1994 Daewoo Cielo 1.5i review from Australia and New Zealand

Aircon Siezed at 68000

Timing belt and waterpump at 70000

head gasket at 75000

head gasket again and head itself at 85000

clock failure at 66000

ignition coil at 87000 (took ages to fix would not start when engine is hot, never happened at the mechanics)

coolant container and coolant connecting block (mounted at engine base) at 100000

fuel filter and fuel pump at 110000

has also had CV boot problems and a consistant wheel alignment (or inability to be aligned) during the entire time I've owned it. Glove box never closed properly. Passenger seat never adjusted properly (perhaps a broken screw or something inside.. never tried to track it down)

This car was what daewoo came up with after it bought the GM vauxhall process and parts from the UK back in about 93/94. This car is a Opel Astra from that period ca. 1990. Ever wondered why the logo on the early 1994 1.5i's looked like a V?

The daewoo build quality is rubbish, along with many of GM's failures. The engine is a Holden camira engine however although they changed the bolt holes. (the head is identical except for the hole positionings). The engine is basically unreliable as was the camira when it first came out. Also car steering and suspension ie handling is poor or 1980's levels.

All in all a sorry failure I wish I had never seen. At present at 120000 as of October 2005 the fuel is vapourising in the injector system somewhere. I can drive it for about half an hour and then, on highway or wherever it simply cuts out, leaving you stranded unable to start it. So make good use of your hazard lights. Its now a death trap and its on its way to the trade-in shop. I hope they scrap it... or fix it properly. The fix for this type of problem is expensive and will be many trips to the mechanic to track it down properly so I've had it and itll be gone.

Do yourself a favour and avoid this vehicle. I also own a Toyota Echo, superb build quality and no problems at all since new in 2000. Different kettle of fish entirely, pure quality.