1997 Daihatsu Move Reviews

The 57-year-old Brisbane car salesman has been selling Hyundais, Daihatsus, Daewoos and Toyotas most of his adult life, so it makes sense that he would be a fan of Japanese models. He now has three in various stages of restoration, including a rare 1969 Diahatsu Compagno Spider that is one of only three in Australia.He bought his first car, a 1966 Honda S600 convertible, when he was 18 living in Essendon, Melbourne."It had four carbies and a twin cam motor," he enthuses. "It was like a racing engine. What a great little car. "When you put it in fourth gear at 60mph (96.5km/h) it was doing 6000 revs, at 70mph (112.5km/h) it was 7000 revs. So gauges were the same. I got it up to 10,500 revs once on the freeway which was, of course, the wrong thing to do. But it used to really scream along."Wallis and his brother, Geoff, both owned S600 Hondas."We've always loved Japanese sports cars because they were made much better," he says. "Back then people were getting around in HR Holdens which were so agricultural by comparison. They had push-rod engines, not overhead cams like the Honda. For a little car they went pretty good and were far ahead of their time. The Japanese just copied and refined all the British cars of the time."In 1974 Wallis moved to Queensland and sold his Honda to buy a Toyota Celica."I couldn't buy a new one because there was a six-month wait," he says. "They were $3800 new and I bought a 12-month-old one for $3300. I had it for five years, but then I needed a bigger car when our second child was born so I bought a Toyota Crown."You can see a pattern developing. Fast forward past myriad Japanese cars to 2000 when Wallis was selling Daihatsus and Daewoos."I saw this Daihatsu Compagno Spider advertised for sale in the paper and asked the guys at work what it was," he says. "No one knew. Then I saw a brochure for a Charade and on the back cover was a pic of it. They were brought in by a Daihatsu dealer and there were only three in Australia; one in Tasmania, one in Victoria and here. I like it because it's unique."Wallis admits that while he admires the technology of Japanese engines, it was the low-tech appeal of the Spider that got his attention."The trouble with Hondas was that because they were so hi-tech when they got to 75,000 miles (120,700km) you had to rebuild them," he says. "What I liked about the Daihatsu was that under bonnet it looked just like a Datsun 1200 motor. I like hi-tech, but I don't like the expense."The Spider is powered by a one-litre, push-rod, four-cylinder engine with a single twin-throat carby and linked to a four-speed gearbox."It drives extremely well for its age," he says. "I've done all the mechanical work, had the leaf springs re-tempered, new shock absorbers, brakes, done all the body, etc. But it looks a little bit sad in the paint. The guy I bought it off painted it metallic blue. They didn't have metallics in the '60s. I want to get it painted in an original colour some time. I see people who do these projects who pull them apart and never put them together. I don't want to do that; I want to enjoy my car."His Spider is on full rego and he drives it most Sundays. He has also recently bought a 1970 Honda 1300 coupe which has a four-carby air-cooled engine with a dry sump. He paid $2500 for it and in a few weeks plans to have it up and running. He's also bought another 1966 Honda S600 convertible just like his first car."That's my long-term retirement project when I'm 65," he says. He has joined the Classic Japanese Car Club formed in the past few months by likeminded Japanese car fans. "There are only 20 members, but our numbers are growing," he says. "If I'd joined the Daihatsu Compagno Spider club there would only be three of us in the club."

