Faults:

Front brake pads replaced at 55,000.

Brake lamp switch failed at 65,000.

Changed cam belt at 55,000 (to be on safe side) but didn't change tensioners & idler wheels. Idler wheel is now squealing when cold so I will get belt & tensioner/idlers replaced. Lesson - get the whole lot changed rather than just the belt.

General Comments:

I needed cheap transport after a change in employment status. Being 6'2" tall, I wanted something with space. A 1998 SX Auto came up with an LPG conversion already fitted, only 55,000 recorded miles and cost only £2,500.

The car has been very cheap to run (with LPG at only 30p/litre), even though it only returns 21MPG when running on gas.

My local garage provides good, cheap service (they changed the cam belt, oil, filter and auto-transmission oil for only £90) and are happy to work on the GM/Holden engine which is virtually identical to the UK Vectra 2.0 unit.

The car is best described as a comfortable cruiser which can eat up motorway miles without tiring. Attempts to hustle it around bends and corners result in wallowy movements and vague direction changes, but this is not what this car is about.

I originally intended to change the car as soon as I got another job, but it has been so cheap to run and reliable that I have kept it and put 20k on it in only 6 months.

The one thing I have picked up is that changing the cam belt (and tensioners!) at 24k intervals is a wise investment as the cost of failure can be substantial, not to mention the hassle of being stranded somewhere.

Faults:

Spark plugs, HT leads and cam belt needed changing.

One hose (from carb) also needed replacing.

This car had last been serviced at 60k miles - so this is to be expected.

General Comments:

This a lot of car for the money.

Handling is reasonable - however it could benefit from a 2.5 or 3.0 litre engine.

If buying second hand - I'd recommend you check the service history. Daewoo originally replaced the cam belt at the 60k service. Due to the number of breakages below 60k - they've since lowered this to 40k.

However, overall - this is a fantastic car for the money, especially if bought second hand.

Faults:

Steering misalignment causing undue wear on the front tyres.

The head gasket blew at 45000 miles, which is not what I expect from a car with this low mileage ands cost £350 to repair.

Had to have replacement head lining due to an annoying rattle (under warranty when 6 months old)

General Comments:

Overall,the car is comfortable, and for the first three service-paid years, has been reasonably cheap to maintain. Now the warranty has expired I dread any further costs!

Fuel consumption is terrible. I know it is an auto and has 2 lites under the bonnet, but it costs a lot in fuel.

Now that "Daewoo is dead"...what now, Mr Service Man!

Faults:

Nothing except a headlight leveling motor failure which necessitated the replacement of the complete headlight. Fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

A comfortable, well-equipped car with very good specification. Engine is flexible (20mph in 5th) and capable of high speed cruising.

Faults:

Catalytic convertor changed twice due to a bad sulphur smell coming from the exhaust.

Prone to difficulty in starting, immobiliser electronics don't recognise the ignition key and this seems to flood engine.

Vibration from the sun roof.

General Comments:

A comfortable and well equipped car, great for long journeys and easy to drive around town.

'Dealer' service leaves a little to be desired as their general diagnostic ability and attitude towards resolving problems is not as good as previous dealers I have had. Mazda, Rover and Toyota could teach them a lot.