Daihatsu Move (1997 - 2000) Car Review

Though some wouldnÕt be seen dead in the curiously styled, boxy little Daihatsu Move, those prepared to try one are certainly in tune with the direction in which city cars are going. Short, narrow and powered by tiny, fuel efficient engines, what works in Tokyo will inexorably spread to other urban sprawls around the globe. Buying a used Move is a wacky way to beat the traffic. Just be prepared to weather a few sniggers. Loosely based on the Japanese K-car concept which has spawned a range of tiny city cars, the Move is ostensibly a micro-MPVs. To western eyes, the dimensions are initially startling. ItÕs narrower and not much longer than a Mini, so despite its MPV billing, donÕt expect to carry a family of seven and their luggage.

History
The Move landed on these shores in March 1997. At first it was viewed as the automotive equivalent of the Japanese game show ÔEnduranceÕ Ð a cruel oriental joke. That was until commentators tried it. After a drive and a re-appraisal of its qualities, the Move was given a grudging thumbs up. It fulfilled its purpose Ð to transport a maximum of four people in an urban environment Ð excellently and made more traditional family hatchbacks look bloated and over-engineered.
In October 1998 the Move was offered with standard air conditioning or automatic gearbox at no additional cost. Sales of the Move in this country tailed off in 1998 when Daihatsu withdrew promotional support for it, and even Daihatsu arenÕt sure of the exact date the life support machine was switched off, but estimate "sometime in late 1999."

Opinion
Without wishing to sound demeaning, with the Move you are buying a rather narrow, somewhat frenetic box on wheels. In Move+ guise, itÕs quite a well-equipped box, but itÕs a car that have 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 box. The key is height. The Move can be driven wearing a top hat, or a jesterÕs hat if thatÕs more appropriate, and has a light and airy feel.
The body design looks like wheels and bonnet have been tacked on as an afterthought to the cabin, but the overall effect is cheeky and grin inducing. Despite their faults, itÕs not possible to stay angry with a Move for too long. It has an infectious personality that lets you forgive it for its narrow dimensions, plasticky cabin and roly-poly cornering. The equipment levels range from basic to reasonably surprising.
The basic Move models boast such luxuries as a rear wash wipe and adjustable head restraints, so the cabin ambience is hardly palatial. Having said that, thereÕs more than a nod to safety and security, with a driverÕs airbag. Side impact protection and engine immobiliser all fitted as standard. Late model Moves also come with either air conditioning or an automatic gearbox as standard. How many other S registration cars come with this level of equipment for under £2,500? The Move+ benefited from colour-keyed bumpers, electric front windows, central locking and a quite baffling Pioneer face-off stereo system.

By ANDY ENRIGHT.

Visit the Blog about daihatsu uk

Daihatsu Applause (1990 - 1996) Car Review

The Japanese have long been clever lateral thinkers. Adept at taking an undeveloped concept and spotting the potential for leveraging a big profit they seemed onto a winner with the Daihatsu Applause. Market research had shown that hatchbacks sold cars due to their versatility, but many buyers wanted the security of a boot. Daihatsu came up with an ingenious solution. The Applause looks like a saloon, but pop the rear ÔbootlidÕ and youÕll find it stretches up to the roofline, making the car something of a stealth hatchback! Others have since realised that this was a neat trick, take todayÕs Skoda Octavia for instance. The Applause never received much of an ovation with UK buyers and you may have more luck discovering the Ark of the Covenant, the Chinguetti meteorite and Lord LucanÕs car keys before you find an example in your preferred colour, condition and trim level. Nevertheless, as a used buy, itÕs certainly not run of the mill.

History
When the Daihatsu Applause first hit these shores in 1990, the reception wasnÕt so much lukewarm as absolute zero. Why would the British public want a rather oddly proportioned hatchback masquerading as a saloon when the Rover 200, the Peugeot 309 and the Ford Escort were vying for their attention? There were two versions launched, both with DaihatsuÕs 16-valve engine Ð at the time quite an advanced piece of machinery. The 1.6L used a carburettor, whilst the 1.6Xi was fitted with fuel injection and a catalytic converter. The injected version developed 105bhp and 99lb/ft of torque.
In 1993 the carburettor version was dropped, the range then consisting of two mechanically similar models, the GXi and the plusher GLXi. The Applause soldiered on in this form until chronic buyer apathy finally asphyxiated it in 1996.

Opinion
If you like grey plastic, the Applause will be your idea of motoring nirvana. Despite boasting an advanced engine, the Applause harks from a time when Japanese interiors resembled the last memory of a man trampled by a bull elephant. Greyout everywhere, with only some rather bland upholstery to break up the visual sterility. Whilst the feng shui may have been slightly wonky, there couldnÕt be too many problems with the ApplauseÕs practicality. The driving position lacks adjustability but this isnÕt too much of a problem because itÕs very good in the first place, and the low waist line of the car gives an airy feeling and helps visibility.
Headroom is, as expected, fine all round, but taller passengers wonÕt want to spend much longer than it takes to develop cramp in the back of the Applause. The Applause GXi was fitted with colour-keyed mirrors, electric windows and mirrors, central locking, a rear spoiler and an adjustable steering column. Steady now. The GLXi added some cross spoke alloy wheels, body coloured door handles, a rear wash/wipe and an RDS stereo cassette, which together would be worth the additional £75 in most peopleÕs book. Some owners will have plumped for the optional air conditioning on this model, but theyÕre so few and far between that being choosy could mean no round of Applause for quite some time.

By ANDY ENRIGHT.