In this day and age when fuel economy is such a hot issue the Daihatsu Sirion looms as a real contender for anyone wanting cheap and reliable transport. The Sirion was never one of the hot sellers in the small car segment, it tended to fly under the radar, but those who took more notice found it was a well built and well equipped little car that delivered on its promise of reliability and fuel efficiency.MODEL WATCHThe Sirion’s looks are a matter of taste, and opinion was certainly divided when it was launched in 1998.Its overall shape was rounded and rather dumpy, not at all sleek or svelte like its rivals at the time. It had large headlamps that gave it a boggle-eyed look, a large oval grille, and an odd offset licence plate.The use of chrome was also somewhat at odds with the look of the day, which was rather more sombre with body-coloured bumpers and the like when the little Daihatsu made use of bright chrome finishes.But at the end of the day styling is a matter of individual taste and there is little doubt that some will think the Sirion cute and cuddly.Looks aside there was plenty to like about the five-door Sirion hatch. An offshoot of Toyota there was no disputing the build integrity of Daihatsu, even though it was a budget brand.Let’s be honest, the Sirion was never intended to be a family car, at best it was a car for singles or couples without kids who only needed the back seat for their dog or occasionally transporting friends. That’s not a criticism, simply an acknowledgement that the Sirion is indeed a small car.It was small by all measures, but still had reasonable head and legroom considering its small overall size. The boot was also quite a good size, largely because Daihatsu used a space-saver spare wheel.The engine was a tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder double overhead camshaft fuel-injected unit that turned out a modest power peak of 40 kW at 5200 revs with a mere 88 Nm at 3600 revs.You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that it didn’t have sports car-like performance, but that’s not what it was about. On the road you had to work hard to keep up with the pack, particularly if it was loaded with a full complement of adults, and that meant constant use of the gearbox. It struggled when faced with a hill, and overtaking required planning and patience, but if you were prepared to let the pack go you could enjoy a more leisurely drive and save fuel at the same time.At launch the front-wheel drive Sirion was only available with a five-speed manual gearbox, the four-speed auto wasn’t added to the range until 2000, but that only served to accentuate the Sirion’s performance limitations.While not being sports car sharp the Sirion’s ride and handling were quite acceptable. It had a small turning circle, which made it very manoeuvrable around town and in parking lots, but it didn’t have power steering and that made the steering quite heavy.Despite its modest price the Sirion was quite well equipped. Included on the standard features list were central locking, power mirrors and windows and a split-fold rear seat. Anti-skid brakes and air-conditioning were options.Fuel consumption was one of the Sirion’s most attractive features and it was possible to get 5-6 L/100 km on average when driven around town.Before rushing in it’s important to remember that Daihatsu left the market early in 2006 making the Sirion something of an orphan, although Toyota has made a commitment to provide ongoing support with parts and service.IN THE SHOPSolid build quality means there are few problems showing up with the Sirion so it’s vital to check each car thoroughly. Despite the lack of common problems individual cars can have problems and these need to be identified.The trade reports the odd instance of engine and gearbox oil leaks, and cooling system leaks, the latter possibly caused by a lack of maintenance.It’s important to use the correct coolant in the system, and to follow Daihatsu’s recommendation for changing it. Unfortunately it is often overlooked and this can lead to problems.Look for signs of abuse inside and out from an uncaring owner, and check for crash damage.IN A CRASHDual frontal airbags provide pretty decent crash protection for a small car.Anti-skid brakes were an option so it would be wise to look for one fitted with them to enhance the active safety package.LOOK FOR• Quirky styling• Reasonably roomy interior• Good boot size• Modest performance• Brilliant fuel economy• Few mechanical problemsTHE BOTTOM LINESmall in stature, sedate in performance, the Sirion is a winner at the pump.RATING80/100

Toyota’s decision to pull Daihatsu from its showrooms didn’t come as a great surprise to anyone who saw the brand’s presence declining over the last few years. Where once the Charade was a popular small car choice that offered good reliable motoring at a value-for-money price, neglect allowed it to slip into decline as other small cars moved ahead. As it slipped so too did it drop off buyers radar, which can only have hastened the end.For many years the Charade was a solid little car that delivered Japanese quality at a price a touch under that of similar models in the mainstream Toyota model range.It was never a car that stood out from the crowd, but that was its great appeal for many who simply wanted no-fuss, reliable transport at an affordable price.Once the Korean makes had cut a swathe through the bottom end of our market Daihatsu was doomed. Instead of the cheap and cheerful little car it was then undercut by the cars from the Korean peninsula and didn’t have the gloss to run with the more expensive Japanese models it was by then really competing with.MODEL WATCHFor many years the Charade was just kept alive with a series of minor facelifts, a different grille here, new bumpers there and a shuffled model range was enough to make you think there really was something new.For the most part it was just window dressing, it was the same old Charade tarted up to keep sales ticking over without necessarily doing anything special.Then in 2000 Daihatsu actually dropped the name from its range. It had become tired through lack of action, and the company introduced new names and models aimed at competing with the runaway Koreans.When