1998 Daewoo Cielo GLX review from India

It is heaviest car in 1.5 (1498 cc) sector in India therefore, breaking requires paddling whether on plains or on hills.

Little higher suspension would have given the car better performance only from the ground clearance point of view.

I bought three year old driven car in Rupees 2,70,000/- (appx $5500) in September 2001. I am enjoying comforts of worth Rs 8,00,000/- (appx $16500). The car was within my budget so no loan amounts to be paid. Only fuel cost. Contrarily, I am not to pay huge loans EMI, Insurance, then expenditure on top on fuel.

I have driven many cars of my friends in U. K while playing Cricket for nine good seasons. I found the feel quiet close to Cavalier. Friend of mine drove this car in India and appreciated it.

My car is engaged with only one mechanic since purchase. I may have spent about 50,000/- appx in past six years including tyres, battery, Service etc & on Excellent Mechanic (Doctor) of my car.

I have got official LPG fitted to my car as per suggestion of my mechanic Dr. Satpal, therefore, I benefited on fuel efficiency too. The car presently consumes an average of 13.7 KM per litre and 10 KM on hills on petrol.

A full tank of gas appx Rs.1400/-,the machine drives appx 550 KM on highways giving 12.22 KM per litre of gas i. e appx Rs 2.50 per kilometre almost equivalent to 800 to 1000 cc petrol car. Wonderful, isn`t it?

Moreover, I am fully loaded with spares like, all belts, leads, fuel pump, water pump, rotter, Ignition switch, distributor, plugs, clutch& accelerator wires, fuse etc for need in emergency any where. The boot is accomodating luggage tools, Gas cylinder and parts of emergency kit comfortably.

Recently, I have been to "Munsiyari" almost 700 KM, a base camp to Millam Glacier at almost 2748 meters above sea level. Got the car breaks bleeded at Pithoragrh and on return at Bhowalie. It was dangerous track with lots of rough patches from place calledThal,steepy Ghats to Munsiyari and back. We were four adults and three kids (one of & 7 yr and two of 11 yrs age). Literally a packed car.

The car has never troubled me any where so far and if it occurs on a occasion I am sure Dr Satpal and I can sort things. I am contended with my car, though unfortunately, a safe car by Indian standard has stopped manufacturing in India. Parts are easily available in Delhi, where I live, which are cheaper in comparison to other 1.5 cars of various makes.

Next tour I want to go is to GOA appx 2000 KM from Delhi when ever God permits.

Sorry for being carried away.

Best Regards to readers

Shirish Srivastava

23 Chitra Vihar

Delhi 110092

India.

shirish104@yahoo.com