Last week my daughter announced that she wanted a VW Beetle convertible when she passed her driving test. Fortunately she is still only 11, so I have some time to save up. But if I did have to buy her a car today I’d consider a Daewoo Matiz — largely because I remember the gung-ho approach to driving I took immediately after passing my test.

The Matiz is a very small car. And it has a very small engine. So it accelerates like a glacier, which is just what I want when it’s time for my daughter to take to the road.

Powered by a three-cylinder 796cc engine, the Matiz was introduced to Britain in August 1998. Its performance may be weak but it manages to go slowly in a “fun way”. The engine is buzzy, revs freely and is keen — just slow. The top speed is officially 90mph, although few will have achieved this giddy feat.

More at home in the city than on the motorway, the car comes with light and precise power steering as standard. Push it through a roundabout, however, and understeer kicks in quickly (understeer is when the car tends to carry on straight ahead rather than turning into the corner as sharply as you would wish). Part of the problem can be attributed to many early Matizes being fitted with “budget tyres”. It’s worth spending a few quid on a set of decent tyres, which will do wonders for the general grip, even if not completely eliminating understeer.

The Matiz is fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. Tackling a slight incline soon has you dropping out of fifth but on the flat the extra ratio reduces noise levels and helps economy.

Safety is covered well, with all cars boasting twin front airbags, side-impact intrusion beams and front seatbelt pre-tensioners as standard. On the downside an antilock braking system is an optional extra only and no model comes with a centre rear seatbelt. However, the Euro NCAP rating of three stars is competitive for a car of this age and size.

Despite the budget feel the interior finish is pretty good: the plastics may be hard and the fabrics unexciting but everything is well put together.

When introduced, Daewoo was unique in offering a free three-year servicing package on the Matiz. This, in addition to the three-year warranty, means that most cars were fully and professionally serviced during the first few years of their lives.

Daewoo has around 70 service centres and the number is growing, so looking after your used Matiz should be relatively straightforward. Service intervals are annually or every 10,000 miles, but buyers should ensure that cars that have covered more than 40,000 miles or are four years old have had their timing belt and tensioner replaced. Failure to do so can spell disaster and fitting a new engine could be uneconomic.

In April 2003 Daewoo introduced a more powerful Matiz 1.0 to run alongside the 796cc model. The new 995cc engine gains a cylinder and produces an extra 12bhp, raising the top speed by 4mph. The car also comes with air-conditioning, antilock braking and alloy wheels as standard.

If my daughter is reading this she may be a little disappointed. But you never know, in another six years Volkswagen may have introduced a really slow VW Beetle. Until then the Matiz remains in pole position.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model: Daewoo Matiz SE+
Engine: Three-cylinder, 796cc
Power: 50bhp
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 46.3mpg (combined)
Acceleration: 0-60mph: 17.6sec
Top speed: 90mph

Air-conditioning: A popular optional extra on SE+ models and well worth hunting down; adds about £200 to the used price

Wheels: Check trims and alloy wheels for signs of kerbing which can cause steering misalignment and uneven tyre wear

Exhaust: Check carefully on low-mileage examples where lack of use can cause moisture build-up and rusting

Antilock braking: An option on all 796cc models

Servicing: Timing belt and tensioner should be replaced at 40,000 miles/4 years, whichever is the sooner

Safety: Achieved a reasonable three stars in Euro NCAP tests

Newer model: 1 litre 62bhp engine available from April 2003 gives better performance with similar economy

Steering: Power-assisted on all models

Dimensions: Is just 4ft 11in wide — one inch narrower than a Smart Fortwo

Engine: Three-cylinder 796cc unit is fun in town but struggles on the open road

Gearbox: Five-speed manual is standard

Cheap insurance: Group 2 for 796cc models, group 3 for 1 litre cars

Alloy wheels: Standard on SE+ models

THE ONE TO BUY

Daewoo Matiz SE+ five-speed manual with air-conditioning, 1999 T-reg with 40,000 miles. Pay £2,450 at a dealer, or £1,950 privately.


OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

1998 R-reg Ford Ka (3dr)
2002 02-reg Suzuki Alto GL (5dr)
2002 51-reg Perodua Kelisa GX (5dr)
1998 S-reg Daihatsu Charade GLXi (5dr)
2000 X-reg Fiat Seicento SX (3dr)

VALUES