I bought a Ribena Carton - Daihatsu Materia
Discussion
With my ageing Mondeo showing an intermittent ABS problem, it was time to look for something new. I really didn't want to sell the Mondeo but as my mileage was mainly local and boring, the Mondeo wasn't really needed. It was a properly solid car though, I'll give it that. Really enjoyed the ownership. Sold for what I bought it for 18 months prior minus £20.
It had to be replaced pronto. To be honest, I was looking more at a fiesta/Yaris kind of thing but this popped up on eBay. Put a cheeky joke bid in and ended up winning. Balls.
Straight up, I haven't had this much fun for a while. 1500cc of NA high revving fun from a poopoo handling lunchbox.
Loads of space to be honest but the driving position takes some getting used to. I prefer a low seating position for my longer legs but it's adequate, very chilled. The seats are fine so long as I don't have to do the same long journey I did when I picked the car up from Sheffield and drove it back to Watford.
Here it is after picking it up and filling at the local petrol station before the journey down.

In short, decent car for £500. I've already changed the sparks plugs and air filter. Oil to be done in the next few days. Let's see how it holds up.
It had to be replaced pronto. To be honest, I was looking more at a fiesta/Yaris kind of thing but this popped up on eBay. Put a cheeky joke bid in and ended up winning. Balls.
Straight up, I haven't had this much fun for a while. 1500cc of NA high revving fun from a poopoo handling lunchbox.
Loads of space to be honest but the driving position takes some getting used to. I prefer a low seating position for my longer legs but it's adequate, very chilled. The seats are fine so long as I don't have to do the same long journey I did when I picked the car up from Sheffield and drove it back to Watford.
Here it is after picking it up and filling at the local petrol station before the journey down.

In short, decent car for £500. I've already changed the sparks plugs and air filter. Oil to be done in the next few days. Let's see how it holds up.
TotalControl said:
With my ageing Mondeo showing an intermittent ABS problem, it was time to look for something new. I really didn't want to sell the Mondeo but as my mileage was mainly local and boring, the Mondeo wasn't really needed. It was a properly solid car though, I'll give it that. Really enjoyed the ownership. Sold for what I bought it for 18 months prior minus £20.
It had to be replaced pronto. To be honest, I was looking more at a fiesta/Yaris kind of thing but this popped up on eBay. Put a cheeky joke bid in and ended up winning. Balls.
Straight up, I haven't had this much fun for a while. 1500cc of NA high revving fun from a poopoo handling lunchbox.
Loads of space to be honest but the driving position takes some getting used to. I prefer a low seating position for my longer legs but it's adequate, very chilled. The seats are fine so long as I don't have to do the same long journey I did when I picked the car up from Sheffield and drove it back to Watford.
Here it is after picking it up and filling at the local petrol station before the journey down.

In short, decent car for £500. I've already changed the sparks plugs and air filter. Oil to be done in the next few days. Let's see how it holds up.
you can't surely be happy with this if your going through depression speak to someone it will help i didIt had to be replaced pronto. To be honest, I was looking more at a fiesta/Yaris kind of thing but this popped up on eBay. Put a cheeky joke bid in and ended up winning. Balls.
Straight up, I haven't had this much fun for a while. 1500cc of NA high revving fun from a poopoo handling lunchbox.
Loads of space to be honest but the driving position takes some getting used to. I prefer a low seating position for my longer legs but it's adequate, very chilled. The seats are fine so long as I don't have to do the same long journey I did when I picked the car up from Sheffield and drove it back to Watford.
Here it is after picking it up and filling at the local petrol station before the journey down.

In short, decent car for £500. I've already changed the sparks plugs and air filter. Oil to be done in the next few days. Let's see how it holds up.
This thing isn't really that bad. Or maybe I'm getting old at 37?
It works in my favour a bit as it's easier for my father to get in and out of. His Parkinson's is quite bad and he finds the higher up seating better.
The kids can properly see out of it, with the bench able to be moved backwards/forwards gives either better space for passengers or luggage. Full electric windows and air con. No sunroof so less to go wrong.
Funny someone mentioned depression, was going through a bit of anxiety issues (currently controlled) that almost put me into depression. I'm managing fine at the minute.
A stupid part of me wants to lower it.
Does this mean I need to hand in my PH card now?
It works in my favour a bit as it's easier for my father to get in and out of. His Parkinson's is quite bad and he finds the higher up seating better.
The kids can properly see out of it, with the bench able to be moved backwards/forwards gives either better space for passengers or luggage. Full electric windows and air con. No sunroof so less to go wrong.
Funny someone mentioned depression, was going through a bit of anxiety issues (currently controlled) that almost put me into depression. I'm managing fine at the minute.

A stupid part of me wants to lower it.

Does this mean I need to hand in my PH card now?
Edited by TotalControl on Saturday 3rd July 21:57
Oddly cool, in much the same way as the Sirion before it. They're a rare car that exists in a blind spot of the mind, where everyone has a brief moment of confusion before recognising what it is. For £500 you've got something rare, practical, and apparently high-revving? That sounds an awful lot like a successful purchase to me.
Good buy!
Firstly, in today's market anything roadworthy for £500 is great. Second, should be practical and reliable, and third it's quirky and interesting. 108hp should be adequate, too.
I enjoyed the direct rival Nissan Cube I hired for the day, really like the sensation of motoring along sat on a sofa, very relaxing.
It's a rebadged 2nd gen Toyota bB, if that helps finding parts. Apparently there was a turbo version in South Africa

It's high revving as in I have to wring its neck to get anywhere. 
It's a manual but the clutch is a bit stiff, nothing that can't be adapted to as it seems to have a lot of life left in it.
All in all, I'm impressed. Not a lot more you can get nowadays for £500.

It's a manual but the clutch is a bit stiff, nothing that can't be adapted to as it seems to have a lot of life left in it.
All in all, I'm impressed. Not a lot more you can get nowadays for £500.
Edited by TotalControl on Saturday 3rd July 23:37
A joyful object, but I have a deep perversion passion for small Japanese boxes. It's essentially a Toyota so it will outlive us all too.
Setting it up for PVC drifting would make it more PH too....
https://youtu.be/HpMRysSYzSc?t=276
Setting it up for PVC drifting would make it more PH too....
https://youtu.be/HpMRysSYzSc?t=276
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