DAIHATSU SIRION

[Poserwoo]

Anyone got comments on this 1.3L DVVT car???

[Sweeney]

Test drove it recently with 3 adults and 1 child.

 

Spacious and roomy for a car with small external dimension. I am 1.8m tall but still have headroom and driver's chair just slightly past B pillar. So passenger behind me will not have a space problem. Like most snout-nosed cars, it can be difficult to judge where the front of the car really is. Glass area is generous and one should seriously consider window film if the interior is not to be a sauna.

 

Interior looks funky and wayyy coool, particularly love the tachometer, but really a novelty item as most owners/ potential owners will not be pushing the car that hard as to need to scrutinise the tacho. Built quality is good, with doors thunking and bits well screwed together. There's lots of cubby holes and cup holders but the door trim seems to be lower quality hard plastic that was had scratches in the test car.

 

Hi-spec'ced for its class. 3 point rear belt for middle passenger is welcomed for safety. 4 airbags for front passengers. Powered windows and mirrors. Aircon is not too noisy and blows fairly strongly (however, not a blisteringly hot day when test-drove, so not sure if it can cope).

 

Accelerates briskly and smoothly, no noticeably jerks when auto up/down shifts. Ride is tuned for comfort- absorbs bumps well but not able to test handling too much as the route was not twisty enough. Brakes are rather squishly though and too much travel before it bites, but nothing that familiarisation cannot resolve. But no Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) though.

 

The almost identical Toyota Passo (from Parallel Importers) is not as well spec'ced and looks 'cheaper' with parts that are more from the economy class. A dollar for dollar comparison favours the Sirion, although if one is 'brand-conscious', one might choose the T over the D.

 

Overall, a cutesy car that should serve as good point-and-squirt town car. Easy to drive, own (aka low FC), park (aka small) but prefers a more genteel type of driving style, although sport edition looks garang from outside. But hey, that is our modern society isn't it... More Looks than real, just think of the 'soft-SUVs' and you know what I mean.

 

Price wise is fairly steep for a 1.3L but the DVVT engine and high specs (eg airbags) places it a notch (a big one IMHO) above the budget buys from Korea (nothing against Koreans- am driving one currently) and first servicing is due only at 10,000km (from SE).

 

Personally might consider one except for one issue... $$$!

 

Hope that helps.

Edited May 8, 2005 by Sweeney

[Speedunlimit]

Hi

 

Are you Sweeney from HMOG If yes, may I have your comparison of Siron over our Matrix? I am seriously considering getting one but holding on due to the price. Thank you

[Sweeney]

Hi spot on Dude!

 

Be glad to give a compario between Matrix and Sirion, altho' strictly speaking, not a fair comparison lah.

 

Space-wise, Matrix wins hands down, my little squirt can sneak from front to backseat no problem, but the same cannot be done with Sirion. Lots of cubby holes as mentioned, including a 'tray' underneath the dashboard that is as wide as the dashboard, useful for knick-knacks and coupons, sunglasses etc.

 

Engine-wise, Sirion wins of course with a 1.3L power-egg that sports all the latest engine gadgets. A little correction here too, just re-read the brochure and confirm that Sirion has EBD, so Sirion has everything Matrix has, and more in this department too. Score is 1-1.

 

Interior design-wise, half fight between the 2. Sirion is more 'cheeky' and fun, with emphasis more on youthful-playfulness type of visual cues, while Matrix will only 'shock' with the center instrument binnacle, which is already yesterday's news. Colour combo also same emphasis. 2-1 to Sirion. Instruments on Sirion also Euro-type, with indicator on left stalk. Best gimmick is the tacho-meter, sure get people talking when they first come into car- but that's only gimmick lah.