nothing really seemed to work the company rebirthed the old name in 2003 on an attractively styled little hatch, but it was probably too little too late to save the brand from oblivion.There was just the one model, a well-equipped three-door hatch which boasted dual front airbags along with seat belt pretensioners and force limiters, central locking, immobiliser, power mirrors and front windows, cloth trim, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, CD player. Air-conditioning and metallic paint covered the available options.Up front the Charade packed a pint-sized 40 kW punch in the form of a 1.0-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, but when it only has to move 700 kg it was sufficient to make it zippy. In other words it was perfect around town where it not only nipped in and out of the traffic with ease, but returned decent fuel consumption.Daihatsu offered a choice of transmissions, the five-speed manual or the four-speed auto, and drive was through the front wheels.Being of an upright stance visibility from the driver’s seat was good, the driving position, although also quite upright, was comfortable and everything was placed well within the driver’s reach.IN THE SHOPThe Charade was well built and as a result gives little trouble. It’s only just two years old and most cars will have done as little as 40,000 km so they’re in their infancy and any problems they might have still lie in the future.The engine has a cam timing belt, which means a change around 100,000 km is called for and this must be done to avoid what could well be expensive trouble in the event of a belt breakage.Check for a service record, essentially to make sure the car has been regularly serviced as the Charade is often bought as a cheap and cheerful mode of transport and some owners neglect to service them in order to save money.Look also for bumps and scrapes, and stained paint, from being parked in the street where they can be attacked by other careless motorists and the elements.When test driving make sure it drives straight ahead and doesn’t require constant steering correction to keep it on the straight and narrow. If it does it could be due to poor repairs after a crash.Also make sure the engine starts readily and runs smoothly without hesitation, and the auto engages gears without snatching or jerking and shifts smoothly without hesitation.IN A CRASHThe Charade’s small stature puts it at a distinct disadvantage in the event of a crash as almost everything else on the road is larger. But its size gives it an advantage when it comes to avoiding a crash, although it doesn’t have ABS, which would be a boon in getting out of trouble.Dual front airbags are standard so protection is quite reasonable when it comes to the crunch.OWNERS SAYPerren Mortimer needed a new car when her old Datsun 260C died for the final time. Her requirements were that it had to be affordable, economical, well equipped and able to swallow her keyboard. After looking at and dismissing other small car alternatives she settled on her Charade.“I love it,” she says. “It’s really cheap to run and roomy enough for four people, and it’s also got lots of features like air-conditioning, CD sound and power mirrors.”LOOK FOR• edgy hatchback styling• small size easy to park• good build quality• miserly fuel consumption• zippy performance• sliding resale valueTHE BOTTOM LINEGood build quality equates to good reliability and combined with its economy makes the Charade a good choice for a first car.RATING65/100

In fact we don't deserve any decent car. As a nation we deserve nothing more than the Daihatsu Sirion.That snoresome 1.0-litre device should be reactivated for a nation of inept milksops who have lamely allowed government to treat them like revenue raising milch cows. Nor, on the whole, can Australians – to use the indelible expression of a certain V8 supercar pilot and trainer of advanced road techniques – “drive a greasy stick up a dead dog’s arse”.Spending several days in Sicily to drive this latest example of Marinello magnificence and a few more around Modena in Italy’s north messing about in Maseratis has served to reinforce two things: such pedigree beasts are completely wasted in our country; and how rubbish we’ve become.“The police are aware of our presence and there is a speed limit here,” a Fazza official reminded us. “We would say only to drive safely and be conscious of the conditions.”But while the driving conditions in Sicily are as ordinary as in most Australian states, the locals can and do drive safely on the open road at a rate that would cause the sanctimonious twerps who bill themselves as safety experts in this country to have a fit of vapours. The bureaucrats listened to by government here wouldn’t last a minutes over there.That’s not to say it’s a free-for-all. Due caution is taken in urban areas and as the occasion demands. It helps that Europeans are taught to drive. They learn all sorts of useful things, such as that blocking the fast lane is actually pretty moronic.Having had to do more to get a license than fill out a form, pay a fee and demonstrate the ability to reverse park enhances life on the road more than anyone who has had the misfortune of knowing only Australian driving could understand.Another refreshing contrast, especially in Italy, is that the sight of something a bit special on the road occasions not middle digits raised and barked abuse, but unfettered joy. There’s a mutual respect among road users.By dismal contrast we’ve accepted a state of affairs in which we can drive legally at a rate that’s slower than in Dad’s day, despite cars that, while faster, are incomparably safer.We meekly accept without a word of protest fixed speed cameras despite overwhelming evidence that these do absolutely nothing to contain the road toll and the sure knowledge that they raise hundreds of millions of dollars. And then we obediently vote the very same crowd back in.  Perhaps worse than being such authority worshipping jellyfish, few of us take responsibility for ourselves and those who drive with us by seeking the expert tuition that driving any sort of vehicle by definition requires. We don’t hafta so we’re not gunna.Actually, even the Sirion is too good for us.  

