2004 Chevrolet Optra 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Average

Faults:

The vehicle has been good up until now. Was owned by a "senior" couple who took it to the dealer for all required (money making) services and check ups. The vehicle came with all receipts for all work done. Head gasket and related items were replaced at 74000 (by a GM dealer) and now at 147000 the head gasket has failed again. It was a problem at #4 cylinder and guess what, it's now cylinder 4 again - wow, imagine that LOL. The block is pitted at the coolant passage at cylinder 4 and this failure will surely happen again. Searching the WWW I read numerous instances of the same concern as mine. Way to go GM. Disappointing again. Last GM vehicle I will buy, and I was never really a fan any way. With luck they will file chapter 11.

General Comments:

Otherwise, a decent vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th August, 2019

2004 Chevrolet Optra Base model 2.0L from North America

Summary:

A good looking car with some power

Faults:

Like every car I buy, it has its problems. Just one month after I bought the car, the front lower control arm bushings went. For about three years all I needed to get done were oil changes.

In 2012 I paid in spades for the past 3 years. My engine blew. The timing belt jumped 2 teeth, and smashed every valve and broke 2 piston heads in half.

Six months after getting the replacement engine put in ($850), the head gasket blew at 138,000km; that set me back $1000.00 because the head was warped and had to be planed.

Since the head gasket, just regular maintenance on the car.

General Comments:

This car can be very quick with the proper modifications, and handles great.

The cabin is good. The appearance of the car is great.

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

Review Date: 1st February, 2014

28th May 2014, 23:23

You're telling me, this is my brother's car, but I drive it too. I was driving onto the highway, & the timing belt jumped 1 tooth & broke all 16 valves, 2 pistons. The car was down for 2 years till we found a new motor (a new one from GM was going to cost $650, not including labor). Found a new motor for $250, and got it put in. Soon after that the head gasket went ($650 dollars). After that, regular maintenance. Had it going for 2 years now & we had to replace rear rotors, brakes, & inner rear sway bar bushings.

The whole reason the timing belt jumped was the dealership cleared the engine code out. We don't go to the dealer for anything any more, & everyone that we talk to, we tell them not to go to that dealership.

2004 Chevrolet Optra Base from India

Summary:

The car is wow

Faults:

Head gasket is still alive.

General Comments:

7 years and still using this car. Services are a bit expensive, but the car is reliable like hell.

Acceleration is wow, braking is wow, gear box is very smooth, and didn't even spend a penny on brakes.

Take my word, it's the best for Indian roads.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th January, 2013

2004 Chevrolet Optra from North America

Summary:

This car is unreliable, and I would not recommend it to anyone!

Faults:

This car is clearly a lemon.

The head gasket went at 110000km.

Replaced fan belt.

Terrible on gas.

Antifreeze coolant leaks.

Oil leaks.

Engine light on soon after I purchased it.

Not able to read on mechanic's scanner, making it hard to identify and fix the problem. I brought it to 4 different mechanics.

General Comments:

The only good thing I can say about this car is it looks good. I think both the interior and exterior of it.

Mechanically I would never recommend this vehicle!

For a small car, I could not believe how quickly it consumes gas.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th January, 2013

2004 Chevrolet Optra from North America

Summary:

Lemon

Faults:

My head gasket blew at 80,000 Km, and had it taken care of at the GM dealership that I bought it at. That was 1 year ago.

Since then I have had nothing but oil leaks and antifreeze leaks, and GM is unwilling to do anything for me. Oddly enough, the oil did not leak or antifreeze did not leak prior to me having the head gasket replaced!

I decided today to file a complaint with Transport Canada. They will take your complaint, but they will not do anything unless we can prove that the defect will cause an accident?? At any rate, the more complaints they get against the car, the better, so let's do something about it, and maybe they will turn it into a recall. Call 1-800-333-0510. They have only received one complaint, and that is from me! So call them and let's get something done here!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st October, 2012

4th Feb 2013, 10:55

This car was great up until 65000 km, and then the trouble started with the over heating and severe loss of anti-freeze. It is not leaking underneath, so must be going out the tail pipe. When I called the dealership, they said they hadn't heard about this type of problem from other Optra owners. According to the comments on this page, I think I have a lemon.