1998 Daewoo Espero GLX 2.0 petrol from Venezuela

Summary:

A cheap car with luxury car pretensions

Faults:

Changed Alternator 2 times.

Had a serious short circuit 6 mo after buying it.

Have changed the shock absorbers 4 times since bought.

Changed the main belt pulley 6 mo after bought.

Serious reheating.

Gear box leaks thus it jammed. Changed it and new one leaks badly when on the highway.

Had to change almost everything electric, Starter engine, ignition, spark plug wires, exhaust gas readmission valve, water temp sensor, AC idle valve (twice), acceleration sensor broke after 3 months.

Computer assisted radiator fan sensing was not working so I had to add an extra relay apart from the electric system, which works well now.

Fuel pump replaced 2 times now.

Both clutch pumps replaced.

Air conditioner freezes and compressor sounds horribly.

General Comments:

This a very very comfortable car with all big luxury car accessories and road handling is good, which really improves with lower profile tires and curve handling has nothing to envy from other brand cars, it has great looks and it is very safe to drive and run with.

At first the engine was spiting oil from the overhead cam, and it spilled over the alternator from the air intake connection over it, thus burning it. I had to change it then. I had to repair the engine of course.

Once done that the continouos engine over heating lead to a second alternator blowup, since that was dealt with, ive had no more problems (if you want to know how, keep reading)

So I fought against a inexplicable engine reheating, this damaged the alternator which I had to replace 2 times. The reheating was solved by advancing the ignition timing angle to 10 degrees, with the aid of a timing lamp of course.

Bad side I discovered that the drive train and suspension is very delicate and spare parts are very cheap, but these low quality replacements don't last very long.

I eliminated the valve gas recirculation hose that goes to the air intake from the over head cam valve lid valve lid, on high revs the air intake burns engine oil inside the air intake, and clogs up all air sensor intakes, so car goes berzerk and won't do idling correctly.

It burns a lot of fuel, but it has a nice acceleration feeling. Engine is powerful and although it won't do better than twin cams engines it will stay well over 2600 revs which is the highest torque.

It is extremely quiet and suspension is very soft.

It has given me a lot of headaches, but girls love it after they get in, interior is cozy, so I'm keeping it for a while.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th September, 2007

1998 Daewoo Espero CD 1.8 petrol from South Africa

Summary:

A waste of money

Faults:

I have replaced the alternator 5 times.

The car overheats and nothing can be done according to the manufacturer.

The service is shocking.

The car is extremely heavy on fuel.

The interior rattles consistently and it falls apart too easily.

General Comments:

The car does have a good top speed for its engine capacity, but seems to wear tyres down too easily, I'm not sure about the balance and weight distribution.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2006

24th Aug 2007, 04:22

I am shocked to hear the comments about this car. It's like someone has lifted a heavy load off my shoulders. It's true that it uses a lot of fuel; excessive wear of the tyres; and I have to keep changing the ball joints and the tierod ends to stop it from shaking.

Though it's good at speed, I love the balance when it's in top gear. For some reason I still haven't sold it; it is addictive, I might say...

Clem.

1998 Daewoo Espero GLE 1.5 DOHC from Poland

Summary:

The best of Daewoos with no successor

Faults:

In general poor quality of materials in interior, the power windows has very weak engines, so it takes long time to open them and even more to close. The switchboard on driver's door died and had to be replaced. The bedrings I front wheels had to be replaced after 60 000 kms, in rear ones after 80 000. Some rust is visible, but only on front left wing.

General Comments:

It is a really great car comparing to it's price.

I bought it from the dealer as a new one.

Never had problems with engine, transmission or suspension.

It is a very good car for everyday use, I can rely on it.

I wish it has more powerful engine, mine has 92 hp and the acceleration is acceptable only above 3500 rpm.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th January, 2006

1998 Daewoo Espero CD 2.000cc 4cil petrol from Venezuela

Summary:

Great car, but delicate

Faults:

Well I replace the alternator six times. I thing what is the problem don't go up to 6000 rev.

General Comments:

This car is fast, I installed a 4 heads plugs and the ride is better.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th October, 2002

3rd Aug 2004, 12:08

All I can say is that you are thrashing the car to be revving it to 6000 rpm! You should change gear at 3000 no wonder you've had to replace the parts so often!!!

11th Jan 2005, 07:43

1) Since 1998, I have never changed the alternator this is good. On June 2004, It was repaired since Daewoo`s Representative in Venezuela could not find the original one. Now 6 1/2 months later the car stopped again because the alternator.

Since the money I paid for the repairing was 70 % of the cost of the original, now I am trying to buy a new one, but nobody can tell me which is model. Is there any chance to find one in Venezuela? or an equivalent model? Which one?.

Daewoo Espero 2,0 Deluxe - Motor 2.0 MPFI Automatic 1998.

19th Jul 2005, 10:12

Where I can buy service manuals about this model?