13th Jan 2011, 14:14
I am in complete agreement about this car. AKA Lemon.
I bought it brand new, and have more issues with it than I could have imagined.
I have had to replace the entire steering rack, and it looks like I may have to again.
Head lights have been ridiculous with constant replacement.
The car never heats up in the winter or cools in the summer.
I have had to replace all the tires twice, headlights twice, within the first six months had to replace the battery and the wipers. Literally, this car is a Chevy made of Gold... my gold (money) that has had to go into it.
I would not ever recommend another Chevy vehicle, much less purchase one.
20th Feb 2011, 20:50
I have a 2004 Chevy Optra 5.
It is the biggest LEMON I have ever seen. Like clock work every few months. From the moment I bought the car brand new till now, it has had some major defect or recall. The car has been almost rebuilt on the warranty.
Now my car needs a new slave cylinder and today it just died and I was told it was the timing belt. My car only has 89,000 k to boot!
I agree Optra 5 owners should start a class action law suit!
7th Mar 2011, 20:22
This is an update to my last comment, it turns out my timing belt was not blown it was the crank shaft that broke which caused a domino effect. I am seriously looking into legal action. Is there anyone else on board with that?
3rd Oct 2011, 13:40
After my belt slipped because the crank pulley had been replaced under warranty and the bolts came loose, the valves got bent and did other damage, so I had to replace the engine with a used one. Now the head gasket is gone in this motor, after driving it for three months. Calling a lawyer to ask if there is anyway to get some kind of compensation or reimbursement for the money, time and headache put into this vehicle, because now I have to buy a new one.
8th Nov 2011, 13:27
Yes, I am looking into it. Are there any disgruntled owners from Alberta? I am speaking to a lawyer now, but we need an Alberta plantiff (I am in Ontario).
20th Nov 2011, 01:32
My daughter's 2005 Optra just had the timing belt fail - which according to the mechanic causes the valves to bend. This will require a major engine overhaul, which neither she nor I can afford. This car has been nothing but trouble for her; she just recently replaced the head gasket, and now this. If there are plans for a class action, someone please let me know.
P.S. We are from British Columbia.
Bob Beland
bd-beland@shaw.ca
20th Nov 2011, 10:53
Get a good manual on eBay and do some of the labor yourself. If the valves didn't break the top of the piston, you are in good shape to take the head off. Have it done at a shop that specializes in head repairs. Replace the valves, head gasket, timing belt and water pump. And you will be good for another 40,000 to 60,000 miles, before you have to do it again. Engines are like big puzzles... you remember how you took it apart... and reverse when putting it back together. Also take pictures of it... to not forget the order.
22nd Nov 2011, 09:29
Thanks for the feedback. We have a friend who is a mechanic who can help us out with this. But no matter how you cut it, it's going to cost. However, my point is that GM should be covering these problems. This car is a major lemon, so they discontinued its sale in North America, and the owners are now left holding the bag.
24th Jul 2010, 17:59
OK, here is an update on my Optra5 from above... it is now off to the junk yard only being 6 years old. Coming home from the doctor's with kids in the back, it started to make really nasty ginding noises. I pulled over to have it towed to the mechanic, to find out that the high pressure hoses have blown, the power steering motor blew up, the support bracket broke in half, and the rack in pinning was dead too...
If you want my opinion, stay away from the Optra5, or any Optra as a matter of fact...