We’ve come to the end of our three-month liaison with the diminutive Daihatsu. While its notchy gearbox tested our patience and its soft styling didn’t find universal appeal, its economical little mill left plenty in our pockets. True to form, it never missed a beat.
So has it done enough to warrant us spending our hard-earned cash? No.
Not that it’s a terrible car by any means. It’s honest, unpretentious and an affordable, commuting appliance, but in today’s market it’s also outclassed and outdated. This was amply borne out by some of the new arrivals competing in our January issue's hatch shootout.
The hatches we tested all had higher spec and bigger price tags, but getting back into the Sirion one couldn’t help feel that the Suzuki Swift, even in base 1.5GL spec, is a far stronger option in terms of value, handling and performance.
And while the Honda Jazz commands a steep R25 000 premium over the Sirion, it is well worth saving for – it simply feels light years ahead of the Daihatsu in terms of quality, ergonomics and dynamic finesse.
The Jazz’s practicality and interior space (337 litres seats up, 831 litres seats down) rivals not only the Sirion (225/630) but the likes of our long- term Toyota Verso (397/770 litres with the third row seats down).
Try to squeeze a mountain bike into the back of the Sirion and you have to remove the bike’s front wheel and ram the seat post right home if you want to close the boot and still leave enough space for the driver.
By contrast the same operation in the Jazz leaves you with acres of room with the rear seats down, enough for two or three bikes and seating for both front occupants. With the Jazz’s front seat folded flat, you can even leave the bike’s front wheel on, thanks to its 2.4 metres of through space.
Bottom line: the Sirion’s not bad but on key counts is not the best in class.
LOG BOOK
Odo reading at start/now: 127/2239km
Distance covered: 2 112km
Fuel consumed: 147.63ℓ
Av. fuel consumption: 6.9ℓ/100km
Oil consumed: Nil
Service: Every 15 000km
Service cost: N/A
Total fuel cost: R1484.09
Running cost: 70c/km
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2000 Toyota duet problem
I bought yr 2000 car . I lost reverse gear and aftre replacing two month ago again the car cannot reverse gear
The car having been loosing power and could not charge, I have repleceed altenator twice. I did that last month , again the car cannot even support in auto system including horn due to low power
Advise
Have trade in
Please contact me. I have a trade in - Opel corsa lite, 1.4 2006 model. Interested in a second hand if possible.
Second Production!!!
The second production of the Daihatsu Sirion established a complete change and looks obviously different from the first model. ccsp certification , project+ certification
The Daihatsu Sirion is a
The Daihatsu Sirion is a subcompact car produced by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu. It advertised variously as the Daihatsu Storia, Daihatsu Boon, Toyota Duet and Toyota Passo in 1998. The Sirion has since undergone two advances, one in 2001 to 2005. With the back seats down, its baggage capacity enlarges from 225 to 630 liters. pmi certification
Rly good car, but our country
Rly good car, but our country (Moldova) have a lot problems with Toyota servicing.
fav. Blog - bmw miniatures.
underated for a reason...
styling that rivals the nissan micras for softness, cheap cabin, and way overpriced.
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