When Daihatsu launched the Sirion about six years ago, it went off like a rocket due mostly to the $11,490 price, Japanese build and economical running.
Nobody really cared about the snail's pace performance or the ride-on-lawnmower sound of the engine.
Then the price went up and people looked elsewhere.
Sirion has been a bit like the invisible man since, even after the appearance of a sporty GTVi model.
But the diminutive Daihatsu should hold appeal for certain buyers, mainly city dwellers and those not concerned with performance or handling.
The Sirion we drove last week was a four speed auto and while it could cope on the freeway and willingly cruise at the legal limit, it is much more at home as a city run-about.
The really good thing is it has five doors so there is no need to put up with a three door econobox if you are buying in this end of the market.
Sometime during the past couple of years, Sirion received a makeover – a face lift and heart transplant giving it a more contemporary look and a little bit more zing under the bonnet.
It still looks like a rice bubble on wheels, a style that was pioneered years ago by Mazda's 121 bubble and copied by plenty.
It scored some crash protection goodies like two front airbags and the chassis is designed with requisite crash structures.
The engine is a 1.0-litre, three cylinder, twin cam, 12 valve unit with 40kw/88Nm output. While on paper it doesn't look like much, the reality is Sirion goes pretty well. It weighs 800kg.
Equipment is good offering just about all you will need for a comfortable ride including power front windows and mirrors and multiple front seat adjust- ments. The seats are flat providing minimal lateral support, which you shouldn't need anyway.
The interior is airy but features too much hard, grey plastic.
Air conditioning is optional which would push the price of this little puppy to over $17,000 on the road – a big sting for a little auto with air and no tacho.
But on the positive side, it is easy to live with, and drive, super economical at around 6.0l/100km and a breeze to park due to power steering and compact dimensions.
Daihatsu has a reputation for long lived engines and transmissions regardless of their capacity.
The interior is roomy with plenty of headroom and the boot is a decent size.
The lack of central locking of any kind is an issue as it can be considered a safety feature rather than a luxury.
The sound system is OK, and the cabin is comfy on a trip though the engine is raucous and the the gear changes hardly smooth. Fits in the garage with heaps to spare at both ends.
