2004 Chevrolet Epica LT 2.5 Liter Inline 6

Summary:

This vehicle was a good deal when it came out and can service low KM driving

Faults:

Since Sept. 2023: AC condenser drain plugged, variable geometry intake (VGIS) valve, solenoid vent, intake gasket, #2 ignition coil, valve cover gasket.

From new in 2004-Sept 2023 various issues such as front wheel hub and bearing, turn signal switch, daytime running light control recall, OBD-02 Sensor recall. Regular maintenance like battery, tires, brakes, plugs.

General Comments:

My Mom bought the Epica brand new in June 2004. She only drove it 60,000KM from June 2004 till Sept 2023. She stopped driving in the summer of 2023 so I took over the vehicle and imported it to Florida in Nov 2023. The vehicle is only used 5-6 months in Florida so perfect for down here. My Mom was 72 years old when she bought the Epica and 93 when she stopped driving. So this Epica was literally owned and driven by a little old lady. The vehicle even has a spoiler on the trunk so my Mom knew where the end of the vehicle is when backing up. Being 5'1" it was hard to see the end of the trunk when backing up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd February, 2026

2004 Chevrolet Epica LS 2.5

Summary:

Dealership Denial

Faults:

I just recently bought my Chev Epica. I feel I made a mistake. First of all the dealers don't want to deal with their own headache. I believe it is in the wiring harness. Little story here:

I bought this car for $500 dollars. Owners before bought this car in July 2016. They paid $2000 for this car and soaked another $3500 dollars into this car to pass the E test alone.

I drove this car for 2 months and it quit. 4 mechanics later the car sat tore apart. It took me 15 minutes to get the car running. It would whirl over and act like it wanted to start, but didn't. It was the ECM fuse in the engine fuse box and some gas. Started right up. I took the car to the garage after sitting for 3 months with the engine light off. It passes with ease. Both the Safety and E test. Pulling the car out of the garage, the engine light came on. The car runs great otherwise.

The last couple months it drives great other than the transmission is jumping. Out of the blue it quits and won't stay running. I investigated further into the engine, under the big plastic cover. To be honest I don't know how it runs. Little did I know #2 ignition coil's not even hooked up, wire coatings are all cracked and brittle, clip was cut off. Nor were any of them fastened down. #4 coil died. So this is why the car suddenly ran like crap. I was down two cylinders. Looking under all the tape and rubber on the wires to find deep in the harness the wires coating are very brittle and are cracked exposed wires. In some cases they are touching each other. Took 4 days to rewire the ignition coils. Whoever worked on it previous to me rewired some in the wrong slots. The light was off for a bit, now it's on again and the codes are lean bank 1 and 2 PO171, PO174, and Mass or Volume air flow circuit range/Performance PO101. Not bad from having 18 codes. The only thing left to change for those codes are the gas cap and fuel filter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd March, 2017

2005 Chevrolet Epica LS 2.5 V6

Summary:

Avoid buying this car!

Faults:

I have a 2005 Epica LT. Bought it with 130k on it last year.

Replaced brakes, fuel filter and oxygen sensor.

Lost the motor a few months ago. Bought an 04 LT with 131k, swapped motors, and now the hold light blinks, I have no power till 60, then she works fine with the light blinking. Everything is hooked up, all the fluids are up. Can anyone help? Never swapped the tranny, never touched it. I have no idea what's going on. Help please!

General Comments:

Not liking this car at all

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th August, 2014

15th Aug 2014, 02:49

Sorry about your troubles.

It may be a case of a lesson learned in buying a re-badged GM Daewoo.

Good luck.