1991 Daihatsu Charade GTti review from UK and Ireland

Radiator went at 70000 miles which led to overheating which I did'nt notice until the engine management light came on.

I bought this car as a second choice as the original car I wanted, a Peugeot 405 SRi, was sold under my nose. I saw the charade in the corner of the forecourt and asked for a test drive.

That was it, as soon as I felt the surge from the turbo I was hooked & bought it there and then. After about 6 months or so I decided that the standard looking car was in need of a little make-over & some spice injecting into the engine.

I invested in a set of Jamex springs which lowered it by 30mm, then a new set of 15" Team Dynamic Enzo 3 spoke alloys was fitted, this needed the help of a mallet to fold the rear wheel arch lip over. My good friend built me a new stainless free-flow exhaust which made the most unreal sound.

I Then went to Brodie Brittain Racing for help with performance. This resulted in a Starchip conversion which boosted the turbo from the standard 9 psi to 15 psi boost. I then got the car tuned on a dyno for maximum output and was overwhelmed to see a 135 brake horse power at the wheels!!! All this from only 993cc.

For an overall investment of about £1000 the car was totally transformed into a... well. I can't really describe it except to say that, in my area the car to have at the time was a Renault 5 turbo - which was no slouch of a car - until I was seen on many an occasion challenging, and obliterating, any one who tried to beat me in one of them.

Funnily enough the only thing that beat me in a point to point race was an old Rover 3.5 litre V8, but hey, who can complain about getting beat up by someone 3 and a half times your size?

Finally, I moved onto something more sensible when the radiator couldn't hold out anymore. I part exchanged the fun in my life for a Carlton GSi 3 litre 24v and was surprised to find that it was slower than the charade on the take off... but I had a family to think off and my license!!.

Since that fateful day I have been looking for a charade to have as a second car to put the fun BACK into my life. Those were the best car years I had just for the look on young lads faces when they got beat by a measly 993cc 3 cylinder matchbox on wheels!!!

Three cheers to Daihatsu for sending us a bit of their oriental magic. (I was devastated when they were cut from production in 93')