1988 Daewoo LeMans Racer 1.5 from Korea

Summary:

Dependable, zippy, economic and enjoyable small car

Faults:

Worn muffler.

Worn suspension ball joint.

Broken drive shaft protective rubber boot

Worn brakes.

Seats are not fantastic.

Rear hatch struts are worn.

General Comments:

This car handles very well on Korean mountain roads (which are like the Alps)

It is also quite zippy in Seoul traffic (that makes Paris look like the Nullabor Plain)

It gets very good fuel consumption.

Spares are cheap. Very Cheap. New drive shafts, ball joint and new brake pads and shoes came to equivalent of US$270. New air filter and various globes thrown in for free.

I was able to order a manual from the US (after I reasoned that it must have been sold their as a Pontiac. The Korean owners guide is comprehensive but in Korean.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2003

1993 Daewoo LeMans Racer GSI / 5 door (hatch) 1.5 petrol from Singapore

Faults:

Had it since new. Sluggish acceleration.

Rattling sound at the rear drives me nuts.

No mechanical problems so far. Reasonably cheap to run. Done 90,000 miles. Does not take to road bumps/humps very well.

Some modifications done: extractors, changed air filter - K&N, higher output ignition coil. A wee bit quicker now.

But on straight runs 170-180 km/h possible.

Changed springs and coils. Sits lower - better control.

General Comments:

Funny thing, unlike other cars its class, engine runs at a leisurely 2000 rpm at 80 km/h, barely reaches 2500 at 100 km/h. At 120 km/h it runs at about 2800 rpm.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th April, 1999

13th Jun 2001, 20:35

Just purchased a 1989 Pontiac Lemans. Front end drive-many problems. Fan problem. Where can you find a manual to work on this vehicle?