17th Jul 2010, 21:09

Decent car, minor issues that should be easily fixed, however the GM Goodwrench service is absolutely terrible. If anything will prevent me from buying from GM again, it will be their service.

20th Jul 2010, 13:41

Just purchased an 2006 Epica LTZ a month ago. The car drives completely smooth, with an incredibly smooth transmission. The transmission can be driven one of 2 ways - you change the gears 1-3 yourself by using the "hold" function, or just leave the car in drive or 3rd gear. The transmission also has a memory to reflect how you drive. Like one person commented on this earlier, people should read the manual. This is a luxury type sedan design for smooth & slow cruising. The car has an excellent engine, and it is definitely not a race car. The typical "North American" is always in a hurry, putting the gas to the floor the minute the light goes green, and this car is not meant for that.

I absolutely love this car. It's funny that this car is still incredibly popular overseas, yet North American drivers can't seem to handle it.

I have no condensation in the lights - even if I did, big deal? A lot of cars do. I have 0 rough idling, 0 complaints at all.

The only thing I will agree on is gas mileage could be a little better in the city. Highway mileage is great, but city is so so. But there are many many cheap and easy fixes to boost your mileage.

Since getting the car my tires are filled with NitroFill (www.nitrofill.com), just updated the computer codes and ordered a better air intake to be installed.

Maybe there were some issues with the 2004. But my 2006 is perfect, and for a very cheap price you can own the LTZ with all the features.

No offence to anyone, but some people may just want to pick up the manual for the car, and stop complaining and saying what they expect, and accept how the car was designed.

I did my research for months, and test drove a few of them before buying.

Read up on the Daewoo Magnus & Epicas overseas, it is a very popular car in Poland & Korea, with brand new models still being made. I wish they were still being made in Canada.

14th Sep 2010, 13:11

I am looking at a 04 LT Epia with 64k miles on it. It looks and sounds perfect, the original owner claims the only problem he has had is the coil was shorting out when it was wet and after replacing it the car has been great. After reading these posts, I am now afraid of this car.

Anybody want to comment stanrtd@yahoo.ca before I buy?

24th Sep 2010, 14:45

Just to comment on your question. I bought a 2006 Chevy Epica LTZ, and haven't had a single issue. But to remind you, in 2004 they did have multiple issues, so if you are thinking about buying one, buy a 2006, because by then, all recalls and issues had been resolved. It is a great car, I can tell you that.

29th Nov 2010, 07:00

I have a 2004 Epica LS.

What a piece of garbage: bearings in rear went, fog lights don't work, rough idling, stalling sputtering, high revving, ignition won't turn, clunking in the rear suspension. Check engine light on! Just a pure lemon!

Never a Chevy again, I can't believe they would allow this...

Don't buy!

12th May 2011, 19:17

I purchased a 2004 Epica LT... NOTHING HAS WORKED RIGHT ON THIS CAR SINCE DAY ONE!! Thousands spent on repairs! This car is JUNK!! I dumped mine...

Advise you dump yours too!

30th May 2011, 13:59

I have owned a 2004 Epica for a year and a half now, bought it with 77000 on it last January. The ABS/TCS systems would malfunction after the TCS engaged, and the computer would shut them off for safety reasons. I took it in, turned out the Brake Control Module was fried, the dealership I had bought it from covered the cost because they had done the inspection. This past Fall a speed sensor in one of the hubs failed, and I had to get the hub replaced, but that has been it. I love this car, it's so smooth to drive. I have had some rough idling, but after doing some regular maintenance on the vehicle, it was fine.

I agree with the above comment on these models as luxury vehicles, they are not race cars. That said, mine handles flooring it to 120 km just fine. The manual has a lot of useful info, and regular maintenance will do wonders. I replaced my spark plugs this spring, and they were the original ones from the manufacturing plant - they should have been replaced twice by that point. That's probably what caused my rough idle, because they had the wrong gap and were damaged.

21st Jun 2011, 08:29

It is great that you got a good one. At 61000 kms, I have to replace the transmission for the 3rd time and I've never had transmission problems before. I think part of the problem is GM service doesn't have a clue about these cars.

18th Jul 2011, 16:47

Your review is what I have to live with, and I'm desperately trying to get rid of this car before it runs me down.

7th Dec 2011, 17:42

2004 Epica LT. I have owned it from new, oil changed every 5K.

Currently 170,000 Klm, one set of brakes, 2 sets of tires.

One repair to the rear suspension; 250.00

Everything else is original.

I do have a problem with the headlights right now, that's how I found this site. It looks like the switch.

All in all, it has been a pretty good car, not much resale left in it though, we will drive it to death from here.

Would I buy another? A Honda or Toyota would still be worth something at this point.

16th Dec 2011, 09:46

My car alarm beeps (on my 2004 Chev Epica) when the car is locked. Lights flash and so on. The GM dealership says it's an electrical problem that acts up when it is wet outside. The dealer said it is also very expensive to fix. How do I fix this. Every time it rains and the door is locked, the car wails!!! Can I just disengage the alarm??? Someone please help.

13th Feb 2012, 08:50

Wow, what a lemon this car is. I have had the 2004 Epica LT for about 4 years now, and I can't list the number of repairs done on it.

Just got a quote on repairs, and have the following:

1. Both rear steering knuckles.

2. Both rear bushings.

3. Both rear bearings.

4. Right front outer tie rod end.

$2000.

This some joke? Going to dump it and buy a reliable Honda. Never will I buy a GM vehicle ever again.

23rd Jun 2012, 12:45

I have a 2007 Chev Epica. It's has been a great car. Only issues were the battery, and now the compressor in the A/C, but I'm living in the Middle East, and these are problems for most cars here.

The car runs great, a good cheap buy, obviously don't buy a 2004; '06 onwards has no problems.