Daihatsu Terios (1997 - 2006) : FOUR BY FOUR BY HALF

Friday October 20

Models Covered: 5dr 4x4, 1.3 petrol [Base, +, SE]

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

How much road space do one adult and two kids need on the school run? The Renault Espace takes up 81.8 square metres and a Land Rover Discovery 103.1m. A used Daihatsu Terios will cast a shadow over only 60.

1, the same as Toyotas baby Yaris. How can a proper 4x4 look this funky, be so manoeuvrable and yet so inexpensive? Its part of Daihatsus aim to target buyers in the family hatchback market and offer them something completely different. The 4x4 fashion market is still growing hugely, and the Terios has been one of a number of small 4x4s such as the Suzuki Jimny, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin that have aimed to reap a share of it. The idea has been to steal sales from warm hatches, mini MPVs and also from sectors where buyers were purchasing utility they didnt need.

Part of the appeal is low pricing, and in the used arena this usually means nearly new cars at bargain prices. In this respect the Terios doesnt disappoint. Interested? Heres the background on Daihatsus baby.

You may have noticed the terms lifestyle, sports activity and 4x4 being used a fair amount when discussing the Terios. One term noticeable by its absence is off-roader. As you may have guessed, the Terios doesnt make a convincing case for itself as a rugged mud-plugger. The drivers handbook makes this abundantly clear, threatening all kinds of bodily injury should the vehicle be driven inappropriately.

As this includes most heavy off road work, it is perhaps not surprising that the Terios isnt fitted with a low range gearbox. There is a differential lock that will enable exit from muddy fields, but thats about the extent of the Terios off road remit. As you would expect from a vehicle taking up less road space than a Toyota Yaris, the Terios is, as eighties estate agents once crowed, compact and bijou. Its narrowness only 1715 mm makes seating four people a task best reserved for intimate friends.

Theres a fair amount of standard equipment considering the price. A driver's airbag, power steering, central locking, an engine immobiliser, tinted glass and a Pioneer audio system all come as standard. The Terios + adds air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, a passenger airbag, alloy wheels, electric front windows and mirrors, plus stylish roof rails. All this plus the three-year unlimited mileage warranty that's standard on all Daihatsu models and which can be transferred to the new owner.

Daihatsu have a bit of form here. Early Terios owners were left crying into their sake when Daihatsu slashed the price of the Terios in 1998 and they did it again in 2003, with damaging results to residuals for existing owners. Still, their loss is our gain. When the new prices took a dip, used values headed south as well.

The Terios seems to have been unable to retain a great deal of value in the used arena and as such makes a bargain buy. How does £2,400 sound for a 1997 R plate Terios? Itll cost about £300 more with an auto box, but thats still incredible value for a modern lifestyle 4x4 thatll turn heads with its cheeky looks. A Terios+ model of similar vintage will start at £2,700, again with automatic variants retailing at £300 extra. In order to get the limited edition LE trim level, another £150-£200 will have to be budgeted for.

Prices for the later SL models with the Yaris 1.3-litre engine start at around £4,100 on a 2000 X plate. These SL variants fall into insurance group 7, the remainder of the Terios range being rated at group 7.

The Terios is a lightweight but hardy little beast, and no known faults have yet emerged. Should the previous keeper have decided that off-roading a Terios seemed a good idea, then do check the underbody for signs of damage. Concentrate on the suspension, exhaust and chassis, and make sure the steering and differential are still serviceable. Of course, most Terios will have led a more tranquil existence, though as with any car that may have been used to transport small children, check for rips and stains on the upholstery and damage to interior fittings.

Otherwise, the usual reminder to obtain a service history applies.

(Estimated prices, based on a Terios) Nothing too terrifying when it comes to parts prices. A full clutch assembly will retail in the region of £130, and front brake pads will set you back around £45. A new Terios radiator will be £130, and a dead alternator will require £260 to replace. A new starter motor will be around £220.

A word of advice when it comes to motorways. Dont. The Terios will be screeching like the backing track to a Black Sabbath album and expansion joints will make the little 4x4 bounce, the steering wheel kicking about in the hands. No, the best environment for a Terios is in the urban jungle, where its compact dimensions and low gearing allow it to zip through gaps and into parking spaces that would send most 4x4 owners round the block to look again.

On bumpy country lanes the Terios can induce the temptation to purchase an orthopaedic neck brace, but comes into its own when taking care of a light weekly shop or running the kids short distances to school. Its in these scenarios that thoughtful practical touches like the side-opening rear tailgate and underfloor compartments make a lot of sense.

As long as you are aware of its limitations, and there are quite a few, a Terios makes an inexpensive, stylish purchase. Unless your vehicle use is limited purely to short, urban hops, then the Terios is best purchased either as a second vehicle or not at all. Having said that, its a well constructed, thoughtfully designed little car which is great fun if used for its design purpose.