Faults:

One issue with the car right now... wheezing noise which gets louder as the car goes faster (even on neutral or engine turned off). Checked with service center in Cheras and the guy (with 3 mechanics looking at it) said it was the front right tire bearings.. WRONG! And then he wanted to change the left after charging me over rm200.. took it to another service center and this guy says it's the gearbox and just to check it will cost me rm1200... sigh.. now I'm beginning to regret buying an Optra.

General Comments:

It's comfortable, but the after sales service has to be improved tremendously.

General Comments:

I just recently purchased this care and was promised that it will be fitted with a "Blaupunt" 5 CD changer player, but I was given a Kentwood, 1 CD player.

There is a button to control the volume etc... from the steering, but apparently it is not working.

I have told this to the salesman and he told me to write in.

As for the rubber along the windows and on top, it is worn out. In addition, the wipers too.

The speaker near the windows are also not working.

I just pray and hope that the above will be looked into by those concern.

Faults:

Alarm goes off without anything triggering it, so I can't set the alarm anymore. Manual locking is the only option.

Jerks when shifting from N to D.

General Comments:

Spacious.

Minimal cabin noise.

General Comments:

As a whole, I am very satisfied with the Optra5. I've found it to be reliable, even when leaving it unplugged overnight at -40C.

One item of question is the automatic transmission: the residential speed limit in Canada is 50 km/h; the Optra 5 shifts into 2nd gear at about the same point - so trying to keep that speed results in choppy and almost constant up-an-down shifting. The only way I've been able to bypass this issue is by trying to keep an average speed of 52 km/h.

General Comments:

Nothing went wrong with the car, it is great. I chose it for my first car and I am satisfied so far. I have never faced problems like these mentioned above; the engine works perfectly and I feel the difference day by day when I am stepping on the gas as it was tight in the beginning. I think problems like these can be found in every brand, and as my friends say, "It happens!"

Faults:

Shortly after buying this car, we took it on a long trip. Travelling at thoroughfare speed, against the wind, the hood shook alarmingly. We stopped to check that everything was tight and in place then continued with a prayer. We had no problem, once adjusted to this movement and have had no other related difficulty.

At about 10,000km, while we were on holidays in a city far from home, the engine light came on and the car stalled at an intersection. We were able to park it long enough to cool then drive it home. Peter Smith, our dealer in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, replaced a computer chip, under warranty and we've had no trouble with it since.

General Comments:

Our children are grown, but we frequently carry older in-laws. They find the back seat comfortable and easy to access.

Both my wife & I utilize cruise control functions located on the steering wheel, but had to be instructed on location of 'on/off' button, further back, toward steering column. Rarely use audio controls on steering wheel, as they're no more convenient that radio-mounted buttons.

Over-all economy is good, about the same as '98 Wolfsburg (5sp. standard) we owned previously...and Optra parts are much, much cheaper!

On-ramp acceleration requires a heavy foot or patience, but cruisability, once up to speed, is fine. Steering in slippery conditions is at least as predictable as the Jetta and suspension produces improved ride characteristics.

We added hood shield and body-tone painted side window awnings for convenience. In a glut of similar silhouetted vehicles, have had lots of comments on sleek lines and good looks.

Pleased with roomy trunk for such a small car.