Daewoo Nubira (1999 - 2002) : NU FACE, SAME SHOES
Friday October 20
Models Covered: 4DR SALOON, 5DR ESTATE: [1.6SE and 2.0 CDX]
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Its sometimes difficult to keep pace with Daewoo. Take the Nubira model as an example. Launched in 1997, the car was extensively revised in 1999 before being replaced with an all-new version in 2002. Quite how many iterations ahead the product planners in the Korean nerve centre are working is anyones guess but rapid product turnover seems a certainty.
If youre not too concerned with having the very latest thing a second generation Nubira, sold between 1999 and 2002 makes a lot of sense. Youre getting a lot of car for not very much money and its a good deal more modern than you may expect.
Known in the industry as one of the British Daewoos due to much of the development work having been conducted by the now-defunct Worthing technical centre, the second generation Nubira feels a good deal less Asian-generic than you may expect. The existing Daewoo proposition of comfortable, no-hassle motoring proved popular with a goo d number of mainly mature buyers and as such many Nubiras will have led a relatively easy life, often covering low mileages and having been serviced bang on the nose every time. The Nubira is reasonably well specified in standard trim, with the base Nubira, the SE, being fitted with air conditioning, twin airbags, immobiliser and alarm, four speaker RDS radio/cassette, metallic paint and body colour bumpers. The 2.
0 CDX model can most easily be identified by its electrically adjustable/heated body coloured door mirrors, and is also fitted with rear electric windows, six speaker stereo system and front fog lamps.
If youre after a car thats still reasonably fresh out of the crate but which wont mortgage you to the hilt, the Nubira makes a fair claim on your attention. The 1.6-litre SE saloon starts at an almost ludicrously affordable £1,400 for a 1999 T plated car with even a 51 plated version only fetching £2,100. Opt instead for the 2.
0-litre CDX and you can still bag one for less than £1,900 on a dealer forecourt with 51 plated models commanding £2,300. If buying leggy, tired cars isnt your thing, the Nubira might well be the answer.
To date no significant faults have been noticed with the Nubira. In order to get the best from the warranty package check to ensure that servicing has been carried out at the specified intervals. A bargaining point will be the residual warranty left on the vehicle, which is why the early 1999/2000 model year cars are now so very affordable.
(approx based on a Nubira 1.6 SE) Daewoo parts are considerably cheaper than they were in the pre-GM era. Therefore, a clutch assembly will be around £105 and a battery should be close to £50. Brake pads are around £17 a front set with a cam belt relieving you of £30.
Set aside £70 for an exhaust system centre section, whilst an air-filter will see £8 disappearing from the current account.
Whilst not competing on the same plane (as regards handling) as the Mondeo, Primera or 406, the Nubiras comfort-oriented perspective provides a cosseting ride. The design aspiration for the car was for a competitive mainstream product, and whilst the Nubira wont cut a dash in the car park or make its driver seek out a favourite set of bends, it nonetheless makes a fair fist of the basic requirements. The improved steering response of the facelifted 1999 car makes it a more satisfying tool to hustle than the first cars to hit these shores and the added refinement at speed is a boon on long motorway journeys. The brakes have a solid progressive feel although gearchange quality isnt a standout feature.
Although eclipsed buy its 2002 successor, the second generation Daewoo Nubira nevertheless has something to be said for it if inexpensive, reliable transport is your priority. It still feels acceptably modern and both engines available are rugged, well regarded units. Unless you lumber yourself with ex-fleet stock few cars will have suffered abuse at the hands of uncaring owners and besides, theres not a whole lot to go wrong. The Nubira may not go large on style but its certainly sensible.
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