[Xoomie]

I am interested in buying Optra. But wanted more info about it
(maintenance, depreciation value, etc). I know that this model was based
from Daewoo Nubira. So.... after doing some homework I found this review
about Nubira and want to share with everyone... The below review is juat a
part of it.

Overall Rating; 2 Star (out of 5 star)

Assets
Feels robust, looks contemporary, impressively roomy for the price,
adequate driving experience, attractive back-up package

Drawbacks
Less than brisk performance, noisy engines, some cheap interior fittings,
average ride, poor stereo, price not low enough

Verdict
Fair as worry-free transport, but not terribly modern and not quite the
keen deal it appears to be.


INTRODUCTION
The saloon and Station Wagon (estate) are currently both available as a
109bhp 1.6 SX, and the saloon also comes in 122bhp 1.8 CDX form, with four-
speed automatic transmission as an option. Both engines are elderly but
modified General Motors units. The Nubira is relatively simply engineered
and designed for toughness, Daewoo's owners GM intending to sell plenty of
examples badged as Buicks, for instance, into the demanding conditions of
the Chinese market. But Daewoo has also part-developed the car's
suspension system in the UK, to better suit our roads and driving styles.

RELIABILITY AND QUALITY RATING: 3 star
The Nubira feels solidly constructed and rattle-free, body panel fit is
pretty good and the interior appears robust. However, the quality of many
of the materials used inside falls well short of the latest standards in
this class; the column stalks, seat trims and the CDX's fake wood look
particularly cheap. A seat recline adjuster dropped off one test car, too.
Splashes of faux aluminium finishes give the cabin a lift, but it's hardly
state-of-the-art. Reliability of the previous Nubira was not a strong
point, but this model should be an improvement.

DRIVING RATING: 2.5 star
Few will have difficulty driving the Nubira - its major controls are
fairly light and easily operated, while the minor switchgear holds no
surprises. The gearlever moves across a wide gate, but is easy enough to
manipulate. Though the standard seat height adjuster is a little fiddly to
use, it allows you to angle the cushion as well as raising it. This, in
combination with a rake-adjustable wheel (reach too in the CDX) makes it
easy to get comfortable. Forward visibility is good and the mirrors are
just about big enough, but the high tail and trio of sight-blocking head
restraints conspire to make reversing a painful business at times.

Nubira owners are unlikely to be seeking dynamic driving thrills, but it
is game if pushed hard through bends, and it is capable enough not to
completely discourage brisk driving. It handles very safely, resists
running wide quite effectively, and the steering is sensibly weighted and
accurate, if a bit lacking in feel. There's some body roll, and mid-bend
bumps can unsettle it, but for most it will prove adequate. But if you're
after a practical car that really is fun to drive, look to a Ford Focus or
an MG ZS.

COMFORT AND EQUIPMENT RATING: 3.5 star
Were it not for its intrusive engines, the Nubira would score more highly
here, because its suspension operates very quietly, there is impressively
little road noise and wind noise is fairly well contained. And a major
plus point - the air conditioning really does chill effectively, unlike
many rival systems. The generous interior space and reasonably comfortable
seats build its score too, but the excessively noisy 1.8 engine, which
turns vocal even at relatively modest revs, breaches the peace somewhat.
The 1.6 is better, if no paragon. Both engines allow a pretty relaxed
motorway cruise, though. Provided you don't work it hard, then, the Nubira
is quite a civilised place to be, though the seats are rather flat and
unsupportive for long journeys. The attractive…The saloon's boot is long,
wide and fairly deep, and there are sp1');
!I am interested in buying Optra. But wanted more info about it
(maintenance, depreciation value, etc). I know that this model was based
from Daewoo Nubira. So.... after doing some homework I found this review
about Nubira and want to share with everyone... The below review is juat a
part of it.

Overall Rating; 2 Star (out of 5 star)

Assets
Feels robust, looks contemporary, impressively roomy for the price,
adequate driving experience, attractive back-up package

Drawbacks
Less than brisk performance, noisy engines, some cheap interior fittings,
average ride, poor stereo, price not low enough

Verdict
Fair as worry-free transport, but not terribly modern and not quite the
keen deal it appears to be.


