2000 Daewoo Matiz SE from Netherlands - Comments

This Matiz is the first new car I bought and I really had better hopes when I did.

The first problem I had was the LED from the airbag that went on from time to time. My dealer "fixed" it and to be sure I checked : HE JUST REMOVED THE LED!!! Of course it took only one letter to the Daewoo import company to have it fixed decently. However (out of revenge I suppose) it took 3 weeks to fix it by this dealer. Of course I go to another dealer now.

Another problem was the right front tire which already after 6000km became worn out from the outside. This problem is fixed now.

The latest problem was a leak near the waterpump. Also fixed now.

I hope the series of fix and fix and fix has come to an end now since I getting really scared for when the warranty has ended.

I wish I had never bought this car. Especially the dealerships are really wacky and I hope Daewoo will do something about it.

My Daewoo Matiz SE Plus was bought new in 2001, I have had a lot of problems with dealerships (3 different ones in total), they are saying (even though still under warranty) that I shall have to pay to get the car looked at. Since having the car I have had a new gearbox within the first 3 months, have had the AA out at least 6 times telling me there is something wrong with the power steering belt, the dealership refuse to agree with that. Also since buying the car, in wet weather it squeals like a banshee when driving anywhere, for any length of time and when you turn the engine off it sounds almost as if it has seized up. I really do love my Daewoo, beautiful little runner (when its not noisy) the only thing that lets Daewoo down is the dealerships and 3 year warranty cover.

It is something that I don't understand. Services are so poor there and cars are different? I live in Romania and I used two such cars as job cars. I know that matiz is made in diferent plants in different countries. My ones where built in Romania. The idea is that I used one of them for about 140.000 km and the other one for about 50,000 without any problems except battery, lights and usual consumables. I had more cars in the last years and I consider Matiz an excellent car. Not very confortable at long trips, but is a city car in fact.

I live in Australia. I am originally from Romania too. we bought a Daewoo matiz in 2002. we bought it so we could have a car to drive around there while we are on vacation for 3 months a year. daewoo matiz are in fashion in Romania at the moment because they are so economical. I guess it holds true in saying that you get what you paid for. My matiz has only done 10 000 ks. it's been all around Romania. Not a very comfortable drive I must admit. The only problems I have had are the window de frost system on the rear window had stopped working, and the air conditioning makes a very loud noise on start up. the noise stops when the engine warms up, although we have not had any engine problems yet, apart from flat batteries. I know other people in Romania that have done 150 thousand ks on the matiz and have not had any serious dramas with it. (I hope I am as lucky as they are). while on the other hand I know another person that has a Daewoo lanos in Australia. He was not so lucky in that he has to get a complete engine change after only 55 thousand ks. I have driven a lot of cars and My recommendation is if you won't a reliable car that won't break the bank then Toyota's are for you.