DAIHATSU YRV 1.3 Turbo 5dr Auto (2003)

Daihatsu YRV - Cheap to run

We actually had a van before we got the YRV, so obviously we were pleased with the mileage it gets. I'd say it's very economical, I reckon we average almost 50 miles a gallon in a straight line, probably less around towns but still very good.

The insurance is a bit higher than I might expect in a small car like this, so that's probably something to consider before you buy, which we didn't really. Tax is also I think £160 or so a year, which is a lot higher than a number of more recent cars. A friend of mine has a car with no tax due at all! Something to do with the environment. Anyway basically I think the YRV might be showing its age a bit.

Generally it's a nice car to drive. The glass roof is really very swish, very impressive really, my friends really like it, apart from when it's raining! I'm not sure that comes on all the YRVs but maybe. I've never had any trouble with losing control or anything, I mean like the steering and that sort of thing, but my other half says it can come unstuck a bit when he's driving around smaller roads. I just tell him he shouldn't drive like a nut! I suppose the seats could be comfier, I do feel it on longer journeys. The springs aren't too good either, gets a bit bone shaky after a while. But you get to sit at a decent height which is handy for traffic and things. I like the way the front seats really easily recline back and forwards with a little lever on the side, much easier than cranking a dial round and round. It's also good to have control of all the mirrors from the front. It's quite good for moving big things too, which is a surprise for a small car. The bottom bit of the back seats fold up towards the front seats, and then the back bits fold down, which makes a really big and tall space in the back for all sorts. We had a small sofa in there once.

Another thing that's making me think I'll probably sell this car and move on soon is the middle seat belt in the back. I know it's only a small thing but I've heard horror stories about these belts that just go across the hips and don't go over the shoulder. We've only got one child at the moment but when we take passengers too it's always a concern. I'm sure there are loads of other safety features that modern cars have which ours doesn't. I'm not saying it's an unsafe car at all, but it just weighs on my mind. Another thing about the back seats is that they're quite small and squeezed together.

It's had a few repairs here and there, brakes, exhaust, that sort of thing, but nothing compared to our old van! It seems reliable compared to friends cars too, so that's good.