Chevrolet Optra [Merged]

[Asus700]

the first thing i noticed about the 1.6 optra when i test drove one was its seeming lack of power. i said to the sales person that "parang mahina humatak"

totoo pala observation ko.

[niky]

Well, the Lynx RS has a decent engine, but it's not very light, either (about 1235 kgs)... and it's frustrating to tune for more power (versus a Honda... )

A good "tuner" car nowadays (good balance of power, lightness and balance) is the Honda Jazz 1.5... get a secondhand manual version, and you don't need very much else (good tires, some exhaust work) to make it perfect. The Vios needs much more work... better springs and shocks, for one... it's light and nimble, but it doesn't have the awesome balance of the Jazz.

But back to the Optra... have you checked the engines against each other, Mamar? Compared block dimensions, head design, intake runners and so forth? That's what will tell you how compatible they are.

But if you're going to go that far... man, get a Honda engine... or, cheaper yet, a Toyota 4AGE (for good high hp) or a Nissan SR20DE (for a good balance of hp and torque). A total buildup of either of the two will come in under 50-60k. It'll be a hell of a chore getting the wiring right, but it'll be cool... ...unfortunately, it might be buggy as hell.

For a straight swap between cars, I'd say you're looking at about 20-30k in labor... if it works.

[baludoy]

ganda ng optra na 'to. napanood ko iyong chevy optra team nila mag 1-2-3 finish sa wtcc sweden nang wala ako magawa kanina

[erem]

Hi guys, i am being pused by my friend to buy his optra 1.6 L ( base model 2005 / alpine white). I know that this car is not over used and kapitbahay lang namin. He is selling it to me in a reasonable price. Can you pls. give me a feedback kung how much na 2nd hand nito and the performance.

[2rol]

i have an optra wagon (SS)
Almost a year old, never had any problems with it. The car is pretty reliable at least for me. My only complain is the gas consumption. My truck is more efficient than it is. I still like though. It's my everyday battle car.

[SupreMacy]

i think turbo charging the engine is a lot better than trying to swap it with 1.8L engine.

is there a shop here in the Philippines which offers engine modifications for Optra?

[chuaed]

http://www.chevroletoptramagnum.in/

Chevrolet Optra Magnum TCDi diesel launched!
GM lines up Skoda Octavia in its sights as it launches the diesel Optra Magnum.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum, the diesel variant of Chevrolet Optra was launched on Saturday. The Optra Magnum comes in three variants - and is priced in the range of Rs 8.74 lakh to Rs 9.99 lakh. The Optra Magnum has a 2-litre turbocharged common rail direct injection diesel engine (TCDi, GM calls it). Genereal Motors believes the Optra Magnum's price will make it attractive to customers. The car delivers 120 bhp of max power.

Interiors

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum has leather wrapped around its steering wheel, seats and gear knob. The colours are two-tone beige. It has all new 2 DIN CD MP3 and cassette player, and 360- degree air vents for surround cooling effect.

The tilt steering and additional lumbar support add to the car's comfort. Even back seats come with a 60:40 split for optimum use of space. There are well-thought additions like a mobile phone holder. The NVH has also been improved in the Chevrolet Optra Magnum diesel for the best drive.

Exteriors

The car has almond shaped head lamps, borrowed from the Chevrolet-SRV hatch-back, which really makes the Chevrolet Optra Magnum stand out from the rest of the pack. The new chrome alloy wheels and special chrome plated door handles are standard in the Optra Magnum. And then there is that loud grille, all chrome and loud and definitely aggressive. The aggresive forward posture of the Chevrolet Optra Magnum complements its aerodynamic design.

Safety

ABS system with XPRO protection ensures prompt braking. Impact-proof bumper and dual air bags add to the Optra Magnum's safety.

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum comes in three variants: 2.0 MAX TCDi, 2.0 LS TCDi and 2.0 LT TCDi. There is no automatic transmission yet. Power windows, power steering, central locking, rear window defogger and cooled glove box are standard across all Magnums.

According to GM India president and MD Rajeev Chaba, the Chevrolet Optra Magnum diesel has been launched in India after introducing the diesel model in Europe and Korea.

