Dollywobbler's Daihatsu - MOT of fail

[chris1991]

I may be wrong but weren't these a playable car in one of the Gran Turismo games?

 

Yep I think it was one of the first ones on Playstation one, many hours of my childhood were wasted playing it. I seem to remember always picking the Sirion as the car you started off with. 

 

[KruJoe]

Hey, that green thing is a Mitsubishi Mirage, I didn't even know they were bringing them here! Those things were suddenly everywhere in Chiang Mai last winter, I have pics, natch:

 

 

 

Can't be many on the UK roads, I'll bet Mitsubishi cars will go the way of Daihatsu here soon.

 

Anyway, just catching up on this Ian, it looks like fun, sure. I vote keep the gormless, bitey mouth, and scrub off the rest.

 

How does it fit in with your policy of 20-years-old-plus for mingebag insurance?

[Jim Bergerac]

I've seen a few Mirages. All rental cars with Enterprise or some such firm.

[Cavcraft]

Who's giving you flak for buying it, DW? I wouldn't give them the time of day tbh, your money, your choice and all that. Plus it's an ace little car so they obviously haven't a clue.

[cort16]

i think the Mirage replaced the colt. I've got to say, it's no looker it definetely has essense of hotpoint about it.

 

In Sirion relate news I was reminded yesterday (when I saw one) that Subaru sold the last model Sirion as the Justy a few years ago. I doubt it was 4wd drive or anything. I one I saw had big viper stripes on it. OMG MINI IMPREZAL etc.

[dollywobbler]

A very mixed bunch of folk Cavette. Almost as bad as when I first got into 2CVs!

 

Joe - insurance question isn't entirely sorted yet. For the time being, Peter James have allowed me to add it to my classic policy (for £64) as a token modern, but at renewal, it's likely to be about £230 to insure it on its own (more than the other two combined). But, I get all the classic policy benefits - full European breakdown cover being the main one. Best 'normal' quote I got for it was £159. Frustratingly, my policy is up for renewal on 22nd December.

 

Today's plan is to further bodge the wheelarches. They've all been rubbed back and rust treated, so it's zinc prime time today. One side is a bit of a mess, and will need some welding work, but if the weather stays sunny, I'll hopefully get some actual paint on the not-so-bad bits. 

[skattrd]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but as it's a cheap motor, now the arches have been de-rusted why not use a bit of wob to smooth them over?

From memory you don't really weld do you DW? so getting someone to do a decent job on the arches will cost more than the cars worth and a bit of filler on 15yr old Daihatsu arches isn't the end of the world imo.

[dollywobbler]

One arch is a bit beyond that, and my mate is a good (and cheap!) welder. Main aim at the moment is just to try and stop further deterioration - the rear arches were just exposed rusty steel when I got it. Not ruling out a dose of wob though!

[cort16]

The arches on these look pretty simple so even if you got a basic weldup repair done the arch trim would probably hide any unevenness,

I recon the chances of finding repair panels for one are approximately 0.

[dollywobbler]

Indeed. Panels are certainly not easy to find. Lots of breakers at the moment, so front wings aren't too bad, but definitely no repair sections. I think wob will win for now, then see if I still like enough to fund a proper sort-out post-winter. First coat of zinc primer is on, so at least I'm not wobbing over bare metal. Just need to head out and find some wob now!

[Bucketeer]

When out and about this morning I spottaged a sister/cousin/illegitimate love-child of the yellow peril.

I must admit, the Toyota Duet is a new one on me.

 

 

 

 

[dollywobbler]

Nice find.

 

Today was wheelarch work. I treated the rust last week and let it cure for a few days.

 

I primered the other rear arch, but there was no escaping the hole on the lower edge.

 

So, I went and bought some wob and lobbed it on. Sadly I seemed to forget to take photos, but it looked pretty horrendous. I then used the worst paint brushes in the world to apply a top coat. Muttley found it hilarious.

 

Bit neater on the front wings as the rust wasn't so bad.

 

So, it's coming along. That's the get-through-winter bodge sorted. Depressingly, the interior still smells of dog. I think that might be my next challenge.

[cort16]

That looks much more presentable. If you wipe of mutley all that'll be left his his grim, which will look even stranger.

[KruJoe]

Actually LOL'd at Mutley sniggering at your arch repairs*!

Forget what I said before, I think he should stay.

 

Is this one a keeper then? Does Mrs_Wobbler enjoy it?

 

Continue the undersealed arches theme to impress the yummy mums at he local primary school:

 

[For Fiats Sake]

Look at the excellent* reviews the mirage got.

 

The Mirage was met with negative reviews in Europe and Australia. Matt Jones of Top Gear magazine rated the car 2 out of 10, commenting that "it's truly, profoundly terrible. The steering is slow and vague. It rolls extensively. Grip levels are non-existent. Every lump and ruffle in the road is transmitted directly to your backside. It's inexcusably noisy. Hell, there's so much slack in the steering that you can't tell which way the wheels are pointing..."[39] What Car? magazine gave the car two out of five stars, citing that "there’s loads of wind noise and many rivals are better to drive. The interior feels cheap, there’s limited adjustment for the driver and Mitsubishi has a disappointing customer satisfaction record."[40] Auto Express also rated the Mirage two out of five stars, commenting that "the vague steering and poor handling place it at the bottom of the class for driving dynamics, while the interior looks and feels cheap. It's also quite expensive to buy and lacks the refinement and practicality of the best cars in the class.[41] Ollie Kew of Car Magazine also gave the car a two out of five star rating, describing it as "too below-par to drive and noisy at speed to recommend in a class that contains the VW Up and its brethren, and it feels the heat too from the better-value Korean opposition."[42] Sam Wollaston of The Guardian gave the car a Cool Factor rating of 3 out of 10, commenting that it "handles and corners like a bloody jellyfish."[43] Peter Anderson of The Motor Report gave it two-and-a-half out of five stars, commenting that it is "neither the best nor the worst in its segment, but is closer to the latter."[44]

 

but is it Auto shite?