INTRODUCTION
The saloon and Station Wagon (estate) are currently both available as a
109bhp 1.6 SX, and the saloon also comes in 122bhp 1.8 CDX form, with four-
speed automatic transmission as an option. Both engines are elderly but
modified General Motors units. The Nubira is relatively simply engineered
and designed for toughness, Daewoo's owners GM intending to sell plenty of
examples badged as Buicks, for instance, into the demanding conditions of
the Chinese market. But Daewoo has also part-developed the car's
suspension system in the UK, to better suit our roads and driving styles.

RELIABILITY AND QUALITY RATING: 3 star
The Nubira feels solidly constructed and rattle-free, body panel fit is
pretty good and the interior appears robust. However, the quality of many
of the materials used inside falls well short of the latest standards in
this class; the column stalks, seat trims and the CDX's fake wood look
particularly cheap. A seat recline adjuster dropped off one test car, too.
Splashes of faux aluminium fi

[hushymushy]

Well xoomie,

it depends how you look at it.
I've seen international websites, canadian, african, china and some other
countries, all have different fittings. Some with leather seats, some
dont, some even have lousy fabrics.

For the price of RM88k +/-, its a worth buy.....to me.
Leather seats, ABS, fittings quite good. Power not enough, well its a 1.6
DOHC with 109BHP, but bear in mind, the body is heavier than japos cars.
I used to drive a Nissan Sentra 1.6 B14 97, man that car can really whack
any Optra 1.6 in terms of speed, but comfort, quietness out oredi.
Toyota Vios 1.5 is delivering 109BHP as well, lighter and smaller engine,
definitely going to smoke us 1.6 Optra on the road any time.

So, well Optra is much meant for real racing, but comfort driving...yes.
Maintenance, if you can afford to maintain Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic,
Nissan Sentra, then i guess everyone's the same.
Optra...spacious....compared to any 1.6 on the road....its really spacious

another plus point....good for ICE....sound proofing better than most car
in the same class.

[thamsm]

The review was done at the country which is crazed for power and
handling , no room for those family sedan like Nubira/Optra or even
Altis/Sentra/Normal Civic .

I dun think Toyota/Nissan/Honda are selling their Altis/Sentra/Normal
Civic over there due to fear that those Mat Salleh are not going to
accept their boring sedans .

[fulat2k]

I can vouch for Optra's quietness and comfort compared to Vios (1.5E, but G
should be the same). Since the Optra heavier (not sure by how much)
compared to the Vios, the FC will definitely suffer.

[elhefe]

Xoomie,

Nothing like going for a test drive......Its like finding a wife ..... U
like her...then u marry her.....U dont listen to people's recommendation
right hehehhe...

On a more serious note, I bought a Honda Civic 2.0 i-VTEC in Nov 04 and
bought the OPtra 1.6 in January 05.....Its a much more fun drive in the
OPtra compared to Civic. Well...that my opinion.

My suggestion....go out and test drive all the cars that cathc your liking.

Took me 6 months to decide on the Honda....and 3 months on the Optra.

[hushymushy]

wah elhefe...
you quite rich also ar...
when is ur benz sports coming??
kekekekekeke
ICE ICE BABY!!

[zeese]

I don't have optra, or city or vios.

In term of their quietness, are they comparable..
or is it optra is away better than city & vios?

I'm still in the process of considering between these three..

[hushymushy]

zeese,

buying cars is like buying clothes for yourself.
every car has pros and cons....its how you look at them is where your
decision is...

for me...I chose Optra bcoz of the spacious cabin and trunk, comfort and
quiet (better sound proofing).
I was at the point of going crazy choosing cars...Vios, City and Optra.
Optra fuel consumption not as good as City and Vios for sure....but
comfort and spacious...i think Optra is better.

So it boils down to ur own decision.

[ketaauto]

This is my advise to those who're driving American/Korean/Italian cars
dun waste your time reading those reviews done by the British . Most of
the time your heart will be totally torn after reading their stmts .

They're just bias/dated/conservative/lack of imagination bunch of ppl who
are addicted to power and handling only . If not their car industry would
not easily fallen into the hand of German/American or even Msia.

[fulat2k]

I agree. Just look at shows like Top Gear. They ALWAYS stress on 0-60 and
max speed and handling. Nothing else really matters.