2000 Daewoo Lanos from North America - Comments

Two tires at 55,000 miles; nail.

Headlamps, after a torrential rain.

Bent valves w/timing belt at 80,000.

Radio antenna at two weeks. My fault.

Darling little thing, everyone wants to borrow it.

Looking at reality (80 mile, 80MPH commute,) it has done great service. I frankly didn't need leather, or 140 MPH, or $400 payments, to get to work. What I think I got, was great. The simple body mass looks better to me than 95% of the cars out there.

Loud, but healthy sounds. Solid. Not cushy; does not imitate luxury. Seems to settle in at about 80, but it will slow down on grades if you let it bog down. A couple long drives, one with 2 seniors, 3 adults and a baby, (!!! borrowed!!!) brought rave reviews. Wonderful, responsive engine with great pep for normal use. You don't get the VW or BMW need to race it for power.

I can fit in it, which is usually true of SUVs and very little else. Visibility, handling / feel and brakes just make it a pleasure to drive. Maximum braking power is astonishing, but for an accomplished driver. (No ABS here.) Breaking traction in the rain in a Porsche or BMW is terrifying. This one's the best driver in the rain ever, if this is a consideration.

Dealer network and service parts are a joke, currently. The manual says to change the timing belt at 120,000 for California, and this is wrong.

Don't expect a quiet, luxurious car, take care of the oil and timing belt changes, and you'll find yourself in a real winner. Once the Chevy Aveo starts up in 2004, parts and service will no longer be an issue.

What do you mean "Once the Chevy Aveo starts up in 2004, parts and service will no longer be an issue."? Please email me Eaglehr86@yahoo.com.

Chevy Aveo is built in S Korea by GMDAT (GM Daewoo) and is based on the Daewoo Kalos (which replaced the Lanos and uses the same 1.6 liter motor).

Other GMDAT vehicles now being sold in US are the Suzuki Verona and Forenza.

My 2000 Daewoo Lanos also lost the timing belt, and bent the

engine valves after only 68,000 miles.

Up to that point the only problem I had was a recall for

the head lights.

It was a great car up to the time it lost the timing belt.

The bent valve damage in the engine that results from

early failure of the timing belt is a major design flaw

for the Lanos.

My 2000 Daewoo Lanos has only had minor problems which pleases me and my pocketbook. Routine maintenance has kept the car looking and running good until recently.

After a heavy rainy period there was a puddle of water on the passenger side floor.Yes windows were rolled up. At a body shop they couldn't determine where the water came from. If any of you folks out here have had this same problem...would love to hear what was done to correct the problem. Thanks

It is funny hearing people complain about timing belts braking after 60,000 miles and expect it to last 120,000 miles, toyota's, honda's and almost all other cars, japanies and domestic cars all recommend to change the timing belt at 60,000 miles, this is a common thing in all vehicle, sens the 80's, so if you think you can beat all other good car's that require timing belt change at 60,000, you must be joking, unless it is a timing chain, then you would expect it to last more than 120,000 miles, as a rule of thumb, change your timing belt at 60,000, don't wait too long, or you might end up having to change ether the engine head, or the whole engine.