Forum:
Hi, we currently have a 98 cuore s and love the size, how nippy it is and how cheap to run it is, we don't do motorway driving or long distance very often so it's been a fantastic reliable car.
We are now considering a newer upgrade to get a better ride and some newer features. (plus the cuore is fricken lilac! Only thing I hate about the car) I was wondering what people think the best models of charade or sirion are to buy? I was thinking a 2006 charade or 2008 sirion but are there better years to consider?
The sirion would cost a lot more money, is it a much better car than the charade?
Really just looking for people's general opinions on these cars so I can make a good choice. We will probably have to travel quite a distance to get it, so want to be pretty sure!
Thanks all
Not driven a charade, but
Not driven a charade, but have driven something similar to the Mark 2 Sirion which was a Mark 2 Subaru Justy 1.3 as a courtesy car. Unfortunately I wasn't taken with it, and thought the dash (quite small) was a little awkward to see if your especially tall. Also the wheels were a little skinny for my liking. Personally I would also look at between insurance groups on the cars as well. I believe the Newer 2003-2006 Charade is group 5 and only comes in 1 litre as either a manual or automatic. The sirion comes in 3 engine sizes; 1.0 litre, 1.3 & l.5 litres. Personally looking at the size and weight on the mark 2 sirion a 1.3 litre would be the mininum, but I believe the insurance group maybe higher.
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The newer Charade is just a
The newer Charade is just a newer updated Cuore, Infact in other countries it is called Cuore.
A Sirion is far more refined and of course larger.
But if you get on fine with your Cuore then the newer Charade is certainly loaded with more features and even better economy. They go alright as well being such lightweight.
The gearchange on them feels a tad notcy which is a surprise as Daihatu's normally have slick gearchanges (I owned a 2004 Charade for a few months plus driven another and both felt the same)
Sirion or Charade
Skippy75,
Firstly I can't comment on Charade cars - never owned one. However I have owned two Sirions. My first was a 1.3 auto and I currently have a 1.5 manual (I have a picture in the gallery). Thus I can only remark on the Sirion.
Firstly don't get a 1.0 litre one - it will be under powered. I also am quite sure it is a belt driven camshaft as opposed to a chain driven - chain is better. The 1.0 litre is also three cylinder.
The 1.3 litre engine is frankly an awesome motor. The 1.5 is much more "awesomer". They both benefit from having a longish stroke and thus have good torque, which is perfect for town driving. My 1.5 pulls away superbly without lots of gear changing - very tractible engine. You will give many boy racers a fright off the lights with either motor. Very strong engines and I have never heard of a fault with one. They are Toyota engines.
The cars themselves are very roomy (I am 6' 3'' and I have no trouble at all). My choice would be a 2008 and beyond because that is when they were imported at the top of their game and they have good features. They have everything you need, and nothing you don't. The back seats have a two position back angle, which can give a more comfy position for rear passengers, or without passengers the rear can be placed in a more vertical position thus improving rear load ability. It's a small feature but one I think shows some thought by Daihatsu.
There is a heap of room in them - it is like the bleedin' TARDIS inside. Even with me up front there is room for an adult behind. Quite remarkable. The 2008 models (at least mine has) come with airbags for Africa - side curtain, side seat, and front. ASB and stability control are nice features too. The instruments and the fiddly bits up front are perfect. The steering wheel is height adjustable. The drivers seat is moveable in all ways.
My preference is the 1.5 - it goes like stink but is also quite docile when needed. I like the torque for easy driving. There are only about 350 1.5's in the country so they are quite exclusive too. Mind you I would be almost as happy with a 1.3 litre and there are more to choose from.
Parts can be a little hard to find but I have had no problem. I also feel the aftermarket has stepped up lately. The bottom line is, you can at least get parts. I assume you know Daihatsu pulled out of UK last year. I service my own and opening the bonnet reveals an uncomplictaed layout with loads of room to get around.
So there you have it. If you have any specific question I will do my best to help out.
Regards
@ getgripped I didnt even
@ getgripped I didnt even know they did a 1.5 version, as tempting as more power is (its very tempting!) i presume fuel economy suffers and insurance would be higher. Its good to know the 1.3 drives well, the cuore is very nippy 0-30 so i wouldn't want anything that struggled off the mark.
@ jpor Yes, the insurance groups seem to be quite high for some of them, not really sure why. Ill have to spend some time doing comparison quotes. At least we would save money on the tax.
@Pocketrocket The 2004 is the same L250 chassis number as the 2006 isnt it? Good to know about the gear change, certainly something we will have to check. Tho compared to a 98 cuore, it might seem quite smooth to us lol
This forum design confuses me so much, completely different from everywhere else!
Sirion 1.5 mpg
Skippy75,
Fuel consumption for my 1.5 is quite tolerable. I maintain my car very well and I know all the fuel sensor bits and peices are in order and it is running as it should. In particular the pre-cat oxygen sensor is spot on - I replaced it ayear ago because I think the previous owner must have contaminated it somehow, and consumption was up and the engine was "unhappy". BIG difference when it was replaced.
Anyway, I drive vigorously at a GPS speed of 75mph motorways and I am not averse to giving it some thrash when I want and I can genuinely say I have never gotten less than 42 mpg for highway driving. My method for measuring is to set the average in-car computer thingy and leave it for 3 months and then take a reading.
I have hyper-miled on occasions and the mpg is around 50mpg plus - but it is very boring. To be honest I don't do much town driving so I can't really say what town mpg I could get but I do know the engine is so tractible you will be in 4th and won't be changing gear much.
Good luck with your decision. Whatever you buy if it is Daihatsu it will a fine car. Japan's best kept secret.
Regards
After looking though
After looking though insurance and tax prices we think we have decided to go for a low milage 2004 charade. We dont really need the extra size of the sirion and unless you go for the 1.0, the tax is a lot more (tho weirdly, cheaper to insure)
My understanding is that the 2004 charade is still the same l250 chassis, they just gave it a very minor facelift in 2006? Theres about a £1000 price difference between a 2004 and 2006 so it doesn't seem worth it.