After confirming the stereo works, turn it off and listen for any strange squeaking, popping, clunking or rubbing noises from the front end, which could indicate worn-out suspension components. Avoid a used Lanos that sounds like it’s about to cough up a ball joint or blow a strut. Since there are no dealers and so few Lanos models on the road, finding replacement parts will be a bit on the challenging side.
For the same reason, you’ll want to make sure the vehicle’s previous owners were fond of frequent and religious fluid changes for the engine and gearbox. Though reliability information on the Lanos is hard to nail down, proper maintenance is always key in powertrain longevity.
Note that a properly-maintained engine can typically run several hundred thousand kilometres. An abused and neglected engine can start ‘knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door’ in a fraction of that duration. If you wind up with one of the latter in your Lanos, good luck finding a replacement.
Be sure to have the tires and brakes inspected for wear, to ensure that the seller isn’t trying to pass a set of worn-out pads, warped rotors and burned-out rubber onto you. Avoid any model with a manual transmission that exhibits grinding or slippage, which could indicate a problem with the clutch or gearbox. Finally, be sure to scrutinize the vehicle’s paint, upholstery and interior trim for signs of excessive wear. If you find any, call it into pricing negotiations.
Note that a thorough mechanical underbody inspection can quickly reveal potential issues with chassis or suspension components, as well as fluid leaks that could indicate larger problems. Unfortunately, a Daewoo mechanic at a Daewoo dealer is the best person to look at the used Lanos you’re considering. Oh, and remember-- you won’t be able to check dealer service records or recall work on the used Lanos you’re considering, as there aren’t any dealerships.
These days, you’ve got a better chance of finding ten-karat gold in your toilet bowl than you do of finding a Daewoo mechanic. This isn’t looking very good at all.
Is there a plus side? In a word, yes. The Lanos is unique, not to mention cheap to fuel and cheap to buy. Resale values are among the automotive market’s poorest, and if you’re lucky, you’ll wind up with a model that may turn in several years of reliable performance.
For most shoppers, the Lanos’s scarce parts supply, poor driving dynamics and unproven reliability simply don’t outweigh its low cost. If you’re not fussy on refinement and can treat a car as a potentially-disposable transportation appliance, the Lanos might be worth an ounce of consideration. Otherwise, skip this machine.
For the same reason, you’ll want to make sure the vehicle’s previous owners were fond of frequent and religious fluid changes for the engine and gearbox. Though reliability information on the Lanos is hard to nail down, proper maintenance is always key in powertrain longevity.
Note that a properly-maintained engine can typically run several hundred thousand kilometres. An abused and neglected engine can start ‘knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door’ in a fraction of that duration. If you wind up with one of the latter in your Lanos, good luck finding a replacement.
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| 2001 Daewoo Lanos (Photo: Daewoo) |
Be sure to have the tires and brakes inspected for wear, to ensure that the seller isn’t trying to pass a set of worn-out pads, warped rotors and burned-out rubber onto you. Avoid any model with a manual transmission that exhibits grinding or slippage, which could indicate a problem with the clutch or gearbox. Finally, be sure to scrutinize the vehicle’s paint, upholstery and interior trim for signs of excessive wear. If you find any, call it into pricing negotiations.
Note that a thorough mechanical underbody inspection can quickly reveal potential issues with chassis or suspension components, as well as fluid leaks that could indicate larger problems. Unfortunately, a Daewoo mechanic at a Daewoo dealer is the best person to look at the used Lanos you’re considering. Oh, and remember-- you won’t be able to check dealer service records or recall work on the used Lanos you’re considering, as there aren’t any dealerships.
These days, you’ve got a better chance of finding ten-karat gold in your toilet bowl than you do of finding a Daewoo mechanic. This isn’t looking very good at all.
Is there a plus side? In a word, yes. The Lanos is unique, not to mention cheap to fuel and cheap to buy. Resale values are among the automotive market’s poorest, and if you’re lucky, you’ll wind up with a model that may turn in several years of reliable performance.
For most shoppers, the Lanos’s scarce parts supply, poor driving dynamics and unproven reliability simply don’t outweigh its low cost. If you’re not fussy on refinement and can treat a car as a potentially-disposable transportation appliance, the Lanos might be worth an ounce of consideration. Otherwise, skip this machine.
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