 

Boot space on Sirion half-fight, with advantage to Matrix due to its sheer size. Versatility of seats also to Matrix due to fold-forward features. Sirion only has 6:4 split but has center 3-point belt unlike Matrix's lap-belt. Sirion has ability to move rear seat forward to meet back of front seat, to form a continous surface that things cannot fall onto the floor- not sure how useful this is though. I personally think this is gimmick only. There is a slightly bigger (relative to Matrix) transmission tunnel in the rear. 3-2 to Sirion.

 

Of course, consumption department no need to say. But if you approach from almost $10k difference in price between the 2, I am not sure if higher petrol consumption of Matrix over 10 years can make up the price difference. Figure quoted in brochure for Sirion is 6.4L/100km (4AT- EU combined mode). 5-2 to Sirion (2 goals here)

 

Also as new car, Daihatsu unwilling to throw in freebies, not even reverse sensor. But I did not really pursue this trend yet as I am not committing now. Perhaps I can tarek harga more when I am really serious- don't want to waste people's time lah. Euro-Sports model adds spoiler, side-skirts, fog-lamps, different grill, Nappa leather but strictly speaking, buyer paying for all this lah, as price is $3k more than the entirely similar Euro model. Matrix pulls one back to 5-3.

 

Overall, I would say that if one travels long distance but is more a 'normal' driver, the Sirion is more than sufficient to go the distance with this type of driver personality. I am considering seriously but maybe will need to strike 4D first lah, otherwise, loan will eat up whatever petrol savings there is.

 

Final score in my opinion is 5-3.

 

Hope the above helps.

Edited May 9, 2005 by Sweeney

[Speedunlimit]

Hey Sweeney

 

Thks for your in-depth feedback on both cars I think the $$$ still a deciding factor as there are alot of choices at that price range even though I like the design very much (Euro-Sports version). See whether my heart could overcome my mind

[Sweeney]

Hi Speed,

 

You're welcomed on the feedback. Agreed that $$$ is the MAIN deciding factor for me too. But I think you agree with me that Sirion is 'looker' only. But hey, that just about sums up the current car market right! All posers only, think Tucson, Sportage, RX300 etc.

 

Good luck with the heart vs. head thing. I am still struggling too!

 

ps: can I know your 'true' identity? PM me also can.

 

Sweeney

[Goodys]

just wondering about the costs of maintenance? which will costs more? Daihatsu or Matrix?

[Jhoo]

Swift is a better buy, both reviewed in onemotoring.

[Decibel]

Australia's Wheels mag May issue reviewed both cars and also conlcuded the Swift is the better car

[Sweeney]

Not sure about Sirion as it is new car. But guess is that the Sirion is cheaper as the first servicing is only due at 10,000km. This is from the SE. Pure guess only.

 

Matrix first is at 1,000km, then 6,000km (ie 5000km + 1000km) and then subsequently every 10,000 if you are using synthethic. That has been my experience. Consumables are fairly cheap.

 

Hope that helps.

[Sweeney]

Possibly, but very much depends on driver, his/her heart, driving styles etc. But tech wise no argument. But when was buying a car ever a 'technical issue'?

[Jhoo]

Very true indeed, else I wont end with a used car that doesn't even hav an agent

 

Knowing what kind of response I would get, I'd still asked around, just to convince those who think otherwise.

 

I luv my ride

[Goodys]

sure. thanks

[Chuanfeng]

Swift okay only onez la....

I think charade look better..

I see like swift not as chio as charade...

Charade GTti can eat swift GTi with eyes close.

[Jhoo]

Actually, I read and see pics in a mag onli, it could be bias. Never seen the real thing for both cars yet.

 

Charade/Swift(turbo) ?, you talking about those from the past generations is it? Sad to say they no longer built such cars now...

[Ei8hteeninch]

Excuse me, but i think they're talking about the new

swifts and sirions.

 

And honestly speaking, I think you need psychiatric help.

Edited May 13, 2005 by Ei8hteeninch

[Sweeney]

 

 

 

[Poserwoo]

anymore further comments??? went down to Marina south to see it but cant test drive...