Comments: 1-15, 16-28
I'm leasing a 2004 Optra and would strongly warn against purchasing or leasing one. Some of the little problems: little rust spots on the roof, hood and sides, the paint chips extremely easily, one area led to the discovery that the back driver side door was misaligned, the trunk as well, the steering wheel had been put on crooked. I’ve had the headlights replaced within the first year – both burnt out so I couldn’t drive when dark (in winter, that’s most of the time). I've had it recalled for some signal light issue. It had issues with the gear shifting (it’s an automatic) and they had to reprogram something in the computer to fix it. Seems to jerk often if I hover at 51-53km/hr, but the service department can't find it. Every six months it gets very creaky, I take it in they say they fix it, but six months later it's there again and I take it in once more. Yes, it's all under warranty - I actually complained about the car so much and had it in for repairs so often that they extended the warranty to 5 years, a year past when my lease is up. The latest thing that happened was the head gasket going (left stranded with a steaming car), a major thing and very expensive. I believe there are other things, but there’s so many I’ve forgotten a few. Way too much hassle to bother with, even if it is covered by warranty. I’ve had car rentals provided to me at least four times in the past two years while they do repairs.
Terrible car, big hassle with constant repairs. I suggest staying away from an Optra.
My 2004 OPTRA had to have its transmission replaced! about 2 months ago. Then last week the head gasket blew! That also had to be replaced as well--
Did I say the car's 3 yrs old (NEW!!) AND I've put 80,000KMs on it. Regular oil changes, and semi annual inspections seemed to have not done anything to prevent these issues!
I have the 2004 Optra and love it! I've had no problems at all other than the recall, but that is to be expected froma new model. The only complaint I have is with the tires. I have leased it for only 3 years and had to replace the tires already. The car handles very poorly in the winter, but I can't blame the Optra for that - it's just poor quality dealership tires. I would definitely recommend the Optra!
I don't have a problem owning Chevrolet Optra 1.8LT.Except wear and tear.
I used an expensive automatic gear oil imported from GM Germany because it is much better.
The ZF gearbox only for 1.8 model is good enough for cruising. I am confident with the gearbox as it is a well known gearbox for other luxury cars.
However surprisingly in the service manual, there is no indication servicing braking system.Only change the brake fluid. I am not comfortable with this service. I insist re grease the braking system to avoid calipers jammed.
December 2004 Chevrolet OPTRA - Philippines.
MILEAGE: 24TKMS (slightly used and it really looks brand new)
History:
-- for 2 years, service is free for change oil as part of GM promo
-- I upgraded my engine oil to fully synthetic from a regular oil
Issues/Problems encountered:
* the time I reached 18tkms, my fuel pump got busted
* almost once a year I have to replace either my park light, headlight, brake lights
* my caliper stocked up both rear calipers.
How would you recommend this to your friends or family/
My 2004 Optra had transmission problems at <40,000 km due to failure of the rad. GM initially refused to cover under warranty. Not recommended.
I have owned my 2004 Optra since November of 2007. Since I have owned it, these are the issues I have had.
- My radio locked up had to have it reset
- My back brakes went rusted and the brake pad fell off
- My transmission shifts poorly when going to a faster speed
- Antifreeze leaking from the thermostat
- Antifreeze leak from my rad
- Check engine light is constantly coming on and then turning off
- Had to have an exhaust sensor replaced
- Recall on the headlights
- 2 Cords snapped behind the dash that turns your dials for the heat and to change vents.
I would not recommend in purchasing an Optra ever, and I bought this from a dealership, yet the dealership won't cover any of it.
Hi I am in Malaysia, Optra 1.6 owner, Daewo engine, fully CBU, no problem at all.
Been using it for 3 yrs and 5 months without any hassle and bustle, except the Yokohama tyres produced in the Philippines were not effective while braking and... bang it went into the front car bumper, which I had to compensate the owner, and the Daewoo air condioning compressor failed to function after 3 yrs heavy usage (mind you Malaysia is a tropical country), otherwise my Chevy Optra 1.6 automatic transmission is great, and thumbs up at cornering.
