23rd Sep 2009, 10:04
Hi All.
Just got a new Materia, and I am having problems with a slight vibration on the steering wheel, and it can be felt on the gear stick and seats. Contacted the dealer and he went out on a test run. He tried to blame the make of car, but he would contact Daihatsu to see if any other Materias do the same.
I will post the out come.
Cheers Steve.
24th Sep 2009, 01:54
Hi Steve, I had a Materia and Sirions, not had this problem. The Materia was harsh and noisy at over 50mph due to the stupidly low gearing, but I never had the vibration issue you have.
I would start with a tyre depot and get tyres and balancing checked first. Depends on whether it is constant or just between two speeds, say 50-55mph - that is most likely to be balancing on a car as new as this.
Good luck.
Geoff.
13th Oct 2009, 15:14
Hi. I've got a Sirion "08". It has a knocking sound coming from the front of the car. Happens when I drive over the bumps at Asda car park. Has anybody else ever had this problem? If so, do you know what is the cause? Thanks.
15th Oct 2009, 06:14
As it is an 08, it will be under warranty.
Take it to the dealer to be sure - Daihatsu is very good at sorting things out under warranty if there is any fault (rare!).
Cheers.
11th Dec 2009, 09:15
Is the 'knocker' AM08NLD? If so, you've bought mine! And it knocked/rattled from the front suspension throughout the year I had it...
Cheers - Peter.
25th Feb 2010, 15:29
I hear rumours that Daihatsu importers IM holdings are no longer bringing in cars to the UK, and this, coupled with many dealers irritation at having to keep unrealistic stock levels and showroom standards, is to spell the death knell of Daihatsu in the UK.
Daihatsu UK's own website now states:
"Please note: Due to the current weakness of the Pound against the Japanese Yen, it has not been possible to order cars from our factory. As a result, some models are now in very short supply.
We are sorry if you are unable to find the exact colour and specification of the car you want, however your dealer will be able to advise you on the availability of stock across the UK."
The only alternative now is the Perodua Myvi, a clone of the Sirion and Toyota Passo, which is available for £6180 OTR. The Sirion is a better equipped and developed car, but the Myvi is well worth a look if you can't get the Sirion.
See 2007 Perodua Myvi report "so far, so good..." and also my 2008 Sirion report "easily the best..." on my experiences with ownership of both the Sirion and the Myvi.
I would say at the same price, the Sirion is a better car, but the last Sirions are now fetching £9395 as opposed to the £6180 for the Myvi, so the choice is easy.
If you wanted a Sirion, buy a Myvi - they now come with a 3 year, 60,000 mile warranty and are very nearly as good as the Sirion.
24th Apr 2010, 07:02
Regarding the lack of Sirions imported, I've just checked the Subaru website and there is no mention of the Justy anymore - a 100% Daihatsu with a Subaru badge and a different bonnet. With prices considerably higher than the equivalent Sirion, they can't have sold many anyway...
24th Apr 2010, 11:26
The new Justys were slightly more expensive and uglier than the Sirion, and sold to people wanting a replacement for their old Justy 4wd or to gentry downsizing from bigger Subarus who liked the brand. The Yen rate must have killed them off too.
Oddly, Auto Express rates the Justy 1.0, but said the identical Sirion 1.0 was underpowered, and slated the Myvi, which is virtually the same car, but with the 1.3 vvti Yaris engine. This made no sense - put this to Auto Express in an email, but no reply...
We are extremely pleased with our Sirion clone alternative, the Perodua Myvi and run two - 2007 and 2010 cars.
24th May 2010, 21:23
I just bought another car recently, but just can't bear to part with my Sirion :(
29th Jun 2010, 21:25
This is a great car once you sort out the minor imperfections that come stock:
- Lousy stock tyres.
- It needs a strut bar for better handling.
- The doors could have been better insulated (feel and sound too hollow) giving them a tinny feel. The sheet metal used however is surprising thick for a Japanese car, you need to press hard to depress it!
The 1.3 Sirion already comes with solid front and rear anti-roll bars. So, don't waste money replacing with aftermarket ones.
175/65-14" tyres cut through puddles of water well.
1st Jul 2010, 07:04
Sirion 175/65 14 tyres I have used:
Sime Astar: huge mileage of 60k, quiet running; poor grip, wet performance, aquaplaning and braking.
Goodyear Eagle NCT: all round performer, good feel, good wear.
Continental EcoContact3: last well, improve MPG, silent running; poor feel and vague turn in, slower braking.
Continental SportContact: superb tyre throughout; poor wear.
It depends what you want from the car, tyres do have a big effect on the Sirion though, as it is light and has basic suspension. The compromise lies between performance and longevity.
6th Jun 2014, 12:39
Hi, just to let you know, I have your Sirion AM08NLD with the front knocking noise. Cannot figure it out. Do you have any clues to what this knocking noise is?
20th Mar 2009, 15:37
Hi Peter.
I await your report on the new car. I tried an SX4 when they were first launched, liked it overall but the details (beeping stereo etc, see Swift DDIS review) infuriated me and I could not understand why Suzuki who specialise in 4wd offered 2wd only in petrol and the identical Fiat Sedici were all 4wd. Lots of rattles too...
I very nearly bought a new Sedici Multijet Diesel Eleganza for £9999 last year instead of the Materia, but changed my mind as they are to be facelifted soon.
I am surprised you did not buy a Kia Ceed after driving the Soul. Personally, I would have bought a year old auto as the resale generally gets hammered in the first year-particularly the SX4; average px on an 08/08 is now only £6010...£3000+ loss in one year is the equivalent of leasing a fairly premium car for the year!!
All the best-look forward to your review. Hope you like the car.
Geoff.