WHEN it comes to bargain-basement motoring it does not come much cheaper than Daihatsu's cheeky Charade model.
Well, that is half right anyway because although there is no doubting the low list price, the car does not have the character of a Renault Twingo, Ford Ka or even the slightly larger Daihatsu Sirion.
The Charade is of similar proportions to its main rival, the Daewoo Matiz, yet costs a few hundred pounds more.
Unlike the five door-only Matiz, the Charade comes with a three-door option plus the huge advantage of an automatic transmission if desired.
This is essential for city users who do not want the hassle of constant gear-changing when stuck in traffic.
It is also the preferred choice of the vast majority of elderly drivers, to whom small cars like this are an attractive proposition for trundling around town.
This is how the Charade must be viewed, as little more than a simple runabout to get from one place to another with minimum inconvenience.
The design is boxy but acceptable for what it is, with an upright stance and a fair amount of room for a vehicle of such compact exterior dimensions.
Even smaller than the Daihatsu Sirion, the Charade offers five and a half cubic feet of boot space, which increases to almost 15 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.
Prices start at £6,295 for the three door model plus £500 for an additional pair of doors and a further £500 for air conditioning, side airbags, alloy wheels and a SL badge.
This is on top of the remote central locking, front electric windows, CD player, split-folding rear seats and adjustable steering column of the EL model.
All share the same three-cylinder one-litre petrol engine, which is surprisingly nippy and quite capable of cruising effortlessly at the motorway maximum.
For those in search of a simple runabout at the lowest possible price the Daihatsu Charade takes some beating although it is worth checking out the rival Perodua Kelisa first.
FAST FACTS
Daihatsu Charade 1.0 EL 3dr
Price: £6,295
Mechanical: 58bhp, 989cc, 3cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 12.2 secs
Combined mpg: 58.9
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 114g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint