2002 Daewoo Leganza LE from North America

Summary:

Cheap until something goes wrong... and something will

Faults:

Cam shaft position sensor is faulty, and at just over 40,000 miles, needed replacing.

Coolant leak developed at 65,000 miles, as well as an AC freon leak.

Head gasket, radiator and condenser need replacing at 70,000 miles.

Brake light switch needed replacing at 68,000 miles.

Plastic under windshield has buckled due to heat damage; typical with most of the Daewoo cars.

General Comments:

It seems like a deal because it is dirt cheap for low miles, but there is a reason for that. I kept having things break down at 50000 miles that I shouldn't have had a problem with until 100000 miles. Also, when those things do break, it takes a while for people to find parts for the car, so the repair is not only more expensive, but also delayed so they can get the parts shipped in.

Also, if you plan on moving and pulling a U-Haul trailer, you can't do it with this car. Since it was only manufactured for 3 years, there was never a hitch made for this car, so any hitch you get has to be custom made, which is very expensive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th August, 2010

4th Jan 2011, 14:55

OK problems will coolant or head gasket failure... I will say.. It's your duty to maintain proper coolant level & also draining old coolant at proper intervals... draining old coolant & installing a new one.. Increases the life of the cooling system of your car... never ever listen to what mechanics say... They recommend 50 50 ratio in cooling system... Crap...

Always use 75 or 80... 20 as the coolant ratio... Because coolant circulates in critical components of the cooling system.. It lubricates the water pump... Protects head gaskets... absorbs heat... So the one which does such a hard job should be more in your car... I use 80... 20 in my 11 year old Daewoo Matiz.. & trust me... In summers, if the car reaches the normal temperature, the low speed cooling fan instantly cools it.. & if the aircon is on.. then the temperature needle will fall down.. As the cooling fan runs at high speed... I have tested.. That & using it since almost 2 years.. Keep your radiator clean.. Always spray water once a month.. To keep it clean...

Daewoo cars are not worst or not made for 3 years.. It's just how you maintain it.. & how fresh you keep your fluids...

Daewoo rules...

2002 Daewoo Leganza CDX 2.2L 131 hp I4 from North America

Summary:

The best family car for under $15,000!

Faults:

The car is still brand new and nothing serious has gone wrong yet. Engine noise is respectably high compared to the Altima.

However one of the tweeters creates an annoying buzz when the radio is on.

General Comments:

This car was actually purchased to replace a '91 Corolla. For the rock bottom price due to undecided future of GM-Daewoo in the states, it has been an excellent buy.

The options package is quite long, even extends further than some of the more expensive cars such as the Passat or Altima.

The acceleration is a little bit weak in relation to the Nissan, but that is due to a heavier net weight and the engine only produces 1 more horsepower.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2003

21st Jul 2003, 22:01

Update: The car is almost through its break-in period. Performance has slightly improved and the security light on the dash finaly started to blink as it should.

16th May 2004, 13:34

Update: After a year and 12,000 miles several issues occurred. At one point (8000mi), something jammed the engine and it was shaking the entire car as it was about to explode. 24 hours after it unjammed and never happened again. The plastic in the interior is easy to dang-up. Have to be extra careful with it. The interior trunk release lever broke. It still functions, but the cheap plastic fell of the metal lever. The fuse box cover fell off when was hit by accident while leaving the car. In the performance department the car improved. Gas mileage improved and it no longer suffers to keep up with V8 traffic. Creature comforts are at their best. The front buckets and back bench are great for long hauls. A/C and heat work great. The tweeter was adjusted and now the sound is fantastic. However, when you are trying to play high-bass music, don't count on the most of it.

12th Jan 2007, 00:41

I have a 2002 Laganza CDX. Love the look the ride and options. It hasn't been a year yet and the cam shaft sensor has a recall and needs to be replaced on mine. The brake light switch broke and made my cruise control and brake lights not work also making the shifter stay in park. Got that replaced, but a daewoo one was not found. The brake lights work now and I can get it out of park, but being that it was not a daewoo part, the cruise no longer works. The back window driver side won't go up and down just this past week so I will need to get that fixed. Other than that I love the car!! I have maybe seen 3 in the 9 months Iv had it and that is a plus for me. There is a VW dealer near me that use to sell Daewoos so they will fix the recall, that put me at ease because so many people were telling me that I wouldn't find anyone to fix this car.

10th Dec 2007, 02:46

I own a 2002 Daewoo, Leganza. Bought it brand new. Have less than 75,000 miles on it. I have had to have a front end put on my car 3 times so far. Which in turn had to have brakes because they go out right along with the front end. Also had to have catalytic converter replaced, motor for the rear passenger window replaced, gas lid replaced because it wouldn't close and cover to the fuse box constantly pops off. Am now having problem with the key ignition.