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By
EWAN KENNEDY
11 July 2005
After
getting into severe financial strife, Korean car maker Daewoo was taken
over by General Motors (GM) late in 2002. That didn’t work on the
Australian market and the Daewoo brand was taken off the Australian
new-car scene altogether in 2004. Resale values, which had already been
struggling, were further damaged by this withdrawal from the market.
However, Holden has recently announced that it will be importing cars
built by Daewoo and attaching Holden badges to them. This is likely to
improve the resale situation of the original Daewoos. No promises
though!
If you do want to take a gamble on one of the older Daewoos, the Nubira
is certainly worth a serious look. Like many from that Korean marque
designed since the mid 1990s, Nubiras have some European influence in
their styling and general road manners.
Introduced to Australia in June 1997, Daewoo Nubira can be used as a
family car for those with two or three children up to the early teenage
years. It was sold initially as a four-door sedan and five-door station
wagon, the latter called the Eurowagon. A five-door hatchback joined the
lineup in May 1998, but lasted little more than a year before being
withdrawn as the importers thought it may have been taking sales away
from the wagon. The wagon was an early victim of the rationalisation by
Holden and imports were discontinued midway through 2003.
Standard specification levels are high and Nubira has central locking,
electric windows and a four-speaker radio/cassette system in virtually
every version.
Daewoo Nubira handling makes it pleasant to drive unless you really
hurry it along. The steering is rather vague in the straight-ahead
position but otherwise gives good road feel. Handling is on the soft
side for the full-on enthusiast, but the average driver will find it
comfortable and relaxed. A good set of tyres can make a real difference
and the canny enthusiast can get a lot of pretty decent car by taking
this route.
A 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, twin-cam engine was used at the start. Much
better is the 2.0-litre unit first seen in May 1998 in some upmarket
models, then gradually spreading through the complete range. The
2.0-litre is almost as economical as the smaller engine, yet has a lot
more torque and is more pleasant to sit behind.
Transmissions are five-speed manuals and four-speed automatics, with
both sold throughout the range. Though the 1.6 engine can cope with an
automatic we suggest buying a car with the 2.0-litre powerplant if you
want the self shifter.
Spare parts are moderately priced and are still available. These Daewoos
are reasonably simple in their makeup and an experienced home mechanic
should be able to do a lot of their own work.
Insurance costs on the Nubira are generally in the low to medium part of
the scale. Thus reflecting the conservative nature of the typical buyer
of these family-oriented cars.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Look at the body and the interior for signs of crash repairs or other
damage. If unsure about the body’s condition have an expert do a full
inspection.
Make sure the engine oil has been changed and that the recommended grade
has been used. Incorrect oil not only causes premature engine wear but
can also lead to hydraulic-lifter troubles. In extreme cases we have
seen this leading to a misfire when the engine is completely cold.
Replacement of the engine timing belt should be done at each 90,000
kilometres. Be wary of an engine that hasn’t had this done as very
expensive damage can occur at any moment.
Some early Nubiras had front suspension troubles, leading to a rattle at
the lower control arm. Almost all were replaced under warranty but
listen and feel for the problem during your test drive.
Check that the clutch on a manual doesn't slip. Do so by disengaging and
re-engaging it suddenly without lifting your foot off the accelerator.
Slow takeup is likely to indicate excessive slip.
Make sure the automatic transmission is quiet and smooth in its
operation and isn’t slow at going into gear from Neutral.
Listen for a differential that’s noisy, something that’s most
noticeable during acceleration at mid-range speeds.
Be sure the brakes pull the Nubira up squarely even during full-pressure
stops.
CAR BUYING TIP
Discontinued cars often suffer from rapid depreciation that’s out
of all proportion with the their being missing from the new-car scene.
Buying, then reselling at the right time can make them very cheap to
own.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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