time will tell.

[MrHobiecat]

Looks an aweful lot like a '60s ear dune buggy on a VW chassis. Your website quotes 36mpg (converted) for the car listed, but does not say at what speed. Not very impressive for a micro car, compared to 56mpg for the toyota IQ. Its cute, but its been done before, long ago, all over california beaches and desert sand dunes.

[aldenbuzz]

Why couldn't this car be sold here in America ? This is a perfect time. It's always been a good time, but now is even better. We have a president who cares about the environment, and people are very interested in switching to alternatives to what has been forced on the market all these decades. Things should have loosened up by now. Haven't they? Don't you see opportunities here?

[nestofdragons]

@aldenbuzz I see the opportunity, but i also know that the USA is hard to get a car approved. Even the famous Lambourghini Countach has to be altered to be allowed in the USA. Some hideous bumper was needed. This Secma is really close to the limit of weight. Such alternations are not possible here. I fear the USA looses here a nice car if it keeps so hard in allowing European cars. :( Unless the situation has changed the last years. Have not followed the rules lately. Fill me in. Data is ok. ;)

[navaloncho]

@aldenbuzz Why your cars can't be sold in Europe??

[nestofdragons]

@navaloncho They are being sold in Europe. Several are riding in Belgium, many in France, some in Italy. Sorry, have no clue where they all are. Secma made more than 100. I had serie-number 90 or so. And ...it was the OLD generation. :D

[hunterziegelmann]

not small enough to be microcar its just a small car by my standards! go look at a messerschmitt kr200!

[MillyVanillification]

great. this type of cars will be common in the future.

[jayez2007]

where can i get one

[nestofdragons]

@biggeneU2002 I admit ...the original music was better. But ...I had a issue with copyright. Youtube blocked my video. But after my plea to be able to use one of my most favorite videos again, they invented the possibility to use other music which is copyrightfree. OK, a little bit less style, but ...you can still see the video. Right? Thanks Youtube for responding to my plea.

[biggeneU2002]

to bad people have to ruin these videos with all the STUPID music.

[petthekittyz]

this is an actual production car? to bad it will never see american streets...

would be amazing with a GSXR1000 engine in the back

[nestofdragons]

It is a production car. And ...recently they made it with a larger engine. Some renault engine. Tests on Belgian tracks mentions of a Porche not being able to pass this small car. Haha.

[humanparody12]

HA, damn thing still can't pop a U-turn without backing up. How much do they cost over there? They aren't marketed in America.

[nestofdragons]

Yep, still need to back up. But ...a bit of power would have made a nice drift without backing up. The car is really glued to the ground.

The car cost about 12000 euros here. Far too much when compared to a "normal" car but ...you have something more exotic.

[humanparody12]

Oh, and there's so much about the car that the American car buyer would hate, like the fact that you can't open both doors at the same time, the basic interior and the zip-up windows. I love the car despite that.

[nestofdragons]

I needed to back up. Yes. Here the roads are less wide as in the USA. I guess in USA I could make endless circles. ;)

[humanparody12]

I see. I wasn't trying to be a seriously rude, though. Of course, with the American thought process that bigger is better, it wouldn't last but maybe a couple model years. Only true car enthusiasts would understand and appreciate it.

Then again, the Smart ForTwo (or FourTwo) is selling quite nicely.

[Ankkatulppu]

What you think,is a Amica 203 more cool then that??

[nestofdragons]

I looked that vehicle up on internet and ...I don't like the looks. Sorry. Personal flavor.

[sunnyjason]

I like the minimalism

[sunnyjason]

sooo cute

[kest32]

my fun extream had a problem in the part that charges the battery. The mechanic said that in Europe all fun extream were to replace this part. Had you repace yours? Have you had these kind of problems?

[zenky2000]

it is a buggy complete modify

[HunterXray]

Imagine 4 wheel steering on this car. :)

[dekkerfraser]

I want that car!!

[RocketFireTV]

Looks like a manix dune buggy. Fun looking car though.