 

Soz fer going off topic DW.

Hey, that green thing is a Mitsubishi Mirage, I didn't even know they were bringing them here! Those things were suddenly everywhere in Chiang Mai last winter, I have pics, natch:

P1100035.JPG

P1100036.JPG

Can't be many on the UK roads, I'll bet Mitsubishi cars will go the way of Daihatsu here soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dollywobbler]

Honest John rated the Sirion at 2 stars, and I think What Car did too. Don't believe what you read, though my opinion is probably twisted as well. I like it, others probably wouldn't.

 

Joe - around here, the school mums have proper 4x4s. They usually need them as most live on farms! I refuse to comment on the yumminess for fear of getting in trouble. Mrs Wobbler likes the fun aspect of the Sirion but hasn't driven it yet. She'll absolutely hate the over-assisted steering, so she might just stick with the 2CV.

 

I tell you what, not since I owned a Volvo 740 have I owned a car that warms up so quickly. The heater is great. Also, air conditioning is absolutely brilliant on a cold, damp evening. How have I lived without it for so long?

[dollywobbler]

Too true. Anyway, headed out today to the local ex-Daihatsu dealer for a quick pic. He's going to have a hunt to see if he has any brochures kicking about too.

 

Also filled up again - over 300 miles covered now. Well impressed!

 

Then this happened.

 

Also bought 5 litres of 5w30 oil, which is apparently enough for two services! It isn't due an oil change anytime soon, but I may do one anyway as it does occasionally burn a bit of oil - a sign that the oil control rings are gummed up apparently. 

[garethj]

That all becomes somewhat irrelevant when the car's £350, legal and makes it home in one piece.

This.  All comparisons about quality of plastics and how it doesn't understeer into corners were based on the car 10 years ago.  I'd rather have a car that was a bit rubbish to start with but been looked after than something lovely when new and has enjoyed several careless owners.

 

When looking for an economical, compact and fairly new car I'm amazed you can get anything for under £400.  I dread to think what a £400 MINI One or VW Polo looks like.

[dollywobbler]

My injured hand has forced my wife to get used to the Sirion, as the 2CV is not in finest fettle. The good news is that she really likes it! I'm amazed. She even likes the steering, despite her hatred of PAS. This is good as we may well be sharing the driving as we head to Sussex soon.

 

This is the bad news. 

 

Turns out she hates the writing so much that she has started to remove it - though she's only removed 'Peril' so far, leaving it stating the bleedin' obvious.

 

It is such a good car to just jump in and drive. With my knackered thumb, the choke control alone in the Golf would have left me struggling. As it is, I can just-about drive the Sirion with injured digit.

[hairnet]

Mellow yellow

[Angrydicky]

Your wife hates PAS? Good on her! Most women refuse to drive cars without it.

[dollywobbler]

She's usually the opposite. The Sirion has very direct steering though, so she seems to get on with it. Of course, she still hates the electric windows...

[brickwall]

The little 'Sirloin' is shaping up! What's happening to the duck on the roof?

[phil_lihp]

Once the writing's been removed, you could add your own artwork with a few permanent markers.  They're funny looking things, these, refreshingly different though and you've done alright for so little cash, good to see it being looked after.  Not many around so might as well keep what's left!

[KruJoe]

Hey, glad she likes it after all.

What did you do to your thumb, mate? I missed that news.

[dollywobbler]

Twatted it with an axe, losing a bit in the process. Not recommended.

 

The writing is all gone now, but I was away while it happened. Took this picture before I went out.

 

I know my wife didn't like the teeth either. Wonder if they're still there...

 

The bird on the roof  may be staying just because I can't be arsed to remove it and I seem to be running out of carb cleaner and brake cleaner.

[michiel]

Twatted it with an axe, losing a bit in the process. Not recommended.

 

 

Ouch.

[Cavcraft]

It's looking much better now, top bombing.

[dollywobbler]

Sirion made it to Sussex with no bother. We filled up after an hour or so at 80mph and discovered it was returning 43mpg. It REALLY guzzles fuel at speed! The car had a rest then as I got so knackered I had to stop driving. My wife is rather more gentle than me. Sussex was rain-soaked with lots of localised flooding, but the plucky Sirion just kept going. 

 

Sadly, we both struggled with comfort. It seems impossible to find a comfortable driving position. It's fine for an hour or so, but gets quite seriously achy after any longer. This is annoying as we both enjoy driving it otherwise. The only hint of the feebleness of the engine is steep gradients on the motorway, when it just slows down.

[KruJoe]

43mpg? You're laughing!

Seems it's more suited to blatting about the local lanes... Does this mean you now have the green light to look for a comfy cruiser?