What's Good
All smaller Charade unveiled at Geneva Motor Show 4th March 2003. 3,410 (11' 2") long x 1,475mm (4' 10") wide x 1,500mm high.
Very low 114g/km CO2 emissions qualifies for £35pa VED. Does 100mph with 0-60 in 11.9 seconds. Has ride and refinement equivalent of Renault Clio.
Outstanding 4-Star NCAP Crash Safety rating and 3-Star Pedestrian Safety rating.
Height adjustable steering wheel and standard speed sensitive PAS. Options of ABS with EBD, 4-speed autobox, CD, electric windows and door mirrors. Ideal for small garages. 157 litre boot up to 421 litres to window level with back seats down. Combined economy of 58.9mpg. 989cc twin-cam 3 cylinder 12 valve engine puts out 58.5PS at 6,000rpm and 67.1 lb ft torque at 4,000rpm. 21.7mph per 1,000 rpm in 5th for motorway cruising. Prices from £5,995 for EL 3-dr which comes with PAS, ABS with EBD, driver and passenger airbags, central locking, electric front windows and a radio/CD player. Great value for money and goes quite well. Permanent price cuts from March 2005 bring price of EL 3-dr down to £5,695.
Revised range from May 2006 with improved handling and greater comfort. Based on previous 1.0 litre EL model, range comprises three or five-door manual or automatic starting at £6,460 on-the-road. SL models have been dropped. Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, interior trim is fresh and front seats have been lengthened by 30 mm for improved support. Smart front grille and bumper. Suspension has been thoroughly revised with a front anti-roll bar and retuned dampers to reduce body roll and sharpen handling. Front discs now ventilated. ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) which optimises braking force according to the weight distribution of passengers and luggage. CO2 reading of 114 g/km which qualifies it for a £40 Road Fund Licence for 12 months. Fuel economy 68.9 mpg Extra Urban for the manual which also boasts a top speed of almost 100 mph. Driver and passenger airbags, electric front windows and door mirrors, central locking and a radio/CD player. Three year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance plus a six year anti-perforation warranty.
Charade 1.0 litre 3-door Manual: £6,460.00 on-the-road
Charade 1.0 litre 3-door Automatic: £7,215.00 on-the-road
Charade 1.0 litre 5-door Manual: £6,960.00 on-the-road
Charade 1.0 litre 5-door Automatic: £7,715.00 on-the-road
More at www.daihatsu.co.uk
Last updated 28-12-2007
What's Bad
Narrow tyres leave it a serious understeerer compared to the average modern hatch.
Feedback from Robert Evans: "I have owned mine for 2.5 years (having bought it at 18 months old and 5K), and feel as though I can make some valid comments, having kept my ear to the ground in terms of this car since owning it."
"The car is mechanically solid, having never failed to start or let me down. Paint quality good, and switchgear robust, though driver seat surface starting to wear after 30K. This is not, however, Daihatsu's best car. Mine is a 2004 model, and has suffered teething problems which are worth looking out for on
the used market, as the following faults appear to be widespread among 2003-2004 models."
"Air con compressor is noisy but this is normal - air con is an
extremely effective unit, blowing very cold."
Drivebelt prone to squealing. A cheap replacement, but mine has started to squeak under load again."
"Daihatsu dealers thin on the ground, and variable in knowledge. Some excellent - especialy if they have had the franchise a while. Daihatsu UK approachable, eg they took the trouble to inspect my exhaust and considered a goodwill gesture (even though car over 3 yrs and out of warranty...although they didn't cough up!)."
"Some silly colours - stick with starlight silver, ocean blue or (solid)
poppy red. Avoid pink, lilac and the dreadful 'silver moon' (awful greeny/ silver)."
"Overall, a reliable car, but too many niggles for a Japanese car (compare this with 5.5 years trouble free Yaris belonging to parents). If you want something different, go for it, but try to find a post 2005 model. There are lots of later examples floating around dealers - many advertised via eBay as classified (going up to 56 plates) and I think all these niggles were well sorted by then."
"Quietly dopped from Daihatsu's website last year. All Charade out in Japan but not over here yet, puffing out allegedly only 99g CO2 so would be tax exempt."
What to Watch Out For
Feedback from Robert Evans: "Mine is a 2004 model, and has suffered teething problems which are worth looking out for on
the used market, as the following faults appear to be widespread among 2003-2004 models:
Both driveshafts had to be replaced under warranty after 2 years. Listen for a scraping sound when turning left or right, especially when pulling away from a junction.
The factory tyres wore extremely quickly (fronts completely scrubbed smooth at edges after 10K, rears only lasted 20K). Budget front replacements have lasted a further 20K and still only half worn, budget rears showing little wear after 10K.
"Check exhaust carefully, especially where it joins the back box. Mine fell off at 3.5 years (and the car does not do short runs often), and the replacement is a single part (220 quid from Daihatsu). Non-franchised exhaust specialists can't get hold of the part, and it is in short supply at Daihatsu). This is a pricey weakness and needs budgeting for."
More owner/driver feedback welcome.
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