Faults:

Front brakes - I was unable to stop the caliper equalizers from sticking so I bought complete brake assemblies for the front,both sides.

Catalytic converter- It departed the car this year. Put a 'one size fits all' type on it for $100 Cdn. Still passes the 'Drive Clean' test.

Map sensor had to be replaced.

Engine electronic control and tach module in base of distributor had to be replaced.

EGR valve rusted out and I replaced it from one from a wrecking yard.

Right headlight developed water leak and I replaced it with a wrecking yard part.

'Rubber band' drive to the overhead cam let go about 20 Kms. from home. Replaced belt myself for $40 Cdn. (Engine is 'free run' type so no damage to internal parts.)

General Comments:

Car cost $1100 Cdn. used from a female school teacher who had bought it new. She had let it go because I believe she was afraid of the cost of repairs. I put about $300 Cdn. in parts and my labour into it and it passed certification no problem. My wife drives the car mostly and she really likes it. The version we have is a 2 door coupe hatchback with a 5 speed manual gear box. It has power steering and power brakes. It is really fast. It will cruise all day long at 110 Kms. and give 4 or 5 litres/100 Kms. (About 50 miles to the Imp. gallon.) After the initial repairs I have done nothing except tires. It is rock steady and smooth with no vibrations. The one problem with the thing is that it seems to have been made for small stature people. Both my wife and I are pretty well 6 feet tall and we have a problem with where the steering wheel sits when we get the seat just right. It needs a telescoping steering column like my old Sunbeam Alpine had years ago.

Faults:

Plugged catalytic converter at 76,000 km.

Alternator winding short at 80,000 km.

Crack in the muffler at 85,000 km.

Minor fit and finish faults (loose rear view mirror and passenger seat-back control).

New brake pads at 125,000 km (normal wear).

General Comments:

PROS: cheap to buy and run, reasonable power, good handling, VERY roomy for such a small car.

CONS: uncomfortable to drive on long trips, noisy, primitive fit and finish.

I bought this car at an auction when it was already seven years old. I had my doubts about the car, but the price was reasonable and it was clean and in very good shape. However, given my previous car was a Renault I was prepared for anything it could throw at me.

After reading negative reviews and having a cluster of problems early on I was almost ready to sell the car, however, I've put over 40,000 km on this car since the last repair without a single problem. It has turned out to be more reliable (or at least cheaper to keep in repair costs) than a friends comparable Toyota Tercel.

It should be stressed that I own the "Aerocoupe VL" edition - VL meaning "Value Leader". That means I have NO power steering, a 4-speed manual, NO air and NO power-accessories. Therefore, there is little that can go wrong with it. I suspect those who have had problems with this car have higher level trims.

Be aware that this LeMans is NOT a "real" Pontiac, it is in fact an Opel-designed Daewoo model in disguise (known as the Daewoo Nexia in its Korean home-market, replaced by the Lanos a couple of years ago). In Europe it was called Opel Kadett or Vauxhall Astra. It uses a some domestic GM components, but is assembled in Korea, out of mostly Korean parts, so take that into account in your expectations of this car.