Review | Daihatsu Charade CX

My Ride :)
http://www.goauto.com.au/



Overview
THE Charade's halcyon days started right here.
The all-new G101 (Mk3) model proved to be the very popular, with progressive aerodynamic styling sitting on a longer, wider track.

Interior comfort and space, handling, roadholding, ride, and overall refinement all improved, although performance suffered due to added weight – the carryover 1.0L engine’s power output only went up marginally to 38kW.

In October '88 the latter was emphatically addressed with the availability of the G102 Charade CX (luxury), which signalled the option of a zingy 66kW 1.3-litre 16-valve 4-cylinder engine.

Australians didn't seem to mind paying a little extra for such a light car.
After all, it was the late Eighties, and there was plenty of money around.
Model release dates: June 1987 - July 1993



Our opinion 
We like Zippy performance, fun handling, compact dimensions, stylish inside and out

Room for improvement Confined cabin

THE Chambers dictionary defines Charade as "a piece of ridiculous pretence". These are hardly the correct words to describe Daihatsu's Charade, which is a class leading, no-nonsense, value for money small car. The Charade is one of a fiercely competitive group of small cars which offer excellent performance, economy and value for money at the entry end of the market.

The Charade is laid out in the standard format for cars of its class; front-wheel drive with a transversely mounted four- cylinder engine. The willing fuel-injected, 1296cc, single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder power plant is the class leader, giving 62kW at 6500rpm and 105Nm of torque at 5000rpm. With only 810kg of car to propel, the Charade is a nippy performer.

The engine drives the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. The gearing is low, to capitalise on the good top end performance and willingness of the engine to rev to 7000rpm. The Charade will cruise comfortably at highway maximums without effort and with plenty of overtaking power on tap.

The Charade is attractively but conservatively styled with strong, distinctive lines. It may lack the flair of one of its rivals, the cheeky Mazda 121 "bubble car", but its lines are strong and distinctive enough not to have dated since its introduction.

Standard equipment includes electric mirrors, AM/FM stereo cassette player, tachometer, rear intermittent wiper/washer, shaded windscreen, digital clock and fabric door trim inserts. Options include air- conditioning, central locking and alloy wheels.

Suspension is by MacPherson struts and coil springs all round, with trailing arms at the rear. Steering is by power-assisted rack and pinion with an excellent turning circle of 9.2m, the best in its class.

The Charade handles well with a good neutral feel and a trace of understeer when pushed hard. The ride on smooth surfaces is good but tends to become a little choppy on rougher surfaces.
Brakes are disc front, drums rear, with vacuum power assistance. Wheel rims are 4.5x13 inch, shod with 165/70 radial ply tyres.

The Charade scores top marks for fuel economy due to its light weight and small, efficient engine. Expect around 7.0L/100km around town.
The Daihatsu Charade has an excellent reputation for reliability with dealers reporting extremely low warranty claim incidence, though there have been some minor problems with body trim items such as window trim strips.

As with any used car, check for evidence of body corrosion, particularly if the car has been kept near the seaside. Always remember that the car with the least kilometres on the clock, provided it has been well looked after, is the one with the most life remaining.
In a class which is highly competitive and features a number of good value vehicles, the Daihatsu Charade stands out for performance, equipment level, quality of build and reliability.





Rivals
MAZDA 121 3D HATCHBACK (1987-1990)
DISTINCTIVE styling reveals a hatch with excellent head and boot room. The 1.3 engine is frugal and eager, while the wide track and long wheelbase help give good handling characteristics. But a lack of power steering makes parking a chore, while there's plenty of engine and road noise coming into the cabin.

SUZUKI SWIFT 3D HATCHBACK (1989-1999)
THE strong three-cylinder engine is a little noisy but economical. The Swift's clean, smooth lines hide a roomy though basic interior. Power steering was optional but needed. The ride is a little too firm for some, but the handling is OK. It's also got a good sized boot with a split rear seat.

HOLDEN MF/MH BARINA 5D HATCHBACK (1989-1994)
A REBADGED Suzuki Swift with minor differences. Its 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine is smooth, refined and economical. Lack of power steering is a handicap, especially at lower speeds. Ride, handling, refinement and equipment levels are only average, but overall this is a durable, roomy and handy little hatch.

HYUNDAI X2 EXCEL 5D HATCHBACK (1990-1994)
HYUNDAI'S first foray onto local soil became a success, all due to cheap prices. The Mk2 X2 model was a little bigger and roomier, but still suffers from the quality shortfalls that blighted all Excels. Its unrefined and unpleasant to boot. At least the 1.5 engine is gutsy. Few gear shifts are as horrid.









Daihatsu Charade CX 1.0TD Test 1987 1
The vehicle details for D493 OKK are:
Date of Liability 01 12 1999
Date of First Registration 19 03 1987
Year of Manufacture 1987
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 993CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Heavy Oil
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour BLUE