30th Jun 2008, 01:00

Firstly to help with the rear windscreen wiper, I know this sounds simple and I'm not trying to insult anyone's intelligence, but with my 96 Cielo, it was a simple matter that the nut had to be tightened (hence if it's loose, the teeth don't connect on the inside of the cover).

As for the front wipers, I've noticed the paint seems very cheap, and to be quite honest I've had to change the wipers themselves about 3 times, due to the wipers losing paint, then rusting, then breaking.

I've gone through 2 door mechanisms since owning it, and believe me, I was exceedingly gentle after the first went, but that didn't seem to help.

The head I've replaced also; I had absolutely no warning that the engine was over heating; it just simply went (though I have learned that since the heads on Daewoos are alloy, if you use water instead of coolant, they corrode to the point that the head will blow at the drop of a hat before any thermostat will alert you.

Also the heater hoses on the engine are renowned to go on these things so, if you have heating issues it might simply be that. Mine had a a 10mm slice in it, which was enough to make the engine run very very hot.

I've gone through 2 CV joints, both on the same side, which makes me wonder what's going on there, but the 3 different mechanics assured me that everything was straight.

The fuse box has melted 2 times to the point it resembles a art piece. The auto electrician has told me it is the heater that keeps blowing the fuse (so now I don't bother using it).

The seats are comfy if you like late stage lower back arthritis, and this is no word of a lie.

I locked myself out of the car, and I got back in with a stick! That's right, a stick!

Now I have to tell you in all fairness this is an old car, and I get that, but this car is only second hand from my sister that drives like she is 80, not Colin Mcrae, so the car hasn't gone through extreme stress. Not only that, I drive like I'm 80 as well, and yet this car seems to continue to rack a bill.

With this experience, I cannot advise others to buy them if you want a long term vehicle. If you buy them brand new, I have no doubt they would probably produce a sound ride, ie you get what you pay for. However in my experience, I bought the car second hand and have paid upwards of 8500 dollars in mechanical parts and labour; why do I hear you ask? Because since owning it, I have just about replaced the entire car in parts, so now it runs pretty good. But if I had this knowledge in hindsight, I would most definitely not advise me or anyone else to buy one of these second hand.

4th Jul 2008, 23:08

I bought a 97 Daewoo Cielo recently, and have found the fuel usage to be more than 12l/100km, which is very heavy. The car has 87000km on the clock and is in very tidy order. We have pulled the fuse on the air con and still the fuel use is heavy. Any ideas???

Ps my dad had a 1990 Pontiac Lemans (Daewoo) and put 200k on the clock. He thought it was a great car and very cheap to run, so we are surprised at what we are finding.

12th Aug 2008, 04:58

Hi all.

I am a Daewoo lover. I had Daewoo Racer and now having Daewoo CIELO. Its drive is excellent along with its fuel consumption. It's all depends how you maintain your car.

One good quote; Wife & car always looks good when they are shining.

I did not face any problem with Daewoo.

15th Aug 2008, 13:55

I'm owner of 96 model, and I have it since 2006 for this period I had problems with the brakes, the radiator, the bearing of the alternator, bearing on the hub, one cv joint and I change the battery!

The engine never give me any problems the car is on 220000!!!

I'm driving every day approx. 150km with no problems for 2y. The clutch is working 100% but is very heavy for some reason we tried many things I still can get it right. The car is 1.5 got only radio tape.

With one tank I manage to drive little bit after 520km on the highway otherwise in town is about 470-480.

VERY reliable ENGINE!!!

11th Sep 2008, 11:54

As per me the car looks sexy... going to get one next week..

But not sure how it turns up.. but still I love this car.

27th Oct 2008, 20:43

I just bought a 1996 Cielo, feels goods to drive but the brakes need changing I think. Bear in mind I am writing this & the car has been in my possession for 1 hour only.

14th Nov 2008, 03:57

Hi all, we have a 97 Daewoo Cielo, live on a dirt road. Car has done 350,000km and still getting 600km/tank. The car is a bit rattly, change oil every 10,000km with air and oil filters. Thermostat closed shut and boiled 3 times, but have not changed the head. Also my wife gently rolled the car on the dirt, only breaking the left/H/mirror and cracked windscreen, and it still powers on. But my question is, what weight oil do I use in the gearbox?

18th Dec 2008, 23:41

I have 1995 model Daewoo Cielo GLE. It's very stable on the road & efficient in fuel consumption. Very powerful engine & the body shape is super. Only problem is with spare parts in our country Kenya, but on replacement it takes long to buy the same parts after using the car responsibly.

24th Feb 2009, 21:23

Hi.

I own a 98 model Daewoo Cielo. I have tried everything but could not get the original sporty exhaust sound from my car. Can anybody tell me how to get that sound?

Thanks.

Shyam.

12th Sep 2009, 06:57

I have just purchased a 97 Daweoo Cielo GL Hatch, Manual. Had it one day so far, has 159,000kms on the clock, got reasonably cheap (AU$1700).

I'm not expecting a car under AU$2000 to have no issues, so I find info in here useful, because I know what to look out for.

I'm a little sad though, coz I'm actually replacing a 1991 Mitsubishi Verada V6 for this supposedly cheaper car to run to work.

My Misubishi has bad radiator & I think the head needs replacing... what a shame it would be if this Cielo has the same problem before reaching 200,000km

Timing belt, heater hose & water pump I can handle...

This is also my first manual EVER, so I'm also learning to drive it.

Body/Interior/space in car is fantastic!

When my Dad took it for a test drive, he said it went great too... fingers crossed...

7th Jan 2010, 05:12

1997 Daewoo Cielo 150l

The car is very economical and massive inside. Had a problem with the in laws overheating the engine and blowing the head, so it is in the shop now for repairs, found out it could be the additive I put in to condition the radiator that blocked a water port on the engine, so watch out for this.

If your rear brake drums go, replace them with Opel Corsa drums; they are cast and can be machined if needed in future.

The car is identical to the Opel Monza sold in South Africa, so parts are always available...