Daihatsu Terios – cheap as chips motoring

As my Dad was fond of saying, you don’t get ought for nowt, but it’s starting to be a close run thing with the Daihatsu Terios.

The Daihatus Terios is an odd little car/suv, but it does have real appeal. Sure, it looks like it’s been on a boil-wash and come at at 2/3rds the size it should be. Yes, it rattles your teeth when you hit a bump and manages to wallow round corners at the same time.

It has a pretty laboured 1.5 engine (which is better than the old 1.3, but no drag-racer) which does 0-60 in around 3 weeks and a top speed of 90mph (downhill – on a good day). And yet….

Daihatsu Terios - Now with 5 years free servicing

The Terios already offers a 5 year warranty and 5 years roadside assistance. But, with effect from now (until 31st March), the little Terios offers 5 years free servicing as well.

At around £12.5k it’s not a bad little buy at all. It can genuinely do off-road (it has just about enough ground clearance) with a locking centre diff. It has aircon and parking sensors, enough room for ‘stuff’ and is pretty bullet proof.

It even has character, something missing in most Japanese cars. It’s cute and friendly. It would make a good little town runaround, with its high (ish) driving position and chunky stance. It actually has real appeal, in an ‘aah, bless’ kind of way.

And with nothing to pay for but fuel and insurance for 5 years, you’ll know exactly what it’s going to cost you.

By Cars UK