Happy motoring.
Abd Rahman bin Abdullah
Ipoh Hospital, Malaysia.
It has been about one year now that I have had my Chevrolet Optra 5. In that year I have had to replace the all 4 tires 2 times. When it came time for my safety inspection this is what the dealership told me that needed to be fixed: Both lower control-arm bushings, and two new tires yet again. All of the repairs would have cost over $1,000.00. I took the car to Canadian Tire for a second opinion. They told me I needed new rear brakes, three tires, a ball joint, and a new belt. All of the repairs cost me about $975.00, just so I could drive the car for another year. Stay away from this car!
I have a 2004 Optra and am the first owner.. We had to get one headlight replaced and the front brake caliper, but the cost was reasonable and the car runs fine and for the money I think it's good value...
Just wondering. I own a 2004 Chev Optra. Last night the lights on the car started to dim and then the engine started to smoke. All the lights on the dash lit, up starting with the brake light... which I thought was the problem... Managed to get the car into the driveway where it decided to die. Does not even turn over now... Has anyone else had this problem, or even better, does anyone know what this sounds like it could be?
Hey! I own a 2004 Chevrolet Optra Sedan.
I LOVE this car... I drive the heck out of it... To and from Ottawa (I live in Toronto... Canada) that's about 400 km's and I do that probably about every 2 weeks or so... I also take it up to the family cottage.. that's a 600 km drive...
The small problems I have had with it are a few oil leaks and a burnt out headlight... Also the belts on that car seem to wear out like crazy! I just had my serpentine belt replaced and a month later they said it was wearing already... I put synthetic oil in my car... I would recommend doing that yourself... Much MUCH better for your car.
Other than that, it's done me well... Only noise I notice is when I hit 80km/h and cruise at that speed at 2000rpms, it makes a small noise in the engine...
Anyways, I have had WAY less problems with this car than I did with my Toyota Echo (also know as: Vitz, Platz, Yaris)... But also, to be fair I did drive the bejesus out of that car too... I still have my Optra... So I hope it will continue to be just as good as it is now! I'd like to keep it for another 2 or 3 years =).
I love my Optra!!! I am very happy, it's such a great car ;)
2006 Chevy Optra 5... hmmm... where do I begin.
Cute little car, 5 speed; however, within the first six months of owning it the alternator went (it was bought brand new), good thing I had roadside assistance on that one!!
Shortly thereafter, it was recalled for headlights and seatbelts - not a big deal... at least GM is on top of that.
Not too long after that, had a major oil leak, my Optra back in the shop again - HUGE bill... good thing warranty covered it!
Engine light continually comes on and I just had the fluids replaced, etc.
The manufacturer's tires are terrible and will have to be replaced this year. This car has 36,000 km on it.
Overall, the car is economical, but I don't find it to be too reliable. Now I know why they don't make them anymore...
Calgary.
I own a 04 Optra. I love it. Just did front brakes, other than that an excellent car. It gives the room I need, the handling I want and it is a sporty car for a guy in his mid 30's. The cars design is simple; engine pieces are easy to find and access for the home mechanics. Only down side is the Optra is not found on a lot of websites.
DO NOT BUY GM!
We bought our Optra 1 year ago from a used car dealership, however it still had 1 year on the factory warranty.
We brought it in to our mechanic for something else, and found out that our head gasket was leaking into the engine, and the engine was burning it off - therefore if we had not brought it in for something else, our car would have seized before we had a chance to get it fixed or even notice anything was wrong with it!
We called GM and our warranty expired 11 days prior to bringing it in (we would have brought it in earlier if there was any indication our head gasket was going) and GM would not cover the total price of the repairs! Even though we had done research showing that the head gasket is a problem on this car and something like this should not be going at 90,000 km! They sent us a coupon for a free oil change... thanks.
We are furious with GM and the customer service. It is very bad business how they are treating us. Even if something goes wrong on your car, they won't back you up! We will NEVER buy a GM car again! I am expecting a baby in 11 days and now I have to pay over 1000 to get my car fixed and worry about all this hassle... I may not have a car to bring my baby home from the hospital in!!