[LoCoTeCk1990]

it's true!

look like a buggy!

lol

[aidenthedude]

I WANT ONE but im only 13 erg-how much was it to buy though??

[nestofdragons]

Euh ...how can I say this as gentle as possible. Unless you are a son of Bill gates or any other rich person, you will not get this for your birthday. It is really not cheap; Even much more expensice as motorbikes with the same power. Sorry for the bad news. More info needed? Go see the link at the description of the video.

[verprose]

its rwd, right.. how much for one, i wana drift it.. haha, must be a joy to own

[unclesonnyonutube]

you could probably build one better than that..its pretty cool but not worth the price.

Its actually quite a simple little machine and could be replicated for very cheap.

[nestofdragons]

No, really not. I have been told it doesn't goes that fast even if you overbridge the limiting CPU.

[TOMMASCRAWLEY]

more like a smart car then a microcar

[nestofdragons]

Hmmm ... if I look back at all the microcars that were there in the history, I guess it still fits within the microcar history. 500 cc has been used before in microcars.

But yes ... I understand that for you it might be a step too far.

[TheCuteDogBros]

cute car but the peel P50 is much better than your mini bugry.

Sorry for talk this about your car, your car is cool but peel P50 is really better

[PinBot1986]

Pretty cool!

I'm an owner of a 2003 Microcar Virgo III myself though I'd rather have that than yours because it's abit more practical :) Though you have 5 gears and tops 115kph o.O

[nestofdragons]

I guess each of us has his reason why they bought their car. You did it for pratical reasons. Me ... for fun! Haha.

[giovannino13]

may secma top speed 155km

[nestofdragons]

Euh ... 155 km/h ? ? ? ? Euh ...how did you fix that? Supercharge the engine? Strip half of the body away? Make the body more streamlined? Really ... I want to know.

[arxfatallis]

These are the type of cars that you can drive at the age of 16?

[nestofdragons]

Not in Belgium. It is not a 40 km/h vehicle. It does 115 km/h!

[arxfatallis]

Aha.

Thx mate.

[DegitoC]

Age of 15. And the one u talk about is a microcar.

[t0xictreasure]

the seats dont seems to look very compfortble.. -.-

[nestofdragons]

Strange thing is ... they do. But they are a bit hard. The foam is just a fex cm thick. But ... a classic seat cover(right word) makes it a bit thicker. For me the seats are not a problem.

[DuffManTrigger]

can't u open both doors? lol

i don't like the rear...

has it an automatic gearbox as in aixams or a manual one?

its cool

[nestofdragons]

The one door blocks the total opening of the other. A bit unhandy, but easy to keep in mind. And you always end up as a gentleman by first letting the lady step out. ;)

The car had a manual gearbox. 5 gears and reverse. I name the reserve too as some old microcars didn't have them (Messerschmitt and so)

[GCRU486]

The best mini-car made was the Volkswagen Bug that has been outlawed by every socialist country in the world so that they could introduce the British and Japanese crap.

[nestofdragons]

The Bug was not really a mini-car. Its seize alone is huge when compared to this car. I cannot follow your comments regarding countries making choices. All I know is that I like the VW Bug. I had one myself at age 24.

[tomcatfranks]

Micro cars are the way of the future!!

[lawnkit22]

this an amazing car and i love it. please tell me how much it was and where i can get this, also what song is this???? :D

[nestofdragons]

Song is of Linking Park and is called "In the End". The car is being built in France. Price was for a new car 12 000 euros. But ... I heard the price would drop to 10 000 in the near future. Have had no confirmation about it.

I suggest you first see if it is allowed in your country and to contact Secma (see link in "more info" next to video) if it is allowed to get the adress of a dealer nearby.

I hope this helps. Enjoy the ride!

[DonLduk]

great video. great car. you are cool dude for trying out these new vehicules and trusting the companies who make them :D

[qwertrewq9879878712]

Maybe you know if SECMA has a store in USA,its easier for me to buy from USA than France due to duty taxes,and so on.thanks

or should I say "au revoir" !

