Faults:

The question is "what hasn't gone wrong with this car??"

My speakers blew at 22,000 miles.

I had to replace the rotors and brake pads after 24,000.

There is always at least one light on my dashboard panel illuminated- check engine, air bag, brake. etc..

I had to get new front tires after only 21,000 miles- because the car keeps "un-aligning" and wearing on the tread.

Although it's been aligned twice, the wheels keep un-aligning.

I have a mysterious leak, which no one seems to understand. All the fluids have been checked, all are supposedly "OK", but there is a huge puddle in my garage. Supposedly this is from "condensation built up in the A/C dripping down and mixing with the oil on the parts." I have taken it to the dealer, and two different outside mechanics. They're bewildered.

The driver side door latch broke after I'd owned the car a month. How? The screws were stripped and fell out.

The hatch window's wiper blade stripped out and came off after two months of owning the car - and never worked before that.

The gas mileage fluctuates and is never steady - even when I do the same type of driving.

The windows rattle and shake because the gasket isn't quite perfect.

The shocks kind of suck - sometimes it feels like the steering wheel will jump out of your hands.

General Comments:

Don't buy Daewoo. Every Daewoo owner I know has had a problem or a multitude of problems with their car - and they have spent a great deal of money on "the next Honda" to keep it running.

I bought this car because it was a "good commute car" and while it's decent on gas, I've had to invest too much money in it. I still owe a couple thousand, and can only trade it in for about 1/6 the price I paid.

Faults:

Two tires at 55,000 miles; nail.

Headlamps, after a torrential rain.

Bent valves w/timing belt at 80,000.

Radio antenna at two weeks. My fault.

General Comments:

Darling little thing, everyone wants to borrow it.

Looking at reality (80 mile, 80MPH commute,) it has done great service. I frankly didn't need leather, or 140 MPH, or $400 payments, to get to work. What I think I got, was great. The simple body mass looks better to me than 95% of the cars out there.

Loud, but healthy sounds. Solid. Not cushy; does not imitate luxury. Seems to settle in at about 80, but it will slow down on grades if you let it bog down. A couple long drives, one with 2 seniors, 3 adults and a baby, (!!! borrowed!!!) brought rave reviews. Wonderful, responsive engine with great pep for normal use. You don't get the VW or BMW need to race it for power.

I can fit in it, which is usually true of SUVs and very little else. Visibility, handling / feel and brakes just make it a pleasure to drive. Maximum braking power is astonishing, but for an accomplished driver. (No ABS here.) Breaking traction in the rain in a Porsche or BMW is terrifying. This one's the best driver in the rain ever, if this is a consideration.

Dealer network and service parts are a joke, currently. The manual says to change the timing belt at 120,000 for California, and this is wrong.

Don't expect a quiet, luxurious car, take care of the oil and timing belt changes, and you'll find yourself in a real winner. Once the Chevy Aveo starts up in 2004, parts and service will no longer be an issue.