Fuel injector failed after 15000 km.
Rear seat catch snapped at about the same time.
Wheel bearing needed replacing at 45000km as did the two front tire's.
Front brakes replaced at 55000km.
3 year warranty expired at 58000km
at 60000km gear box needed rebuilding.
Fuel injector has gone again at 61000km.
From the above faults you might think that I would write a negative report on this car, but I can't do that.
The truth is that when it's running the Matiz is a nippy yet very fuel efficient car with a surprising amount of passenger space (in the front anyway)
The fitted air conditioner cools well, but should only be used at high speed as the power drain is enormous making it difficult to accelerate away from a standing start.
Handling is good and corners as if glued to the road.
Folding down the rear set allows you to carry as much weekly shopping as you will ever need to buy.
If I buy another matiz however, I will trade it in after 2 years before all the problems start to appear.
I am in Taiwan. My Matiz status are as follows:
Type: Matiz 0.8 M SE
Date of buy: FEB 4, 2000 (Now 128000 km)
Color: Silver
High Speed Record: 150km/h.
Fails:
1. Warm water leaks from the back of glove case results over heat.
2. Right rear wheel fly away on the exit of free way. The axis melt. I am still alive. No injury.
3. 4 doors rot from inside out from the window edge. Not yet water leaking to inside.
4. Central lock fails sometimes. especially on hot weather. Right front door fail to lock sometimes and left rear door fail to open sometimes.
5. Hatchback door lock failed and only can open from inside.
6. Toyota Corolla crashed into my back when I was waiting for red light. Corolla run 30km/h. Corolla's head smashed and Matiz's butt is quite OK since the protection of spare tire. I only spend USD 10 for sheet-metal working.
7. Rally on the high mountain in Taiwan and fall into a big hole. Nothing broke. Still work fine.
8. The dynamo belt broke and than Dynamo failed.
9. Air conditioner is excellent. Never failed.
10. Starter is excellent.
Conclusion:
Best design, cheap price, OK quality, much fun.
I bought a Daewoo Matiz SE+ 1998 model. It is a marvellous car, and I have never had even a minor fault with it. It runs smooth, and its pick is excellent.
I have noticed cars waiting for the traffic lights to change to green from red on the roads. As soon as they change, everybody tries to rush through, but it is my car that I have always noticed superseding every car leaving the other cars behind. I have run it on the motorways also, with speeds nearing 100mph without any jerk. Very smooth drive and I do recommend my friends buy this car as it's very cheap as regards fuel consumption, with an excellent speed gain strength.
The only thing I miss in it, is that it has no air conditioner. No matter, I live in England and we do not need an air conditioner in cars normally over here. However, the heating system is excellent.
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