Test Drive Daewoo Espero 1990 - 1997 Sedan
Wind from the East
Undoubtedly, in the title of the Middle-class daewoo model there is a raisin: Espero translated from Italian means West or wind from the West. It is quite well invented, considering that European development is taken as the basis of the car, and the body of the body is drawn by the Italian masters from Atelier Bertone. But consumer and running quality, and the most important price, suggest that the wind is still blowing in another direction. Today, no one will say that Korean cars are unfinished and raw self-propelled strollers. Nowadays, the car from the country of morning freshness consider full-fledged players in the global market. But most recently, they passed exactly the same way that the relentless criticized fruits of the Chinese industry are now going: the Koreans at one time simply copied European and Japanese development, and not new. The basis of Hyundai The late 1980s of the 1990s lay down the products of the Mitsubishi constructors, and the creators of Daewoo borrowed the experienced Opel samples. Espero was built in 1993 on the basis of Opel Ascona (in the long list of promotional cars also include Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunfire and even Cadillac, however, in the form of the Americans of Budget Cimarron). In 1997, the model was stopped in Korea, but until 1999, Doninvest was supplied to the Russian factory, which continued to collect Espero (they also made it in Poland and Romania).
It must be said that, unlike many Chinese manufacturers, Daewoo did not copy ASCONA one to one, but only used the platform. The body was re-drawn in the famous Atelier Bertone. It turned out fresh and original. And although today, we recognize, the model is outdated, then she looked very interesting and rich. By the way, they produce Espero exclusively with the body of the sedan. It should be noted that from a practical point of view, the purchase of copies collected at the factory in Rostov: they were already in the database equipped with steel protection of the engine compartment and gearbox, and this is not a trifle. Road clearance, though relatively large 150 mm, but due to the long wheelbase, the movement of non-heavy roads accompany the scrapers and strikes, so that with protection is calmer, is not it? The headache of the Espero owners is low. The first stage of treatment for the replacement of the part, the next stage is good processing of the anti-corrosion composition so that the problem is no longer returned. 
Espero interior is distinguished by a pretty spacious interior (for four passengers there is enough space), a bulk trunk and good equipment (electrical glass, which, unfortunately, sometimes cease to work as it should, Electric Mirrors, Central Castle, Air Conditioning, Hydraulic Steering Amplifier All this is present in any car). Even finishing materials do not cause unpleasant sensations to the normal level, taking into account the price. But the ergonomics is upsetting: the secondary equipment is uncomfortable in principle, the seat and the steering wheel are located not on the same axis, but in addition, even the doors from the inside open it difficult to open (pull up the checkbox recessed in the door armrest, dubious pleasure). Riding properties give the auto model (and not surprisingly Germanic roots): the suspension is configured to comfort, it confidently overcomes the irregularities of almost any caliber. The reverse side of the medal carbs the car in turn, and feel weakly. The Espero compensation offers good dynamics, in any case with the most powerful two-liter engine. Equipped with Espero MCRP with a low start on one or two buildings ahead of the 150-strong Dodge Stratus of the 2001 sample, and the advantage of Korean saves in the entire speed range.
De Yura Espero set three different engines: a 1.5-liter engine with a capacity of 90 liters. with. from NEXIA (it is rare, and it pulls sluggish), an aggregate of 1.8 l with a capacity of 95 liters. with. (It is even less common than a two-liter engine, because it was intended for the Korean market) and a two-liter engine with a capacity of 105 liters. with. But de facto on the Russian market most copies are equipped with a powerful engine capacity of 2.0 liters. The unit created by the GM designers showed itself from the best side: with properly, it is completely able to work out 250 thousand km without overhaul. Other advantages: he has a low fuel consumption, he perfectly digesting Russian gasoline and, in addition, practically does not suffer from chronic diseases (the only defects high-voltage wires are located near the intake manifold, and therefore experiencing a high temperature). Elements of the cooling system (thermostat and pump) serve without replacing 100 thousand km, the injectors of the injection system are sometimes up to 150 thousand km. About the manual transmission, which can most often meet under the hood Espero, there is nothing wrong with: a simple and durable unit. There are, of course, age problems (for example, a breakdown scene, which reduces the clarity of gear shift), but exist
absolutely reliable details? But the machines buy quite risky. First, there are very few on our market. Secondly, in which case, not in each workshop will be repaid the gearbox from the used machine. Therefore, if you do not imagine life without automatic transmission (and there are a lot of such people in big cities, where the prospects will not get the plugs on the mechanics), then do not suck on a thorough diagnosis. Suspension, unfortunately, it is impossible to call strong. It is often necessary to change ball supports (on average they serve 30 thousand km), as well as the silent blocks of levers (50 thousand km and preparing money for new, well, though the levers do not have to change entirely). The rear springs are fragile exactly the same as the younger Nexia (though, the older model is tougher, because this problem rarely makes itself felt). The front shock absorbers work quite a long time to 100 thousand km. The rear racks are less durable: their service life is one and a half or two times less. The steering of complaints does not cause: most often you have to get out on the tips of the steering, and it is not every day and not even every year (they can pass 60 thousand km without any problems). The brakes here are average, including for a service life: the front pads will withstand 20 30 thousand km, whereas about the rear it will be quite possible to forget 100 thousand km (rear brake mechanisms for all instances of drum).
Although it is a raised copy of European development, but the Korean Espero is not a modern Chinese, who in the first kilometers can be given a unpleasant surprise in the form of an unexpected breakage. The middle class sedan from Daewoo is quite a practical, reliable and convenient vehicle, ideal for an unreliable motorist who wants to obtain a relatively large and well-equipped machine for a small amount. Yes, there are disadvantages: the model is morally outdated, besides there are samples more sports and with more ergonomic salons, well, and, finally, you can not even talk about prestige here. But all this with interest compensates advantages, including affordable price and ease of operation. In a word, the car is simple, quite maintainable, besides spare parts, moreover, inexpensive, for him in the stores the sea. Some characteristics
Body type sedan.
Number of doors 4.
Number of seats 5.
Length, mm 4615
Width, mm 1718
Height, mm 1388
Wheel base, mm 2620
Road clearance, mm 150
Acceleration up to 100 km / h, sec. * 10,8
Maximum speed, km / h * 185
* Espero 2.0 with manual transmission
Approximate cost of some spare parts *
Name Details Price in rubles
Brake shoes front 1200
Brake shoes rear 1500
Front shock absorbers (set) 3600
Shock absorbers rear (set) 3000
Spark plugs (set) 400
Oil filter 200.
Fuel filter 250.
Air filter 250.
Ball support (1 pc.) 500
Tip steering thrust (1 pc.) 450
Coupling (set, manual transmission) 3200
Front wing 3300.
Front door 9500.
Front bumper 5000.
Headlight 2600.
Advantages and disadvantages of the model Advantages
Good dynamics
good equipment
interesting appearance
disadvantages
Low resistance to corrosion,
elder salon
flossing suspension
