Perodua Myvi (2006 - To Date) : PERODUA REWRITES THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS
Friday May 23
Models Covered: 5dr supermini, 1.3-litre [EZi, SXi]
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Think Perodua and youll probably think of rather crude, outdated cars that are cheap to buy but come with a sting in the tail in the form of fierce depreciation. That used to be the case but the Malaysian company appears to be turning things around, the Myvi being the first of their wares to approach European standards of design and modernity. With most used car buyers not cottoning onto this fact, this makes it a smart pick second time round.
First impressions are almost entirely favourable. Yes, you can detect a vaguely petrochemical whiff when you got into the Myvi but the interior is very nicely finished for a car in this class. A few exposed screw heads are apparent in the door trims but the fascia looks contemporary and smart, finished as it is in silver contrasting with black and the Myvi is better equipped than most city scoots. One of my pet hates that often afflicts budget cars is the aftermarket stereo system.
What you end up with is often a budget stereo with buttons so small youd need a magnifying glass and a stylus to operate them. Even worse are those with dancing graphics. I once drove a car with a head unit that drove me to distraction with what looked to be mating dolphins and no matter what I tried, wouldnt switch off. The Myvi is a welcome change to this odious trend, with an inbuilt strip display and simple, big buttons that even a Luddite like me can operate easily.
Silver finishes on the steering wheel and the door handles also lift the interiors visual appeal, while textured plastics on the wheel and the dash render a more upmarket feel. The exterior styling isnt too shabby either and there are some features youd expect to find on cars at least two classes above. Mercedes-style indicators incorporated into the door mirrors are certainly not standard city car fare. Likewise, you might take LED tail lights for granted if youve bought a BMW 3 Series but finding them on a Malaysian budget car is a little eyebrow raising.
The way the headlamps and the bumper assemblies have been contoured into the panel fit is also not something youd instantly associate with lowest common denominator motoring. The standard equipment list also includes power steering, anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, air-conditioning, remote central locking, an immobiliser alarm system and front and rear electric windows.
Prices start at around £5,200 for the first of the 56 plated Myvi 1.3 SXi models. The 1.3 WZi automatic is a rarer thing but well worth seeking out if you spend a lot of your time in city traffic.
This starts at around £6,000, again on the 56 plate. Insurance for the Myvi is very inexpensive with both models rated at Group 6. Because of the limited used stock, you may well have to either wait or travel to get hold of a specific Myvi if youre insistent on trim, colour, mileage and condition.
This car will in all likelihood have spent some time transporting children, so check the cabin for rips, stains and other damage wreaked by small hands. The Myvi was designed for city driving, so check the exterior for knocks and scrapes, and check under the bonnet for accident damage or paint overspray. With 6000-mile service intervals, they also need a little more TLC than many more modern designs. Otherwise, the usual reminder to obtain a service history applies.
(Estimated prices, based on a Myvi EZi) An air filter is around £16 and a fuel filter retails at round £11. An oil filter is £7 and spark plugs are about £7. A timing belt is around £38, whilst front brake pads are around £45 a pair. A distributor cap retails at around £45.
Turn the key and the surprises keep coming. The ride is excellent. The way the suspension soaks up minor imperfections coupled with the nicely oiled feel of the steering system gives the Myvi an expensive feel. Id go as far as to stick my neck out and say it rides more serenely than an Audi A4.
The 1.3-litre engine features Dynamic Variable Valve Timing which helps to maximise both low end torque and top end power while keeping combustion as efficient as possible. Double overhead cams and electronic fuel injection also help to give the Perodua a little pep although its unlikely youd plump for the Myvi if youre looking for the sharpest steer in this sector. Wed still recommend you keep saving for a Ford Ka in that instance but the Myvi is nevertheless a decent handler.
The City Course at the Millbrook proving ground we used for our test aims to replicate the typical driving environment youd find in any urban area. Its littered with tight turns to show how the car jinks in and out of traffic and around obstacles, there are many stop and reverse features and nowhere can you attain much more than 30mph, even with the heaviest right boot. In other words its a very good test of the real thing. There are even surfaces that mirror typically pot-hole speckled city streets and also a fearsome array of sleeping policemen to punish the suspension with.
In lieu of testing it in the urban sprawl and crawl, this is the next best thing and the Myvi coped with the tests admirably. There was a slight clanging from the rear suspension when subjected to rather brutal treatment over the biggest speed hump, but this sort of driving tends to be reserved for motoring writers, joyriders and paramedics, none of whom would represent the Myvis target clientele. The gearbox doesnt appreciate being rushed into reverse gear but aside from that, the report card is favourable. The steering rack is adequately quick, front end grip is up to snuff and engine refinement is very good.
All round visibility and access to the rear seats is also excellent.
The Perodua Myvi is, on the quiet, one of the smarter used car buys around. Its based on the Daihatsu Sirion, a car that has attracted some seriously good reviews. Strip away the Daihatsu brand equity and youre left with a car with the same talents but which has no real public awareness and which can be picked up for a fraction of the price of an equivalent Sirion. If youre looking for a modern city car and dont want to get taken to the cleaners by the big car manufacturers, heres an alternative.
HELP - Thief swipes car after asking for test drive (SIMES 0212) 
