Something for nothing...

Ever since contemplating the prospect of working in the West End, I've been looking for a small car to do the commute with. I looked at several Daewoo Matiz's, which is an 800cc car that does a fantastic mpg, before I finally went for a Diahatsu Charade. Both companies no longer exist in the Australian car market but owners are still supported for parts by Holden and Toyota respectively.

It's interesting really that in these times of rising fuel prices, the mandate for economical cars has not really been taken up in any really significant way in Australia and most cars here are either the 4wd variety with large and inefficient engines, or just big comfortable cars generally with large and inefficient engines. 5 litre (or bigger) engines are common here, and a large proportion of cars I see on the way to work sitting in traffic, averaging between 15 and 40 mph are fitted with these kinds of units.

The Pajero is also very common and has a 3 litre v6. Despite this, it's unquestionably underpowered, is very heavy and is like driving a tank. OK, it'll go anywhere, but it's not a sports car if you know what I mean. You really don't get much acceleration. Neither do you get much economy. I find that if I put $80 of fuel in on Monday and use it for the 60km daily commute, I'm looking to get more by Friday morning. The Charade by contrast is astonishing, even by UK standards. I put $30 of fuel in (filled it up) last Friday and then Daile did two trips to Brisbane central at the weekend and I've done the whole week in it and it's still got something left. So that's $460kms. I'm getting something like 60 to 65 mpg. But the amazing thing is that it's no slouch... it'll go to 100 mph and accelerates to 60mph in 12 seconds which is (according to what I've read) about the same as Renault Clio for example. Awesome! (As Bill says!... ha ha) Alright, it's a bit like driving a tin can, but it's dry, has great air con/heating, has 4 seats and electric windows, all the useful stuff like the internal light coming on when you take out the ignition key and a pretty passable CD player. You can smile when you go to the gas station and as you sit shoulder to shoulder with other cars in the crawl into town, you can content yourself with the thought that NON of the cars around you are as economical as this one. Not even the Daewoo can beat it.