[nestofdragons]

I would advise you to contact the firm. They are very helpfull. I have no idea if there are any dealers already in the USA. Also ... I have no idea if they are allowed in the USA. Depends on the local laws.

[amoswt]

British racing green? I hope that top does'nt leak as bad as my 73 B model.

[nestofdragons]

whahaaaaa! I does leak a bit. My model has the first edition of the gullwingdoors. And the hinge had its best time. But ... It is not that much that enters the car.

[qwertrewq9879878712]

can you send me pictures or the plans of the chassis? I want to build one since it's very difficult to achieve one of those in my country...

Uruguay.

[nestofdragons]

Sorry, I don't have pictures of the Chassis as I didn't build it myself. I guess Secma will not distribute the plans of the chassis. All, I can say is that the main frame is just a single large diameter tube.

[cinquade]

How do you register it as a motorcycle if it has 4 wheels? In the Us you have to have 3 or less. Different laws Im guessing.

[nestofdragons]

Indeed. Different countries, different laws. Might be that the firm Secma knows how to handle this micro-car in your country. Or ... you might try to found out yourself. Just contact the gouvernement and ask. You probably will be send from here to there and back several times, but ... you might find the answers. And take the first NO not as single answers. The next one might say NO BUT ... . In Belgium I got 3 answers for a single question. No, Yes and maybe. ;)

[control2950]

cool car

[nestofdragons]

Just wait till I made my personal version of the gullwingdoors! It will have carbon-looks and be much more usefull due to doorlock, hard material, other place of hinges (so both doors can open at once), ... I hope to finish those during summerbreak.

[twisteddragyn]

Heh, looks like a little modern Manx road buggy.

[goney3]

How much did that cost? Great video! :)

[nestofdragons]

I bought it second hand. The new price was at that moment 12000 euro. But the rumour spreads that the price will drop soon to 10000 euro.

[miguelmarquesmartins]

120 km/h if we re "not going down the road". i ve already reached 140 km/h =D

[nestofdragons]

140 ? ? ? Did you remove the limitator? That part makes my engine misfire at 5200 rpm. I guess my engine is totally not-tuned up. Maybe you have a engine that had "some extra work". ;^)

[DemonT88]

I also reached 140, downhill...XD

You know that my engine has only a sport Air Filter, but It don't influences performances at all.

The real topspeed of my '04 Secma is about 130km/h at 4300rpm.

When I reached 140, the engine was at 4500rpm...

So I can suppose that the gearbox (from Peugeot 206L) allows over 160km/h...

[miguelmarquesmartins]

my car was like 140 but very very hard! =D

because after that the road stop going down and started going up so it went so 100 a big difference!

i haven t removed anything, it is just the way i bought it, when i ll have the video i ll put here =)

[wcpot69]

next time look better marlboro15

it has a license plate

that means that it goes faster then 45 km/h

so it's grouped in the moto/quad category above 45 km/h and has more then 50 cc

[marlb0r015]

in holland you may drive them to when ur 16 some 45kp/h cars u can drive with out certivication

[nestofdragons]

Thanks for the advise, Marlbor015, but ... this car is not such a 45 km/h car. It does 120 km/h.

[tommoslk]

well..it can be driven when u re 16 years old...atleast here in italy...dunno in other countries...however it's a freakin funny car.. but it's not rly confortable :P

[miguelmarquesmartins]

nice car! =)can you tell me the best and the worst aspects of this secma please?

and why do you chose having this "microcar" instead of buying a real car? i know it is smaller,but was it the only reason?

[nestofdragons]

Why? I tell a lot of the reaons on one of my videos. Just click my name next to the video. You get to my channelpage, then select the playlist microcars. It is there.

[miguelmarquesmartins]

hello folks!

i just want to know how hold are you(people who drive that car). i'm asking this because i think it can be driven when a guy is 16 years old...

