1992 Pontiac LeMans Aerocoupe VL from North America - Comments

Plugged catalytic converter at 76,000 km.

Alternator winding short at 80,000 km.

Crack in the muffler at 85,000 km.

Minor fit and finish faults (loose rear view mirror and passenger seat-back control).

New brake pads at 125,000 km (normal wear).

PROS: cheap to buy and run, reasonable power, good handling, VERY roomy for such a small car.

CONS: uncomfortable to drive on long trips, noisy, primitive fit and finish.

I bought this car at an auction when it was already seven years old. I had my doubts about the car, but the price was reasonable and it was clean and in very good shape. However, given my previous car was a Renault I was prepared for anything it could throw at me.

After reading negative reviews and having a cluster of problems early on I was almost ready to sell the car, however, I've put over 40,000 km on this car since the last repair without a single problem. It has turned out to be more reliable (or at least cheaper to keep in repair costs) than a friends comparable Toyota Tercel.

It should be stressed that I own the "Aerocoupe VL" edition - VL meaning "Value Leader". That means I have NO power steering, a 4-speed manual, NO air and NO power-accessories. Therefore, there is little that can go wrong with it. I suspect those who have had problems with this car have higher level trims.

Be aware that this LeMans is NOT a "real" Pontiac, it is in fact an Opel-designed Daewoo model in disguise (known as the Daewoo Nexia in its Korean home-market, replaced by the Lanos a couple of years ago). In Europe it was called Opel Kadett or Vauxhall Astra. It uses a some domestic GM components, but is assembled in Korea, out of mostly Korean parts, so take that into account in your expectations of this car.

Really, that was a great explanation of the LeMans, it actually is a pretty OK if you take care of it, but it is not with out some frustration. and because it is half Daewoo, parts are not easy to come by.

I think you will find the Daewoo Nexia is actually a copy of the Vauxhall Astra/Opel Kadett. I wish people would get their facts right.

I've been driving mine for over 3 years and its never let me down once. It's a 1989 model with a 2ltr twin cam engine. I've done well over 100,000 in mine and it still runs sweet as. It still even manages to give more exotic cars a surprise when it keeps up or even passes them.

I know people love the European models and customize them. But the Korean versions are total garbage.

My sister had a 92 SE coupe 1.6 3 speed auto, PS, PB. It had 143K kms from the original owner with full service records. It got 27 MPG, had a new head gasket, brakes were poor even when replaced with high end parts.

The electrical system was cheap Korean crap, smoke came out the ignition switch when you turned the key, switches would seize up and the knob would break off if you tried to use WD40 and work it free.

The car had so many shorts that the battery would go dead over night, and I had to replace the alternator after a week of removing and charging the battery, and leaving the alternator to keep it charged while driving.

Several mechanics and myself spent a lot of time cleaning or replacing corroded connectors, junction boxes and grounds, making new wiring harnesses, using other GM switches after finding all the junkyard cars had the same problems.

The exterior door handles rusted off.

Head gasket blew again and the cylinder head was machined again. New timing belt.

Lots of misfiring even after a full tune up, a costly computer scan and a data recorder was use for a few days. Mechanics all said to sell it as fast as you can, but my sister needed to get to work. The occasional misfiring caused the engine to seize from oil contamination despite daily oil top ups from all the oil leaks (new oil seals and gaskets don't last because of too much crankcase pressure, don't buy a new PCV valve, just use an oil breather cap like her last mechanic suggested).

You can use engines and some accessories from Chevy Chevettes, because they used a carbureted version of the 1.6. Upgrading to euro parts like 4 wheel disc brakes, DOHC 16 valve engines and European after market suspension and body kits aren't cost effective if you live in North America.