DAEWOO NUBIRA 1.8 CDX 4dr (2003)

Nubira CDX - Bit bland but hardly any trouble

I reckon on balance I'd prefer a dull reliable car to a sexy one that's too flaky. Well the Nubira is certainly in the first of those two, it's coming up for 8 years old now, done about 60k miles, and I haven't had a single major problem with it. My Daewoo Nubira CDX has had little things replaced during the service, and tyres at MOT time. Apart from that it's just been plain sailing. It's quite good with fuel as well, I'd say I get mid 30s MPG in day to day driving (school run, cross town commute) which is good for a car this age, although it doesn't compare so well to newer cars. That might force my hand at some point but I'm reluctant to part with a reliable car.

The Nubira's a clever car too, quite a few clever things inside, which is another reason it's surprising it's had so little trouble, surely there's much more to go wrong. Things like the windscreen wipers that can tell when it's raining, that's very smart. We had the optional sensors fitted to ours as well, that help you with parking. They just beep faster and faster as you get closer to the other car. That's really handy. Also the glovebox is a fridge! Keeps drinks and things cool, although obviously only when the car is actually on, although it does stay cool for quite a long time once it's off.

We got the Daewoo Nubira just as our eldest was turning 15 and getting frighteningly tall, because our Micra was just too small for his enormous legs in the back there. The Nubira has plenty of space in the back for him, and we can also get the two girls next to him. The boot is lovely and big too, and easy to access with its big boot door.

My other half sometimes says it's a bit sort of lazy especially for a 1.8 litre car, not really got much fire in its belly he says! It's fine really though, overtakes ok and feels smooth enough on the motorway. The only thing I'd say is that it gets ever so slightly loud on the motorway, nothing major though.