1998 Daewoo Leganza CDX review from UK and Ireland

The remote locking/alarm/immobiliser packed in at 37,000 miles.

The leather on the offside side support of the drivers seat is very worn.

The thrust bearing collapsed requiring a new clutch at 49,000 miles.

Head gasket blew at 65,800 miles causing the ECU to blow. and killing the car. This little bundle of laughs cost me £1050.

New ball joints required at 66,000 miles. £100.

Stereo system and 10 CD player, gave up the ghost at 67,600 miles. Replaced by an MP3 player £170.

At 68,000 miles on Thursday the 13th of November, at 5.45 in the morning whilst on my way to work and cruising at 60mph, down the motorway, the engine decided to let go, thereby blowing two holes, one in either side of the engine block. A surprisingly thin engine block, by the way. This resulted in my having to purchase a replacement second hand engine for the sum of £1309, with fitting. (I was quoted around £4,000 for a new one from Daewoo)

When the car is running and everything is working as it should be, it's fine. But, with what I've had to pay out in replacement parts, for what is, in a car that has been regularly serviced and well looked after, nominal mileage, I'm afraid my love affair with my Leganza is definitely on the wane. Daewoo are certainly cheap cars to buy, but the outrageously high cost of replacement parts is rapidly gaining them a reputation as a car to steer clear of on the second hand market. No wonder the guarantee runs out at 60.000.

So, would I buy another one? Take a wild guess.

PS. The drivers window has taken a dislike to closing smoothly. So that's something to look forward to over the coming winter.