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 vin daihatsuDaihatsu Terios (1997 - to 2006) Car Review
How much road space do one adult and two kids need on the school run? The Renault Espace takes up 81.8 square metres and a Land Rover Discovery 103.1m. A used Daihatsu Terios will cast a shadow over only 60.1, the same as ToyotaÕs baby Yaris. How can a proper 4x4 look this funky, be so manoeuvrable and yet so inexpensive? ItÕs part of DaihatsuÕs aim to target buyers in the family hatchback market and offer them something completely different. The 4x4 fashion market is still growing hugely, and the Terios has been one of a number of small 4x4s such as the Suzuki Jimny, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin that have aimed to reap a share of it. The idea has been to steal sales from ÔwarmÕ hatches, mini MPVs and also from sectors where buyers were purchasing utility they didnÕt need. Part of the appeal is low pricing, and in the used arena this usually means nearly new cars at bargain prices. In this respect the Terios doesnÕt disappoint. Interested? HereÕs the background on DaihatsuÕs baby.
History
Though it sounds as if it could have been named after a mythical Greek God of Lifestyle 4x4s, Terios was in fact named after the Latin derivation of ÔGroundÕ. In fact, ground zero for UK Terios sales was in August 1997, with two trim levels being made available, the base model and the Terios+. Both models shared the same 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine developing 82bhp. The following April saw the launch of a limited edition SE version, which was on sale until August.
Two months later, in October 1998, Daihatsu decided that the SE was, after all, a good idea, and installed it as a part of the range proper before withdrawing marketing support for it shortly afterwards. Since then the Terios range has remained largely unchanged, benefiting from a price cut of over £2,000 in autumn 1998.
The first major changes came in August 2000. This new model boasted styling that was a whole lot beefier, especially around the front end. There was a more aggressive looking grille, bigger bumpers, aerodynamic spoiler lips on the front bumper and revised headlamps. The most significant change however, was reserved for the engine Ð now a state-of-the-art 1.3-litre 16v all-alloy unit borrowed from ToyotaÕs little Yaris. As well as revising the interior, Daihatsu also unveiled a different logic with trim levels. Out went the Terios and Terios+ designations: in came Terios E, EL and range-topping SL. A Terios Tundra special edition made a brief appearance but the range was thoroughly rationalised in April 2003.
The E model was dropped, the EL became the Tracker and the SL became the Sport. Prices were slashed and the Terios was in the best shape of its life. The all new Terios hit the streets in Spring 2006 replacing this model.
Opinion
You may have noticed the terms ÔlifestyleÕ, Ôsports activityÕ and Ô4x4Õ being used a fair amount when discussing the Terios. One term noticeable by its absence is Ôoff-roaderÕ. As you may have guessed, the Terios doesnÕt make a convincing case for itself as a rugged mud-plugger. The driverÕs handbook makes this abundantly clear, threatening all kinds of bodily injury should the vehicle be driven inappropriately. As this includes most heavy off road work, it is perhaps not surprising that the Terios isnÕt fitted with a low range gearbox. There is a differential lock that will enable exit from muddy fields, but thatÕs about the extent of the TeriosÕ off road remit.
As you would expect from a vehicle taking up less road space than a Toyota Yaris, the Terios is, as eighties estate agents once crowed, compact and bijou. ItÕs narrowness Ð only 1715 mm Ð makes seating four people a task best reserved for intimate friends. ThereÕs a fair amount of standard equipment considering the price. A driver's airbag, power steering, central locking, an engine immobiliser, tinted glass and a Pioneer audio system all come as standard. The Terios + adds air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, a passenger airbag, alloy wheels, electric front windows and mirrors, plus stylish roof rails. All this plus the three-year unlimited mileage warranty that's standard on all Daihatsu models and which can be transferred to the new owner.
By ANDY ENRIGHT.
