5th Nov 2005, 00:31

When I moved to Australia from the states 3 yrs ago I had very little money and needed to buy a used car to get around. Not being very familiar with Daihatsu I did a little research and found out about its affiliation with Toyota. I did some shopping and found a 1993 4 door sedan for $2900, I went to see it and was ASTOUNDED, it was immaculate, not a dent, scratch, discoloration nothing, it still had a showroom shine and 150,000 ks on the odo. I bought it and haven't looked back since. It is the 4 cyl 16 valve w/AC/Automatic transmission. My partner drives a Saab V6 but I always opt to drive the Charade for a 6'2" bloke I feel comfy in it, the climate control is great and the seating fabric still looks like brand new. Also I have had only one mechanical issue the cam cover gasket went on it I paid 7$ for the gasket and put it on 20 minutes. I'm gonna see how long I can keep this little beauty, its 12 yrs old now, just for laughs see if I can keep it for 8 more years, I'm changing the oil every 2 months even though I only drive the car to the train station 2 ks back and forth. Anyway to sum it up I'll say it is a grand little car!

30th Jun 2006, 10:01

My little 1995 3 door hatch was the best hand me down I ever had at 88000km. I have added 90000km over the past 4.5 years. Oil change every 5000kms. $100 for a timing belt. $127 for radiator repairs. $240 for tyres. And that is all I have spent. Great car. It is time to retire it now and update.

22nd Jun 2008, 06:07

These are honestly the worst cars ever, had mine a bit under month and already had to replace a cylinder head, now I have to replace the piston rings to as well as the bearings and put all new gaskets on the thing. All this and the car only has 146,000kms on it. An parts for them are so expensive to $990 for a cylinder head, $300 for a set of piston rings etc.

24th Jun 2008, 16:30

One of the worst cars ever? 146,000km? You've had it for a month and just noticed major problems? I'm sure it must have been very cheap in the first place, anyway.

Has it occurred to you that a small car may be coming towards the end of its useful life at 146,000 miles, and that it might be an idea to check major items before buying?

Are you really being serious about disappointed that a small hatchback needs some works at 146,000km??!!

If the car needed these works at 50,000km, I could understand your comments. My guess is that the car had been carefully run to the end of a long useful life, and the owner knew works were needed, so wisely sold it. You then jump in, expecting a perfect car, thrash it and it breaks within a month, at 146,000km...

Look at all the other comments on this car; most people have realistic expectations of an old hatchback....

24th Jun 2008, 16:38

Oh, did I mention that as well as being unfair to a small hatchback at way past the end of its projected useful life, that it may be unfair to expect perfection from a THIRTEEN year old car (with 146,000km!)?

Interestingly, I know of someone who just drove a 1990s Charade with 100,000+MILES all the way to Nepal to donate it to a charity, and got there no problem.

To avoid problems, buy a well kept car that is not at the end of its useful life, and do a few checks on it before buying.

13th Sep 2008, 04:34

I am on my second 3 cylinder Charade. I love these cars, the first, a '90 ts, did 290,000+ kms easily. It just started using a bit of oil and the head gasket went. I fixed it up and sold it. : (

I now have a '96 CS 1.0. It had 82,000 when I bought it and it still feels like a new car at 103,000. At 6.2-6.5l/100k's and a $1500 purchase price I'm laughing out loud at the new cars.

7th Mar 2009, 03:27

At how many kms do you have to change the timing belt on a 93 model Charade, and is it normal that the temp gauge stays in the middle?

25th Aug 2009, 14:47

I am from Indonesia and mine is a 1995 Charade 1.3, 16v. Too old for Jakarta jammed traffic, but it keeps going and going, though not for daily use. I replace the timing belt every 100.000 kms or 60.000 miles.

I did my best to maintain the car properly and by now I don't know how to let her go. Never been in garage for serious problems, all it needs is fill the gas tank and do the periodic maintenance.

Yes, it rusted a bit, squeaking doors and some rattling noise from the dashboard, but I've found no reason to sell it.

My 14 year old daughter is now learning how to drive with a car of the same age.

Folks, this site might be useful: http://autorepair.about.com/od/glossary/ss/timin-belt-info_5.htm

21st Nov 2009, 10:04

Charade for the win!

I've had my '90 CS for 3 year now. Had about 80,000km on it. Now it's up around the 240,000km. I use it as a daily, and rack up the miles. I'm a tradesman, and it has never let me down. Regular maintenance is needed, as with all old cars.

I forgot timing belt once, bent all my valves. but got them fixed quick. And it has been offroad trails, and places most people wouldn't take a car of that 'calibre'. The ride height, and overall clearance is fantastic.

It won't die. It is the most reliable car I've driven or owned.

Need to get some 4WD Charades into Australia though.

Nick.