Daewoo Matiz SE 5d (98) (2000/W) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Economy
Value
Nothing comes close. For a similar level of comfort and performance from another manufacturer, you'd be asked for at least another three grand. There's nothing else around at this price.
Costs
Thrash it like a maniac and get 40mpg, or take it easy and get up to 60. Insurance is cheap and servicing free. What else is there?
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On the road
Driving
MUCH better than you expect. Light and easy in town, cruises suprisingly well at 80mph. Slight understeer and can feel topheavy in corners, but this isn't a sportscar so who's complaining?
Performance
Again, quite a lot better than you expect, but if you want to race people away from the lights why are you looking at a five door car with an engine smaller than many motorbikes?
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Living with it
Reliability
No complaints. It does what it says on the tin. Just keeps going and going, helped by the fact it gets a service every 10,000 miles.
Image
I love it, but I like small, shiny silver gadgets. If you want something to pose in, look elsewhere. If you want something that people smile at, this is the puppy for you.
Comfort
I'm six foot tall and I'm comfortable in the front or back. I drive it fifty miles a day, but I wouldn't like to drive it to the south of France, say. Main complaint? It's narrow.
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Security and Service
Security
Not much to say, apart from I can't imagine it being particularly attractive to a thief. Almost anything accelerates faster, so why would someone pinch it?
Service
Brilliant. Courtesy cars delivered, servicing and repairs done, friendly, no bull, tell you what's going on and deliver what they promise, when they promise it.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Burbling sound was a burst manifold seal. Fixed in a jiffy when I told the dealer.
Other
Both rear wheel bearings went within a fortnight, both fixed, no quibbles.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
New
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes