1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Daewoo Nubira. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Daewoo Nubira.

1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira Review

Falling squarely in the middle of Daewoo's three-car lineup, the Nubira was a relative large front-drive subcompact. Somewhat bigger and more powerful than the entry-level Lanos, it was smaller than the "flagship" Leganza sedan. Rivals included the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Protege, Toyota Echo, and Chevrolet Prizm. Initially, Nubiras came in three body styles: four-door sedan, four-door hatchback, and four-door station wagon. The hatchback would last only a single season. Sole engine was a 2.0-liter, dual-overhead-cam four-cylinder, mated to either a manual gearbox or optional automatic transmission. The Nubira CDX was unusual for its class, with standard antilock braking (optional in the SX). Daewoo was the third South Korean automaker to enter the U.S. market, trailing Hyundai and Kia. Rather than starting with regular dealerships, Daewoo initially recruited teams of students to promote the car on college campuses. As that program was found wanting, conventional dealerships began to spring up around the country. Buyers got a roadside assistance program as part of their new-Nubira purchase.

Year to Year Changes

2000 Daewoo Nubira: Hatchbacks were gone, leaving only an SE sedan, along with a sedan and wagon in upscale CDX guise. Although more Daewoo dealerships were emerging, the South Korean company was facing serious financial troubles--bad enough to prompt consideration of a possible takeover by one of the Big Three automakers.

2001 Daewoo Nubira: Nubira wagons got revised taillamps this year. All Nubiras switched from handwheel-type front backrest recliners to a ratcheting lever adjustment setup. An optional convenience package could upgrade the SE sedan to CDX features, including power windows and locks, a tilt steering wheel, CD/cassette stereo, foglamps, and a keyless entry/alarm system. Antilock braking again was standard in the CDX, but unavailable for the SE. Although the increasingly suffering Daewoo company continued to ship cars to the U.S. market, financial woes were mounting rapidly back in South Korea. Prospective purchasers emerged, then backed away, and Daewoo's ultimate fate seemed dubious.

2002 Daewoo Nubira: Antilock braking no longer was available as the 2002 model year began. The lineup included an SE sedan and upscale CDX wagon. Cutting the CDX price by $1,200 meant losing its ABS, cruise control, CD player, keyless entry, foglamps, theft-deterrent system, and alloy wheels. All of those items, except for ABS, were offered as an option package. In spring 2002, General Motors bought a big share of the assets of the Daewoo organization--but not its sales arm in the U.S. That move left Daewoo dealers hanging in the wind, selling only leftover cars with no new models on the way. Owners, meanwhile, remained unsure how their vehicles would be repaired under warranty.

1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Engine noise

	Automatic-transmission performance

	Rear-seat entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Ranking as a midpack performer in every way, the Nubira seems to have several personalities. Some examples behave nicely, while others deliver more annoyance than driving pleasure. Considering its origins, though, the Nubira is generally a surprisingly pleasant and capable small car. As for acceleration, a CDX wagon with automatic ambled to 60 mph in 10.1 seconds, averaging about 20 mpg in hard driving. Neither figure is great, but both are passable. The ride is fairly supple, turning choppy only when the pavement gets rough. Handling is front-drive safe, if ordinary, though with some body roll evident. Braking is competitive if ABS is installed, with fine "panic" braking prowess. Nubira's automatic transmission sometimes shifts with a lurch. The manual gearbox can be balky and uncertain, seemingly mismatched to a mediocre-acting clutch. The coarse-sounding engine gets loud when pushed and its noise intrudes even in gentle driving. For its exterior dimensions, the Nubira is pretty roomy inside. Two medium-sized adults should not feel cramped in back, at least on shorter trips. Gauges and switches are mostly handy and legible, but audio controls could be more convenient. Workmanship is generally good--in line with the Nubira's moderate new-car price, if spoiled by a few second-rate details. Interior ambience comes across as discount-store level rather than designer-inspired.

Value for the Money
Overall, the Nubira is an average subcompact from a company whose future is in grave doubt. Buy one only with great caution, and only if the price is truly hard to pass up. Daewoo resale values were low even before the big financial ills loomed, so finding a low-priced example shouldn't be difficult. Still, it would be wiser to pay a few dollars more for an alternative model, such as the impressive Ford Focus.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Deawoo Nubira CDX 4-door wagon	Rating

Performance	3

Fuel Economy	7

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	3

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	6

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	3

Cargo Capacity	7

Value within Class	1

Total:	40

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Brakes: Water can enter the parking brake cables and freeze in cold weather rendering the parking brakes inoperative unless rubber boots are installed on the cable ends. (1999-2000)

Check-engine light: Crankshaft position sensor fails causing check-engine light and drivability problems. (1999-2002)

Fuel gauge: Incorrect fuel gauge readings are caused by a defective resistor card in the fuel sender. (2001-02)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$405

Alternator	$535

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$690

Brakes	$220

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$395

Constant Velocity Joints	$810

Exhaust System	$210

Radiator	$160

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,000

Timing Chain or Belt	$210

NHTSA Recall History

1998-02: Camshaft position sensor on some engines may melt, resulting in burning smell and visible smoke that could lead to melting of camshaft cover and wire harness, possibly causing underhood fire.

2000-02: A crack in the front brake hose could become a rupture and allow leakage of brake fluid.

1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1999
Nubira CDX	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200
Nubira SX	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200

2000
Nubira CDX	$1,600-2,100	$1,100-1,400	$200-300
Nubira SE	$1,400-1,900	$900-1,200	$200

2001
Nubira CDX	$2,100-2,600	$1,500-1,800	$400-500
Nubira SE	$1,800-2,300	$1,200-1,600	$300

2002
Nubira CDX	$2,800-3,300	$2,100-2,500	$600-700
Nubira SE	$2,400-3,000	$1,700-2,200	$500-600

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door hatchback	4-door sedan	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	101.2	101.2	101.2

Overall Length, in.	167.2	175.4	177.7

Overall Width, in.	66.9	66.9	66.9

Overall Height, in.	56.1	56.1	56.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	2546	2566	2694

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	11.3	13.1	19.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.7	13.7	13.7

Seating Capacity	5	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.3	38.3	38.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.9	41.9	41.9

Rear Head Room, in.	38.0	38.0	38.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.7	34.7	34.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

A dual-overhead-cam, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making 129 horsepower, propelled all Nubiras. Either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic could be installed.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	2.0 / 122	129	136	5-speed manual: 22/31 4-speed automatic: 22/30	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: South Korea

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira Review:

Daewoo Nubira

Daewoo Nubira Road Test

Daewoo Nubira Reliability

Daewoo Nubira Prices

Daewoo Nubira Specs & Safety

Daewoo Nubira Photos

Daewoo Nubira Full Review