I'm new on this forum, but I tried to read posts and search for advice before posting this new thread. I hope you guys can give me some 'experienced' advice.
I've found a place not too far from me in the United States where I can get a 2001 Leganza CDX for cheap. It's got 44,700 miles on it, and has been a rental car so I can see their maintanence records. I was looking at an Accord DX (base model), but wasn't too excited about it. The Accord was a 2001 36,000 miles, and it cost nearly 3 times what this Daewoo does. Plus the Leganza has leather, CD, power everything, sunroof, keyless entry, and even a bit of powertrain warranty left.
I understand that it can be difficult getting parts for a Daewoo (I don't live in a large city), but there is a dealer about 30 miles from me. I'm OK with that. I have a regular mechanic in town that I use which works on all makes & models of cars. Is he going to be able to work on my Daewoo without screwing it up?
Also, I have read in here that I'll need to spend a bit soon on a new timing belt. Am I going to need to get a new belt tensioner as well? Anything else?
Are you all happy with your Daewoos? My father-in-law has a 1999 nubira that's been great for him--of course he lives in Europe, so people know how to work on them there.
Advise me on purchase of a used 2001 Leganza
Moderators: daewoomofo, Moderators Group
My purpose
I'm just looking for something that will be a good value to drive around daily. It doesn't have to be super-dependable, but I'd like to not spend more on repairs than I have on the car. Plus, I talked to my Polish father-in-law and he can get the parts super-cheap in Poland. Brake pads which list on the GM site for $50 can be had for about $20 there. I figure I'll get a couple of sets and just use them as needed. Also maybe get a couple of serpentine belts, a tensioner, and a cam sensor just to have in case of breakage. Poland has a lot of Daewoos on the roads there as there is a Daewoo plant there that exports all over Eastern Europe.
The main attraction to this car is that it's got lots of creature comforts and a 2001 with 45,000 miles for US$5,000. That's below book, and it's tons lower than the nearest competitor that's not similarly equipped. I'm not great at fixing stuff in the car, but I have an excellent mechanic who's reasonable and has worked on Daewoos in the past.
BTW thanks for the warm welcome and the advice. I'd love to hear more advice from the pros in here.
The main attraction to this car is that it's got lots of creature comforts and a 2001 with 45,000 miles for US$5,000. That's below book, and it's tons lower than the nearest competitor that's not similarly equipped. I'm not great at fixing stuff in the car, but I have an excellent mechanic who's reasonable and has worked on Daewoos in the past.
BTW thanks for the warm welcome and the advice. I'd love to hear more advice from the pros in here.
Man a Leganza y a lexus in the daewoo house. For a daily bling bling car just put some 18" wheels and tint on the glass. The spoiler if no have one allready and just clean it every weekend.
You have the answer your self. I can see that you want it. Go for it.
You have the answer your self. I can see that you want it. Go for it.
Last edited by mocpac on Wed Feb 11, 2004 12:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
- All Powerful
- Posts: 2767
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 10:37 pm
- Location: Virginia, USA
- Contact:
I have a 2001 Leganza SE with 46,000 miles on it and I love it. I use it for vacations and when I need to travel. My daily driver is a 2002 Lanos.
Anyway, with 44K on it, you will soon need to change the timing belt as the factory belts seem to have a shorter life than they are supposed to.
Daewoo recomends the belt be changed at 60K miles, but I would suggest changing it at 50K so there is no chance of the engine being damaged from the belt breaking.
Parts are a lot easier to get than they used to be and the car dealers that were Daewoo dealers will still service the cars.
If you need parts, you can always order from www.gm-car-parts.com and they have just about everything in stock.
$5,000 sounds like a steal for a CDX with only 44K miles on it. I'd jump on it, and then go ahead and change the timing belt so you do not need to worry about it. Even with a few hundred in an initial mechanical investment to make sure the car does not go wrong, you have to remember how much you are saving over all in comparison to any other comparibly equiped cars with that mileage on them. Think of the cost of the Accord you compared it to, and then think of the price of the Leganza + a new timing belt. It is a better choice and for the price, you can't get options like that on any other car in that price range.
Anyway, with 44K on it, you will soon need to change the timing belt as the factory belts seem to have a shorter life than they are supposed to.
Daewoo recomends the belt be changed at 60K miles, but I would suggest changing it at 50K so there is no chance of the engine being damaged from the belt breaking.
Parts are a lot easier to get than they used to be and the car dealers that were Daewoo dealers will still service the cars.
If you need parts, you can always order from www.gm-car-parts.com and they have just about everything in stock.
$5,000 sounds like a steal for a CDX with only 44K miles on it. I'd jump on it, and then go ahead and change the timing belt so you do not need to worry about it. Even with a few hundred in an initial mechanical investment to make sure the car does not go wrong, you have to remember how much you are saving over all in comparison to any other comparibly equiped cars with that mileage on them. Think of the cost of the Accord you compared it to, and then think of the price of the Leganza + a new timing belt. It is a better choice and for the price, you can't get options like that on any other car in that price range.
I was pretty surprised when I drove over to Nashville to see this guy. He's got about 30 Nubiras with between 30 and 45k miles and 20 Leganzas with between 42 and 48k. All are 2001's. Some are in rough shape, but he let me have the pick and they were all the same money.
I was really surprised at how much pickup that 2.2l has. It's a lot more fun to drive than a Civic or an Accord! I put it up on the rack at a mechanic buddy's there and he looked it over for me. He found the typical stuff for a car with 45k miles on it. It was easier to find with these cars than with a dealer as the insides of the car are not all polished up by a dealer so as to hide all of the leaks and potential problems. The cars have their share of dents and dings, but only a couple were really rough. I'm going to get a couple fixed in the next week, and also I'll need some new tires on the front in the next little bit.
It seems like there are a lot of you Daewoo fans in here, and he has a lot of them at what I think is a great price, $5,000 for the SX/CDX Leganza with all the bells & whistles, and $3,700 for the Nubira. If anyone wants the contact info, or something pm me and I'll be glad to put you in touch with him. I hate to put some guy's name & number up on the internet without his permission.
Thanks for all of the advice! I think you guys helped me make the right decision!
I was really surprised at how much pickup that 2.2l has. It's a lot more fun to drive than a Civic or an Accord! I put it up on the rack at a mechanic buddy's there and he looked it over for me. He found the typical stuff for a car with 45k miles on it. It was easier to find with these cars than with a dealer as the insides of the car are not all polished up by a dealer so as to hide all of the leaks and potential problems. The cars have their share of dents and dings, but only a couple were really rough. I'm going to get a couple fixed in the next week, and also I'll need some new tires on the front in the next little bit.
It seems like there are a lot of you Daewoo fans in here, and he has a lot of them at what I think is a great price, $5,000 for the SX/CDX Leganza with all the bells & whistles, and $3,700 for the Nubira. If anyone wants the contact info, or something pm me and I'll be glad to put you in touch with him. I hate to put some guy's name & number up on the internet without his permission.
Thanks for all of the advice! I think you guys helped me make the right decision!