1999 Daewoo Matiz SE Plus from UK and Ireland - Comments

I've only recently (reluctantly) bought this car at an auction. I was a bit unconvinced of the performance as it was only a 0.8 engine, but it turned out to be quite nippy. It does 80-90mph quite easily on the motorway. My only concern is the petrol consumption, I haven't pushed it overly hard, but its only done around 250 miles on a full tank. I read all the reviews and everyone mentioned how well it did for fuel consumption. My model is a T reg (1999) does anyone else have the same problem? Also, the paint (or whatever it is) on the alloy wheels is beginning to balloon up, I'm the second owner of the car and it is just out of warranty. Would I be able to have the wheels replaced by Daewoo as the car hasn't done more than 30,000 miles yet? I would appreciate a response asap.

Apart from the fuel concerns, this car is a beauty to drive, surprisingly nippy and it does get a lot of attention. It comes with a lot of mod-cons, much more than any other car in the same price and size range.

Very well written entry, hopefully someone will post a response to this as I'm currently considering purchasing a Matiz.

I hope someone replies to the wheel issue too as I will be picking up my new (used) V reg Daewoo Matiz SE+ tomorrow. Its my first car and I am hoping I don't have the same problems with fuel. I am reassured however by the comment on motorway driving as I had thought that the engine wouldn't be any where near powerful enough. Will no doubt have my own teething problems. Watch this space.

I bought a Matiz in September (V-reg, second hand)... so far no problems with it... I love the car... but I agree the fuel comsumption matches my partner's 1.3 fuel injection... but putting that aside it's more happy going about 40mph than trying to break any world records (my last cars were a Skoda and Nissan Sunny), there again it has the capacity to beat any motorway traffic.

I have a 1999 Daewoo Matiz SE+, bought at 1 year old. I find it a purely functional vehicle and have had no problems with it (apart from needing a new radiator cap). Fuel consumption is excellent returning an average of 47mpg. Small enough to park almost anywhere, but capable of sitting on the motorway at 85mph with a bit to spare, although I do need to turn the air con off when going up a steep hill to maintain power. It's a car that has done exactly what I expected it to do. If I wanted Rolls Royce quality I would not have bought a Daewoo. This car does not try to be something it's not. It's primarily a city car, but copes with longer journeys when it needs to. I would consider having another.

Once the warranty expires - get rid of it. Daewoo (or Chevrolet) don't answer letters and trying to get anything sorted out is a nightmare. My Matiz has a manufacturing fault which was admitted by the dealership, but they won't correct it. A pile of junk with a poor after sales service - that'll be the Daewoo!!

Hey, I was just bought a Matiz for my first car (even though I haven't passed my test yet) and I was just wondering what the car would be like to part learn in? Taking lessons also but want extra practice. Would anyone say the car is useful for this? Thanks :)

The car is complete masterpiece, & till today this car doesn't have any match. Just drive carefully, try to use as little clutch as possible, cause new drivers always have nasty habit of pressing the clutch every time. Change gears within the range as this is 0.8 litre car, so you might mess her excellent performance. Anything else, just keep commenting.

Bought our Matiz 8 years ago. It's a 2000 SE Plus. Have not had much go wrong except replaced the camshaft sensor in the distributor 2 years ago. Put it in the main dealer for a major service and all they changed was the cambelt. Said there wasn't much else wrong.

Yes it depends how much your car has run, well exactly what went wrong with camshaft sensor. If your cam belt has been changed, then it's a good thing cause you don't have to keep the belt for a longer period.

Someone please reply to this. I recently bought my 1999 Daewoo Matiz 800cc, and I don't know where to find the engine number, can someone tell me where to find it please?

And my engine check light just comes on when I'm at about 40kmh. What would be the likely cause, and how can I rectify it?

Well you can find the engine no. When you open your hood, near the left head lamp assembly, it is printed there.

Well get your timing belt checked, clean your fuel injectors (they might be clogged), with that get a new air filter, fuel filter, oil filter. This will solve your major problems.

If the check light still comes on, then remove your main fuse (40A) from the fuse box for 30 to 50 seconds, then place it back again. If the light still comes on, then you need to get your sensors checked. Maybe one of the wires is getting shorted. How many kilometers has your car run to date?