Daihatsu GrandMove (1997 - 2001) Car Review

DaihatsuÕs Grand Move is most definitely an acquired taste. The styling, whilst not as bizarre as its late sibling the Move, is nonetheless on the unorthodox side. Despite this, it represents a cost-effective method of transporting the family, especially if urban trips are a major component of your journeys. The Grand Move was designed to cope with the traffic jams of Tokyo; a reassuring fact to consider when waiting to get onto a local mini roundabout. Just as we like to buy 200-metre waterproof watches and extreme skis as part of our leisure lifestyle, thereÕs something comforting about over-specification. Most of the time this means paying through the nose, though. Not with the Grand Move. With used prices beginning at less than £5,000 whoever thought that starting a family was expensive had obviously never considered the little Daihatsu

History
The Grand Move was launched in March 1997, priced at levels close to the all-conquering Renault Scenic. Too close in fact, sales suffering from its proximity to RenaultÕs star performer. A slight rethink was necessary. In October 1998 the 88bhp 1.5-litre engines used to power the Grand Move were replaced by 90bhp 1.6-litre units. A whole host of other subtle changes were also introduced. The car was lengthened slightly, the suspension was retuned and bigger brakes were fitted. The staple facelift target items of bumpers, lights and grille were also given a nip and tuck, and the Grand Move+ designation was deleted.

Opinion
Basically, a box with wheels. This may sound unappetising, but itÕs the most effective way of accommodating five adults in as compact a space as possible. In Grand Move+ guise, itÕs quite a well-equipped box, but the Grand Move is a model that has been designed with a set-sized road ÔfootprintÕ in mind and then designers have grappled with the task of getting as many people as possible into that area. The key factor is height. The Grand Move has a high roof and low window line which contribute to an airy feel, giving the impression of a larger car.
In fact the Charade-based Grand Move has a full size MPV-like feel from behind the wheel. There's that high, commanding seating position, a vast glass area for superb visibility and a number of seating permutations that include the creation of a double bed. On the debit side, the rear seats can't be removed from the car and the narrowness of the body makes three on the back seat a bit of a squash. Still, given the fact that the most likely rear seat occupants will be children, that probably won't matter.
There's certainly room for a lot more luggage than could be carried by an ordinary family hatchback. With a full complement of five passengers aboard, 400 litres of cargo space is available, while folding the rear seats forward increases this to a total of 850 litres. In addition, there are plenty of handy stowage compartments for things like maps, sunglasses and mobile telephones.
Standard equipment remains a strongpoint, inclusive of twin front airbags, power steering, an engine immobiliser, central locking, electric mirrors, metallic paint and built-in roof rails. The better-equipped Ô+Õ version has been dropped recently but you can get a standard model close to that specification by adding optional items like metallic paint, alloy wheels, ABS, heated mirrors, electric windows, and air conditioning (recommended given that huge glass area).

By ANDY ENRIGHT.

Visit the Blog about 2006 daihatsu terios

Daihatsu Sportrak (1989 - 1998) Car Review

If you want to buy a well-built and capable used off-roader, but donÕt want to pay the premium necessary for vehicles with a Land Rover badge on their bonnet, then you might consider a Daihatsu Sportrak. Priced from £9.995 when new, Daihatsu claimed its Sportrak soft top and station wagon estate line-up represented the bank manager-friendly face of four-wheel drive motoring. On the second-hand market, prices of this obsolete model are very reasonable, thanks to the ever increasing competition from a wide range of car makers. The first Sportrak models were rather basic and utilitarian compared with todayÕs lifestyle machines. But in recent years the 4x4 was freshened up with improved engines and suspension and trim upgrades making it a more appealing proposition.

History
The first Sportraks arrived in the UK way back in 1989 and offered basic off-road petrol-powered transport in short wheelbase three-door soft top and station wagon estate form. The soft-top DX had a full-length removable hood, while the station wagon EL featured a detachable rear hard top and sunroof panel. Both versions were offered with the same 16-valve 1.6-litre engine.
In 1990, they were replaced by the more user-friendly 1.6 EFi versions, which boasted a fuel-injected, catalyst engine and power steering. Within a year, these too were discontinued, this time in favour of the STi soft top and ELi hard top. The differences here were largely cosmetic, the later models gaining larger bumpers, with restyled tail lamps incorporated into the rear, plus a new front grille and a split/folding rear seat.
This pair continued until 1993 when Daihatsu started to turn its little off-roader into more of a lifestyle machine. The soft-top version was killed off, and in the following years the Xi, Xi-SE, EXi and ELXi variants gained more sophisticated equipment. Electric windows and mirrors, a removable sunroof, central locking and a decent face-off stereo all became standard items on the inside. Meanwhile, exterior styling was enhanced with alloy wheels that sat under wider, flared wheel arches.
Imports stopped in 1998 and the final examples are on R plates.

Opinion
The final range included three models, all powered by identical 1.6-litre 16-valve engines. The flagship ELXi offered wider wheels and tyres under extended arches, as well as an RDS audio system, electric mirrors and luxury interior trim plus power steering and a removable sunroof.
However, in its final form the price leader Xi had no rear seats, making it what the importers called Ôa versatile load and people carrierÕ. If you do want to carry more than two people, check youÕre getting the optional dealer-fit extra row of seats. In comparison, the Xi-SE came with split folding rear seats, central locking, electric windows, additional instrumentation and a Pioneer audio system.
Thoughtful touches included interior releases for the fuel flap and tailgate, remote control door mirrors and an immobiliser security system. Popular options were metallic paint, multi-play CD system and leather upholstery.

By CLAIRE EVANS.