1991 Daihatsu Charade GTti from UK and Ireland - Comments

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')

As the above has said oriental magic, for any doubters out there just check out the cars standard spec.