1996 Daewoo Espero CDXi review from UK and Ireland

Sunroof Leaked, just after I acquired the car. 87,400 miles.

In the course of normal servicing when I first acquired the car, I replaced the timing belts etc, for piece of mind rather than anything else.

Exhaust fixing missing, I knew was not present before my purchase, so needed replacement straight away.

The Philips CD auto-changer had a minor fault with the head unit, which was due to the intermittent volume control (tarnished contacts). I replaced this myself, as I am an electronics engineer.

I bought a 1996 Daewoo Espero CDXi second hand in the UK for 850 pounds, with a full MOT, and six months road fund license.

The bodywork is immaculate; the only rust on the car was strangely on the windscreen wiper arms, and simply required removal, cleaning, and a spray of paint, job done. (Took about an hour to complete.)

I average between 33 to 38 mpg, which I think is good for a car of the size.

In my opinion the car is as comfortable as most mid range modern cars.

In winter the engine seems to run very cool even after replacing thermostat.

I have had a brand new Astra Estate, on a three-year lease before my purchase, and I enjoy the Espero far more than I did the Astra.

Coming from the new shape Astra to the Espero you don't notice until you get into the drivers seat, but the windscreen is much more restrictive, and driving position initially feels claustrophobic. Having said this, my initial reaction to the Astra and Focus was that you felt as though you were seated too high, and you soon get used to it.

Although the car is very well equipped, the switchgear does not feel as though it was made to be as durable as the rest of the car.

The car is quite sure footed, and handles very well for a larger saloon.

The Espero is not a sports car, and does not pretend to be one, but it has enough get up and go to overtake safely, and ample performance for a car of its size to not be boring.

Although fully loaded its not got the same build as a prestige manufacture, nor does it cost the money.

The boot is huge, although you could fit a lot into it, if the object is much larger than 3 feet in height and depth and over 3 feet in width, you may have a job fitting it through the boot's aperture.

The only thing I really missed when I changed car, (and this is a bit sad,) was the remote control for the central locking.