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
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.