1999 Daewoo Matiz Basic Model review from UK and Ireland

Car has left me on the road twice. First for a reason unknown, the petrol was disconnected from the engine (this is standard in all cars if there is a crash).

Well, there was no crash, the car just stalled on a roundabout. After three days of thinking, and changing the battery and spark plugs, I realised that there is a small button beside the passengers seat. And when I pressed that button, the automatic safety tool deactivated and car started. Miles were around 43000.

Second time was when a cable between the coil and distribution unit was broken, because it was too close to the accelerator cable. So, the car stalled again and left me in the middle of Dublin traffic. Miles were around 43500.

Nice handling, good space for 4 people, quite fast (for 796cc) most of the time, if you use high revs. I like the interior as well.

Easy to drive in the city and really nice on Irish country roads. Not that good on the motorway, because there is not enough power. This is not a big problem for me, though.

Dual airbags are nice as well, insurance is really dear, but this is Ireland anyway, fuel consumption is around 8l/100km, in miles per gallon it is 35.

So quite a nice car, but not that reliable. Cheap to buy, nice to drive, handles OK.

Engine sound is really nice, though.