1998 Daihatsu Cuore 3 door from UK and Ireland - Comments

The original exhaust fell off at around 25,000 miles, but the car had only been used for short distances until that point, so exhaust corrosion could be expected. Despite being an unusual car, the garage could replace the part on the same day.

It looks unusual: thin, box-like and has no frills. This is designed to be a shopping trolley on wheels and it serves its purpose well. There is room for 4 people and a few shopping bags in the tiny boot.

Fuel economy is excellent (54 mpg) and a full tank is just GBP 17-18.

Driving over even small bumps and pot-holes is not comfortable - the car shakes and shudders and is also noisy above 50 mph. Top speed is about 85-90 mph.

It is very reliable, in part due to the lack of features, but Daihatsu spare parts are expensive and are not easily available in a generic version from a car-parts superstore.

For a 850cc engine, it is quick off the mark at traffic lights, but expect to be overtaken as the car creeps up-wards to 70 mph.

For a car to get you from A to B without hassle, this does the job perfectly.

We needed to replace the full exhaust system at about 27k miles. That cost £99, which we thought reasonable. Apart from that, all we have had to replace in the 3.5 years of ownership have been three wiper blades - probably caused by switching when blade frozen to screen! Suffered a block breather pipe at about 20k, which was probably caused by the car standing idle for many months before we bought it. This was fixed free of charge by local Daihatsu dealer during routine service.

The car never uses oil and seldom returns less than 60 mpg.

We owen a cuore and find it is a very good car,our car is a 2002 model and was brand new have had trouble with expensive

parts to does anybody know were we can buy our parts online;

as we wish to keep the car we are in australia, ph 0427563226

be awere this is a mobile number. thanks chris.

Ebay.

I wrote this original review, and the little car is still going strong 10 years on. The paintwork is looking tired and it needed another exhaust a couple of years ago, but there has never been a mechanical fault. It was my first car and I expect it'll be the most reliable car I'll ever own.

These Cuores really are excellent cars-100% reliable, well engineered and well rust-proofed.

There are many of them around here-a muddy rural area, and I know of several people who swear by them.

We owned a Perodua Nippa and a Perodua Kelisa, both old Daihatsu designs, which were also 100% reliable and well made.

We now own two 2008 Sirions which are totally without fault, and our previous 2006 Copen was also faultless.

Daihatsu are an excellent brand who do very well on ownership surveys, classed as 10th best manufacturer in Britain this year by Auto Express-ahead of VW, Mercedes etc.

Daihatsu fit in well with the Eco trend by being very economical on fuel AND parts (by not needing replacements due to reliability and durability) and by having a very long usable lifespan.

In real terms, they are the least eco-damaging cars available by having low emissions, long life and minimum build impact, unlike the daft hybrids which use damaging components in the build stage and use complex electronics which are not viable to repair after 7 or 8 years.

Daihatsu; good reliable cars with green credentials.