In this land of cheap petrol, ample streets and voluminous car parks, we have generally regarded cars in this class as simply being too small for our needs.Yet a few inner city dwellers have seen the advantages in owning cars that can be squeezed into tiny parking spots and which are frugal to run.The company withdrew from the Australian market in March 2006 with servicing of Daihatsu models now being handled by its parent company, Toyota.Mira, Centro and Cuore are among the best of Daihatsu's mini cars and they have enjoyed a certain degree of success in Australia, mainly because of the company's excellent reputation for building reliable vehicles, with the larger Charade and Applause having won many admirers over the years.The Mira was launched in Australia as a car in December 1992, though it had been here in van form for a couple of years before then. Mira vans were sold throughout the vehicle's life. The Mira van came with an 850cc carburettored engine and a four-speed manual gearbox.Daihatsu Centro, introduced to Australia in March 1995, should correctly be called the Charade Centro even though it has nothing of any significance in common with its bigger brother, the “proper” Daihatsu Charade.The duplication of the names was done as a marketing move to try to cash in on the reputation of the Charade. Australian buyers being a well-educated bunch didn't fall for the stunt and Centro didn't sell well, quietly disappearing from our market late in 1997.These last cars will have a 1997 build plate, so be wary of the sales guy who insists it's a 1998 if it was first registered in that year.As with the Mira, a few Centros also reached us in van form. Beware of vans that have had windows and a back seat added to try and pretend they are cars; they could have had an ultra-tough life as knockabout delivery vehicles. True Mira and Centro cars are either three or five-door hatchbacks.The final version of the Daihatsu mini car was the Cuore. It went on sale in July 2000 and, after struggling on for a little over three years, imports ceased in September 2003.Interior space in all three models is surprisingly good in the front, but the back seat is pretty cramped for adults. Boot space is fairly small, but can be increased substantially by folding the seatback down.Ride comfort and general levels of noise are not good, though Centro is noticeably better than the older Mira. They are not too tiring around town when you are only spending moderate lengths of time at the wheel.These little Daihatsus are not really suited to long distance Aussie country trips; as you have to work their little engines hard to keep them moving up hill and down dale. In a pinch they can run at 100 to 110 km/h on the flat bits but the hills really do knock them around. Be very aware that the car may have been driven too hard to the extent that it's worn out before its time. Under the bonnetPower for the Mira and Centro comes from a three-cylinder, fuel-injected engine of just 660cc. Low gearing and light weight means it gives more performance than you might expect, but you do have to work at the gearbox to get decent acceleration in undulating territory. The Cuore, introduced here in July 2000, has a bigger engine, a three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit. It's more suited to country driving than its predecessors but still struggles at times.The manual box is a nice little five-speed unit but the automatic transmission only comes with three ratios and can be pretty buzzy if the going is fast. 

