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Daewoo Lanos, don't believe Edmunds - READ ONLY

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Messages Page 1 of 21

#1 of 206 sichang by sichang

Nov 17, 1998 (10:50 am)

There is a new Korean car company here it he US.
They are Daewoo. I checked out the review of the
Daewoo Lanos hatchback on this website because they
are one of the only places to even list Daewoo
cars as a choice! I was disturbed when I read the
report though. They wonder why anyone would risk
buying this car when they have no idea of its
reliability. They suggest that buying a Honda
civic, or a Used Integra (?!) would be a better
choice. The writers obviously didn't know that
Daewoo had been on sale for a number of years
already in such large markets as Britain and
Australia. The cars have been top sellers and have
garnered glowing reviews from the media and public
in those areas. In Korea, the Daewoo is quickly
eclipsing Hyundai as best sellers as well. Why?
The Daewoo Lanos offers for 13,000 what one would
have to pay about 16,000 for a comprobably equipped
civic, corolla etc. I know I tried looking. For
about 13,000 you can get a civic or corolla with
auto, and that's it. Maybe A/C if you are lucky,
forget about any power accessories or ABS. The
Daewoo Lanos for about the same price offers auto,
power windows, doorlocks, ABS, AC, CD player, dual
airbags etc. What got me was the power door locks
and windows. You can't even get those on the civic
or corolla unless you step up to the LX, or DX
models respectively. Also you the Lanos looks
fantastic! The back looks very civic-esque while
the front looks strongly reminiscent of the BMW 323
hatchback. By the way I don't work for Daewoo or
anything like that. I myself own a Daewoo Nubira,
and my girlfriend owns a Lanos, and we both
absolutely love them! She purchased her Lanos for
about 13,400 with All power accessories, dual
airbags, auto, ac, cd player, alloy wheels etc.
Also remember that all Daewoo cars come with 3,
36,000 mile scheduled maintenance for free! Also
24 hour roadside assistance for the same period and
an excellent basic warrantly. Now if the Daewoo
were such a unreliable car as the editors of
Edmonds would want you to believe, why would they
back their cars up with such a tremendous warranty?
 Pretty much that all automotive journalist are
infactuated with Japanese cars, and for good reason
too, but in my opinion over analyze any problem a
non-japanese competitor might have, and not
accentuate the values they might. For further info
about the Daewoo models check out:
http://www.daewoous.com and if anyone has any
questions, I would be happy to answer them about
our Daewoos! sichangic.sunysb.edu

#2 of 206 carlady by mzn

Nov 17, 1998 (11:44 pm)

Great topic, sichang! Let's hear some more about this inexpensive hatchback.


carlady/host

#3 of 206 curious5 by curious5

Nov 20, 1998 (11:50 pm)

it's a nice looking car, but no variable valve timing. just variable air intakes.


nevertheless, i think the lanos will be a factor in the hatchback market.

#4 of 206 BunnyBunns by BunnyBunns

Dec 01, 1998 (2:26 pm)

Does anyone have any input as to whether they think the Daewoo will be around for a while. My daughter is interested in buying the Nubira Hatchback...there is only one dealer around which makes it difficult to negotiate the price...she needs me to co-sign, and I don't know anything about them.

#5 of 206 carlady by mzn

Dec 01, 1998 (10:04 pm)

Well, bunnybunns, I think you've raised an interesting question. The 1998 was the first model year in the US. I would take a look at the availability of dealerships for service and support where you are and where you foresee the car being driven and then factor that into your decision.


Daewoo owners, have you had any trouble finding a place for service?


carlady/host

#6 of 206 ryandougherty by ryandougherty

Dec 23, 1998 (5:01 am)

I own a 1999 Daewoo Leganza CDX (5,000 miles / 3 Months old) and I've had just a few isolated problems with my car. The dealership has been outstanding so far, though I'm a little unsure about their "one-price, no haggle" policy that is similar to Saturns. My first problem what that the steering pump was making a small whining noise when making u-turns or at lock-to-lock on the steering wheel. The second problem was with the transmission (Which they are working on right now). I believe the computer needs an update on the software or something. The Lock-up torque converter seems to be that it was not able to lock. I will make sure to update everyone on what it was exactly. I've checked with many Daewoo owners, and my problems seem to be isolated and not widespread.