With the Magnum, GM plans to take the more expensive Skoda Octavia in the luxury segment. Till now, GM India has just one diesel model - the Tavera. The company believes there is more demand in the demand in the diesel car market; Skoda Octavia has ruled the high-end diesel car market in India since launch; the Chevrolet Optra Magnum wants to dethrone the Indian diesel leader. The Magnum is its GM's first attempt to tap India's luxury disel car market.

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum is GM's second car launch this year. A couple of months back, it launched the Chevrolet Spark, the reborn Daewoo Matiz. Matiz vanished with the collapse of Daewoo Motor. GM, which took over Daewoo has relaunched the Matiz in India as Chevrolet Spark after a log gap.

According to Anisha Motwani, director (marketing), GM India, the company has been able to achieve robust growth even as the industry is undergoing a slowdown. This year GM is aiming to sell 66,000 units as compared to 38,800 last year. A lot of these sales wil come from the small car Spark.

too bad wala pa dito sa atin, kailan kaya magkaroon dito? kagagaling ko lang sa Chevrolet Libis and asked them about the diesel variant ng optra, wala sila alam... ang alam lang nila iyun captiva na diesel...

[niky]

Good news... wonder if they'll bring it in?

[AG4]

So far still no diesel variant here, but the "facelifted" Optra has arrived.



Updated front end, new door handles, new wheels, integrated side mirror turn signals, and restyled interior door trim.
P13K price increase includes additional passenger airbag(dual-airbags) and a new 6-disc stereo/MP3 player with MP3 AUX port.

Expect this to be the final facelift, an all-new 2009 model using the GM Delta platform is already under development/testing.

[niky]

What the Optra really needs is new engines and transmissions.

If there's one car that is slower than a Mazda3 1.6 AT, it's likely the Chevy Optra 1.6 AT... and the transmission doesn't nearly feel as smooth.

[chuaed]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErMia36VmU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErMia36VmU[/ame]

Lyrics...

Halika na, Gabi ay malamig
Hindi ka ba kinikilig
Kung nauuhaw ako mag didilig
Tarana tayo ay lumayo
Bago ang kotse ko
Hindi pa na-bre-break in halika na sumama ka sa akin

(Chorus)
Ipapahawak ko sa iyo ang kambyo, paikot-ikotin ang manubela ko
Kalikutin mo ang radio, pati aircon pag nag init ako ohhh
Pasok na sa bagong kotse ko…

Titigan mo sa skirt niyang mapula,
ang laki ng bumper niya, sa harap at sa likod extended pa
Pakinggan sampu ang speakers ko ang lakas ng bumayo
Mangiginig ka baby halikana sumama ka sa party

(Repeat chorus)

I can see your headlights baby
Dito ka sa bumper baby
I can see your headlights baby
Dito ka sa bumper baby

[ITMA]

Hello Everybody,

Bought a wagon matic back in Feb 06. Overall I am very satisfied with the car. (My first by an American/Korean/Thailand make). Great value for money.

May I just ask - how do you really guage (or compute) for the fuel consumption? I am just beginning to suspect that my unit is consuming more fuel now compared to when it was still fresh from the dealer. It's casa maintained of course.

Thanks much for your help.

[chuaed]

Hello Everybody,

Bought a wagon matic back in Feb 06. Overall I am very satisfied with the car. (My first by an American/Korean/Thailand make). Great value for money.

May I just ask - how do you really guage (or compute) for the fuel consumption? I am just beginning to suspect that my unit is consuming more fuel now compared to when it was still fresh from the dealer. It's casa maintained of course.

Thanks much for your help.

congrats on your new Chevrolet Optra join:

http://www.chevroletclubphilippines.tk

[ITMA]

Hello All

Anbody knows why optra has a low resale value?

Is it still true that mahirap daw ang pyesa? Baka naman noon yun and ok na supply parts nowadays.

Looking foward to your comments.

Thanks.

[AG4]

Hello All

Anbody knows why optra has a low resale value?

