Daewoo Nubira Saloon 1997
  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Cheap and lots of kit. Free servicing a bonus, but the engineering is still based on 20 year old fleet fodder, and feels like it.

    Costs

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Cheap on the surface only. Free servicing and low purchase cost look attractive, but wiped out by dire fuel consumption and near zero value at 3 yrs old. Expensive to run as a company car due to sky high CO2 emissions.

  • On the road

    Driving

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Lively engine, but horrible in every other way. Bouncy, floaty ride, dangerous levels of understeer, vague steering and ABS that cuts in stupidly early. Undriveable in snow unless you take the ABS fuse out.

    Performance

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Despite being harsh and noisy, the 2.0 engine is punchy and responsive and easily the best part of the car. Quicker than the 306XSi my wife drove at the time. In a straight line only of course. Irritated BMW 316i/318i/320i drivers beyond belief!

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Lots of stupid niggling problems that the "service centre" never fixed. Engine destroyed by cam-belt failure at 42k miles. Happened to all 13 others on the fleet between 25k and 45k. To be fair to them, Daewoo paid up without any hassle.

    Image

    1 out of 5 1.0

    See my comments under "security". A company car which made every member of staff who were given them (including the non-car-oriented people) quit or refuse to drive them within 3 years. Not only cheap and nasty, but awful to drive.

    Comfort

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Driving position and basic ergonomics surprisingly good, but cheap, unyielding seats, cheap materials and lots of engine and road noise. Overly light throttle pedal made long motorway journeys crippling as I couldn't relax my foot.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Best security in the world - a car nobody wants to be seen dead in.

    Service

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Had to wait 11 weeks for a 20,000 mile service.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Broken cambelt / new engine at 42k, squealing air-con compressor,

    Other

    Demister dangerously inadequate, handbrake unusably bad, drivers electric mirror never worked properly from new.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    New

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    No