1991 Daihatsu Charade CX review from Australia and New Zealand

Had to replace the water pump at around the 50,000km mark as it was making a noise -- bearings were shot, don't know what caused that but I have had no probs since. It only cost me $100 for a new one.

Had a hell of a time replacing the fuel filter the last time I did it. The nuts tend to seize up and have become a bit rounded now. Not looking forward to replacing it again (had to resort to multigrips last time to get it off). But this is a minor annoyance more than anything.

Put a new clutch in it after around 100,000km (didn't really need it but I was getting it done for free so I thought 'why not?'). For some reason the new clutch slips a bit when the engine is cold and you are accelerating hard or up a hill. Goes away once warmed up though, maybe I should have got the flywheel machined.

Good car, the quickest in it's class (small 'non sportscar' hatchback) for it's time (released late 1980's). Ahead of it's time in that it had 16valves EFI and fully independent rear suspension.

I have driven this car hard since I bought it and have had very little problems with it (touch wood). It handles well and the engine responds well when revved hard -- has a 7,000 rpm redline, max power comes in at 6,500 rpm.

I change the oil and filter every 5,000kms, and would recommend doing this, especially if like me you enjoy ringing the crap out of your cars.