Because Filipinos associate it with the old Daewoos assembled by Transfarm during the 90's and the gas-guzzling V8 Suburban.
Aside from that there were some early issues with the expensive parts of the US made Chevy SUVs, German Opels and the hard to get parts of the Shanghai-GM made Venture.

GM Philippines has improved much since then, specially after the current GMPh president(Francis Burdett) brought in the latest regional ASEAN spec models like the facelifted Optra, Aveo sedan and Captiva.

The Shanghai GM models sold here under the term of former GMPh president, James Lim, didn't do well in the aftersales service department, this also affected the image of GMPh and Chevrolet in the RP.

Look at Honda, because of their good first impressions... they've had many screw ups ranging from problematic power windows to falling fuel tanks and their Civic is still the best selling compact car in the country.

I guess its true that first Impressions last?

[niky]

Probably.

The Optra was really screwed by the fact that the first batch was bedevilled by poor ECU programming... it's really incredible that they don't push the reflash more aggressively to customers, in order to help create the impression that there's really an improvement.

With the current model, I still have issues with the engine's power and transmission quality, but with the reported increase in fuel economy, I'd say it's a relatively painless buy, except for the fact that the mindless "Ah, Basta! Toyota!" lemmings out there will try to slit your throat when you sell the vehicle in five or six year's time.

[ITMA]

"First Impressions Last"

You just said my sentiment. And its a shame. The optra IMHO is a very underated car. It has a lot of good qualities but easily overlooked - just because of impression.

Well, like the Nissan Stanza i hope this car quickly recovers from its initial glitches. And that the people at GMPh should have all the backroom support in place by now to give this car its true worth.

I guess we also have to pitch-in as optra users to spread its merits.

I find it very comfortable to drive. The quiet cabin, the plush suspension, cushy seats, 3-position headrests, 6-in dash cd player (my first time to try "bluepoint" and I'm very happy with it). Mine has a very smooth auto tranny. No complaints at all. The Pininfarina design together with the brushed aluminum like roof racks, tonneau cover and cargo net gives it an upper crust European flair. A welcome respite from all the Japanese we see around.

One more thing i like to mention, the all accessories-in for the price was a big plus in the purchase decision. Examples: 1) variable intermittent. Why can GM include this feature in an P829K car (wagon variant '06). While you get this in a Honda priced at P1M+. 2) Again at P829K I have steering wheel audio controls. Again, you only get this if you pay P1M+ for Honda. 3) Why do I have to cough-up and extra P2K for a decent floor matting (Honda) when at GM this is not an issue. Small things - but seems to me GM is more sincere about their price. They give more value and respect to the money - laced with blood sweat and tears - which I was about to part with them.

The Japanese - they have been taking us for a ride for so long (he he pun intended). Most likely they are overpriced - and we just don't notice it.

P.S. I have nothing against Honda and other Japanese makes. They produce outstanding products too..........Just observations.

[baludoy]

kumusta ng ang after sales service ng gm?

[niky]

I think they actually beat Ford last year in terms of customer satisfaction here in the Philippines... (and they're the top two... the big Japanese are actually behind them)

Which is a huge thing... Toyota and Honda are spending millions to revamp their customer service in order to catch back up in terms of customer satisfaction, while Ford, for the past four years or so, has been a perennial front-runner in terms of customer service and follow-up.

GM is trying really hard right now. It's a shame people aren't giving them a chance. ;)

[ITMA]

I think they actually beat Ford last year in terms of customer satisfaction here in the Philippines... (and they're the top two... the big Japanese are actually behind them)

Which is a huge thing... Toyota and Honda are spending millions to revamp their customer service in order to catch back up in terms of customer satisfaction, while Ford, for the past four years or so, has been a perennial front-runner in terms of customer service and follow-up.

GM is trying really hard right now. It's a shame people aren't giving them a chance. ;)

This IS very welcome news.

Mind sharing where you got this info?

Am not sure what you ment by your last sentence, but i think people are now very receptive to Chevrolet. Just look at all the optras, aveos and sparks around. And Captiva will not be far behind. Also, despite all the howl on the Venture, i still see so many of them in our streets. I guess the parts availability problem at GMPh is a thing of the past?