2002 Perodua Kelisa 1.0 GXi review from UK and Ireland

Because of the low mileage stop/start use, the rear tailpipe rusted and needed replacing. Kwik-fit had the intelligence to fit a £31 MK1 Sirion exhuast as no pattern parts available in UK and other places could not help.

Cigarette lighter replaced after repeated Tomtom use melted it.

I am absolutely amazed at how good this car is. I bought it off an ebay motor trader for £1700 for my wife to learn to drive in, after our great little £300 ebay Perodua Nippa got vandalised.

This car is fully equipped with remote central locking, power steering, dual airbags, cd player, electric windows, internal boot and fuel release, rear wash wipe and metallic paint.

It runs like a Swiss watch, and is a testament to the tried and trusted Japanese technology used- it is a refaced Daihatsu Cuore, built in Malaysia from Daihatsu parts. After a long product run with the Cuore, Perodua have produced a very well sorted, reliable and user friendly economy car with a good equipent list.

I find it a delight to use, very easy to drive, responsive, torquey and generally satisfying to live with. Everything is where it should be and works as it should, it drives very well and gives 46mpg with hard town and fast A-road use.

Best bits: very cheap to buy and run, easy to live with, proven technology, great build quality on these early ones, very tight turning circle, good equipment, nice to drive, a pleasure to own.

Worst bits: dealers scarce, no pattern parts so some parts may be pricey, oddball looks, suspension not up to very "enthusiastic" hooning, remote locking does not turn on interior light or flash hazards to confirm, tight in rear 4-up.

I will update this as the miles go by..

It was just so damned good as a second car that I have just taken delivery of a new Myvi as my main car. I hope it is as good as this one to own.

The facelifted Kelisa (after 2004) is far uglier and has the most awful seat trim I have ever seen! I am glad I bought this 2002 model instead as the finish is better and it looks nicer.