While a rose by any other name is supposed to smell as sweet, there's a whiff of weird to some of the bizarre car names manufacturers dream up.The Mum 500 is far from being the only example of what an obviously fevered marketing brain thinks might be an attractive label.Joining it in the cheery Mitsubishi family was the Chariot Happy, while Suzuki has also dipped into the smiley juice with the Every Joy Pop Turbo. Honda launched a Joy Machine and Toyota had the Estima Lucida G Luxury Joyful Canopy.Was it an after-effect of the ubiquitous smiley symbol? Or could a hint to what was in the water cooler at the time be found in the hippie-flavoured Mitsubishi Mini Active Urban Sandal?Human body parts have also been an inspiration and an indiscretion. There was the innocuous Nissan Big Thumb and Ford Synus and Daihatsu's revealing Naked.Mitsubishi's blunder with Pajero (Spanish for err, self-pleasure) was matched by Honda's Fitta and Opel's Ascona, words for female genitalia in Swedish and Spanish.Spanish also offered pitfalls for Mazda's La Puta, translated as “the prostitute”, while Toyota's Fiera was “hideous old crone”.The light commercial segment also tried to enhance a vehicle's utilitarian base with an expressive name. You can understand the thinking behind Mazda Bongo Brawny and perhaps even Bongo Friendee and Mitsubishi Canter Guts. But Isuzu takes it to peculiar extremes with the Giga 20 Light Dump.But no matter what language you try to translate them into, others are simply incomprehensible and illogical, like the Suzuki Van Van. 

Looking for a safe used car? Think German. The 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings suggest that German-designed cars are among the best choices.Volkswagen's Golf and Bora, Holden's German-sourced Astra TS and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class all rated well for occupant protection and safety for other road-users.With improvements to occupant safety, coupled with reduced risk to other road-users, smaller cars have replaced large family cars as the pick of the litter.In previous years the BMW 3 Series and the family-friendly Holden Commodores and Ford Falcon have been the star performers.This year the researchers highlighted the Golf, Bora, Astra TS, C-Class, Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord.The ratings show that if you make the wrong choice of used car, you could be up to 26 times more likely to be killed or seriously hurt in an accident.The research, by Monash University with the RACV, TAC and VicRoads, shows a staggering difference between used cars.As new-car safety has improved, it has widened the gap between the safest cars on the road and the most dangerous.The latest data shows that a Daihatsu Hi-Jet made from 1982-1990 is 26 times more likely to leave occupants dead or seriously injured than a Volkswagen Passat built from 1998-2005.Two criteria were used: crashworthiness, which is the car's ability to keep its occupants safe; and aggressiveness, which is the likelihood of injury or death to unprotected road-users.TAC senior manager of road safety David Healy says the ratings will play a crucial role in reducing the road toll.“It's going to make a huge difference” Healy says. “We know that by producing safer vehicles we can reduce the road toll by up to a third."“It is another piece of the jigsaw puzzle fitting into place. We now have reliable information on 279 second-hand models on the Australian market."“That means we have real-world data to tell the consumer the car to buy that's safer in a crash as well as safer for other road-users involved in the crash.”Of the 279 models covered by the study, 48 were rated “significantly worse than average” for crashworthiness. Another 29 were rated “worse than average”.On the flip side, 38 models performed “significantly better than average”. Another 48 recorded “better than average”.It means plenty of safe models are available. You just have to pick the right one.Australian New Car Assessment Program chairman Ross McArthur: says: “That, for me, is an important bit of information.“People need to know that picking a car that meets the minimum standard is not enough. You have to be more careful.”Buying a used car often means there are budget considerations, but that shouldn't rule out safety.McArthur says the study highlights affordable models and consumer should arm themselves with that knowledge.“You can get safe cars that are cheaper, and more expensive cars that don't perform as well,” McArthur says. “The key is to be selective. Look around. Don't make the decision on the first vehicle you see.”And don't always trust used-car salesmen.