Can I test drive this car, please?

No, you can't.

Okay, can I at least open the car door and take a look inside then?

Sorry, you can't do that either.

If these rather striking cars have caught your eye, and you pop into Japanese niche carmaker Mitsuoka Motor's Alexandra Road showroom, that's what you can expect to hear.

But why? It's not like these are million-dollar Ferraris, for which such restrictions would be understandable.

These cars cost less than $200,000 and many cars in that range - BMWs, for example - can be test-driven.

Well, there is a good reason why you can't touch these Mitsuokas in the showroom.

They have all been sold.

Only 12 have been brought to Singapore since the cars went on sale last month, and three are already on the roads.

The others are waiting for procedures - like bidding for select registration numbers - to be completed before they are handed over to the owners.

These cars are imported by Advance Automobile, which relinquished its Citroen franchise to Cycle & Carriage in October.

Said its general manager, Mr Edward Lim: 'We're not trying to be snobbish, but all our cars on display have already been sold or are booked already. And the new car-owners will not be happy if other people are touching their cars.

'We have no spare cars for anyone to test drive. Usually, the potential car-buyers do understand our situation.'

But what about letting them have a go after more of the cars come in?

The company will then consider requests for test drives, though it will use its discretion to decide who can do so.

All those who have already bought these cars did not insist on test drives.

Some put down $5,000 deposits at the Singapore Motor Show in November, even before the cars got their LTA approval.

Advance Automobile expects to sell around 200 Mitsuokas a year. The cars are designed and assembled in Japan, and production is limited.

Prices here range from $126,000 for the Jaguar-like Nouera to $173,000 for the Galut, which reminds you of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.

GAWKING

The Nouera is powered by a 2-litre i-VTEC engine, while the Galut has a 2.5-litre V6 engine.

The cars are based on mainly Honda and Nissan platforms.

Motorists were seen pointing and gawking at the cars while stopping at the traffic lights next to the showroom.

And if you happen to see a young woman driving a white Galut around, it's likely to be Ms Claire Phuah.

Her dad, a businessman, bought the car last month. But she said she'll be the one driving it since her dad is frequently away on overseas business trips.

Ms Phuah, 22, a polytechnic student, said she didn't mind that they couldn't test drive it.

She said: 'We saw that it was a V6 engine and thought that it must be quite reliable. Plus, we like the look of the car. We wanted a Bentley but it was too expensive.

'This is a good alternative. It looks vintage and expensive but it doesn't cost that much. And I love driving it because it's so comfortable and quiet.'

The serpent-like Mitsuoka Orochi, which caught the attention of many during the recent motor show, will finally make its way to our shores in April, if all the necessary approvals are obtained.

Expect to pay from $400,000 for this quirky-looking roadster.