[nestofdragons]

I thought to recall you need a B driverslicense for this one. So you need to be 18 here in Belgium.

[tommoslk]

Lo guys...i'm friend of demon i got a secma too

( i'm miky demon from my bro's account)

It's really impressive that u got so many secmas in belgium, as demon said we dont have so many of em here in italy...

i tuned mine just softly at the moment...i have a new empty exhaust and an air filter ...the sound is pretty good and i gained some acceleration!!!...btw i'm planning to tune ECU

and some mechanic shits

[nestofdragons]

What type of air filter does one need to have that better sound and why does it make the difference.

I am about to change my exhaust into one of a 700cc Kawasaki motorcycle. This change was already once done in Belgium and it seemed to improve fuelconsumption.

[DemonT88]

Yeah good vid, i've got one...

I love my Secma, you can see when I just brought it in july, watching my video. GO SECMA !!

[nestofdragons]

Hey, Demon, I saw your 360° video. Looks like fun. But I am using my Secma a bit more softer. I once had to chance 4 tires on another car after having fun for 2,5 months on the English roundabouts. In those days mum and dad payed all. ;^) I want to save some money for other hobbies these days. So ... no 360° s for me these days. :( But ... I am going to test my Secma and report here from time to time.

Already another video in the making. Probably online in 2 weeks.

[DemonT88]

Yes yes, I agree with you, but, you know that when I just brought it i was very impatient to drive it. I did the 360° on Linoleum, wich is less dangerous than common roads.

But, a question: How many Secmas there are in the UK ?? here in Italy we don't have more of 20 of these mad cars XD

Did you tuned it ??

[nestofdragons]

I live in Belgium (only using the English language to keep a international thought in my videos). According to our dealer there should be about 100 Secma Extr'm 500s in Belgium.

I bought it secondhand. I didn't tune it myself. Might be that somebody else did tinker on it. Exhaust is not original. The engine consummes a bit more than mentioned in most testreports.

[nestofdragons]

But I intend to make myself better fitting glassfibre gullwingdoors. I will visit a expert on that this wednesday. I am curious if that bended roof will not cause a problem. Anyway ... I want it a bit higher to return to my old hairstyle which is a bit higher. ;^)

[DemonT88]

In these days I'll mount Gullwing Doors, because I'm still using the summer cover, which is very useful in summer, but in November...i feel COOLD !!

I took my secma 3 our ago, after 20 days of waiting... I hope that the car won't need any more money...(450 euros of Fuel pump)

I Tuned my Secma whit a new air filter, but if you dont unlock the ECU, the car will be the same whit any tuning.

[nestofdragons]

Many Secma owners want to unlock the ECU to get more power. I don't need that. The car does already all I need and want.

My gullwingdoors in canvas are probably not enough to keep out the cold. But ... if you see it as a improved motorcycle it is already a windfree enviroment.

[DemonT88]

TOday there was a huge storm in Italy... my car looks like an aquarium !!

[nestofdragons]

Hihi, Demon, I guess our car is the only one with a hole to let out the water. Demon, you forget to close your gullwingdoors? ;^)

[JATYmusic]

Koen, that thing is so sexy I wanna lick its exhaust pipe! Maybe not quite as sexy as a Flying Flea but far more practical. Gonna fill me/us in on the details?

[nestofdragons]

Hey, you want details? Euh ... OK. Here they come.

Length: 2,5 m (8 feet 2 1/2 inch)

width: 1,40 m (4 feet 7 inch)

Height: 1,10 m (3 feet 7 inch)

Weight: 394 kg (868 lbs)

Maximum speed: 110 km/h (70 mph)

505 cc

Limited to 15 kW (20 HP)

Funfactor: 200 % ;^)

[viking19902310]

very nice video,

i want play in the next video to

greets karel-marc

[nestofdragons]

Karel-Marc, you know where I live. Just drop by on a sunny day and we might begin a next video. I still have a lot of ideas for informative videos about my microcar