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Daihatsu Sirion 1.0
The story of Daihatsu Sirion begins at the Japanses bureau of taxation. Since Japanese cities are overcrowded and polluted, there are considerable tax-candies allocated to owners of small vehicels. Unitl recently "small" would be up to 0.6 litre, but since those cars are now deemed unsafe, cars up to 1.0 litre and 3.7 meters in length are also included. And the Sirion is almost exactly that size.
Theoretically , a 3 cylinder 1.0 litre engine should not produce too much power - and it doesn't. But this 4 valves per cylinder coughs up 55 horses, which powers the 845 kg car with stamina to the degree of astonishment. I don't think I have ever felt this good allowing the gas into a 1.0 litre engine. It's mainly a car for city crusing , but it will not embarass you heading on the highway - going 90 is not a problem, though I wouldn't insure anyone venturing further than that.
The plus list of the Sirion continues: My 4-speed automatic gearbox was as good as they get, shattering to pieces the common european assumption that small engines do not go well with automatic transmission. They do. You just have to build a good gearbox.
Moreover, the Sirion provides a high level of equipment and finish , including twin bags standard and quality plastic.
Finally, as I saved the best perk for last , the Sirion's great strengh is inner space - you do not feel like you're in a 3.7 meter car (Though it parks easily enough), head and leg room are nearly immaculate, though, like every other A or B class compact car, the Sirion was not built for people over 6'4".
Which brings me to the downs of this funny looking car.A car has a finite size and every inch of leg room is an inch lost in the trunk. So the boot holds only 235 litres or so. Seems like a small price to pay to me. Also, its handling is somewhat bumpy.
But all in all, if there was ever any doubt, the low price tips the balance in favor of the Sirion. A cheerful thumbs up.
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