Plus with Minuses
by Jim Currie (31 Dec)

Japanese cars are roughly divided into two distinct groups. There are the solid machines from Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi - cars with a deserved reputation for build quality which at its best is a match for Mercedes or BMW.

Then there are the second division tintops, like the Daihatsu Sirion. It isn't any less reliable than the mainstreamers, but just slam that driver's door and listen to the echo. We're talking minimalist soundproofing here.

Which is a pity, because the Sirion does have some appealing features, not least its ability to run for over 50 miles on each gallon of Gordon Brown's liquid gold. That's its ace in the hole as British motorists edge towards the point where every month we will have to save our cash for three weeks to run a car for the final seven days.

The little supermini also has looks that will entrance some and repel others. In its top specification + form it wears the widest chrome grin seen since the Ford Fairlane, a sweep of bright metal that starts up front and sweeps round the flanks, ending just under the door locks.

Nice, but expensive. This piece of shaped trim, plus a few other interior refinements, adds £1500 to the cost of the Plus over the Minus, which doesn't make any sort of sense.

Driving the Sirion is a pleasant enough experience, despite a booming three-pot engine and the aforementioned lack of sound insulation. You won't get many speeding tickets either, as even a spirited shove on the throttle will mean waiting for almost 15 seconds before you hit 60 mph, and there is only another 28 mph in the bank after that.

But the interior is roomy and uncluttered (I mean not much kit) and the car will comfortably deal with two adults up front and an assortment of children in the rear. Luggage space is reasonable for a supermini, but forget about those self-assembly furniture flat packs unless you carry out some radical furniture shifting beforehand.

The Sirion is the type of car you might choose if you want to be the only person in the street to own one. Other than that, it's difficult to recommend it.

Price: £9595
Engine capacity: 989cc
Power: 53bhp
Maximum speed: 88mph
0-60mph: 14.9 seconds
Economy: 58.8mpg extra urban, 51.4mpg combined
Insurance: Group 5
Daihatsu figures.

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