“You need to be properly informed. If you are informed, you are in a much better position to make a decision.”Small cars such as the well-performing 1994-2001 model Peugeot 306 start at $7000.Family cars such as the Holden Commodore VT-VX and Ford Falcon AU also score well and start at reasonable prices.The study clearly shows advances in car safety, with newer models being progressively better.For example, the Holden Commodore VN-VP series received a “worse than average” crashworthiness rating; the later VT-VZ range scored “significantly better than average”.With stricter safety standards and improved crash-test ratings, McArthur is looking forward to a time when all cars are as safe as they can be.Until then the Used Car Safety Ratings is a crucial tool to protect drivers.“I hope we get to the point where every car is a five-star rated car,” McArthur says.“But as a general rule, the newer the car, the better it performs."“But that's not always the case, so you need to look at the Used Car Safety Ratings.” The hit listHow the cars performed in both criteria - crashworthiness (occupant protection) and aggressiveness (risk to pedestrians). Best performersVolkswagen Golf (1999-2004, below)Volkswagen Passat (1999-05)Holden Astra TS (1998-05)Toyota Corolla (1998-01)Honda Accord (1991-93)Mercedes C-Class (1995-00)Peugeot 405 (1989-97) Worst performersMitsubishi Cordia (1983-87)Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-88)Mitsubishi Starwagon/Delica (1983-93/1987-93)Toyota Tarago (1983-89)Toyota Hiace/Liteace (1982-95) Crash course in car safetySmall carsBest performersVolkswagen Golf (1994-2004)Volkswagen Bora (1999-04)Peugeot 306 (1994-01)Toyota Corolla (1998-01)Holden Astra TS (1998-05, below) Worst performersVolkswagen Golf (1982-94)Toyota MR2 (1987-90)Mitsubishi Cordia (1983-87)Nissan Gazelle/Silvia (1984-86)Nissan Exa (1983-86) Medium carsBest performersBMW 3 Series E46 (1999-04)BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-03)Ford Mondeo (1995-01)Holden Vectra (1997-03)Peugeot 406 (1996-04) Worst performers Nissan Bluebird (1982-86)Mitsubishi Starion (1982-87)Holden Camira (1982-89)Daewoo Espero (1995-97)Toyota Corona (1982-88) Large carsBest performersFord Falcon AU (1998-02)Ford Falcon BA/BF (2002-05)Holden Commodore VT/VX (1997-02)Holden Commodore VY/VZ (2002-05)Toyota Camry (2002-05) Worst performersMazda 929/Luce (1982-90)Holden Commodore VN/VP (1989-93)Toyota Lexcen (1989-93)Holden Commodore VB-VL (1982-88)Mitsubishi Magna TM/TN/TP/ Sigma/V3000 (1985-90, below) People moversBest performersKia Carnival (1999-05)Mazda MPV (1994-99) Worst performersToyota Tarago (1983-89)Mitsubishi Starwagon/L300 (1983-86) Light carsBest performers Daewoo Cielo (1995-97)Daihatsu Sirion (1998-04)Holden Barina XC (2001-05) Worst performers Daewoo Kalos (2003-04)Hyundai Getz (2002-05)Suzuki Alto (1985-00) Compact 4-wheel drives Best performers Honda CR-V (1997-01)Subaru Forester (2002-05) Worst performers Holden Drover/Suzuki Sierra (1982-99)Daihatsu Rocky/Rugger (1985-98) Large 4-wheel drives Best performers Ford Explorer (2001-05)Nissan Patrol/Safari (1998/04) Worst performers Nissan Patrol (1982-87)Toyota Landcruiser (1982-89) 

The type of used car you buy could mean the difference between life and death, an Australian study says.The study found, for example, that drivers and passengers are 26 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a Daihatsu Hi-Jet microvan (made between 1982-1990), than a VW Golf hatch (1999-2004), the 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings report says.And the Transport Accident Commission believes the report's release could potentially slash the road toll by a third.Released in Melbourne yesterday, the study examined more than 2.8 million cars of 279 different types involved in crashes from 1987-2005 in Australia and New Zealand.Researchers rated vehicles on how much protection was offered to drivers and how much the vehicle was likely to harm other road users in an accident.Small cars and other vehicles built before 1990 performed worst for safety, with the Daihatsu Hi-Jet, Daewoo Kalos (2003-2004) and Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-1988) poor examples.About two-thirds of cars in the worst performing category were light cars, including the Daewoo Kalos (now badged as Holden Barina) and the Hyundai Getz.Cars rated the highest for protection were the VW Golf and Bora models (built between 1999 and 2004) and the Holden Astra TS (1998-2005).Most four-wheel drives scored average or better results for occupant protection, but were more likely to harm or kill other road users.The report was conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre with support from Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, TAC, VicRoads and state and federal road authorities.VicRoads vehicle safety chief Ross McArthur said selecting a vehicle that met minimum safety standards was not enough.