Daihatsu sportrak review/opinions reliability

jaycey001 · Gate Opener Joined: 17 May 2012 Odometer: 29

As title really, Have seen a K reg sportrak (actually an import Rocky) with an Auto gearbox (can only drive auto.

Just wondering what your views are on them, It would need to be super reliable as i travell 100mils plus to shoots each way.
only used for carrying dogs and shoot stuff. has 70k on clock and a years MOT.

Many thanks
James

noodle247 · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:33 pm Post subject:

that sporty sounds like a bit of an oddity to me,
what size of engine is it?
got any pic's?

Tractor Stig · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:54 pm Post subject:

its that same one doing the rounds over n over, dont think anyone wants to buy it, its an import, engine may be the same but you are gonna be stuffed on getting parts for it, you'll never find another gearbox for it thats for sure, cant remember is it left or right hand drive?

jaycey001 · Gate Opener Joined: 17 May 2012 Odometer: 29

Its got the 1.6 engine. Same side driver as a U.K model (poss Jap import?)

I know spares for the gearbox will be near impossible, unless its the same as another Daihatsu car of same era.

Auto boxs are fairly reliable so i dout there would be too many issues, essp at that milage.
What do you rekon, has this been hanging around for a while? its a 500mile round trip for me to view so dont want to waste my time if its a dud.

Thanks

TullyK · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

This is about the fourth time I've seen this same car (I assume) mentioned on a forum. I would definitely give it a good test drive, I would never had thought the Sportrak's engine would be suited to an auto 'box. (although every time I stall trying to crawl up a hill I might think the opposite!)

I love my Sporty, it's reliable and uncommon, and with that auto box you would certainly have something of a rarity. However as mentioned above anything that did go wrong with the gearbox would be a major cause for concern.

Just a note on that 'year's MOT'. If it is the same car that's been on ebay for a while now (think it was something like £990) the MOT may be a few months in all ready.

Finally I would like to suggest an alternative. Isuzu Troopers offer unbeatable value for money in my opinion. My dad has recently bought an automatic Trooper for under £1500 and I'm astonished. The build quality is superior to Daihatsu 4x4s and the 3.1 TD engine (you should research the newer 3.0 extensively before considering it) works brilliantly with the auto 'box. It's also more comfortable and has a lot more space. I'm very jealous of it in lots of ways, I wouldn't swap my Sporty for it but I would recommend the Trooper. The only downside being is it is probably twice the cost. (but only because Sportraks / Ferozas are such good value in the first place!)

jaycey001 · Gate Opener Joined: 17 May 2012 Odometer: 29

Thanks for that info, I am still tempted with the rocky, I like to drive somthing a bit unusual, my last car being an auto 1984 freight rover sherpa, which i loved due to its simple mechanics! the Gv we have is great but im always thinking of the dreaded ECU issues on the TD models.

Alas it is a long long drive to find out the rocky may be a lemon. Thanks for info on Trooper, I have looked at them before, ages ago, But now you mention it i might have a look at a few, I have around 2k so £1500 plus 300 for a good sevice may be a good option. Anything to look out for on the 3.1D troopers?

Thanks again
James.

jaycey001 · Gate Opener Joined: 17 May 2012 Odometer: 29

Link, just encass anyones interestes!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-K-DAIHATSU-SPORT...sh=item27c655ad59

Xpajun · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 8:08 pm Post subject:

You'll get a good meal in the pub the other side of the road...

Dunno about the car though Laughing

Ducky · Just got MTs Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Odometer: 302

I would double check the mileage as the clocks don't have enough digits to read over 100k, so a 70k miler may in fact be 170k!