2005 Daihatsu Copen Roadster from UK and Ireland - Comments

No faults as yet.

Very impressed so far. The driving environment is superb and everything feels well put together and well designed.

I am getting an average of 34mpg, in cold conditions, including some very enthusiastic use of the 8000rpm rev range!

I am highly impressed by the engine and gearbox, which seem far more powerful and torquey than the 659cc capacity would suggest. The car will pick up beautifully in top gear from 25mph and continue up to just over 100mph, and also rev like hell for a long overtaking move in one gear. Superb!!

Lovely slick, short throw gearbox too, with a wonderful polished chrome gear knob and a light and accurate clutch too.

I am surprised by the joy of driving this small car, day in, day out, when in the mood for driving and when not. It's easy to get on with, and makes you feel special, without looking like too much of a poser. I am also surprised how nice people are about it, too. I thought I would have a lot of adverse comments, but for for every smirk from a gorilla in a pick-up, I get 20 "NICE car, mate!" comments from normal people.

The roof really is a work of art, totally waterproof and quick to operate too. It gives the car a dual personality, which is useful- top down, heated seats on, sunglasses on, it's a fun car with limited practicality, but makes you very glad to be out driving. Top up, you get quiet, dry, surprisingly refined, safe, all weather motoring with a boot big enough for the weekly shopping and a feel good factor form the wonderful interior and quality leather.

It is the ideal combination-you can pack a good deal of luggage/gifts in coupe mode, drive top-up to your weekend destination, unpack, then turn the car into a convertible and enjoy. More practical than you would expect, but larger loads are impossible.

Observations:

Excellent build quality and finish

Great interior

Magnificent engine/turbo/gearbox set up

First class enjoyment

Brilliant heated leather seats

Lovely Momo leather steering wheel

Roof is brilliantly engineered

Daihatsu dealers service is first class.

Could do with deadlocks

Headlights need bulb upgrades-poor dipped beam

Stereo speakers only 10w, need upgrade

Handling/ride best with top up

Blustery with top down over 50mph

Average brakes, over sensitive ABS

No underseat or clever storage

Best for people under 5'10"

I have seriously enjoyed using this car for business and pleasure, and have found my lost feeling of enjoying just driving again.

Every journey has become an event in itself, and the reaction of the public is amazing-you can't stop anywhere without someone chatting to you about it.

All of this, reliable and surprisingly useful too.

I love it! I actually got up early the other day and just went out to DRIVE. I last did this when I was 18 and had an Alfasud ti.

I kept this car for an enjoyable three months and sold it without losing money! I can highly recommend it as a super second car, with excellent build quality and reliability.

The roof is genuine work of art, and the car is very enjoyable in short doses, with a great interior and quality finish.

I would say, however, that it is too impractical obviously as the main car, and does suit smaller framed people under 5'10" due to strong wind blast, and that the suspension is unforgiving and hard.

The rev-hungry (motorbike-like) 659cc engine and 3,000 mile service intervals give you 32mpg and expensive running costs, but this is not meant as a high mileage car!

**Update**

After my superb experience with my Copen, I have now returned to the Daihatsu brand with the purchase of a pair of Sirions-one for me, one for my wife. (see 2008 Sirion 1.0S report and comments).

I was utterly impressed with the Copen and have looked at the new version just out of interest. I noted that the main negative point I encountered was the 3,000 mile service intervals, which has been changed to 9,000 miles with the new 1.3 VVTi non-turbo engine now fitted.

I also noted that the new model now has an AWFUL red steering wheel centre and a standard fit gawky looking rear spoiler which has ruined the aesthetic of the car from the lovely simple original model. Mine was a 2006 659cc silver car with the red Momo leather and black Momo steering wheel, and just looked RIGHT. This new look is a shame, as the new engine would appear to be a practical improvement.

I still remember the tactile feeling of the heated leathers, Momo gearknob and wheel, and the engineering efficiency of that excellent roof.

The Copen is a car which makes each journey seem like an event and the new 1.3 seems to be great value at a deal of around £10,700 including the heated leather and Momo kit-if you can live with the small boot, nasty red wheel and nasty spoiler!!

I now see new (4 seat) Renault Megane 1.6 Coupe Convertibles priced at £10,899 (+admin fee) in car supermarkets, which makes the Copen look expensive, mind. The Copen is rarer and more interesting, but far smaller and less practical.

I would get up early just to drive the Copen, though... that says it all!!