“You can get good performing cars that are cheaper and you can get cars that are more expensive that don't perform as well,” Mr McArthur said.“As a rule, the newer the car is, the better performance it has, but that's not always the case so you need to be informed.”The cost of a vehicle also did not necessarily mean it was safer, said RACV chief vehicle engineer Michael Case.Consumers needed to consider the safety ratings when buying a car to ensure its safety.Mr Case said structural design and safety equipment such as airbags played an important role.“Among small cars, the Toyota Corolla, the Holden Astra and the VW Golf have performed well and these vehicles are very affordable for used-car buyers,” he said.  Safety scoreVehicles scoring better than average in crashes:VW Golf/Bora (1999-2004)Holden Astra TS (1998-2005)Toyota Corolla (1998-2001)Honda Accord (1991-1993)Mercedes C Class (1995-2000)Peugeot 405 (1989-1997)Subaru Liberty/Legacy (1989-1993)Toyota Cressida/Mark II (1989-1993)Subaru Forester (1997-2002) Models that scored worse than average:Mitsubishi Cordia (1983-1987)Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-1988)Mitsubishi Starwagon/Delica/L300 (1983-1986 and 1987-1993)Toyota Tarago (1983-1989)Toyota Hiace/Liteace (1982-1986 and 1987-1989 and 1990-1995).Source: 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings report 

Audi was 123% more likely to be stolen than the average vehicle, followed by BMW (117%).However, the other German luxury brand, Mercedes-Benz was up only 19% on the average.The 2006 Suncorp statistics do not provide actual numbers, type or age of vehicle, only proportions stolen.Vehicles below the average were Volkswagen, Ford, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Kia, Peugeot, Daewoo, Nissan and the least likely to be stolen was Daihatsu.The research showed that the more expensive the vehicle, the more likely it was to be stolen.The most stolen vehicles were those in the $60,000 to $100,000 bracket, despite the fact that these have better theft protection.Suncorp also released claims information on crash frequency which shatters the theory that the better the car, the better the driver.Claims where the driver was at fault for the accident were 10 per cent more likely for cars that were worth $60,000- $100,000. Alfa drivers were 58% more likely to make an at-fault claim than the average driver.Suncorp motor insurance general manager Daniel Fogarty said the results could suggest that drivers of prestige motor vehicles may feel safer in their cars, which could lead to over-confident attitudes, resulting in more accidents occurring.“On the other hand, drivers of new prestige vehicles may feel slightly more nervous on the roads than if they were driving a mid-range car, which might potentially cause more accidents, as the financial implications of accidents are higher,” he said.One of the most common types of claims that Queensland drivers made was for a single-vehicle accident.Holden Special Vehicles drivers were 50% more likely to make a single-car accident claim, followed by Audi (49%) and Chrysler (44%).Least likely to make such a claim were Daihatsu drivers at 30% less than the average.The statistics also show that if you lend your new car to a friend or relative there is a 12% chance that they will scratch or damage it, but a 93% chance they will also own up to it. Frequency of thefts1. Audi 123%2. BMW 117%3. Jaguar 100%4. Alfa Romeo 89%5. Saab 74%Frequency of at-fault accidents1. Alfa Romeo 58%2. Proton 19%3. Mazda 13%Frequency of not at-fault accidents1. Audi 102%2. Alfa Romeo 94%3. Proton 75%Frequency of single-vehicle accidents1. HSV 50%2. Audi 49%3. Chrysler 44% Source: Suncorp claims statistics for 2006 

