Daewoo Lanos. (Edit - no good) What next?

[pandamonium]

My wife has got her eye on a Lanos. It is immaculate, has FSH and is a 1.6 SXi It is relatively cheap too.

What tends to go wrong on these?

Is 120,000 miles a problem?

Should I tell her to run a mile?

[r.welfare]

A 1400 Lanos has featured in the Car Mechanics "200,000 mile" reader stories before.

 

I'd say check the usual mechanical things, on something this recent rust should be unlikely.

 

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/daewoo/lanos-1997/?section=bad

[fiatdaft]

head gasket appetite nearly as bad as a k series!

[Milford Cubicle]

I thought the HGF problem was with Nexias, unless the Lanos carried it over.

[Station]

Shite version of Astra mk3, mechanically similar. Horrible interiors, but reckon they're OK.

[trigger]

There's one of these for sale on my work notice board, I had a laugh at it last night, It read's "1998 Daewoo car for sale, Mot + Tax, 194000 miles, 1.4 engine, Only £500".Must be having i laugh i think.

[Talbotman]

Transmissions are the major weakpoint on these.

[Pete-M]

I suspect they have a lot of weak points.I'd suggest the main thing to look for would be a better car.

[Cavcraft]

I suspect they have a lot of weak points.

 

I'd suggest the main thing to look for would be a better car.

 

 

To be honest Panda I wouldn't gibve the Suzuki up for one of these, you'll regret it.

Interiors are horrible, plastics are horrible, build quality almost as bad as Iveco and no second value at all.

 

Station: I don't think this model was based on the Astra.

[Guest]

The Lanos is a rebodied Nexia, the Nexia being a MK2 Astra.So it's an Astra, really.

[pogweasel]

The grilles on Daewoos of this era remind me of those of old Sunbeams.

[lancashireclamper]

Probably goes without saying but the electrics on the 'higher spec' models can turn a bit awkward,Saw a lady at work with a W reg Lanos, everytime she locked it and walked away it unlocked itself, kept doing it for at leat 20 minutes, in the end she had to leave it saying, "I'm really worried about it, what if somebody steals my car?" Is that an optimist or a pessimist?

[Mr Lobster]

I'd agree with Pete on this, 'anything else' would be an appropriate answer.They were nasty when new and given they are the sort of car that nobody will lavish much care on, I can't imagine they can have got better with age.

[AnthonyG]

Panda's wife is obviously a born shiter, don't discourage her!

[Betaphile]

In all fairness there are loads of these running around the Middle East, a fair few as minicabs, so on that basis I guess the reliability can't be too tragic? Mind you, still a pretty unpleasant sort of vehicle. But if she likes it, who am I to discourage her...

[Torsten2001]

When there's about 20 of these left I'll find them interesting but right now they're pretty offensive, I'd have one but it would need to be free!

[saabhappy]

I think I'd look out for the route home. Take a very long, pointy stick and then don't touch it.

[MrRegieRitmo]

The grilles on Daewoos of this era remind me of those of old Sunbeams.

I take it we're talking Sunbeam the marque rather than Sunbeam the model?!

[MrRegieRitmo]

As usual, like a little fish swimming against the current, I've always really liked these, reminding me of a modern day Renault 14! I could see myself in one, but don't disagree they will get more & more interesting the older they get & the fewer there are around. I thought there was a bit of Daewoo love here due to their maligned & unloved status & I would have thought the Lanos slotted into that nicely!

[lovejoy]

I suspect they have a lot of weak points.I'd suggest the main thing to look for would be a better car.

how droll !!! Having read more posts since Pete's above comment, I concur, but my brother-in-law picked up a cheap, low mileage DaewoooNew Biro Estate, and whilst being totally GRIM in the interior trim dept, it seems totally reliable. And reasonably practical, he chopped in a Renault Savanna Estate for it ( for which they allowed £100 notes !)Not sure on the "Sunbeam " inference though, Reggie (my favorite marque)......

[Mr Lobster]

Back when the Lanos was first introduced I worked for Thrifty Car Rental and we had a load on fleet. I particularly recall the steering wheels always felt really unpleasant to hold, the incredible slowness and Fisher Price interior.We had some top spec Leganzas though, they were top spec Autoshite when new!

[wuvvum]

I did quite like my Leganza I have to say. It was a 2-litre CDX manual. Thoroughly unexciting but very competent and quite pleasant to drive - made a great motorway car. I've never tried a Lanos - occasionally considered them when looking for a cheap runabout, but I might not do so again after reading this thread...

[pandamonium]

Ok, so we've disregarded the Lanos - What would the esteemed collective of autoshite recommend?I'll give you the parameters....5 DoorsAstra sizeLess than 10 yrs old if possDecent boot, no saloonsNot green red or whiteNot French, Italian or German.Definately no Rovers.SunroofI'll add more as I think.

[AXrescuer]

An Astra perhaps? I love em to bits!

[Station]

Nexia was mk2 Astra, think this one is the mk3 Astra as the two cars have different lower arms, not a lot of difference. My brother has one of these.Took some bits from a Nexia and was surprised they took a 15 year old car and made it cheaper, the plastics and trim is terrible.

[trigger]

How much do you have to spend? How about a Honda Civic 5-Door, I always really liked them, Even they they are a Rover 400, Honda engines also FTW.

[MrRegieRitmo]

Proton Satria?

[pandamonium]

Aren't Satrias 3 doors?Budget is £1600ish

[Justin Case]

Ok, so we've disregarded the Lanos - What would the esteemed collective of autoshite recommend?

Hyundai Accent (2000 on model) ?

[Talbotman]

Ba series mazda 323f? - the last of the swoopy shaped ones - get a good one and should last a lifetime - suprisingly practical too!