1987 Daihatsu Charade G11R CX 1.0L petrol 3 cylinder

Summary:

Economical commuting

Faults:

Nothing, it needed a new battery when I bought it, but then it was just a very cheap runabout car. It was beginning to use some water and oil before I sold it, clutch was on its way out, but would still have lasted a while. I didn't even bother giving it a service until after a year of hard driving, so it held up fairly well.

Servicing parts were fairly expensive, almost as expensive as my BMW! But then the cheap fuel economy offset this.

General Comments:

Performance is lacklustre, but good for an engine of this size, and it feels faster than it is. Great fuel economy, one tankfull cost about $20 and lasted over a month sometimes!!! I'm a short person and I thought the seating position was great, but tall people might have problems, sparse interior, but that's what you expect from such a no frills car, I didn't miss anything.

Handling was OK, not brilliant, but could be mildly entertaining on winding country roads, but if you are after a road hugging machine look elsewhere. braking was OK for traffic use, but marginal for any serious work. Ride wasn't very good, but I've driven worse.

As a cheap to run, no fuss commuter car I would highly recommend a charade, but I wouldn't like to be in an accident with one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th November, 2003

1987 Daihatsu Charade G11R Turbo 1.0 3 cylinder petrol

Summary:

Bonsai bulldog on steroids!

Faults:

Burnt out clutch from hard driving. Replaced cheaply by self.

Blown headgasket. Replaced at 129000 kms.

Front CV boot tore.

General Comments:

Excellent performance from a very small and economical car.

Comfortable sports interior with light up turbo indicator, grey and red trim, which is like new after 130000 kms. Paint still in good condition.

Sweet gearchange and clutch, easy around town and fun on open roads.

Corners very well.

Suprises boy racers in much larger engined cars!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2003

9th Nov 2003, 22:50

Hey dude,

I think charades rock! especially turbo charades! They go so awesome! they are not much to look at, but they go awesome! People don't actually realize how fast they are when they have got turbo. Like my mate has one and it beat a 4WD Mitsubishi Lancer 1990! They are so sick! I might have to invest in one so that people will think that my car is a heap of junk, but when I light it up, I want to see their chins drop to the ground. Go the charade!

17th Jun 2004, 22:23

I too came to a G11R from an Escort (both cheap, simple, and small entertaining packages), but come on a turbo charade out accelerating a 4wd lancer? obviously it wasnt a 4wd version, perhaps the 1.6L NA version of the CB GSR? or else they werent trying. A turbo charade especially a modified one will have zero traction in the first couple gears, you won't stand a chance except for a rolling start.

1987 Daihatsu Charade GTti 1.0 turbo twin cam

Summary:

A pocket rocket, well worth it!!!

Faults:

Needs a new engine, we are currently rebuilding one. This will be transplanted in, in about 2 to 3 months.

Replaced the clutch, very unreliable for clutches.

General Comments:

Awesome car, beats standard GTS-T and modified FTO's. Beats standard GSR's.

Awesomely quick car, I love it!

Not very good interior, but we are in the process of re-doing it.

We have two other friends that own GTti's and they like them too.

Took air con out and improved the performance.

Installed a blow off valve, made great difference.

2 1/2 exhaust, huge power increase.

16" MOMO GT mags. MOMO race steering wheel and MOMO gear knob.

Soon to get a bigger turbo.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th May, 2001

1987 Daihatsu Charade GTti 1.0 turbo petrol

Summary:

Cheap, fun, exciting

Faults:

No faults to occur as yet, apart from a blown coolant hose to the turbo, and one CV joint.

General Comments:

The car handles like a dream, it's got a bodykit from Japan, a set of 15' MOMO wheels on it, beats a 2 liter Skyline.

New computer, now has boost running 22psi and still goes nuts.

Overall it's fun and goes like a bullet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2001

24th Mar 2001, 07:08

I've got one and they are amazing but come on it will never beat a skyline.

30th Mar 2001, 11:40

I own a 89 GTti and got it running on 16s with 195-45-16 tyres and some engine tuning, now it does about 135bhp.

Handles great and beats the majority of the big cars, really impressive. As for the Skylines... don't know about that... we don't have those in Holland, but I do think it can beat those 2 wheel driven ones, but not the GT-R.

3rd Apr 2001, 07:13

I have a Charade GTti from '90. It has 157 HP and it will beat the Gti-R at any time.

The best car built ;-)

5th Feb 2005, 05:02

I have a 200hp GTTi that works all the time at 1.5 bars (sometimes more...). It won't break or need repair. The car is faster than an S2K, Type-R, TT, RX8, 300Z, Imprezas and whatever normal or (lightly) tuned "super car" I come across when I go for a ride. It's a great car and it only has 993cc of raw power...

P.s.: from the 2nd or 3rd gear, you cannot beat a 4wd monster from the start...

22nd Jul 2006, 07:49

Great car, but watch out for those little Pulsar ETs. They beat Charades because they are a 1.5 with a bigger turbo. These are also a good car.

5th Oct 2006, 07:59

I agree with this dude et turbo pulsars smash charades so why not get the et they are a classic and look great.

18th Oct 2006, 12:09

I have a gtti year 1992 and I want a bigger turbo were can I get one from.

22nd Oct 2006, 12:13

I would like a new engine for my gtti where can I find.