Year guide

1997 Honda Acty

Specs, price, versions and what to check

A 1997 Acty is a late 2nd-generation Honda mini truck: the square-headlight body, now with clear front turn signals. It's the second most searched Acty year in the US.

Engine656cc

Power37–43 hp

4WD codeHA4

Hauls772 lb

You can import and own one

It turned 25 in 2022, so US import is allowed. Road use depends on your state. Check your state ↓

A white 1997 Honda Acty kei truck with clear front turn signals, parked on a brick street — A 1997 Acty with the clear front turn signals Honda used from 1996. Photographed in the Netherlands.

Which year is it?

Is it really a 1997? Check before you buy

Find the frame number

The frame number is under the driver's seat. On a 1997 truck it starts with HA3 (2WD) or HA4 (4WD). The Japanese export certificate shows the month it was built, which sets its 25-year date.

What changed

What's different about a 1997 Acty

Clear front turn signals: Honda switched from amber to clear in January 1996. It's the quick way to tell a 1996–1998 Acty from a 1994–1995 one.
One version had fuel injection: The SDX-Hi (from 1996) had a fuel-injected engine, about 43 hp: 2WD and 5-speed only. Every other 1997 Acty is carbureted, about 37 hp.
Same service numbers as older trucks: Honda made no other dated changes for 1997. Oil, tire and timing belt specs are the same as 1990–1997 trucks.
Two years before the new body: The bigger 3rd-generation Acty came in late May 1999. A 1997 is the older, narrower body.

Versions

The versions of the 1997 Acty truck

The listing title usually names the version, like "1997 Acty SDX 4WD".

STD: The basic work truck.
SDX · 2WD or 4WD: What most US dealers sell. On SDX and TOWN 4WD trucks, a lock bolt where the front driveshaft enters the gearbox switches 4WD off.
SDX-Hi · 2WD: The only fuel-injected 1997 Acty: about 43 hp instead of 37. Five-speed stick only.
TOWN · 2WD or 4WD: The nicer-trim truck, with a tach and white bumpers.
Attack · 4WD only: Made for farm work: a locking rear differential and extra-low forward and reverse gears (marked UL and UR).
Crawler (HA5) · Tracks: Still a special order in 1997. Very rare.

How the 4WD works: Honda's "Real Time" 4WD drives the rear wheels and sends power to the front when the rear wheels slip.

Service

1997 Acty oil, tires and timing belt

Keep this with the truck. The same numbers fit 1990–1997 Acty trucks.

Spec	1997 Acty
Engine oil	10W-30, 3 quarts with a new filter. Change every 6,250 miles or 6 months.
Timing belt	Every 62,000 miles or 7 years. Replace the water pump, tensioner and seals at the same time.
Tires	LT145/80R12 (6-ply). Many owners switch to 155/70R13 because 12-inch tires are hard to find.
Wheel bolts	4 × 100 mm, 56.1 mm center bore

Source: an Acty owner's service guide based on Honda's factory manual (robrobinette.com). Check your own truck's manual or label.

All 1994 Acty service specs →

Price

How much is a 1997 Honda Acty worth?

A 1997 Acty SDX 4WD with a lift kit sold for $10,000 in a Cars & Bids auction (October 2026): the top end.

Bought in Japan, 1997 Actys cost much less. One buyer paid $2,417 for a 1997 with 31,000 km and $1,620 for shipping, before port fees, the 25% import tax and a broker.

Real 1997 Acty prices

1997 Acty SDX 4WDSold · Cars & Bids auction$10,000
1997 Acty 2WD, 4-speed, A/CAsking, shipped to the US · seller listing$5,400
1997 Acty 4WDExporter price with shipping to a US port · 54,692 miles · CarFromJapan$5,453
1997 Acty, self-importTruck $2,417 + shipping $1,620 · owner report~$4,037
1997 Acty 2WD automaticExporter price in Japan · 56,805 miles · JDM Export$3,300

Seen in Google results Nov. 8, 2026. Exporter prices don't include US port fees, the import tax or a broker. The auction ended Oct. 12, 2026. We’re not paid by any dealer.

See all Acty prices and where we found them →

Before you buy

What to check on a 1997 Acty

This truck is 29 years old. Start with the paperwork, then look underneath.

Your 1997 Acty checklistTick each check at the seller.

1Frame numberLook under the driver's seat. HA4 = 4WD, HA3 = 2WD. It should match the export certificate, which also shows the build month. Don't pay 4WD money for a 2WD truck.
2Belt receiptAsk when the timing belt and water pump were done. Over 62,000 miles or 7 years without proof: budget for it.
3Leaks at the timing coverCoolant weeping from the small holes in the cover means the water pump is failing.
4Bottoming outBounce the front. If it slams on bumps, the struts are tired; owners fit firmer springs.
5Driveshaft U-jointA worn U-joint is a known repair; owners fit an aftermarket one. Check the driveshaft for play.
6Rust under the matsLift the floor mats and look at the cab corners and frame by the rear axle.
7SDX-Hi engine computerIf the fuel-injected version runs rough, old ECU capacitors can be the cause.

Your ticks are saved on this phone only. Take it, or a printout, to the seller.

From an owner's service guide, importers and owner reports.

Owners

What 1997 Acty owners say

2 stories from YouTube comments, told in our words.

Owner of a 1997 Acty, imported to CanadaYouTube comment · see the original ↗

Wheels

Says it gets a lot of attention. Moved up to 13-inch wheels because 12-inch tires are hard to find, and chose the Acty for its mid-mounted engine.

Owner of a 1997 ActyYouTube comment · see the original ↗

Daily driver

Just set up a 1997 Acty as a daily driver and loves it.

Can you drive a Honda Acty in your state?

TapClick the blue button. Your answer shows up right here.

Questions

1997 Acty questions

Is a 1997 Honda Acty fuel injected?

Most are not. Only the 2WD SDX-Hi (from 1996) had fuel injection. Other 1997 Actys use the carbureted 656cc E07A engine.

How much is a 1997 Honda Acty worth?

From about $3,300 bought in Japan before shipping, to $10,000 for a clean SDX 4WD at a US auction. US dealers listed 1995–1999 Actys at $5,700 to $11,000 in November 2026.

Is the 1997 Acty 4x4?

The HA4 is. Look for HA4 at the start of the frame number under the driver's seat. HA3 trucks are 2WD.

What oil does a 1997 Honda Acty take?

10W-30, about 3 quarts with a new filter, changed every 6,250 miles or 6 months.

Is a 1997 or 1999 Acty better?

A 1999 can be the bigger 3rd generation, with more room and fuel injection. A 1997 is the older, smaller body, which many owners like for its looks.

Can I import a 1997 Acty?

Yes. Every 1997 Acty passed 25 years old in 2022. Road registration still depends on your state.

Next step

Found a 1997 Acty you like? Two checks before you pay.

Make sure you can plate it where you live, then take the checklist to the seller.

Check my state ↑Use the checklist ↑