I believe (and hope) Daewoo will make it in the US. I know it will take probably 4-5 years for them to gain some ground, and I hope they know it.
I see them as a developing company just as Honda did in the late 80's. Soon, Daewoo will add new engines and transmissions that are clearly more refined. MY2000 Leganza will have a Porsche-designed I-6 Engine in it! Who knows what the Nubira and Lanos get, but it's sure to be good.


If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

#7 of 206 Paul by hola

Dec 23, 1998 (5:15 am)

Hi!


I know that Daewoo is established in the foreign market, and am wondering if you by chance know if there are any performance editions of their cars abroad. (Maybe they could put one of those engines in their cars here!?) Anyway, do you like the way your car drives? What kind of gas mileage does it actually get? Is it automatic or stick?


Just wondering because I am interested in getting a family car (for my expanding family), and would like to get something different, that not everybody owns. Plus, you get a lot of equipment for a low price in these Daewoos--am I right?


Anyway, if you could answer a few of my questions I would appreciate it.


Thanks!
Paul (Owner of Red '95 VW GTi VR6)

#8 of 206 ryandougherty by ryandougherty

Dec 23, 1998 (9:51 pm)

You are absoulutely correct about the low price with a lot of equipment. The Leganza is actually a little too luxurious for my taste. I wanted a car that was sporty and practical (Sedan). The Leganza, while having adequte power, may not please some who like to rev their cars up when they're on the highway or in the countryside. However, the power is fine for me, I'm actually impressed on the Low and High-end power it has compared to the Nissan Altima and Honda Acord (and the like...). I know one thing for sure, you WILL NOT ever find a car in this price range that has a ride like the Leganza. My brother was test-driving a Acura 3.2TL last week (I was with him), and my Leganza is quieter and has less wind & road noise. This car is comparable to the Lexus ES300 in terms of Noise & Harshness. However, there is a little too much Vibration present in the car (It doesn't make noise, but you can feel it in the steering wheel a little). I get about 24-25 City and 28-29 Highway for gas mileage which doesn't seem too bad. The one thing that I have noticed, since I used to drive Honda's is that with the Daewoos, they have a lot more power in the low end. With my last Honda, it always felt like it was gasping for air or gas when leaving a stoplight until the V-Tec kicked in (Maybe that's why my Leganza doesn't claim to have gas mileage that's as high as the Honda Accord?). Oh and Automatic Transmission is standard on the two higher trim levels of the Leganza (SX, CDX).


Hope this helps, go test drive a Daewoo just to see how different they are. (Money and Luxury wise...)


Thanks,


Ryan


If you are thinking about buying a Daewoo Leganza, hold off a year. I have been told by corprate (I do work for them) that MY2000 they will have an upgraded Leganza that has a I-6 Porsche-designed engine in it. It should also be tuned more for the "American" market.


#9 of 206 hola by hola

Dec 23, 1998 (10:52 pm)

Sounds good! I went and test drove one. They are very attractive-both interior and exterior! Unfortunately, the one I tested was CDX (automatic) and coming from my 172HP V6 I just wasn't impressed. But then again, I wasn't at all impressed by the Accord and Camry--I actually like the Leganza quite a bit better (the Accord and Camry are just so boring!!!) I am currently comparing the Leganza to a Passat GLS. The Passat GLS is faster (I like the way it drives quite a bit better), and I like its interior as much as the Leganza, but the Leganza's exterior is more attractive and is better equipped.


Well, it's something to think about!


Paul

#10 of 206 forsyth1 by forsyth1

Dec 29, 1998 (9:32 pm)

Does anyone have any safety info on the Daewoos??? I couldn't find any info on either safety OR reliability...Thanks

Messages Page 1 of 21

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