"Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder" (pabuuu4)
12/29/2015 at 22:00 • Filed to: Daihatsu, Cuore, review
6
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"Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder" (pabuuu4)
12/29/2015 at 22:00 • Filed to: Daihatsu, Cuore, review | 6
| 4 |
The Daihatsu Cuore, a common sight in many European and Asian countries. Cheap, reliable and practical. What’s not to like?
( Full disclosure : Daihatsu wanted me to drive this car so bad that they sold this car to someone in 2007 so that he would trade it in at a Subaru dealership 8 years later , where we would recieve this car as a loaner for the day while my fathers Forester was in the shop)
Exterior: 6/10
The Cuore was never made to be a real looker, and it has not changed with this model. Not that it looks bad, but it is just nothing interesting. It looks bland. But, even though this car is from 2007, its looks could pass for a new car. I thought it was a newer model at first.
With this model Daihatsu moved away from the boxyness of the previous model, wich gives it a more friendly face.
Interior: 6/10
Even before I drove it, I didn’t expect much from the interior of a car wich primary goal is to be cheap, practical transport. With an emphasis on ‘cheap’.
The seats were uncomfortable even for the short distances we drove, and are in a weird upright position. The dashboard is made of the hardest and most durable plastic I have seen in a car interior, and the dashboard has a very user friendly layout and is not overly complicated. It does score major points in how roomy it is. Everyone, even in the back, can sit relatively comfortable, and have enough legroom. The visibility is great, almost no dead spots.
There is not any attempt at styling visible in the interior, its just not made to be a place to enjoy or to make long drives in.
Performance 7/10
Do not underestimate this seemingly wheezy 1 liter engine with 69 horsepower. It is actually pretty quick and peppy, espescially in the lower gears (0-80 kmph) wich suprised us. Anything above that, takes some time.
we did take it on the highway, were we took it up to 140 kmph (87 mph) and considering what car it is, it did it very well.
One thing that really stood out to me was the sporty/raspy noise the engine made. Reminds me a lot of the Toyota Aygo.
12v? More like v12 amirite...
Ride 4/10
Around town, at lower speeds, there is nothing to complain about. It is quite firm, but appropriate. But at highway speeds, THIS IS THE SCARIEST CAR IVE DRIVEN. the car constantly pulled either right or left, and the car was literally moved by the wind. I had to be constantly aware if a big car was overtaking me, because I would be pulled in their direction as they passed me. The steering at high speeds was very vague, and any move you made behind the wheel would either be ignored by the car or it would be responded to way too fast.
Handling 8/10
Back roads, that is where this car is actually fun and since this car handled and drives like a go-kart, it was much fun throwing it around some tight country roads, body roll and the tiny wheels made this a very fun ride. so it scored some points there.
Gearbox: 6/10
Took some getting used to. It was like a switch, either the pedal was fully in, or fully out. you really have to use your smallest toe if you dont want the car to jump forward.
Otherwise, the 5 speed shifts quickly and smoothly, so no complaints.
Toys: 3/10
It has airconditioning. oh, a radio with CD player too.
Thats it. yes, this is the ‘Premium’ model.
Audio - 5/10
Adequate. it does get raspy when you turn it up too much. I don’t know if there are actually some speakers in the back, but in the front it was great at lower speeds. I enjoyed the engine noise more.
Braking 7/10
Very tight, due to the light weight of this car, it can stop in an instant.
Value: 9.5/10
This is where this car really shines. A 2007 car with 110k km for 4000 euros, wich is negiotiable? Thats some good value. It is a 1st owner car, so no suprises.
For a reasonably comfortable, reliable, 4 door box on wheels I would say this is a very good and safe choice.
Total: 61.5 / 100
Cheap and bland does not have to mean boring. While nothing specialm it does what its supposed to do without complaints. This car is versatile. It can be used by a 80 year old creeping in the slow lane, or you can go left lane cruising at 140 kmh if you want. It keeps up in traffic, even on the highway.
Being cheap transport is its major selling point, and it shows. These cars are a common sight, and I can’t blame the people that drive them. I must say, I expected much less of this car when I first saw what we were going to be driving this car, but it really did suprised me.
What do you think Oppo?
Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
> Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/29/2015 at 22:08 |
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I kinda want one.
Shoop
> Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/29/2015 at 22:20 |
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I love these cars, then I think about how it would do in a crash vs my 4 ton pickup, and shudder.
Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
> Shoop
12/30/2015 at 00:06 |
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I’d still rather crash in one of these than have a crash on any motorcycle.
CALUSA
> Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/30/2015 at 04:49 |
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And the grannies like those as well.