Faults:

Both electric mirrors failed in first year, fixed by warranty, no problem since.

Front brake disks (rotors) needed replacing at about 40000 km, very early and rear drums also. This is a common problem with this car. Pads are expensive (x3 times normal!)

Front end bearing noise (suspect uni joint/wheel bearing or thereabouts) at 85000 km. Starting to have oil leak now.

Door panels are partially cloth, with plastic door grips which rattle and break. Could've done better!

Accelerator feels sticky.

Economy is a little disappointing for a 1.6L engine at 10-11km/L city, although the car weighs in at approx 1350 kg and has A/C, power steering, power windows/mirrors, central locking.

Lack of power, improved with a later 2.0L model.

General Comments:

We had a 3 year free service in which we had little to complain about. After that there was not much happening. The transmission cannot be checked yourself, so you must send that job off to a service centre.

Really except for the bearing/whatever noise from the front now it has been reliable in its first 5 years. No rust!

Faults:

I'm very fussy so here are my concerns, even if they are minute in some peoples' eyes.

Passenger side handbrake cable rubs against the back wheel. Nothing serious, just needs to be attended to.

The automatic tensioners for the front seat belts have recently started to go weak and currently don't tighten the belts all the way back into position after you take them off.

The light in the front ashtray doesn't come on all the time.

The throat on the petrol tank is a bit small - as such filling it right to the top (to see the petrol) takes a little longer than it should. The first 45 litres fill up fine, just the last 7 litres takes a while (I know what you're thinking, 45 + 7 = 52. That's correct! I always fill up with about 10 litres still in the tank).

Both driving lights have blown over time and both have been replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

I have done over 56,000 km in this car and it runs as well today as it did the day I bought it brand new.

I have taken it on long distance trips from Sydney to Melbourne (about 1,200 km) as well as local city driving. In all types of driving it just flies. At the time of purchase I had a Black Widow cruise control fitted as well as a Hollandia sunroof and both have added pleasure to driving this car.

The 2.0 litre engine (which I have been told is made in Australia) is very responsive whilst being really economical. I get approximately 27 mile per gallon around the city (stuck in traffic mainly) and 35 mile per gallon on a highway drive. Both are with the air conditioning on. With the air conditioning off I have got 39 miles per gallon on the highway (with three adults and full of luggage in the car).

I have never used premium fuel so I guess I would get even better economy and performance if I did.

My only issue with this car is that I haven't had the opportunity to drive it more than I have. I hoped the car would reached 90,000 km by its 3 year anniversary, but it will only be up to 60,000 km. I plan on keeping this car for a few more years yet, and I plan to continue the joy I get from driving it.

I am still on the original tyres as I rotate them every 15,000 km. They will be up for replacement at about 65,000 km. The battery is still the original and is now 2 1/2 years old which is pretty good for a battery these days, considering the amount of night driving I do with all the lights on. Add this to the fact I have a car alarm fitted, plus the rear demister and sound system and the battery just keeps turning the engine over.

My father has also been impressed. He plans on buying one later this year.

All in all you won't find a happier Daewoo owner than me. When the time comes to buy another car, Daewoo will be first on my list.