Industry figures released this week show the real boom in the market has been in four-cylinder cars valued at less than $25,000.Known as the light car segment, sales in the division are up 22.7 per cent for the year to date on last year, while the large car segment is down the same figure. Last month light cars were up by 31.4 per cent on August last year.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Peter Sturrock says this trend has increased over the past couple of years, with a recent acceleration put down to high petrol prices."Well, quite simply because they are more fuel efficient, small and less expensive to purchase in the first place and they're less expensive to run," Sturrock says.A total of 10,806 light cars were sold last month and 77,650 sold this year, which is 14,346 more than last year. Leading the line-up is the Toyota Yaris, with a starting price of $14,990, which recorded 2673 sales in August, taking the total to 18,064 for the year to date.Added to this figure are the remaining 304 Echos that Toyota has sold this year, before the nameplate was changed to be consistent with the Yaris badging used in Europe.Hyundai's small Getz, named Australia's Best Small Car for 2005 by Australia's auto clubs, has also achieved an increase in sales, with 1738 models sold last month, and 13,863 for the year, an 18.4 per cent improvement over the same period last year.Getz prices start at $13,990 and stretch to $18,380. The cheapest car on the market, the Holden Barina, starting at $13,490, has the third highest sales for the segment, with 1091 sales in August and 9567 for the year to date.The Barina is followed by the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Kia Rio, all recording between 5500 and 6800 sales each for the year-to-date and just under 100 sales in August.Sturrock says while fuel prices are contributing to a shift to these cars, good value at a low price is also converting buyers."The small cars now are very well equipped," he says. "Some years ago they were the basic models, but now they're well equipped with safety and anti-theft, occupant protection, airbags and ABS, and they often have Electronic Stability Control."Features in this segment on cars such as the Yaris and Getz include front airbags, an MP3 compatible CD system, airconditioning, power windows, central locking and ABS. Some even come with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and anti-skid technology.Holden's Barina offers airconditioning as standard, a feature that has to be bought as an option in the $34,990 base model VE Commodore Omega. The Hyundai Getz also offers a five-year/130,000km warranty.Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen, says this segment also offers a good alternative to second-hand cars."With the options that you can get on a brand new car, plus the new car warranty, it's quite appealing, especially to younger people," he says. And it seems a wide variety of buyers are purchasing these light cars, from students through to families and retirees.Hyundai spokesman Richard Power says its small cars, the Getz and Accent, are finding a market among a variety of drivers."We get quite a few young people buying it as their first new car and there's loyalty from senior motorists, who don't need a big car any more and are very attracted by the long warranty," he says. Overall, the car market has dropped by 3.4per cent on last year, with 642,383 vehicles sold, a decrease of 22,513 vehicles. August was also down from 2005 by 4516 vehicles.In the small car segment, sales are up 3 per cent year-to-date, with the Toyota Corolla the segment leader with 4147 sales in August and 31,705 Corollas sold this year. But small car sales also experienced a slight drop last month, down 1.3 per cent or 244 vehicles.Sturrock says that although the large car segment is down by 26,461 vehicles, it is still an important part of the market."It has reduced over time from what it was to where it is today," he says. "But it's still about 25 per cent of the passenger car market. You see very strong interest in the new Holden Commodore and the new Toyota Camry, there's been an excellent reaction."WHAT'S SELLINGToyota Yaris 18,368Hyundai Getz 13,863Holden Barina 9567Suzuki Swift 6703Honda Jazz 5936Kia Rio 5579Ford Fiesta 4407Mazda2 3934Hyundai Accent 3593Mitsubishi Colt 1516VW Polo 1337Peugoet 206 1071Citroen C3 486Proton Savvy 357smart fortwo 326Renault Clio 173Citroen C2 139smart forfour 132Fiat Punto 113Daihatsu Sirion 40Proton Satria 9Suzuki Ignis 1*Source: VFacts (light car sales 2006 to end August)Note: Yaris sales includes 304 Echo salesTHE CHEAPIESHolden Barina from $13,490Hyundai Getz from $13,990Proton Savvy from $13,990Toyota Yaris from $14,990Hyundai Accent from $15,990Mitsubishi Colt from $15,990Suzuki Swift from $15,990Ford Fiesta from $15,990Honda Jazz from $15,990Kia Rio from $15,990Mazda2 from $16,335Peugeot 206 from $16,990VW Polo from $16,990