1995 Daewoo Cielo 1.5i review from Australia and New Zealand

Everything! Bent front stub axle, CV joints, wheel bearings, clutch, brake cylinders (master and slave) and they are still squishy, 2 timing belts, distributor recondition, exhaust rusted out completely. I think that is all, but it's been in and out of the garage so many times I have lost track of repairs.

It has cost me a fortune to keep it on the road. However it hasn't broken down in the last 18months, so perhaps that's a good sign.

When I first bought the car I was in high school and treated it like gold, never driving it hard nor thrashing around.

After 2 years of constant repair I became frustrated and started to give it hell on the roundabouts and corners, and it really surprised me how well it handles! The suspension is the only thing that hasn't failed. It takes corners very, especially sliding sideways on roundabouts like a true rally car. Note this was after the CV joints were replaced, and before the new wheel bearings.

The clutch is very tight which makes for quick gear changes.

Very spacious in the hatch. I have fit my mates 14.6ft inflatable boat folded up with floorboards and 30hp outboard motor in the back.

Great economy around town and on the highway.

Fastest speed I have reached is 145km/hr, but I’ve never held the accelerator flat.

The last year and a half the car hasn't caused me any troubles, but before that it was an absolute nightmare.

The Koreans have built a great car, but then ruined it by filling it with poor components.

I am not sure if my car is a Cielo or a Racer. The badging says 1.5i and i always thought it was a Cielo, however a dealer advised me that it is actually a Racer when he replaced a side indicator light. Can anyone provide some insight as to what I really have? It has been a mystery for quite a while now.