We look at a 12 year old Perodua Kenari. The Kenari arrived in showrooms looking like a bad joke. However after a quick drive and a re-appraisal of its qualities, the Kenari was given grudging thumbs up by many and sales success with creative marketing had put many on the road with families and single adults. Developed by sister company Daihatsu as an urban run around, it had gained much success. It fulfilled its purpose; to transport a maximum of four people in an urban environment with an excellently reliability record and making more traditional family hatchbacks look bloated and over-engineered. The key to its success is its height and drivetrain. The Kenari has a light and airy feel. So space above your head is very generous…..full stop. Luggage space is small and only with the rear seats folded does it become generous. The twin-cam engine is a well proven unit.
The body design looks like wheels and bonnet have been bolted on as an afterthought to the cabin, but the overall effect is cheeky where it’s not possible to ignore it for too long. Its narrow dimensions, plasticky cabin and very scary cornering possibilities are quickly absorbed once you drive it for a few days. The Kenari boast such luxuries as a rear wash wipe and adjustable head restraints, decent sound system, air conditioning, an automatic gearbox, side impact protection and engine immobiliser all fitted as standard. When sticking to its design parameters and zipping through city traffic and into tight parking spaces, this Kenari makes all the sense in the world. Low speed cornering it can cope with, its sheer sides not proving a handicap at all. The tyres will screech around roundabouts and the tiny castor-like wheels will spin gamely from a standing start, but that all adds to the charm. In long sweeping bends, the Kenari is buffeted by trucks, jittery over expansion joints and disheartened by long uphill stretches.
The Kenari is known for its strong reliable engine and reasonably good fuel consumption despite is un-aerodynamic design. A used Kenari will in all likelihood have transported children, so check the cabin for rips, stains and other damage wreaked by small mischievous hands. Most Kenari’s should have been exposed to a fair amount of city driving, so check the exterior for knocks and scrapes, and check under the bonnet for accident damage or paint overspray. Otherwise, the usual reminder to obtain a detailed service history from a Perodua service center applies. The engine should still be strong unless high mileage recorded. Small engines have a shorter life span in the city as they have to be worked hard to get going. Look for accident damage which should have you walking away instantly as there are many to choose from.
Now to go and locate on is not going to be a problem as there are always units for sale in the classifieds and in used car lots. Depending on your budget, you need to look at what year will fit your payment plan with the finance company. A 12 year old Kenari EZ will fetch anywhere between RM12,000 and RM18,000. The stylish AERO model with the bodykit and smart looking alloys from 2003 will sell for between RM19,000 to RM21,000. Most will still be able to fetch an 80-85% loan and interest charges will be low.
