So, What's The Deal With Chevrolet Optra and Aveo?

[kotiko]

Hey guys!

Please educate me. It seems that most of the time the Chevy Optra (I'll add in the Aveo na rin) is mentioned around here, there always seems to be a negative remark about it. I don't know what exactly the reason why these cars from GM are somewhat "discriminated" by some people. Some people say something about it being a "rebadged Daewoo", some say about its relability, and so on. I want to know the "acurate" reasons why these people don't seem to like Chevy cars here in the Philippines.

Well personally I don't have any bad opinions about these cars, I even think they look good and are cheaper than others. These cars range only around 550k to 600k+ I think and even have good engines with them.

So please do post your opinions about this matter. Thanks! :D

[ghosthunter]

three words: Poor Build Quality

[glntVR]

We have 3 Chevrolet cars. An Optra 1.6 m/t, Optra 1.8 a/t and a Venture LT.
Here is what i can say, not all people like these cars mainly for the reason that some had bad experiences with the GM in terms of service. Another reason I think are the availability of parts. Since it's not as widespread as parts of mainstream brands like Toyota Honda etc, parts are pricier and harder to find. As for the optra, u need not worry too much in buying parts for the first 2 or 3 years since it's free. But for the Venture and other GM cars, parts are expensive.

[hotshots]

kotiko, i sold my optra 1.6LS a/t after 1 year of usage, reason, very poor build quality, low fuel efficiency(6km/l), very very bad service center, for my 1 year of ownership, 1/3 of it stays in the service bay, there's always some wrong with the car, from engine to fuel pump to brakes and back to the engine again!!! 1 week after i got the car, they told me they have to change the alternator because it was the cause for the whinning noise, very bad quality control!! after i sold my optra for 500k with only 8k on it, i swear on never getting another car made by GM

[kotiko]

Um, yeah, I'd have to agree with the parts and service of GM. They are expensive and usually not worth the price youre paying!

What's with Daewoo anyway rin pala?

[MAXBUWAYA]

Ill take the word of some Trusted quality people here who has has bad experience with GMs Quality and service.

Thats why am staying away from this brand.

(Rather than listening to some broadsheet motoring journalist whos been given a weekend vacation just to test drive their car :P)

[bluntman]

It's true about them being a rebadged Daewoo, a quick search on Google will find the proof. But if I were in the Philippines, I wouldn't buy a GM vehicle...come to think of it, I'm in North America, I still wouldn't buy a GM vehicle. As the others have said, poor build quality, poor service and a poor track record make for an unattractive purchase.

[gearspeed]

Experience ko nung dineliver sa DBP makati yung optra namin may damage na yung rims at tire.ang latest na napansin ko kapag umaadar pa lang siya parang humihinga pa, malakas uminom ng gas,hirap magstart hindi siya one-click, hindi maganda ang transmission at kapag magshift ka every gear ang layo.
Oks lang ang stereo at speakers niya

kami rin sa ngayon binebenta na namin optra namin for P475,000 nasa 6k pa lang ang mileage.

[BlueBimmer]

in short stay the hell away from an optra!

[zechs]

gearspeed, naku..ang mura naman nun..sayang naman..pero mahirap talagang i-dis-courage yung mga gusto talagang bumili..di kaya madaming lemon? so poor quality control din on their part..

[gearspeed]

gearspeed, naku..ang mura naman nun..sayang naman..pero mahirap talagang i-dis-courage yung mga gusto talagang bumili..di kaya madaming lemon? so poor quality control din on their part..

Oo nga eh ang mura meron pa nga tumatawad dito sa amin sa alabang na kung pwede 430,000 na lang hindi na kami pumayag dapat 500thou kaso mukhang malabo.

[BlueBimmer]

Oo nga eh ang mura meron pa nga tumatawad dito sa amin sa alabang na kung pwede 430,000 na lang hindi na kami pumayag dapat 500thou kaso mukhang malabo.

buyer's market kasi..

[niky]

That's the reason why Daewoo died in the first place. Poor quality and build control, as well as poor servicing. It didn't help that their previous lineup borrowed heavily from Opel's budget division, as most of those cars are servicing nightmares, too.

GM's reputation for after-sales service is really bad in the US. They usually finish near the bottom of customer survey lists in terms of reliability, too.

The new Optra is experiencing a lot of problems. Even C! Magazine, who tout the Optra as a true Altis alternative, admit that they: 1. Have a gas-consumption problem, and 2. Have had to replace their battery twice within the year.

The only mechanical/electrical problem I've had with my Ford within the year is a blown fuse for an indicator light. The only casa-time my Lynx has seen has been my fault.

It's sad for a brand that is trying to build a regional identity that Chevy is saddled with Daewoo's baggage. Add to that the fact that their "premium" sedan (the Lumina) is almost as old as me... well...

[BlueBimmer]

crap crap crap!!!

[ian_rex]

i don't know, for me i think GM often overlooked their QA since they are the worlds largest manufacturer. they have many subsidiaries (Opel, Vauxhall, Daewoo, Isuzu, Chevorlet, Buick, etc). and was implementing 'badge engineering' (or what the hell it means).

however, there is always a room for improvement.

[oldblue]

tingin ko palpak service ng GM d2 kasi mahal ang parts, kung naging sing-mura or
mas mura pa sa Toyota parts ng GM d2 sigurado dami na naka-optra ngaun hehehe

[ale828]

I see so many optra now a days, i am still wondering if these people are having some bad experiences with it as i do. But I do own a 03' A/T optra and from my experience the worst is the fuel economy. you really have to drive it economically to get around 7-8km/L. build quality is still not up to japanese sedan standards but is quite ok for me. I only had a very few nags, like the loose cup holders and that you have to periodically check the battery fluid because it seems to drain fairly fast even if used everyday. The good thing with the GM battery is that you can easily check the battery level via a glass viewer in the middle of the battery. Plus the 6 disc changer is already full of errors.

[sniper]

guys at the showroom told me that this new batch of optra 1.6 06 model comes from thailand. Does Daewoo have a plant in thailand? I have to wait for some new comments on the 06 model bfore i decide not 2 consider optra. I appreciate your comments and would appreciate more if u can provide me an updated evaluation of this model. thanks a lot.

[niky]

It's Korean engineered, but the Thai plant is the final assembly point. AFAIK, Thai handiwork is just about as good or a little less than Filipino (Filipino assembled cars have won JDPower's initial quality awards, BUT Thai assembles the Jazz/City).

If you're talking about the cosmetic facelift model, likely, all the same complaints will still hold true, unless they changed what's under the hood.

[albert_b]

Sayang naman ang optra. They're marketting it aggressively pero sana they back it up with quality. Sana the 2006 model answers these quality issues na.