1998 Daewoo Nubira CDX 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A great car especially if you consider its price

Faults:

I'm very fussy so here are my concerns, even if they are minute in some peoples' eyes.

Passenger side handbrake cable rubs against the back wheel. Nothing serious, just needs to be attended to.

The automatic tensioners for the front seat belts have recently started to go weak and currently don't tighten the belts all the way back into position after you take them off.

The light in the front ashtray doesn't come on all the time.

The throat on the petrol tank is a bit small - as such filling it right to the top (to see the petrol) takes a little longer than it should. The first 45 litres fill up fine, just the last 7 litres takes a while (I know what you're thinking, 45 + 7 = 52. That's correct! I always fill up with about 10 litres still in the tank).

Both driving lights have blown over time and both have been replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

I have done over 56,000 km in this car and it runs as well today as it did the day I bought it brand new.

I have taken it on long distance trips from Sydney to Melbourne (about 1,200 km) as well as local city driving. In all types of driving it just flies. At the time of purchase I had a Black Widow cruise control fitted as well as a Hollandia sunroof and both have added pleasure to driving this car.

The 2.0 litre engine (which I have been told is made in Australia) is very responsive whilst being really economical. I get approximately 27 mile per gallon around the city (stuck in traffic mainly) and 35 mile per gallon on a highway drive. Both are with the air conditioning on. With the air conditioning off I have got 39 miles per gallon on the highway (with three adults and full of luggage in the car).

I have never used premium fuel so I guess I would get even better economy and performance if I did.

My only issue with this car is that I haven't had the opportunity to drive it more than I have. I hoped the car would reached 90,000 km by its 3 year anniversary, but it will only be up to 60,000 km. I plan on keeping this car for a few more years yet, and I plan to continue the joy I get from driving it.

I am still on the original tyres as I rotate them every 15,000 km. They will be up for replacement at about 65,000 km. The battery is still the original and is now 2 1/2 years old which is pretty good for a battery these days, considering the amount of night driving I do with all the lights on. Add this to the fact I have a car alarm fitted, plus the rear demister and sound system and the battery just keeps turning the engine over.

My father has also been impressed. He plans on buying one later this year.

All in all you won't find a happier Daewoo owner than me. When the time comes to buy another car, Daewoo will be first on my list.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd June, 2001

27th Jun 2001, 19:59

This is a great review. I have never heard anyone be so pedantic about a car, which is what I want to hear when reviewing cars. I don't like short messaged reviews and this one certainly is not. This person has given me the feel that they know their car and although some of the problems encountered are a concern, they have told it how it is. Well done on a good review. You are helping me decide on which car I will be buying. Pity this person isn't selling their car, they sound so fussy you can imagine the condition of the car. I'd buy it.

Get this car review to the top of the Daewoo Nubira reviews; it's worth everyone reading this! It's honest and unbiased.

27th Nov 2002, 05:03

What a brilliant review.

I am looking for a car at the moment and was very unsure about Daewoo because of its profile/presence next to, for example, Toyota or Honda etc, but I am definitely going to follow up on the Daewoo Nubria cars that are on my list.

This person obviously takes more interest in their car than the average consumer and as such the comments that have been made about various aspects of the car eg battery, tyres, seatbelt. lights etc are helpful indicators.

Thank you.

1998 Daewoo Nubira CDX 2.0 from Slovenia

Summary:

OK car, not OK service costs

Faults:

Nothing!

General Comments:

The handling was really bad, the suspension was not "getting" all the power to the front wheels - result:too much wheel spin. Also, it wasn't stable at high speeds. As a result I performed some modifications in the form of stiffer springs (Eibach) and stiffer shocks - the car handles better than most normal cars. The only big minus is the poor isolation of the passenger cabin and maybe inadequate seat position.

The engine is really good. Consumption: 9l/100km.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th March, 2001

1998 Daewoo Nubira SE 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A turkey!

Faults:

Gearbox is terrible. Gearshifts are annoying as you really have to push hard to get the car into the gear you want.

Brakes creak loudly as you come to a stop.

Loud creaking from rear of car when you turn.

Heat shields from the exhaust went after 6 months.

Steering is too loose and you really have to hang on hard with both hands.

Stopping distance from the brakes is inadequate.

Engine is very loud and thrashy.

General Comments:

For a car that is 2 years old, it runs like an 8 year old car. If I wasn't in a finance agreement with the dealer I would get rid of the car immediately.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th January, 2001

1998 Daewoo Nubira 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

It is a good car, needs to be older to solve minor problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th September, 1998

1998 Daewoo Nubira CDX Estate 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

A number of small things on delivery.

Three head gaskets let go after just 218 miles. Returned car and asked for another. Waited and waited, no phone calls returned. Eventually told new car awaiting parts due to faults found at pre-delivery. Asked for my money back.

This took 3 months, 43 phone calls, 7 letters and small claims court papers.

General Comments:

Daewoo claim HASSLE FREE, POLITE, RISK FREE MOTORING. That is not what we found. We will never buy another.

We now have a new Renault Scenic and not a single problem yet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd August, 1998