1998 Daihatsu Hijet petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Excellent runabout, but don't trust sellers

Faults:

Cooked the engine within 50 miles after buying it, so be warned and take it for a 50 mile test drive. Look at the bills; if a water pump has been replaced, then expect trouble.

General Comments:

I love Daihatsus and Rascals; I prefer Rascals, even though the Daihatsu is bigger. The Rascal is better designed and the performance is the same.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th February, 2016

1997 Daihatsu Hijet EFI MPV 1.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Does what it says on the tin!

General Comments:

My other mode of transport is a 400cc motorcycle. Chalk and cheese come to mind. Everything my bike is.. the van is not.

BUT with that in mind the MPV does what it says on the tin, it carries people/stuff/motorcycles OK, it doesn't go fast, but I have a bike for that.

I like the big open windscreen, get closer to the junction line and see further down the road to pull out.

Sadly general information/manuals are seriously lacking for these Hijets.. :0(

Overall rating I'd give it a 8 out of 10, 1 being bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th September, 2009

1998 Daihatsu Hijet Van 1.3 EFI from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very useful, but very basic transport

Faults:

Overheated on day of purchase.

Overheated many times since.

Alternator failed.

Door hinges wore & door dropped.

Wiring snapped where it goes into tailgate.

Paint is very thin, rust coming through everywhere.

Prop shaft failed.

Head gasket blew.

General Comments:

Very basic van with no creature comforts.

Much bigger than it looks, loads of room inside.

Very easy to drive & can be parked in the smallest of spaces.

You need a sense of humour to own & drive one of these.

A cheap van poorly made from cheap parts, that are very expensive to replace.

Not good to drive on motorway's.

Scary to drive fast.

Terrifying to drive on windy days.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th June, 2009

1997 Daihatsu Hijet from Philippines

Summary:

Affordable yet reliable..

Faults:

Just some minor stuff. Hoses for the ATF didn't look like rubber anymore. they were more like plastic already. It was suppose to be the dealer's responsibility to make sure all is in good condition before they sell it (even though if these are re-conditioned units)

General Comments:

I love the ride. Practical & great at the same time. Although most Mini-vans or mini Pick-ups here in my country are Suzuki's, I could defenitely say that most if not all of the owners of Daihatsu Hi-jets are really satisfied wit its performance.

My family & I just recently went through a family vacation were in we had to travel for four hours 1-way. No hitches, no falters. It was all good.

1 thing this reliable machine needs though is a great air conditioning system to match the great engine. I do have a good cooling system, but it had to take more than the usual time & money to make it more comfy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th March, 2006

22nd Sep 2009, 06:32

I agree, I once bought and owned a Hijet, too bad there were no support groups that time.

For aircon parts, we can use a bigger compressor and condenser, or dual aircon and add window tints, this will solve the air conditioning problem.

1990 Daihatsu Hijet hi jet 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap to buy expensive to maintain

Faults:

Engines overheat during winter period.

General Comments:

The vehicle is cheap to buy, but spares cost the same as racing components for normal cars.

The engine is Italian not japanese, and no service manuals exist so you can't fix it yourself.

The majority of garages would rather sell you a new engine than attempt to fix yours.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th March, 2006

1997 Daihatsu Hijet Pickup 1.2 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fun in a small way

General Comments:

I have searched and can find no information on this cars diesel engine.When I bought the car it had never been on a public road as it was previously used for perhaps only a mile or two a day on an airport. Does anyone have any experience of owning a diesel one. Its noisy, but seemingly very willing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st January, 2006

3rd Oct 2014, 19:53

I am now on my second Hijet, the first being a 2002 1.3 16 valve, and my current one purchased a week ago is a diesel with only 35000 miles on the clock, and they both have cooling issues.

I purchased this current one after I had let it idle for 20 minutes and the TEMP GAUGE stayed rock steady approx. a 1/4" inch from the cold end of the gauge.

I took the van for its U.K. requirement of a vehicle safety test, which includes an exhaust CO emission test involving the engine being revved at approx. 2000 RPM for a minute or so, and the next thing was the temp gauge shot up to HOT?? So in view of the problem with my first truck, albeit a petrol engine and a friend who has owned 3 diesel versions and ALL have overheated, I feel I have learned an expensive lesson. Hijets are NOT COOL!!!