1999 Daewoo Matiz 0.8 petrol

Summary:

Matiz - Cooling System Nightmare

Faults:

Head Gasket at 38,000, 45,000, 60,000, yada, yada, yada. Heater radiator blocked, radiator blocked, all round cooling system problems. Water pump at 88,000. Blew the inlet manifold up, you'll never guess, right, Overheating again. God knows what it would be like to own this car in a warm climate.

General Comments:

This is a fantastic car, except for the cooling system problems, which make the car unreliable and untrustworthy, don't buy one unless you are only traveling within 5 miles of where you live.

What you save on purchase price, the dealer will extract from your wallet with all the service costs surrounding the cooling system problems. Expect service bills up to €1000 euros a time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th July, 2004

27th Jul 2004, 18:45

I'm asking if you had such a bad-luck. I used two of such cars as job cars. I got the first one from 40.000 Km and used until 128.000 and the second one from 0 Km to 80.000.

The only problems I ever had with this cars was the tears. But now I could say that it's really a reliable car. And trust me, I didn't take care of these cars. I just used them in any condition, on any roads and fast in general. So.. I could say: excellent as long as they have under 150.000 km.

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1999 Daewoo Matiz SE plus 0.8

Summary:

Slow and city bound then yes. Fast motoway runs then please forget it

Faults:

The windscreen washer motor broke though was very cheap to repair. About £15.

Likewise little things such as bearings £20, seals £10 and parts that you would expect to need to replace.

The exhaust and catalyst went on the Matiz costing over £400.

Sadly, at 55,000 miles, whilst driving on the motorway an engine valve broke, completely damaging the engine. I was and am absolutely gutted. I was torn between a new engine or just scrapping the car and buying new from fresh.

General Comments:

I really feel with this city car that the city is it's absolute limits. If you want to drive lots of miles up and down the British motorways then really do avoid buying a Matiz. It was the motorway work that eventually took the wind out of the cars sales.

Certainly do not push the car either, as you will be asking for big troubles later on in life. This goes with any car.

I also felt the brakes lacked any sort of really bite, so I lost confidence in the vehicles stopping capability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd July, 2004

2nd Feb 2005, 23:20

Round trip for work 100km distance everyday on motorway. Usually speed up to 140km/h. My Matiz has been 5 years and more than 140000km life.

No any engine problem at all! Never fault on start engine.

I think your valve problem is only an independent case.

3rd Aug 2005, 20:01

I bought my Matiz SE+ secondhand and have run it from 30,000 to 60,000 so far. I have it serviced by a local garage every 10,000 miles. Everyday I travel on a motorway, average distance about 60 mile (30 each way). I drive it as fast as I can, on the speedo it can exceed 100mph! It drives very well indeed. Periodically, I have made trips to the midlands and never spared the 'horses' it has always performed perfectly. It's a great motorway car and equally at home in town. Of all the cars I have owned in 30 odd years of driving it the only one I am tempted to buy new. Certainly, the trim could be better, but as for performance in all areas with such a small car I think it will take some beating.

11th Oct 2005, 04:51

I have had this car for just over a year now and have clocked up just over 10000 miles. this car got me to Paris and back, Belgium and back and countless trips all round the country, Portsmouth, Manchester, Birmingham, Gloucester, Winchester the list goes on. each time I have pushed the car and I have had no problems with it whatsoever and bar a few small problems (windscreen washers!) it sailed through its MOT. it is quite a reliable little car although it has completely ruined my reputation with its not so pleasant look! not to worry, i'll get over it.