Daewoo Nubira 2.0

...the market, the Korean built Daewoo Nubira competes favourably on price and specification with both its Japanese and European cousins.
There are four cars in the range, the 1.6 S.E. and the 2.0 C.D.X. saloons, and the estate versions of the same.
All of the Nubira’s similarly-engined competitors are much more expensive. Its main opposition would be the Vectra, Mondeo, Primera, and Avensis, but it is significantly cheaper than ...
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~ ~ The Daewoo Nubira has a lot going for it, especially its exceptional price and high specification levels. At just over £15,000 for either the saloon or the estate, it offers more for less, compared to most of its familiar opposition.

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~ ~ This is a review I wrote last year (2000) to test the suitability of the Nubira as a suitable taxi vehicle here in Dublin.
While it is a ... more

~ ~ A relative newcomer to the market, the Korean built Daewoo Nubira competes favourably on price and specification with both its Japanese and European cousins.
There are four cars in the range, the 1.6 S.E. and the 2.0 C.D.X. saloons, and the estate versions of the same.
All of the Nubira’s similarly-engined competitors are much more expensive. Its main opposition would be the Vectra, Mondeo, Primera, and Avensis, but it is significantly cheaper than them all.

~ ~ Daewoo cars were at one time based on the cast-off designs of General Motors, but that’s not true any more. They are totally engineered and designed by the Korean manufacturer, and to very exacting standards indeed.
So what about the drivability? It is a refined and comfortable car, with good performance and excellent fuel economy.
The specifications are comprehensive. Air-conditioning, dual driver and passenger airbags, A.B.S. brakes, remote central locking, alarm, side impact bars, heated mirrors, and an engine immobiliser are all fitted as standard. For all of you that have yet to experience the joys of air-conditioning, you will be a convert the first time you use it to demist your car. It is far more effective than a heater alone, which leaves the vehicle feeling like the inside of a sauna.

~ ~ Your safety is well catered for, and if you are unlucky enough to be involved in a ‘shunt’ the dual airbags and side impact bars both give you that extra bit of added protection.
The A.B.S. (anti-lock) braking system can help you avoid that most feared accident, the rear end collision. Lost no-claim bonuses and whiplash claims are a drivers’ nightmare in our litigation conscious society.
Leather upholstery and trim can be purchased as an extra on the C.D.X., as can an electric slide and tilt sunroof. The leather seats are an option well worth considering. Leather wipes clean, while cloth upholstery is renowned for its sponge like qualities and ability to retain unpleasant odours for days.
If you are a sun-worshipper then the tilt and slide sunroof will cost you an extra £825.
There are electric windows all round on the C.D.X., and on the front only on the S.E. version, while the estate has a rear integrated wash and wipe.

~ ~ It is a good looker, with metallic paint, colour coded bumpers and side protection strips, a distinctive chrome grill, and integrated headlights and front bumper. All again at no extra cost! All versions come with a high mounted rear stop lamp, and the C.D.X. also includes front fog lamps as standard, both again useful safety features. Alloy wheels are standard on both the saloon and estate models of the C.D.X.
A R.D.S. radio/cassette stereo is fitted in all models, with the C.D.X. having a six speaker sound system.
“Will ya give us some sounds driver?” You can really blow them away with the six-speaker system. It’s like being in the front row of an ‘Oasis’ concert!
Comfort levels are high, with the drivers’ seat having lumbar support, and height and tilt adjustments, an extremely useful addition for drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel. Another useful extra is the cup-holder for your ‘cuppa’.
There is more than ample space in the rear seat for three adult passengers, and leg room is OK.
Boot space is superb, but for extra load capacity, the estate car is the one to go for. There is room in the tail for about 5 to 8 suitcases (depending on size) and the extra cost is only a meagre £500 compared to the saloon. The estate also has roof rails as standard, which gives even greater luggage capacity.

~ ~ The handling is crisp, the power steering light and responsive, the ride quiet and smooth, and the performance impressive.
With the 1.6 litre you will go from 0 to 62 M.P.H. in eleven seconds, while in the 2.0 litre you will do the same in a zippy nine seconds.
It also maintains good levels of torque or pulling power at low engine speeds.
The 5 speed manual gearbox is a delight, and for city driving a 4 speed automatic box is an optional extra on the C.D.X., but it is expensive at £2,200 .
Fuel economy is quoted at a frugal 36.2 M.P.G. and 32.5 M.P.G. for the 1.6 and 2.0 litre respectively,

~ ~ The Daewoo Nubira has a lot going for it, especially its exceptional price and high specification levels. At just over £15,000 for either the saloon or the estate, it offers more for less, compared to most of its familiar opposition.

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~ ~ This is a review I wrote last year (2000) to test the suitability of the Nubira as a suitable taxi vehicle here in Dublin.
While it is a good car, it has to be said that it hasn't proved very popular with the taxi-drivers.

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