Faults:
The remote locking/alarm/immobiliser packed in at 37,000 miles.
The leather on the offside side support of the drivers seat is very worn.
The thrust bearing collapsed requiring a new clutch at 49,000 miles.
Head gasket blew at 65,800 miles causing the ECU to blow. and killing the car. This little bundle of laughs cost me £1050.
New ball joints required at 66,000 miles. £100.
Stereo system and 10 CD player, gave up the ghost at 67,600 miles. Replaced by an MP3 player £170.
At 68,000 miles on Thursday the 13th of November, at 5.45 in the morning whilst on my way to work and cruising at 60mph, down the motorway, the engine decided to let go, thereby blowing two holes, one in either side of the engine block. A surprisingly thin engine block, by the way. This resulted in my having to purchase a replacement second hand engine for the sum of £1309, with fitting. (I was quoted around £4,000 for a new one from Daewoo)
General Comments:
When the car is running and everything is working as it should be, it's fine. But, with what I've had to pay out in replacement parts, for what is, in a car that has been regularly serviced and well looked after, nominal mileage, I'm afraid my love affair with my Leganza is definitely on the wane. Daewoo are certainly cheap cars to buy, but the outrageously high cost of replacement parts is rapidly gaining them a reputation as a car to steer clear of on the second hand market. No wonder the guarantee runs out at 60.000.
So, would I buy another one? Take a wild guess.
PS. The drivers window has taken a dislike to closing smoothly. So that's something to look forward to over the coming winter.
9th Mar 2004, 17:00
I am a Certified Audi Technician that drives a Daewoo Lanos. I have been very satisfied with my car for the 3 years that I have driven it. In the 21000 Miles I have driven it I have had a Window regulator and an ECM replaced. Also Paint on front and rear bumper were repainted while within warranty. Compared to the Audis I repair every day this Daewoo is a charm and a cut rate bargain at 10,000 dollars. I don't know what you expect from a vehicle nowadays, especially one as inexpensive as a Daewoo, but I would count your blessings that those were the only repairs you made to your vehicle. Most of those things could have been avoided had you performed regular maintenance on your car. Which I assure you you didn't. No one wants to pay for car repairs and that is why after the warranty period is up cars quickly decline in health. A word to the wise, don't neglect your Daewoo or any other car for that matter, you will only be sending it to an early grave, no matter how good or bad you may believe it to be. PS: Take it easy on the clutch and maybe you won't need a new one before 100,000.